12.9C first thing this morning. The fireplace certainly helps!
We got packed up and went to dump, only to find that we don't have a dump on our site! Closed up, hooked up and moved to the site next door to dump. However, it was apparently VERY slow, so decided to forget it & move on.
Finally got on the road at 9:55 with a temp of 55F and cloudy skies. Shortly we entered Tennessee and light drizzle was upon us. 4
Continuing through rain, mist and clouds we crossed into Kentucky and arrived at Dad's Bluegrass Campground. The rain fortunately let up in order to allow us to get set up.
At 8:00 it is 11.5C, so will have to winterize soon 😒
Now to decide where our next stop will be........
Friday, October 26, 2018
Thursday, October 25, 2018, Heading north
Light rain started at 2:30am.
By 6:30, it had become a steady, heavy rain.
Since the rain continued, we packed up the inside to be ready if and when it stopped. Of course, I used the time to go to the office to update on the wi-fi. Had to cross rivers of water to get there!
The rain eased up by 8:45, so we hooked up.
At 9:20, we pulled out under light rain and a pleasant 73F
We had rain off & on throughout the day and it was still raining when we arrived at the Memphis South RV Park & Campground in Coldwater, Mississippi. Amazing that we had good wi-fi out in the middle of nowhere!
Moving further north tomorrow as the temperature goes down!
By 6:30, it had become a steady, heavy rain.
Since the rain continued, we packed up the inside to be ready if and when it stopped. Of course, I used the time to go to the office to update on the wi-fi. Had to cross rivers of water to get there!
The rain eased up by 8:45, so we hooked up.
At 9:20, we pulled out under light rain and a pleasant 73F
We had rain off & on throughout the day and it was still raining when we arrived at the Memphis South RV Park & Campground in Coldwater, Mississippi. Amazing that we had good wi-fi out in the middle of nowhere!
Moving further north tomorrow as the temperature goes down!
Day 34, October 24, Farewells
Most were departing today for various destinations, but before leaving, we were provided with a "send-off" continental breakfast in the park restaurant. There were many hugs and safe travel wishes all around the room. It was a bittersweet time since we had made so many new friends.
After breakfast, we went to the Dodge dealer for an oil change on the truck. Stopped at a Walgreens to pick up a couple of 64 GB flash drives so I can get copies of the pics that our 'official/non-official' photographer took.
Since we are staying until tomorrow, I decided to do laundry.
At 5:45, we went to the "Lighthouse", the park restaurant along with a dozen others for a final dinner.
Marcel enjoyed an 11-ounce rib-eye with a loaded baked potato, washed down with a Yuengling beer.
My dinner was the "Salty Pig", which consisted of pulled pork on French bread and fried oysters. Delicious!
Then it was time to pack up in preparation for departure tomorrow morning.
After breakfast, we went to the Dodge dealer for an oil change on the truck. Stopped at a Walgreens to pick up a couple of 64 GB flash drives so I can get copies of the pics that our 'official/non-official' photographer took.
Since we are staying until tomorrow, I decided to do laundry.
At 5:45, we went to the "Lighthouse", the park restaurant along with a dozen others for a final dinner.
 |
| . |
Marcel enjoyed an 11-ounce rib-eye with a loaded baked potato, washed down with a Yuengling beer.
My dinner was the "Salty Pig", which consisted of pulled pork on French bread and fried oysters. Delicious!
Then it was time to pack up in preparation for departure tomorrow morning.
Day 33, October 23, Winding down and Steamboat Natchez cruise
We had light rain through the night but it was quite a comfortable 19.2C when we got up.
Went to Walmart as the rain continued. I guess the skies are sad that our tour is almost over!
At lunch, the WM showed a slideshow of the trip, which brought back memories of our adventures over the past month.
Of course, we had to eat, and the park provided a great lunch buffet which included French bread for Po-Boy sandwiches, fried catfish, shrimp, crawfish pies, a veggie tray and fruit tray.
We have had plenty of practice with buffets over the past month!
