Cragies and Snacks

Welcome to Mississippi!  I’m 100% certain that no word in the USA has been spelled out orally more than M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I!  I’m yet to meet a kid who hasn’t tried to spell M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I as fast as they can.  In addition, “Mississippi” has somehow become the default timer at some point for every person in The States.  “1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, Ready or not here I come”.  That being said, Mississippi might also be the most verbally stated state in the country.

Above and beyond the time keeping cadence, Mississippi has a lot to offer.  One little known fact is that Mississippi is the birthplace of Elvis Presley.  It’s also home to the Gulf Island National Seashore, the Biloxi Gulf Shore Beaches, and the beautiful Mississippi Petrified Forest!  There isn’t a ton climbing in Mississippi, but there are a few crags!

There are just over 100 established routes in M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I, and 80% of them are in the Tishomingo State Park, in northeastern M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I, just west of the Alabama border.  The park is idea for all visitors including climbers.  According to the Park website, “Tishomingo offers a unique landscape of massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices found nowhere else in Mississippi. Massive boulders blanketed in moss dot the hillsides, and colorful wildflowers border trails once walked by Native Americans.”  In addition to climbing and hiking the park offers swimming, fishing, disc golf, and camping.  

Most of the climbing at Tish is bouldering, and they have plenty of routes for climbers of all levels, but especially for beginners, as there are over 30 routes at V4 and below.  However, not all the climbing at Tishomingo is for the pebble pushers.  This is the only place in the state where you can also get on some ropes.  There are no bolts here, so you’ll have to be comfortable on top-rope or trad.  But if you have the gear, there is an iconic route called Jean’s Overhang which is a 3.5-Star 60’ 5.11d with an overhanging fist crack.  In addition to Jean’s Overhang, there are the less popular Kathleen’s Overhang, Dana’s Overhang, Jennifer’s Overhang, Barbara’s Overhang, and Cynthia’s Overhang.  Not sure who these people were, but Barbara’s Overhang is the only route among all the overhangs in which the name represents the person who got the First Ascent!  Congrats Barbara!  There are a few boulders sprinkled around the wall, so after you get done with the ropes, break out the crash pads.  Fly into two 3-Star boulders worth hopping on, Boarding Pass, and Landing Zone, established in 2024 by the great Reed Finseth founder of Happening Adventures Guide Company.

As you might expect, you aren’t going to find an abundance of snackies in and around Dennis, Mississippi.  If, however, you are willing to travel a town or two over you will be treated to one of the best restaurants in all of M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I!

Interesting fact about northeastern Mississippi is that nearly all the restaurants are named after someone.  I’m not making this up.  You have Uncle J’s, Inez’s, Rita’s, Jack’s, Spark’s, Lil Smokies, JJ’s, Ramsey’s, Cole’s, Jack’s, Jack’s and another Jack’s.  But the most significant restaurant you’ll come across is Big Mama’s!

Big Mama’s Country Kitchen is a rare find that cannot be ignored if you are ever in the area!  It is one of the only restaurants I’ve ever come across with a perfect 5-Star rating on Google.  The reviews are stellar with several suggesting it is the best food they have ever tried.

I can’t give you much information about Big Mama’s, because there is no social media presence, no website, there isn’t even a phone number.  There’s just an address, a bunch of great reviews, and a perfect 5-Star rating.  The building, which you can find on Google Maps Street view barely even has a sign.

In terms of what to order, I don’t think you can go wrong with anything, but if we go by the reviews, the fish, hush puppies, the mac and cheese, and the banana pudding will change everything you ever knew about culinary excellence.

One my favorite things about writing Cragies and Snackies is how many small town independently owned restaurant owners I get to promote and interact with, and so if anyone makes it to 306 M.L.K. Jr Dr, Booneville, MS 38829, for the meal of their life, please let the kind folks at Big Mama’s know that they were featured with love on theDIHEDRAL’s Cragies and Snackies.  

M-I-Crooked Letter-Crooked Letter-I-Crooked Letter-Crooked Letter-I-Humpback-Humpback-I, The Magnolia State, The Miss, offering overhangs named after women, and a restaurant named after the Woman, Big Mama!

Location: Booneville, MS “Virtute et Armis”

Crag: Tishomingo

Restaurant: Big Mama’s Country Kitchen

Distance: 27 Miles