Travelogue

Who needs Rock City to see the southeast United States when Jacksonville State fans can take a trip to Southeast Missouri?

The tourist stop in Chattanooga claims you can see seven states, but if you go the right way to SEMO, you'll pass through eight -- one-sixth of the contiguous United States. That's the route we took last week.

On the way, you pass through Alabama (1), Mississippi (2), Tennessee (3), Arkansas (4) and Missouri (5). On the way home, you pass through Missouri, Illinois (6), Kentucky (7), Tennessee, Georgia (8) and Alabama.

You've got to eat when you go on the road, right? And JSU's road schedule this year provided ample opportunities. On the drive back from SEMO last week, staff photographer Steve Gross and I recounted all the culinary must-stops we've enjoyed this season.

Georgia Tech -- The Varsity.
Nicholls State -- Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, any place in the French Quarter in New Orleans (but we stopped by Cafe du Mond), Bubba's/Bubba's II in Thibodaux (once called the best sports bar in America by Sports Illustrated).
Murray -- Calhoun's in Nashville (it was so good, we made sure to stop on the way to Austin Peay, too. The one in Knoxville will be a stop on next year's trip to EKU), The Keg and Tumbleweed Southwest Grill (both near the stadium complex).
SEMO -- Rendezvous in Memphis, Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston.

Don't get me started on the golf courses.

Can't wait for the trips next year.

Where do you stop when you hit the road with the Gamecocks?