At 4:45, it was still raining as we boarded the shuttle buses to go to the Toulouse Street Wharf for an evening Jazz cruise.
The Steamboat Natchez is 265 feet long, 46 feet wide with a draft of 7 feet. The Paddle-wheel is 25 feet in diameter and weighs 26 tons. Steam is the sole means of forward and reverse propulsion.
After boarding and being seated with friends, at 6:00 we were subjected to yet another buffet! During dinner we were treated to New Orleans swing style music by the Grammy nominated "Dukes of Dixieland". It was VERY loud!
Following dinner we were free to wander around the three decks of the boat. At 7:00, we cast off for the cruise up and down the Mississippi River, enjoying the lights.
St. Louis Cathedral from the boat.
On our return to the dock at 9:00, our shuttle buses met us and took us back to the park.
Our amazing adventure is sadly coming to an end.
Went to Walmart as the rain continued. I guess the skies are sad that our tour is almost over!
At lunch, the WM showed a slideshow of the trip, which brought back memories of our adventures over the past month.
Of course, we had to eat, and the park provided a great lunch buffet which included French bread for Po-Boy sandwiches, fried catfish, shrimp, crawfish pies, a veggie tray and fruit tray.
We have had plenty of practice with buffets over the past month!
At 4:45, it was still raining as we boarded the shuttle buses to go to the Toulouse Street Wharf for an evening Jazz cruise.
The Steamboat Natchez is 265 feet long, 46 feet wide with a draft of 7 feet. The Paddle-wheel is 25 feet in diameter and weighs 26 tons. Steam is the sole means of forward and reverse propulsion.
After boarding and being seated with friends, at 6:00 we were subjected to yet another buffet! During dinner we were treated to New Orleans swing style music by the Grammy nominated "Dukes of Dixieland". It was VERY loud!
Following dinner we were free to wander around the three decks of the boat. At 7:00, we cast off for the cruise up and down the Mississippi River, enjoying the lights.
St. Louis Cathedral from the boat.
On our return to the dock at 9:00, our shuttle buses met us and took us back to the park.
Our amazing adventure is sadly coming to an end.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Day 32, Monday, October 22, New Orleans School of Cooking
Breezy but clear start to the day, 14.1C
We took the shuttle buses to the New Orleans School of Cooking this morning.
The entertaining cooking classes and demonstrations are located in an 1830's French Quarter warehouse.
Of course, we had plenty of time to look around (aka shop) the General Store before it was time for our cooking demonstration!
The Louisiana General Store is a collection of locally sourced products. They carry a full line of Cajun and Creole products, cookbooks, spices, gift baskets, cookware and their famous original seasoning - "Joe's Stuff'"
They were making Pralines at the front of the shop, and had samples.
Pralines are intensely sweet disks of sugar, butter and pecans. They have a creamy consistency, similar to fudge.
Rinaldi was our chef and he started off making a bread pudding and put it in the oven to bake while he continued making the Corn and Crab Bisque. Next was Crawfish Etouffee on rice.It was interesting watching him preparing the different dishes.
There are mirrors suspended over the cooking area so everyone can see what he is doing.
For dessert, he prepared Pralines and a Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce.
We all enjoyed the fruits of his labours for a delicious lunch!
After lunch, there was more time to shop, then the shuttles arrived to take us back to the RV Park.
We took the shuttle buses to the New Orleans School of Cooking this morning.
The entertaining cooking classes and demonstrations are located in an 1830's French Quarter warehouse.
Of course, we had plenty of time to look around (aka shop) the General Store before it was time for our cooking demonstration!The Louisiana General Store is a collection of locally sourced products. They carry a full line of Cajun and Creole products, cookbooks, spices, gift baskets, cookware and their famous original seasoning - "Joe's Stuff'"
They were making Pralines at the front of the shop, and had samples.
Pralines are intensely sweet disks of sugar, butter and pecans. They have a creamy consistency, similar to fudge.
Rinaldi was our chef and he started off making a bread pudding and put it in the oven to bake while he continued making the Corn and Crab Bisque. Next was Crawfish Etouffee on rice.It was interesting watching him preparing the different dishes.
