17-Nov-2010 -- The most excitement seen here in years! For the middle of November you could not have asked for more perfect weather in east central Mississippi: not a cloud in the sky and temperatures heading towards 70 degrees F. While making two long automobile trips across the state this month, Mississippi’s several “drive by” confluence points had offered a pleasant antidote for road fatigue, and today I planned to visit my 5th MS cp. After reading the two previous reports for 33N 89W, my expectations were not high. With the state’s recent economic downturn, I could not envision any progress being made on the Winston County Confluence Museum mentioned on those earlier visits. But you never know what you’ll find when you’re out confluence hunting, even at a well documented site…

I headed east from Noxapater for about four miles on MS 490, then turned north on the unpaved Childs Road. As I approached Enon Road, I found the intersection blocked by several trucks from the East Mississippi Electric Power Association. Workers had just finished loading a badly battered truck, the victim of a recent off-road encounter, on the back of a wrecker vehicle. The utility pole involved in the accident had fared even worse. I waited for a few minutes for the electric co-op trucks to move out of the way, then weaved my way through to 33N 89W, which was just around the corner.

Alas, no new confluence museum! In fact, its speculated location in the small field where I park north of the point has grown up quite a bit in recent years. A few steps down the wide path/ narrow forest road bring me to my goal. Amid the tall pine trees, the satellite readings come and go, causing the GPS reading to wildly bounce around. However, patience and a short slow dance reward me with all zeroes. On the drive up Childs Road, the autumn leaves provided nice fall color, but here the bushes around 33N 89W remain mostly green.

I do not linger long. I still have a three hour drive home. Back at the intersection, the utility crew has finished removing the damaged pole, and is busy drilling a hole for its replacement. Within the hour, electric service to the area will be restored, and peace and quiet will once again reign at the site of Winston County’s only degree confluence point, which needs no museum to make the trip worthwhile...