I left Hattiesburg and headed west down US. 98 thru Columbia, Ms. I rolled into Foxworth and headed north on MS. 587. This leads to what is known as Red Bluff, also called "Mississippi's Little Grand Canyon." It's actually right outside of a little community called Morgantown. I've ridden this route several times but this is the first I've taken pictures. It is elevated from the rest of the area and has been caused by erosion of the Pearl River.  587 leads to Monticello, Ms. where it runs into US 84. It offers a nice ride but be cautious. While quick turns and drops offer a thrill ride there is a lot of loose gravel and always sticks and limbs in the road just waiting to cause an accident. There is some great scenery on this road. I took a bunch of pictures and want to get back to do a little more exploring. The trip from Foxworth to Monticello really isn't the long but I spent over 2.5 hours on it this time.

From Monticello I hit US 84 thru town and then hit Old Highway 27. Old 27 is indeed old. And narrow. Very narrow. It's definitely not the route you want take if you're in a hurry. It does have some interesting sites to see on it such as a catfish farm, old bridges and a very old cemetery. Old 27 intersected with MS. 27 at a place called Oma so I decided to get on it and put a few miles on the bike. This took me to Georgetown, Ms. People in Georgetown don't seem to like strangers. I stretched my legs for a moment then headed east on MS. 28. MS 28 was a great route. Not a lot of traffic and plenty to look at as  your riding by. I was unaware at the time but MS. 28 led me straight to US 49 in Magee, Ms.  I was tempted to get on 49 and head on home but decided to go a few more miles so I stayed on MS 28 until I came across MS. 531. I headed north again and ended up in a town called Bay Springs. 531 is a very nice road.

From Bay Springs I hit MS 18 for a short stretch and came across MS 15 which I knew would get me somewhere  closer to home than I was now. I decided to take that route. I will definitely be planning another trip soon on MS. 15. It runs from New Augusta, Ms. all the way to Tennessee and if the rest of it is like the part between Bay Springs and Laurel then it'll make a great ride. Well, I was ready to get home so I hit the quick and easy I-59 and headed on home. Total trip was 225 miles. I was hoping to get closer to 300 miles today but all the time I spent on MS. 587 caught up with me. It was worth it though.

 

 

This is the entrance to Brett Favres home. It's right outside of Hattiesburg heading west on US 98.

View from atop Red Bluff.

Red Bluff.

That is were they are moving MS 587 to. From what I hear this will be it's fourth relocation.

Gives you a good idea as to why they are relocating the road.

Cool shot of the red clay.

Another nice view.

I remember this going farther out when I was here in December.

I guess this where part of the old road used to be.

Found a little dirt road that went farther back which led me to this shot.

From the same place.

I came across this farther down MS 587. It was kind of freaky but I liked the trees.

Another tree behind the little shack.

Shot from the side.

Very freaky looking tree.

Looks like it's been abandonded but I think some checks on it occasionaly. Notice the humingbird feeder at the top left corner.

I had to see what was down this road.

It was a church.

Railroad tracks run beside MS 587. I don't recall what creek this was.

Same creek as railroad bridge.

Another abandoned home on some side road off MS 587.

The abandoned home was about 1/2 mile behind me. This is a shot of MS. 587 and a cemetery.

This is the other direction down up MS. 587. That is the direction I was heading.

Old railroad bridge. It would definately be hidden from sight one the trees are full of leaves. I could smell the creosote from the timbers.

Old highway 27. Very narrow road.

Fox Cemetary. Off Old Hwy. 27. Some very old graves.

I think this may have been the oldest that was still readable.

Abandond house on Old 27.

North on Old 27. Road was about like this until it ended at MS. 27 in Oma, Ms.

Bridge at Strong River on MS 28.

This home was on the Strong river also. Right across the bridge. Beautiful place.

Shot of the river from the bridge.

Place called Westville. This cemetery is about all that's left. This used to be the Simpson county seat. I did not know that until I saw this.

Shot of the cemetery.

Other side of the cemetery.

 

 

MS. 587. Great ride. Watch for crap in the road trying to get you.

 

Old 27 even looks narrow on the map.

 

MS 28 is a good escape route from Georgetown. Visitors beware.

 

The "other" side of MS. 28.

 

If you can get there by taking MS. 15 then that's the route you need to take. Great ride.

 

The way home.

 

Home

                                                                                                                4/02/05