There are mirrors suspended over the cooking area so everyone can see what he is doing.
For dessert, he prepared Pralines and a Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce.
We all enjoyed the fruits of his labours for a delicious lunch!
After lunch, there was more time to shop, then the shuttles arrived to take us back to the RV Park.
Day 31, Sunday, October 21, Seaplane and Swamp boat
The boil water advisory is still in effect. Good thing we will be away all day!
At 7:30 we were ready to board the coach bus for a 2 hour drive to Southern Seaplanes in Venice, but it was deemed too windy to fly at present.
Our WM and TG's did some juggling and rearranged the day for us.
At 8:30 we were off to Jean Lafitte Swamp Boat Tours.
Arrived at 9:15 and boarded the pontoon boat.
We cruised along the canal (marsh) with Jean Lafitte National Park on our left looking for alligators.
After a while, we left the marsh and entered the bayou.
The difference between a marsh and a bayou:
A marsh is an area of low, wet land, often with tall grass, while a bayou is a slow-moving, often stagnant creek or river.
We spotted 3, but it was hard to get a good picture. This one was sunning himself on a log.
There was a much bigger one in the water bur we could only see his head!
After about 45 minutes, we turned around to head back. The captain passed around a preserved gator head for us all to feel. After that, came an alligator snapping turtle shell. It has distinct ridges on its shell that are similar in appearance to the rough, ridged skin of an alligator.
He also brought out an 24 inch live gator for us to hold after instructing us how to hold it.
When we finished the boat cruise, it was off to the airport with "Plan B"
At 11:45, we arrived at Southern Seaplanes, in Belle Chasse where we enjoyed lunch of pizza instead of the planned box lunch at the original airport.
We were divided into 4 groups of 3 -4 people each (there were 4 planes, 2 would take off on land and 2 from the water). When the first group of 3 flights took off, we looked around the hangar, which was full of planes of various sizes.
When our turn came, we were taking off from the water (canal)!
What a rush! Today was unlimited visibility, which only happens about 20 days a year, according to our pilot! It was well worth the wait and change in plan.
Managed to get some great photos, but I don't have enough room to post them all! This shows the 'crescent' bend in the river and some barges. that is the reason New Orleans is named the Crescent City.
We landed on the canal after an amazing 40 minute flight, with the pilot giving narration, explaining what we were seeing and what has happened to the land over the years. Building the seawall was a huge mistake, but that is another story.
Back at the park, it was time for a celebration and Happy Hour after a super day. Larry brought out his "Harley Davidson" Margarita machine and a good time was had by all!
At 7:30 we were ready to board the coach bus for a 2 hour drive to Southern Seaplanes in Venice, but it was deemed too windy to fly at present.
Our WM and TG's did some juggling and rearranged the day for us.
At 8:30 we were off to Jean Lafitte Swamp Boat Tours.
Arrived at 9:15 and boarded the pontoon boat.
We cruised along the canal (marsh) with Jean Lafitte National Park on our left looking for alligators.
After a while, we left the marsh and entered the bayou.
The difference between a marsh and a bayou:
A marsh is an area of low, wet land, often with tall grass, while a bayou is a slow-moving, often stagnant creek or river.
We spotted 3, but it was hard to get a good picture. This one was sunning himself on a log.
There was a much bigger one in the water bur we could only see his head!
After about 45 minutes, we turned around to head back. The captain passed around a preserved gator head for us all to feel. After that, came an alligator snapping turtle shell. It has distinct ridges on its shell that are similar in appearance to the rough, ridged skin of an alligator.He also brought out an 24 inch live gator for us to hold after instructing us how to hold it.
When we finished the boat cruise, it was off to the airport with "Plan B"
At 11:45, we arrived at Southern Seaplanes, in Belle Chasse where we enjoyed lunch of pizza instead of the planned box lunch at the original airport.
We were divided into 4 groups of 3 -4 people each (there were 4 planes, 2 would take off on land and 2 from the water). When the first group of 3 flights took off, we looked around the hangar, which was full of planes of various sizes.
