Brownsville is an early American cradle of blues music, thanks
to “Sleepy John” Estes, who’s music, created first on his own
guitars made from cigar boxes, merged with blues ballads and
mandolin player James “Yank” Rachell, launching a musical journey
that produced some of the worlds’ most influential blues music over
the next 20 years. Tunes like Someday Baby, Milk Cow Blues and Drop
Down Mama featured some of Estes best work and became staples for
later blues performers. Estes' tiny clapboard home was moved from
its original site in downtown Brownsville and is partially
reconstructed at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. The
house is filled with photographs of John and his blues men
brothers, Yank Rachell and Hammie Nixon, as they entertained
throughout the region. The Heritage Center also serves as a tourist
info center and houses a great little museum about the area. The
Brownsville Blues Festival is held annually near the center on a
weekend in September.
Just a mile or two south of this interstate exit is the Hatchie
National Wildlife Refuge. Situated along the Hatchie Scenic River,
this area protects 250 species of birds and 50 species of mammals.
Numerous amphibians, reptiles and fish find refuge within the
Hatchie. With easy access and lots of gravel roads to explore, it
is a great little side trip into nature to break up a monotonous
long car ride.
UPDATE: I recently had to alter this hide. Originally,
the container was in a hole in the wall of the clapboard house
using a unique and fairly difficult hide technique. Talking to
local cops (one of whom stopped me while doing cache maintainance),
this building has been broken into several times and even had
someone living here(!) for a while. Because of this, the house is
under survellance from the police on a regular basis. No longer a
good spot for a cache, I moved the coords and replaced the hide
type. It is now easier, but doesn't take you to the "thick of
things" like it did. Be sure to go look at the house and the
Heritage Center and Museum. It is worth your time!