Blue and green history

Mississippi is the birthplace of blues music, Elvis Presley and Kermit the Frog. While we didn't visit Elvis' birthplace in Memphis, we made token homages for the other two.

We detoured off Highway 61 in Leland, Ms., where a real Kermit inspired Jim Henson to create Kermit the Frog. Henson was born in neighboring Greenville, and allegedly had a childhood friend in Leland named Kermit Scott. I'm not sure if buddy Kermit was too happy to see his lanky green namesake, but I'm sure he was proud once Kermie found worldwide fame and a place in the hearts of kids of all ages.
Christine was very excited about the Kermit museum even though we arrived long after closing time. I was glad we stopped, though, because the rest of the trip was all about the music, and I am prone to bore her — and everyone else we know — with my music geekiness.
She at least feigned interest in the rest of the trip — and I think she genuinely enjoyed it.
After a quick call to Christine's dad, we confirmed the Blues Highway starts in Clarksdale, alleged site of Robert Johnson's famed crossroads.
If you don't know what we're talking about, you're in good company. I stopped to ask three different people "Hey, where is the famed crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul?" My question was returned with increasing levels of confusion with each query. I thought I might by locked up if I asked another local about deals with the devil, so we decided to fall back on our own music resources — and their Internet access.
The Internet doesn't offer much conclusive information about such a key piece of music history, so let me try to explain.
If you take Highway 61 through Clarksdale and exit at Highway 49, you will be about a quarter mile from what is believed to be the crossroads where Johnson traded his soul for his legendary blues guitar chops. The pictured landmark marks the spot, along with the Crossroads barbeque and furniture businesses.
Next stop: Graceland.