When our turn came, we were taking off from the water (canal)!
What a rush! Today was unlimited visibility, which only happens about 20 days a year, according to our pilot! It was well worth the wait and change in plan.
Managed to get some great photos, but I don't have enough room to post them all! This shows the 'crescent' bend in the river and some barges. that is the reason New Orleans is named the Crescent City.
We landed on the canal after an amazing 40 minute flight, with the pilot giving narration, explaining what we were seeing and what has happened to the land over the years. Building the seawall was a huge mistake, but that is another story.
Back at the park, it was time for a celebration and Happy Hour after a super day. Larry brought out his "Harley Davidson" Margarita machine and a good time was had by all!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Day 30, October 20, Plantation Tours
It was 23.5C this morning with 100% humidity. We thought it had been raining since the windows were all wet!
At 8:00, we got on the coach bus for the drive to Laura Plantation. We have wi-fi on the bus! That is more than we have at the RV Park!
At 9:10, we arrived at the Laura Plantation, which is a Creole sugarcane plantation and is significant for its early 19th century Creole style raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including two slave cabins.
Louisiana Creole people are persons descended from the inhabitants of colonial Louisiana during the period of both the French and Spanish rule.
We were free to walk around until it was time for our guided tour. There are 12 buildings on the National Register surrounded by fields of sugarcane and vegetable and fruit gardens.
Rocky, our tour guide took us through the main house, the slave cabins and the French Parterre garden.
A French Parterre is a formal garden consisting of plant beds, typically in symmetrical patterns, and connected by paths.
In the coach house was a "Registry of Slaves" from May, 1808, which listed the slaves names, their attributes and value. There were 17 slaves at that time and their value ranged from $100,000 to $10,000.
The existence of the slave quarters, which workers continued to live in until 1977, contributes to the historic significance of the complex.
Following the tour and exiting through the obligatory Gift Shop, we were back on the bus and off to Oak Alley Plantation.
On our arrival, we enjoyed yet another delicious southern buffet, consisting of Red Beans and Rice with Andouille sausage, Chicken and Sausage soup (spicy), salad , and Craw fish Etouffee over rice.
Bread pudding and Peach Cobbler for dessert!
Unfortunately, it started raining during lunch and continued on & off through the afternoon.
Oak Alley is named for its distinguishing visual feature, an alley or canopied path, created by a double row of southern live oak trees about 800 feet long, planted in the early 18th century - long before the house was built.
At one time there were 220 slaves working at the plantation, who were fitted on the ankle with "Crab Rattle Shackles" which were designed to help slave catchers locate fugitives. Noisy rattling beads in these ankle shackles would give away their location.
The Plantation "Big House" was constructed in 1839 of Greek Revival architecture. The mansion has a square floor plan, organized around a central hall that runs from the front to the rear on both floors (in contrast to the house at Laura, which had no hall). The rooms feature high ceilings and large windows. The exterior features a free-standing colonnade of 28 Doric columns on all four sides that correspond to the 28 oak trees in the alley.
We had a guided tour of the house, but photography was prohibited. 😞
Constructed of bricks made onsite, the 16" walls are finished with stucco on the exterior and painted white to resemble marble.
The old garage is a sugarcane Theatre where the history of sugarcane cultivation and production of sugar is explained through a video and exhibits.
When we returned to the park, we found out that there was a "boil water" advisory resulting from a problem with the water treatment plant. Great!
At 8:00, we got on the coach bus for the drive to Laura Plantation. We have wi-fi on the bus! That is more than we have at the RV Park!
At 9:10, we arrived at the Laura Plantation, which is a Creole sugarcane plantation and is significant for its early 19th century Creole style raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including two slave cabins.Louisiana Creole people are persons descended from the inhabitants of colonial Louisiana during the period of both the French and Spanish rule.
We were free to walk around until it was time for our guided tour. There are 12 buildings on the National Register surrounded by fields of sugarcane and vegetable and fruit gardens.
Rocky, our tour guide took us through the main house, the slave cabins and the French Parterre garden.
