Wishing all my blogging friends and family a very Happy and Blessed Easter!
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
Blake's First Turkey!
Blake Herrin of Ethel, Mississippi got a really nice turkey today with his Benelli shotgun.
He announced that it was awesome!
It was a great day to be in the woods and had to walk about two miles behind a fan down this old road. Got it done and doubled up today!
My congratulations to Blake in our great wild and wonderful Mississippi outdoors.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
First Video ~ American Queen Leaving Vicksburg, MS
This is my very first video to put on YouTube and I was so excited to do so. Actually, it's on my Facebook timeline as well. I know I have been posting a lot of pictures of the riverboats lately but not videos. Riverboat, "American Dutchess" will be docking here tomorrow and that will make four riverboats this week. Easter Sunday, "America" will return. I was very pleased with my first video and wanted to share with you and if you like it, please give it a thumbs up for me! Thanks!
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Tourists, Boats, Buses, Oh My!
Today, two riverboats "America" and "American Queen" were moored at our waterfront for the first time this year bringing many passengers to tour our historic civil war city of Vicksburg, MS.
A lot of activity around The Old Depot Museum today with two riverboats and a lot of buses.
Mr. Windham standing guard at the entrance to America.
The Grand American Queen!
I walked behind the floodwall which was all underwater a week and a half ago...
...to take pictures of the two riverboats together.
"America" in all her glory!
A nice carpet for the tourist to walk on.
River Level: 43.71 feet - Change: -1.18 foot - Flood Stage: 43 feet
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Queen of the Mississippi First Visit For 2018
I stepped behind the flood wall and could see a lot of debris from the flooding.
Where I'm standing, a week and a half ago this was underwater.
The entrance/exits are still closed with the prediction of the MS River rising again mid-April.
You can see the Queen of the Mississippi high over the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals. Glad to see her return bringing passengers to our town for touring the Vicksburg National Military Park, Old Court House Museum and other historical attractions in Vicksburg.
River Level: 45.05 feet - Change: -1.08 foot - Flood Stage: 43 feet
Monday, March 26, 2018
Young Hunter Hooked On Turkey Hunting
Tracie Murphy of Petal, MS, and his son worked hard for this bird for the last three days and it gave them the slip. Finally, they caught up with it yesterday morning. It had a 12-1/2 inch beard and 1-1/4 spurs. His son shot his first turkey! He's hooked now, Tracie said. My congratulations to this young hunter who is hooked on turkey hunting in our great wild and wonderful Mississippi outdoors. Way to go little hunter! #getyourkidsoutdoors
Saturday, March 24, 2018
The American Queen Back-In-Town Yesterday
Once again, the grand American Queen showed up yesterday in the Yazoo Diversion Canal for her passengers to tour our civil war town for a half day before heading north. As always, she is a majestic site to behold every time she comes to visit us with her excited passengers.
Actually, I was right on top of her sitting on the new benches and took...
...two shots of her. I was lucky to video her pushing off with her calliope playing as she headed for the MS River going north.
I took this picture across from the Queen and had my back to The Old Depot Museum before I went and sat down on the benches.
As you can see from my two previous posts that the flood waters are receding very fast behind the floodwall.
The Grand American Queen moored!
A nice gentleman took my picture beside the American Queen and I took several pictures for him as well with the Queen.
Friday, March 23, 2018
A Big Gobbler For Connor!
I just happen to know his grandparents. His Grandpa Harold and I used to work together at the Vicksburg District, Corp of Engineers and hunted with him at Brown's Point on Kings Point Island. I'm sure he is one proud Grandpa!
My congratulations to Connor on his big gobbler in our great wild and wonderful Mississippi outdoors.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
A Week of Riverboats!
These signs are all over town so the tourist can hop on-hop off. This one is in front of the riverboat, American Duchess yesterday. I guess I can't hop on the boat and go! I wish!
A notice sign in front of the American Duchess.
The American Duchess showed up for another week with passengers to tour our civil war town of Vicksburg, MS. She is a beauty!
The riverboats are moored across from the back of The Old Depot Museum.
Looks like the flood waters are receding where you can now see the concrete pad where the four new benches are.
You can see the flood waters slowing receding yesterday looking behind the floodwall.
Today, the riverboat "America" showed up for a full day of touring with her passengers. Tomorrow the Amerian Queen will be here. What a week of riverboats! Very exciting for our town and our economy. This will be going on until the end of the year!
A nice lady took my picture with the "America" riverboat today.
Overnight you can see the flood waters slowly going down and soon the floodwall's Entrance/Exit will be reopened.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
A Large Crowd Turns Out @ VCC On CWD
When a deer with CWD was found in Issaquena County, right near the edge of Warren County, it was rightfully looked at as a huge cause of concern for the deer population and those who enjoy hunting in the area.
On Monday, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks held a public meeting at the Vicksburg Convention Center to educate on the disease and help inform the public on how to help control its spread. The panel was made up of people with knowledge of the disease and those who are involved in the efforts to combat it.
Dr. Margaret Wild, a veterinarian for the Nation Park Service, scientifically broke down this disease, explaining why it was so detrimental to deer and elk populations in certain parts of the United States. She explained that the disease would eventually be fatal in any carriers, although it could take up to 24 months for symptoms to show.
