Looking forward to the food photos.
Re: Confederate flags: we ran across one just a week or so ago, when we stayed in the historic town of Dunsmuir (CA) on our way to Ashland, OR. It was in front of a house right across from our motel. There was both an American flag and a Confederate flag, both full-sized. I have to say it made me a bit nervous.
So you don't have to go very far south for the experience.
Dee