A French Parterre is a formal garden consisting of plant beds, typically in symmetrical patterns, and connected by paths.
In the coach house was a "Registry of Slaves" from May, 1808, which listed the slaves names, their attributes and value. There were 17 slaves at that time and their value ranged from $100,000 to $10,000.
The existence of the slave quarters, which workers continued to live in until 1977, contributes to the historic significance of the complex.
Following the tour and exiting through the obligatory Gift Shop, we were back on the bus and off to Oak Alley Plantation.
On our arrival, we enjoyed yet another delicious southern buffet, consisting of Red Beans and Rice with Andouille sausage, Chicken and Sausage soup (spicy), salad , and Craw fish Etouffee over rice.
Bread pudding and Peach Cobbler for dessert!
Unfortunately, it started raining during lunch and continued on & off through the afternoon.
Oak Alley is named for its distinguishing visual feature, an alley or canopied path, created by a double row of southern live oak trees about 800 feet long, planted in the early 18th century - long before the house was built.At one time there were 220 slaves working at the plantation, who were fitted on the ankle with "Crab Rattle Shackles" which were designed to help slave catchers locate fugitives. Noisy rattling beads in these ankle shackles would give away their location.
The Plantation "Big House" was constructed in 1839 of Greek Revival architecture. The mansion has a square floor plan, organized around a central hall that runs from the front to the rear on both floors (in contrast to the house at Laura, which had no hall). The rooms feature high ceilings and large windows. The exterior features a free-standing colonnade of 28 Doric columns on all four sides that correspond to the 28 oak trees in the alley.
We had a guided tour of the house, but photography was prohibited. 😞
Constructed of bricks made onsite, the 16" walls are finished with stucco on the exterior and painted white to resemble marble.
The old garage is a sugarcane Theatre where the history of sugarcane cultivation and production of sugar is explained through a video and exhibits.
When we returned to the park, we found out that there was a "boil water" advisory resulting from a problem with the water treatment plant. Great!
Day 29, October 19, New Orleans
Today was another "unplanned" day, due to the fact that we came here instead of Natchez. However, our trusty Wagonmasters came through with flying colours, arranging tours at the last minute!
At 8:45, we clambered on to the campground shuttles and were taken to "Mardi Gras World" for a tour. We had been there previously, but it was still interesting.
We toured the 300,000 square foot working warehouse where floats are made for Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. It offers a behind the scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions. The tour allowed us to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. Blaine Kern Studios (where the magic is created) is an operating workshop that has created breathtaking floats for Mardi Gras and other parades around the world since 1947.
Many of the floats and characters are used many times. They are repainted or rebuilt to serve other purposes. Most are constructed out of Styrofoam then covered with papier mache.
The second visit planned was to tour the National WW II museum, which is a military history museum which focuses on the contribution made by the United States to Allied victory in World War II.
I declined the visit, choosing instead to return to the RV Park and catch up on laundry and the blog. Therefore, I do not have any photos. If interested, you can Google National WWII Museum.
It turned out to be a nice day, with the temperature of 25C.
At 8:45, we clambered on to the campground shuttles and were taken to "Mardi Gras World" for a tour. We had been there previously, but it was still interesting.We toured the 300,000 square foot working warehouse where floats are made for Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. It offers a behind the scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions. The tour allowed us to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. Blaine Kern Studios (where the magic is created) is an operating workshop that has created breathtaking floats for Mardi Gras and other parades around the world since 1947.
Many of the floats and characters are used many times. They are repainted or rebuilt to serve other purposes. Most are constructed out of Styrofoam then covered with papier mache. The second visit planned was to tour the National WW II museum, which is a military history museum which focuses on the contribution made by the United States to Allied victory in World War II.
I declined the visit, choosing instead to return to the RV Park and catch up on laundry and the blog. Therefore, I do not have any photos. If interested, you can Google National WWII Museum.
It turned out to be a nice day, with the temperature of 25C.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Day 28, October 18, New Orleans
Beautiful, sunny 18.3C day!