Wild said the symptoms include progressive weight loss, behavioral changes such as lack of awareness, increased drinking, urination and excessive salivation, contact with the latter to being responsible for much of the disease's spread.
The disease starts in proteins in the central nervous system, but spreads throughout the body and degenerates the brain. The disease is not currently transmittable to humans, but Wild advised exercising caution and not eating any infected animal just to be safe.
Wildlife Bureau Director Russ Walsh said that in the sampling of around 200 deer, no other cases have been found but sampling will continue.
"Once it establishes itself, there is no cure or vaccine," Walsh said.
"The hunting industry is over a $2 billion industry for us, so it possibly could affect that. It's important for us to be diligent and vigilant on this disease."
In order to do that, the MDWFP need to continue their testing and try to find out exactly what they're dealing with. Due to the incubation period, the diseased deer found in Issaquena County is more likely not an isolated incident, and there are infected deer in Mississippi. Furthermore, genetic testing showed that the infection came from a local source.
"We need to understand the prevalence, how many deer out of 100 have it, and then what is the geographic extent of that, so we can establish a well-defined management zone so we can begin to manage that zone and enact the regulations that need to be in place," Walsh said.
There is currently a supplemental feeding ban in the following countries: Claiborne, Hinds, Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren and Yazoo, and there is a deer carcass import ban from areas affected by the disease.
Walsh's advice for anyone who comes across an infected deer is to report it to mdwfp.com or calling 1-800-BE-SMART
"Just please let us know about it, we'll collect some information and we'll look into it," Walsh said.
A large crowd came out Monday evening at the Vicksburg Convention Center to hear state experts speak about the chronic wasting disease and its impact. ~ The Vicksburg Post
On Monday, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks held a public meeting at the Vicksburg Convention Center to educate on the disease and help inform the public on how to help control its spread. The panel was made up of people with knowledge of the disease and those who are involved in the efforts to combat it.
Dr. Margaret Wild, a veterinarian for the Nation Park Service, scientifically broke down this disease, explaining why it was so detrimental to deer and elk populations in certain parts of the United States. She explained that the disease would eventually be fatal in any carriers, although it could take up to 24 months for symptoms to show.
Wild said the symptoms include progressive weight loss, behavioral changes such as lack of awareness, increased drinking, urination and excessive salivation, contact with the latter to being responsible for much of the disease's spread.
The disease starts in proteins in the central nervous system, but spreads throughout the body and degenerates the brain. The disease is not currently transmittable to humans, but Wild advised exercising caution and not eating any infected animal just to be safe.
Wildlife Bureau Director Russ Walsh said that in the sampling of around 200 deer, no other cases have been found but sampling will continue.
"Once it establishes itself, there is no cure or vaccine," Walsh said.
"The hunting industry is over a $2 billion industry for us, so it possibly could affect that. It's important for us to be diligent and vigilant on this disease."
In order to do that, the MDWFP need to continue their testing and try to find out exactly what they're dealing with. Due to the incubation period, the diseased deer found in Issaquena County is more likely not an isolated incident, and there are infected deer in Mississippi. Furthermore, genetic testing showed that the infection came from a local source.
"We need to understand the prevalence, how many deer out of 100 have it, and then what is the geographic extent of that, so we can establish a well-defined management zone so we can begin to manage that zone and enact the regulations that need to be in place," Walsh said.
There is currently a supplemental feeding ban in the following countries: Claiborne, Hinds, Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren and Yazoo, and there is a deer carcass import ban from areas affected by the disease.
Walsh's advice for anyone who comes across an infected deer is to report it to mdwfp.com or calling 1-800-BE-SMART
"Just please let us know about it, we'll collect some information and we'll look into it," Walsh said.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
He's Going On 6 Months!
It was so great to see my great-grandson William David "Will" today but did not get a chance to take a picture of him. Here are some pictures his Mom (Lucy) took of him a few weeks ago at 5 months and now he's going on 6 months old.
He is such a precious child.
Babies don't stay babies very long and he will soon be walking before you know it. I'm so blessed to have three great-grandsons with, Ian living here in Vicksburg and Tidus David, living in Montana and both are 10 years old. Before you know it, William David will be 10 years old.
Monday, March 19, 2018
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Riverboat "American Duchess" In Town Today
The riverboat "American Duchess" was moored in the Yazoo Diversion Canal all day today while her passengers toured our historic civil war town of Vicksburg, MS: The Key To The South!
Here are two close-up pictures I took of her near the ramp that was partially covered by the rising flood waters.
It was a perfect day for the passengers to tour our city.
A side view of her as I walked near the edge of the canal.
The new benches are already partially submerged in the flood waters.
Looking back south towards The Old Depot Museum on the left.
I stopped and talked to Andrew Cummings of Vicksburg who was getting ready to get in his kayak and enjoy the day. I asked him why was it so small and he said it was a racing kayak.
That really looks tricky.
He's in and he's off!
I told him to be safe and enjoy his trip.
He told me he may go to the MS River as well. Safe travels!
Heading home with the Levee Street (truck route) closed off with a flood retaining wall going up to block it. The American Duchess is moored on the far left. A beautiful day to be out and about and a great one for the tourist to enjoy as well.
River Level: 49.83 feet - Change: n/a - Flood Stage: 43 feet