November 15, 2021. Madison, Mississippi. Outing Number One.

We drove on the Natchez Trace. The weather was perfect for a drive in the country yet we met almost no other cars. Our destination was Lorman, a tiny town with a country store famous for their fried chicken. They advertise that their fried chicken is the best in the world. Chris had never been there and neither had I so were both keen to go. And we had a good time. It was my first outint with Chris and I hope it will not be my last. The country store is in a very old building full of objects to sell. Scattered around the large space are tables big and small. In an adjacent room is a buffet loaded with food, including their famous chicken along with everything else you could ever eat. A couple run the restaurant. Their 2 year old daughter was there too. Their food was good. Lots of soul food and we enjoyed our meal. One interesting aside occured when we walked in. We were told to go to the rest room and wash our hands. One couple objected and were told that the health department required them to have everyone wash their hands before getting food from the buffet. The husband said that the health department allowed them to stay open but only if everyone washes their hands. Interesting and unusual. Next we drove the backroads of Lorman, none of which were paved. Then we drove around Alcorn State University, right down the road.. The campus was lovely with beautiful buildings and dorms. Alcorn State is 150 years old but we discovered an older College called Oakland College, which had just one large building and is now a part of Alcorn Col State. We drove home on Natchez Trace and enjoyed it just as well. I got home just before 3:00 which meant we had been gone 5 hours. I enjoyed my first outing with Chris. Next Monday we will drive to Flors and poke around that area. Several restaurants have opened up in Flora so we will hae lunch. Fortunately Chris enjoys going to new places which is a blessing for me. Today our outing was perfect. We both agreed.