We watched a movie, "Hurricane on the Bayou" in the events room, this morning.
At noon, we boarded shuttle buses which took us into New Orleans, where we loaded aboard mule drawn carriages. Mules are the offspring of a donkey and a horse. They use mules instead of horses since mules are one of the hardiest animals on earth and are smarter, stronger and more sure-footed that horses. They are also more resistant to extreme temperatures and can survive far longer without a drink than their parents.
Following our most enjoyable carriage ride, we assembled at "Cafe du Monde", where we got to sample French beignets, which are deep fried choux pastry covered with powdered sugar.
Delicious, but messy!
We had free time to explore and have lunch before catching the shuttle back to the campground at 4:00.
We had lunch at Stanley, an airy, sun-filled cafe on Jackson Square, where we enjoyed a hearty bowl of Gumbo.
Gumbo has come to be one of the best examples of the multicultural melting pot that has made New Orleans what it is. It can be described as a type of stew served over rice, but locals would argue that gumbo is almost its own food group.
After walking around until the shuttle arrived, it was back to the campground for Happy Hour to end the day.
We watched a movie, "Hurricane on the Bayou" in the events room, this morning.
Following our most enjoyable carriage ride, we assembled at "Cafe du Monde", where we got to sample French beignets, which are deep fried choux pastry covered with powdered sugar.Delicious, but messy!
We had free time to explore and have lunch before catching the shuttle back to the campground at 4:00.
We had lunch at Stanley, an airy, sun-filled cafe on Jackson Square, where we enjoyed a hearty bowl of Gumbo.
Gumbo has come to be one of the best examples of the multicultural melting pot that has made New Orleans what it is. It can be described as a type of stew served over rice, but locals would argue that gumbo is almost its own food group.After walking around until the shuttle arrived, it was back to the campground for Happy Hour to end the day.
Day 27, October 17,Vicksburg, Mississippi to Pontchartrain RV Park, New Orleans
Drizzly rain as we got underway at 9:00.
We passed over the Natchez Trace (which was a road we were looking forward to driving) and continued on south. We had to bypass Natchez because the campground we were booked to stay in had a transformer blow and they had no power.
Traveled down I-55 to I-10, east, which was miles and miles of elevated, concrete roadway over swamps and marshes.
At 2:10, we arrived at Pontchartrain Landing where it is 77F.
Much to our chagrin, there is no internet! That is why there have not been updates on the blog!
After a couple of days, there is limited internet access at the office, so I am working on it when I can. Be patient!
We passed over the Natchez Trace (which was a road we were looking forward to driving) and continued on south. We had to bypass Natchez because the campground we were booked to stay in had a transformer blow and they had no power.
Traveled down I-55 to I-10, east, which was miles and miles of elevated, concrete roadway over swamps and marshes.At 2:10, we arrived at Pontchartrain Landing where it is 77F.
Much to our chagrin, there is no internet! That is why there have not been updates on the blog!
After a couple of days, there is limited internet access at the office, so I am working on it when I can. Be patient!
Day 26, October 16, Vicksburg, Mississippi
We had a heavy downpour from 5:00 - 5:45 to start the day.
At 8:00 we boarded a bus to go to the Vicksburg Military Park, which was established in 1899. We have WiFi on the bus!
At 8:15, we arrived at Vicksburg Military Park, which was established in 1899 and preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. Reconstructed forts and trenches evoke memories of the 47-day siege that ended in the surrender of the city. Victory here and at Port Hudson, farther south in Louisiana, gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.
The park includes 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of historic trenches and earthworks, a 16-mile tour road, 144 emplaced cannons and the restored gunboat USS Cairo (which was sunk on the Yazoo River.
After watching a movie, "The Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg", we took a guided bus tour of the park entering through the Memorial Arch. Our extremely knowledgeable guide explained the siege and defense lines.
There are many State monuments erected throughout the 16 mile road.
After exiting the park, we passed by several pre-Civil war homes on the way to the USS Cairo Museum. USS Cairo was one of the first American ironclad warships built at the beginning of the Civil War. It was the lead ship of the City-class gunboats and was named for Cairo, Illinois.
