U.S.S. Cairo Museum

Directly across from the Vicksburg National Military Cemetery is the U.S.S. Cairo Museum.  This ironclad union gunboat was retrieved from its watery grave and is now displayed in the park.  It is an awesome site to see and you can walk on it. Inside the museum is a treasure trove of artifacts such as weapons, munitions, naval stores and personal gear that the sailor's used on board.  This also is a must see when you come to visit Vicksburg!  Picnic tables are in the area where you can sit and enjoy the view.  Please take the time to read about the USS Cairo that I have linked to our National Military Park site.

A Memorial Day Flag Tribute

Yesterday afternoon, Bob and I took a drive through our National Military Cemetery where volunteers and park staff placed 18,000 flags on military graves as part of the park's Memorial Day activities.  We try to make this an every year event to see.  The park has planned a lot of activities to kick off Memorial Day with hosting re-enactments and cannon firings near the Visitor Center.  Volunteers and employees will be dressed in military uniforms from time periods from the Revolutionary War to present day.  A parade this morning and a memorial services held in the Vicksburg Auditorium afterwards.  Later, a wreath-laying ceremony at the national cemetery. Veterans will place a wreath on the grave of an unknown soldier, while honoring the memory of all those buried in the cemetery.  Tim Kavanaugh, supervisory park ranger for interpretation and visitor service, said, "This is a famous city because of the Civil War and the South's persistent defense.  We have a right to be proud of that heritage here and if it weren't for the Civil War and Vicksburg's role, we probably would not be celebrating this national holiday. 

Plaque at the base of this historic lookout structure.  Click on picture to read.

Leaving the Vicksburg National Military Cemetery.

Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

In Arlington Cemetery near the east portico of the Amphitheater, it commemorates the dead of both World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  Bodies of unknown Americans from each of these conflicts rest here.  A soldier of the First Battle Group, Third Infantry, guards the tomb day and night.  Dist. by Coffman Publications

I have been to the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier and is was very awe-inspiring.  I stayed long enough to see the changing of the guards.  If you are ever in this area, it's a must see experience.  

Y&MV RR Depot Still In Floodwaters

The Yazoo & Mississippi Valley RR Station remains in a flood waters while slowly receding.  It was noted in todays' paper, The Vicksburg Post, that the Corps will not extend the city's flood wall to protect the 104-year-old building.  A part of Levee Street just south of the depot is protected by a flood wall built by the Corps after the historic Flood of 1927.  "It doesn't make sense not to do it," said Lamar Roberts, the director of the Battlefield Museum who was nearing his years-long pursuit of putting a transportation museum in the depot when the water rose.  The Corps decision means another government-sized headache.  "But, if they did decide, it'd be 20 years before they got around to it.  I guess that's their little red wagon, and they're going to pull it."

You can see the water levels on the columns and...

...on the brick foundation.

Rail Road Track Sunbather

This was in The Vicksburg Post mid-week of an alligator sunbathing next to railroad tracks along North Washington Street near the National Cemetery.  With the high river waters, the reptiles can be spotted easily now.  ~Photo taken by David Jackson

Porching Deer

At Catfish Point, Memphis, TN recently.

Some Things Just Make Your Heart Smile!

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be.. It's the way it is..The way we cope with it, is what makes the difference.  Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains un-awakened."

An Albino Squirrel

Daniel Cox, who's grandparents are Virgil and Minnie Lee Cox, shared photos of an albino squirrel at their home near High Point, Winston Salem, NC area.

Happy Birthday Great Grandson!

Today is my great grandson, Tidus's, 4th birthday!  I wish I could be with him to celebrate but he lives in Great Fall, Montana.  He's very fond of cars and trucks and has a lot of them to play with.  I found out that next year he will be going to Disney World and the family will come through Vicksburg on the way.  It will be so exciting to see him again because they can grow up so fast.  Wishing my little Tidus a very Happy Birthday and I love you very, very much!  Great Gran Gran  xxoo

A New Link ~ Gunsmithing

I'm giving a shout-out today to a full time student, Jeremy Chan, who is studying the art of gunsmithing and archiving his work while in school.  He has a blog called, "Nergun - A Gunsmith Student Blog" and has a love for guns, reloading, target shooting, varmint hunting,canoeing and fishing.  He moved from his home in Missoula, MT to Trinidad, CO to further his education in gunsmithing.  He lives by trying to do his very best so that there can be no regrets.  I see this young man becoming an expert in his field one day and wish him the very best of luck!  Check out his blog and give him the support he needs in following his dreams of becoming a gunsmith!  

Flooded Casino's Tunica, MS

Hollywood Casino

Tunica River Park

Fitz Casino

Sam's Town

Gold Strike/Horseshoe Casino

Harrah's Casino

Close-up Harrah's

Harrah's Entrance

My Blooming Lilies

I look forward every year to seeing my lilies bloom.  The plant was given to me by Bob and planted it in a big pot in the backyard and every year it has the most beautiful blooms.  Thought I would share the beauty with you today!  Have a Blessed Sunday!

Historic Flood of 2011 Receding

With the Mighty Mississippi finally receding from its historic crest, it will take some time for 2,168 residents in Vicksburg and Warren County to get back into their homes.  According to MEMA, 4,800 people have been displaced statewide.  Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said, "Even if you see a drop of an inch or two, you can't tell the difference."  He also commented that, "In the areas affected by the flood, inches are academic when you have water in your attic."  They are still watching the levees because of several sand boils but it's under control by sandbagging.  It will be another month or so above flood stage.  All or part of 20 roads outside Vicksburg and 27 inside have been closed to traffic until further notice.  Homeland Security deputy boss, Leslie Davis toured our city this past Tuesday with city and county officials. She tour the Redwood area and Kings community by boat north of Vicksburg.  It will take awhile for Vicksburg to get back on its feet but we are a close-knit community and with the help of assistance and coming together we will come back stronger than ever! 

Bob's Maine Turkey

I talked to my ME friend, Linda Elliott, the other day and she was telling me about her husband, Bob's turkey.  Linda is also a turkey hunter and will soon be in the woods trying to harvest her one.  The Elliott's live in Mt. Vernon and met her years ago on bowhunting.net and we have been friends ever since.  Bob's turkey weighed 19 lbs., and had a 9-inch beard.  He was going out again the next day to try to get his second one.  My congrats to Bob and wishing both of them a very successful turkey season in our great wild outdoors!

A Flood Victim

Vicksburg Fire Department workers grab a man, later identified as Walter Cook from flood waters at First East and Washington streets Tuesday.  David Jackson-The Vicksburg Post

I was just thinking the other day that we have been very fortunate to have not lost a single human life through this whole ordeal, being the worst flood since 1927.  Last night I read in our paper, The Vicksburg Post,  that a city man had fallen into the high waters two days ago.  He was 69 year old Walter Cook of Peal St. He was found by city workers near the flooded intersection after he apparently walked from his home through brush between Peal and North Washington Streets with waters chest deep. (I had taken pictures at this same location this past Tuesday where the big boat and Rusty's Restaurant is located a half a block away). Cook, who was disabled, had taken the shortcut for years to get to the Klondyke Restaurant, near the intersection, where he drank coffee most mornings, a cousin said.