Mississippi has many small cities that surround the capital city of Jackson. One of these small towns is Clinton, Mississippi. Clinton has grown through the years to a thriving city that sports businesses and a local college. The old part of Clinton is near a local college and has been revitalized with small shops, art galleries, and restaurants.

William and I spent the day in the old Clinton downtown area. We parked our truck and began walking the streets taking photographs along the way. This part of Clinton has an art project that contains bicycles. These bicycles were transformed into art and placed on the corners of most of the streets. Different artists contributed to this project and each bicycle has a different message and inspiration.

We first encounter a tin man riding his bicycle on a side street filled with trees. The man is bright and has a happy smile as he appears to ride the street. I take several photographs of him as we paused for a moment. Imagining the life that he would lead here makes me smile. It is a quiet street filled with old houses with vibrant plants and trees. There are several people walking and a few people sitting on their porches. It is reminiscent of an earlier era. William and I speak to a few people about this beautiful day.

As we continue to stroll down the next street there is a pink flamingo riding a bicycle in front of a coffee shop. The flamingo has bright colors and looks like he would fit in well in a beach town. He is surrounded by a flower garden that is blooming. I smile, savor the moment, and take a photograph before we move on to the next street.

The streets continue with a display of transformed bicycles that are fun and interesting. My favorite bicycle is a representation of Snoopy looking as if he is flying. Snoopy is one of those characters that radiates happiness. This is a wonderful transformation of a bicycle into art. He sits in front of an old house that looks empty but well-kept.

Clinton is also home to a local college located in the midst of the old part of town. We gained permission to take photographs on the campus. It is the afternoon and the college students are enjoying the outdoors. The students are friendly and give us water on this warm afternoon.

The college has been here for over one hundred years and many old trees and buildings. I take photographs of the bell tower, trees, study areas, and clock tower. There are many old trees that have seen this college grow and change. They stand regal with their beautiful wood. Many of the trees have moss hanging from them.

The study area is quiet and serene with a bench surrounded by trees. There is a student enjoying the sun and studying this afternoon. There is a group of young men tossing a football nearby. This college is a wonderful place.

We make our way around the quad and leave the college continuing on our tour of old town Clinton. There are more bicycle transformations that we observe on our way back to the truck. One of the bicycles has been transformed into a terra-cotta planter. There are several plants living on this work of art.

Our final stop is a small shop that has a bicycle hanging with a bottle tree beneath it. It is pretty and I stop to take a photograph. This has been a fun adventure into the art scene in this small part of Clinton.

We find the truck and leave to our next destination. The Clinton Visitor Center is on our way home. We stop and admire the landscape around the center. There are spring flowers in bloom. Next is a field with some trees and a small bridge covering a creek bed. We glance over to see some squirrels enjoying the afternoon. On the path are some brightly painted bird houses. There are no residents in these houses but they are pretty.

The Clinton Visitor Center has a wooden box with books that is marked free library. This is a wonderful concept to encourage literacy. A person can pick out a book and read it. The book then is returned to the library.

William and I return to the truck and make our way home. This has been a wonderful day filled with adventure. We take the Natchez Trace and reflect on the beauty of our  state. Truly Mississippi is a wonderful place to live.

Copyright 2017 Debbie Pierce

 

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