Second summer of road tripping. This summer? Deliverance country....

Son_Of_Saul

New member
Dec 7, 2007
43,782
4,904
3
Good morning gentlemen (and ladies). Have any of you been to Clayton , Georgia? I ask because I'm headed down there tomorrow. That's where they filmed the movie Deliverance. I found out the Banjo Boy's real name is Billy Redden, and he's pushing 60 years old (time flies when you're strumming the banjo). He apparently works at the Clayton Wal-Mart and I intend on meeting him if possible.

Other notable places I intend on visiting - God willing, of course (coming down from northern Illinois):

* Forrest Gump street in and around Varnville, South Carolina (where he was running), among other locations in Savannah, Georgia
* Pigeon Forge, TN
* General James Longstreet's head quarters in Russellville, Tennessee.
* Flannery O'Connor's farm in Georgia
* Carl Sandburg house in NC
* Eudora Welty house in Mississippi
* Thomas Wolfe house in NC
* Savannah historical district
* two sets of waterfalls in northern Georgia with hiking
* Asheville, NC
* ML King birthplace in Atlanta
* Whistle Stop Café where they filmed Fried Green Tomatoes in Juliette, Georgia
* Andersonsville National Cemetery in southwestern Georgia
* Movie locations for Big Fish film in Alabama
* True Detective film locations in New Orleans
* Chalmette battlefield in New Orleans
* Movie locations for Robert Duvall's 1997 film, The Apostle (mostly filmed in Louisiana)
* Vicksburg National War Memorial in Mississippi
* William Faulkner's house in Oxford, Mississippi
* Selma, Mississippi church where Dr. King gave his speech
* The Alamo in San Antonio.
* Dallas, Texas.
* Film locations for the film Sling Blade in Benton, Arkansas.
* Mark Twain house in eastern Missouri.


I'm renting a car again. Last year we put 8,100 miles on a car as we cut through 14 states from Illinois to Oregon for 17 days. This year I'm estimating around 6,000 miles.

Anyone have other recommendations for the deep south?
 
  • Like
Reactions: AustinTXCat

AustinTXCat

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2003
51,760
30,775
113
Sounds like a totally awesome adventure. I'm envious. Banjo Boy = cult hero. Alamo is sobering; I visited in 2009 and plan on returning this year after our summer heat subsides. Phil Collins, the famed musician, is a huge fan of the Alamo. He's donated numerous related artifacts from the battle to the State of Texas. A special exhibit containing his donations may be open now. Have fun.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

AustinTXCat

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2003
51,760
30,775
113
More recommendations:

Waco: Dr. Pepper Museum and Texas Rangers Museum.
Austin: State Capitol. Completed in 1888. Many interesting historic monuments on the grounds. Park wisely and also check out 6th Street.

I'll come up with a few more later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

SosaUK

New member
Jun 11, 2013
51,355
633
0
I have never watched Deliverance. I saw it was on Netflix. I'm assuming I should watch it?
 

AustinTXCat

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2003
51,760
30,775
113
In Dallas ("Big D"): The usual, which includes the Texas School Book Depository 6th Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, and perhaps is already on your list. Check out Pioneer Plaza. I further recommend the West End and Deep Ellum districts. Deep Ellum hosts a very good brewery having the same name. Great craft beer. Public transport within Big D is exceptional. The only underground subway station in Texas lies in Dallas.

Austin: Scholz Garten. In continuous operation since 1866. Oldest restaurant AND bar in Texas. Located 6 blocks north of the Capitol entrance on San Jacinto. Great German food and beer. Decent Texas craft beer selection on tap. I last visited immediately before the Michigan State-UK game in 2005.

New Orleans: You might check out Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop and Bar in the French Quarter, built 1732. Arguably one of the oldest bars in the USA. During my last trip to the Big Easy, I hung around Uptown. Next trip this coming December, I'm stopping there before I get too plastered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

-LEK-

New member
Mar 27, 2009
11,787
12,233
0
You're going down to stalk some dude that played a bit part in some movie from '40 years ago? That's creepy as hell.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

VT/UK Rondo

New member
Aug 2, 2009
7,563
300
0
If your into "the walking dead" series, they have a tour bus that is pretty cheap that takes you around to several of the film sets from previous seasons. I think its in the western part of Atlanta.
Abdullah the Butcher, the HOF wrestler has a House of ribs and Chinese food in Atlanta as well.

OT...I always heard that Ned Beatty had to seek counseling after "purty mouth" scene in Deliverence.
 

Son_Of_Saul

New member
Dec 7, 2007
43,782
4,904
3
You're going down to stalk some dude that played a bit part in some movie from '40 years ago? That's creepy as hell.

Bit part? You obviously missed the boat on historic cinematic scenes. The banjo scene is probably one of the 20 most iconic film scenes ever.
 

Son_Of_Saul

New member
Dec 7, 2007
43,782
4,904
3
Would you compare it to Hills Have Eyes? I thought that was the most f'd up movie I've ever seen.

I'd say Deliverance was probably one of the first "something's watching us" type films. I'd say the Hills Have Eyes, Friday the 13th, Wrong Turn, etc. all owe a great deal to Deliverance. Plus, Deliverance is realistic. Part of its terror aspect is the idea that something like it could actually happen.
 

-LEK-

New member
Mar 27, 2009
11,787
12,233
0
Sounds like a totally awesome adventure. I'm envious. Banjo Boy = cult hero. Alamo is sobering; I visited in 2009 and plan on returning this year after our summer heat subsides. Phil Collins, the famed musician, is a huge fan of the Alamo. He's donated numerous related artifacts from the battle to the State of Texas. A special exhibit containing his donations may be open now. Have fun.
Genesis or Def Leopard?