Some rest stops are more equal than others

If you have a tractor-trailer, you might want to avoid the I-20 Mississippi Welcome Center in Vicksburg.

If you're in a car it's another matter. The Welcome Center overlooks the Mississippi River, with a bit of the Military park overlooking the Center. I wanted to stay and walk around. You might, too.

But if you're in something big...

I avoid Welcome Centers in the middle of cities most of the time, anyway. Paducah, KY has a nice one, but even there it's more trouble than it's worth if you're in a hurry. As with a truck stop, you have to take a real exit ramp, then get on a real street, then find a parking place--and then do it all again when you're ready to go. Fine if you're going to spend a while stretching and browsing at the brochure rack, but not for a quick pit stop.

Vicksburg is like that, but more so. The entrance is at a stoplight. Which is fortunate, because it's a right turn. A tight one.

There are parking spaces lined out for about ten trucks. Or, more likely, RV's. Fairly small ones. There was one truck parked in the lot, and I was a little worried about getting out past him. Five trucks, and I would have been terrified.

I only stopped because I had, um, urgent business. Next time I might just tough it out.

But if you have a car, you might like it there.