In June of 1977, the remains of the vessel were transported to the park and partially reconstructed on a concrete foundation near the Vicksburg National Cemetery. The recovery of artifacts revealed a treasure trove of weapons, munitions, naval stores and personal gear of the sailors who served on board.
The Vicksburg National Cemetery (union) is within the park and embraces 116 acres. It has 18,244 interments (12,954 unidentified). Rounded, upright headstones mark the graves of the known soldiers, while small, square blocks, etched with a grave number only, designate the burials of the unknowns.
Next on our agenda was LUNCH! We were off to Anchuca, an historic mansion and antebellum (existing before the Civil War) home and Bed & Breakfast. Anchuca is a Choctaw Indian word meaning "Happy Home". Built in three stages, from 1830 to 1855, this Greek Revival style mansion represents the first columned mansion built in Vicksburg.
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch followed by a tour of this stately home.
It had started raining, so we drove by the Riverfront Murals, which are located on the floodwall. The 32 life-like pictorial murals depict periods of history in Vicksburg. Te first mural in the series was unveiled in 2002.
The last stop for the day was the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum, which offers a glimpse of what life is like along the river through both interactive and static displays.
Cotton bales we transported down the river on steamers.
Outside the museum was a fully restored dry docked Riverboat, the MV Mississippi IV, which was open to explore. It is the largest diesel powered vessel on the river powered by two 8-cylinder engines..
On the way back to the campground, we passed by the "Halloween House", which was ridiculously decorated! This was only half of the display!
At 8:00 we boarded a bus to go to the Vicksburg Military Park, which was established in 1899. We have WiFi on the bus!
At 8:15, we arrived at Vicksburg Military Park, which was established in 1899 and preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863. Reconstructed forts and trenches evoke memories of the 47-day siege that ended in the surrender of the city. Victory here and at Port Hudson, farther south in Louisiana, gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.
The park includes 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of historic trenches and earthworks, a 16-mile tour road, 144 emplaced cannons and the restored gunboat USS Cairo (which was sunk on the Yazoo River.
After watching a movie, "The Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg", we took a guided bus tour of the park entering through the Memorial Arch. Our extremely knowledgeable guide explained the siege and defense lines. There are many State monuments erected throughout the 16 mile road.
After exiting the park, we passed by several pre-Civil war homes on the way to the USS Cairo Museum. USS Cairo was one of the first American ironclad warships built at the beginning of the Civil War. It was the lead ship of the City-class gunboats and was named for Cairo, Illinois.
In June of 1977, the remains of the vessel were transported to the park and partially reconstructed on a concrete foundation near the Vicksburg National Cemetery. The recovery of artifacts revealed a treasure trove of weapons, munitions, naval stores and personal gear of the sailors who served on board.
The Vicksburg National Cemetery (union) is within the park and embraces 116 acres. It has 18,244 interments (12,954 unidentified). Rounded, upright headstones mark the graves of the known soldiers, while small, square blocks, etched with a grave number only, designate the burials of the unknowns. 
Next on our agenda was LUNCH! We were off to Anchuca, an historic mansion and antebellum (existing before the Civil War) home and Bed & Breakfast. Anchuca is a Choctaw Indian word meaning "Happy Home". Built in three stages, from 1830 to 1855, this Greek Revival style mansion represents the first columned mansion built in Vicksburg.
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch followed by a tour of this stately home.
It had started raining, so we drove by the Riverfront Murals, which are located on the floodwall. The 32 life-like pictorial murals depict periods of history in Vicksburg. Te first mural in the series was unveiled in 2002.
The last stop for the day was the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum, which offers a glimpse of what life is like along the river through both interactive and static displays.
Cotton bales we transported down the river on steamers.
Outside the museum was a fully restored dry docked Riverboat, the MV Mississippi IV, which was open to explore. It is the largest diesel powered vessel on the river powered by two 8-cylinder engines..
On the way back to the campground, we passed by the "Halloween House", which was ridiculously decorated! This was only half of the display!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)