A Road Trip Across America Day 5

🛣️ Escaping Mississippi | A Terrifying Dusk Drive Through Mississippi 🌆 In the afternoon, we left Little Rock, Arkansas and embarked on the final leg of our journey toward New Orleans. Little did we know, a spine-chilling experience awaited us along the way... 🏞️ Crossing the Mississippi River | Heading to the "Forgotten Capital" of Jackson Not long after leaving Little Rock, we drove across the mighty Mississippi River. The sky's reflection shimmered on the rippling water, and everything seemed calm. We traveled along old roads beside Mississippi's farmlands, finally arriving at the state capital, Jackson, at dusk. My first impression of this place was one of decay, emptiness, and an overwhelming sense of silent oppression. The potholes on Main Street were massive—like bomb craters after an air raid. We had to drive carefully to avoid them, fearing a blown tire or even getting stuck. 🕯️ A Police Memorial | Solemnity Under the Setting Sun When we reached the State Capitol building, we coincidentally encountered a police memorial ceremony. Uniformed officers stood in a row on horseback, surrounded by silent, solemn crowds, honoring colleagues who had died in the line of duty. The setting sun cast long shadows, its light illuminating the gold-domed building and the solemn flags. In that moment, Jackson felt even more sorrowful. 🧟‍♂️ The Horror Moment: "Zombie" at the Gas Station Before leaving Jackson, we stopped for gas at a run-down roadside station—only to face the most terrifying moment of our entire trip. Just after filling up, a man who appeared to be under the influence suddenly emerged at the station entrance. Mumbling and roaring, he charged toward us like an out-of-control zombie… We were so terrified that we jumped back into the car and sped away without looking back 💨. In that instant, the harsh reality of Mississippi—the poorest state in the U.S.—was laid bare in its most raw form. 🔥 Arriving in New Orleans After escaping Jackson, we finally merged onto the highway. That evening, we stopped at a small roadside diner and treated ourselves to an authentic fried seafood feast—jumbo shrimp, crispy fish, cornbread—and instantly felt revived ✨. We continued driving into the night, watching the scenery outside the window shift from dense, dark forests to the glow of city lights. When ornate French-style iron balconies and neon signs began to flicker in the distance, we knew: we had finally arrived in New Orleans! #US #Florida #Jacksonville