Some Back Road Cows

Yesterday, I decided to come home after helping my daughter move into her new home and took the back roads.  It was very refreshing and enjoyed the scenery especially the cows in the pastures.  Here are a few pictures I took when I pulled off the side of the road.    

These guys decided to come and greet me!

While driving I stopped to take this picture of a long train that was sitting still heading west towards my hometown of Vicksburg, MS, most likely going across the Mississippi River.  

I found out that the old Hwy 80 bridge was closed to rail traffic after it was struck by a southbound 30-barge tow.  

The M/V Chad Tregrache operated by Marquette Transportation of Paducah, Kentucky, struck the bridge about 7:04 yesterday morning.  All the barges were grain barges.  

The tow struck pier 3 on the bridge and broke apart, with one barge sinking.  The Mississippi River was closed to barge traffic as well.

A comment has been made that a loose barge on Ole Man River is as dangerous as a loose cannon on a Man O'War ship.  

Flood Preps Are Underway For In-pending Flood @ Vicksburg

Yesterday, after my Doctors appointment, I went to the riverfront to see where the city crews are preparing to install and block off Levee Street at Grove Street near The Old Depot Museum.  The gates and timbers will be installed once the city workers work to excavate work from slots designed to accept gates to block off the street.  

The truck route also comes through on Levee Street and had to be re-routed because of the closer due to the floodwall going up.  Now it will be a wait, look and see what the water does before the railroad is closed off according to the city and county officials. 

I was surprised to see riverboat "America" at the riverfront.  Here I'm getting ready to walk behind the floodwall (while I can) to see and take pictures.  

Looks like the trees are already in the flood waters of the Yazoo Diversion Canal.  

Water inching up on the land at the backside of the floodwall.  

Walking back over the railroad tracks I looked up and saw 3 orange flags hanging on a wire and not sure what that represented.  

One last picture was taken from Children's Art Park at Catfish Row of "America" right at the Entrance (which is closed off) and the passengers have to be re-routed on the backside.  Before long I'm not sure how they will get the passengers off to tour our city.  

The Grand American Queen will be moored all day long for her passengers to tour our historic civil war town.  She will be on her way southbound around 5:00 p.m. to Natchez, MS.

Hog Hunting In Mississippi

Proud to say that I have killed a 180lb. hog and another one running at one sitting up at the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club on the edge of the MS Delta a few years ago.  

This weekend my hunting friend, Rex over at Deer Camp Blog is staging a Hog Camp 2019 this weekend at the Christmas Place to eradicate these nasty hogs.  I'm wishing all the hunters good luck since they will be bringing armor-piercing bullets, hand grenades, and mortars to take them down.

Wishing you guys great weather, hogs on the pole and a campfire to enjoy the rewards-of-the-day!  GOODHUNTING!

American Queen's Very First Visit For 2019

Last year the American Queen paddlewheeler did not show up until March 2018.  This year she came early and was supposed to come Friday, February 22, but showed up Saturday, February 23rd for a full day of sightseeing for her passengers. Here are some pictures I took while she was moored at our Vicksburg Riverfront in the Yazoo Canal. 

A view of the American Queen from Children's Art Park at Catfish Row. 

The Entrance all boarded up because the MS River is on the rise and above flood stage now.

The Exit boarded up as well with flood stage predicted over 51 feet next month. 

A pretty Holly Tree at Catfish Row.

A WAMX train past by Saturday morning while a walkway over the tracks had to be removed for the passengers on the American Queen paddlewheeler.  American Queen is moored in the Yazoo Canal to the left and The Old Depot Museum to the right.

WAMX heading south while passing the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals.

An up-close picture of the American Queen.

(My favorite picture)

Looking around the floodwall to see how far the Yazoo Diversion Canal has risen.

I walked down behind The Old Depot Museum to get this picture of the American Queen.  

A new water fountain on Monroe Street.

Landscaping for the new Farmer's Market coming soon.  A new barbeque business in town on top-of-the-hill on the right called, The Mississippi Barbeque Company.  

A Foggy Day ~ Mississippi Welcome Center @ Vicksburg

It was a very foggy morning in my hometown of Vicksburg, MS and decided to run by our Mississippi Welcome Center and take some pictures at the river.  Enjoy!

I could only see a partial part of the I-20 bridge but not the old Hwy 80 bridge.

A foggy railroad track.

Kansas City Southern train headed west.

Kansas City Southern engine at the end heading west.

Disappearing into the fog!

Little birds trying to eat a partial biscuit left in the parking lot.  

I had to take the bird pictures in my truck and got out and broke it up into pieces so they could enjoy.

One bird tried to fly off with a piece in its mouth.

A picture I took of the fog that I could finally see the outline of the bridges.  I put this picture on my Facebook timeline.

It's getting better.

Fog is lifting pretty fast now.  

A picture of the old Hwy 80 bridge that the railroad connects east and west.  Talks are underway to open up to pedestrians and I'm looking forward to that day to go on the bridge and take a lot of pictures on the Mighty Mississippi River. 

River Level: 44.72 feet - Change: + 0.40 foot - Flood Stage: 43 feet 

Some Mississippi River Traffic @ Vicksburg Yesterday

While at the Louisiana Circle yesterday afternoon I saw three towboats, M/V Rick Calhoun, M/V John M. Donnelly heading around the bend at Delta Point with M/V Nashville bringing up the rear.  While there a car pulled up and a couple came over and asked me to take a picture of them with the MS River in the background.  I was able to get the two towboats in the bend of the river in their picture.  I then said, you need to get one with the bridges in the background and they agreed.  I asked the lady where she was from and she said London, England.  I told her I have been there back in '91 & '92 and it was a New Year's Eve tour.  I'm not sure if the gentleman with her was from there now but he told me he went to St. Aloysius High School here and his Uncle is Gordon Cotten who was the curator at the Old Court House Museum.  We had a nice visit and waved goodbye to me as they drove off.  It's so nice to meet and talk to people from other countries.  I'm glad I was there to take their picture together of the Mighty Mississippi River.  

M/V Rick Calhoun

Up-close of M/V Rick Calhoun.

Heading around the sharp bend in MS River @ Vicksburg, MS, called Delta Point.

M/V John M. Donnelly gaining speed.

Up-close of M/V John M. Donnelly.

Making the bend.

M/V Nashville getting ready to make the bend.

M/V Nashville up-close.

An Ergon towboat coming up the rear possibly headed for the Port of Vicksburg.

River Level: 43.80 - Change: + 0.22 foot - Flood Stage: 43 feet