The Queen Of The Mississippi @ City Waterfront

I went down to the City waterfront around 12:30 today and took some pictures of the "new" Queen of the Mississippi.  She looked really nice.  She was not as big as the American Queen but would love to take a ride on her one day and the American Queen.  A Sysco truck was there delivering food supplies, etc.  I wished the truck had not been in the picture at this time but you get the idea how nice she is.

Much smaller smokestacks compared to the American Queen.

Video below of the installation last February of the above paddle wheel.

View of the back end of the ship with the Sweet Olive Tour boat (not in service) to the left.  

Front end of the ship with a spanking new gangplank.  

I took this picture across from the waterfront at Catfish Row Children's Art Park of this little bird waiting for the water to come out.  Smart bird?

I'm back at my truck and took this picture of two of three buses taking the passengers to points of interest around Vicksburg, mainly, the Vicksburg National Military Park.  The Queen of the Mississippi was docked to the far right on the other side of the flood wall.

Another Queen Will Dock Tomorrow @ Vicksburg

Today, The American Queen docked at our City waterfront downtown Vicksburg but did not go to see her or take pictures this time.  Tomorrow, The Queen of The Mississippi will docked here and plan to go down and take pictures of her.  She is the first brand new overnight stern wheeler built for the Mississippi in nearly 20 years.  The Queen of the Mississippi will be the grandest ever boasting over-sized staterooms larger than those of all former Mississippi riverboats, private balconies and all of the amenities today's travelers expect. This will be her first visit to Vicksburg.  Looking forward to seeing the "new" Queen and below you can check out the rates and port charges for this year with the layout.  

2013 Rates:

Port Charges

 

Owner’s Suite stateroom aboard The Queen of the Mississippi

Greatest Play In Baseball

Happy "55" Birthday Years!

If you know this famous hunting 
Blogger go over to his Deer Camp Blog 
and wish him a very Happy Birthday!  
Today, he turns 55 years old and is 
my hunting friend and mentor, Rex Howell.
My husband Bob and I want to wish him
the very best with many more Happy 
Birthday's to come and hope he enjoys his special day!  He truly deserves it!

A Cemetery Visit

Went to the cemetery the other day to see my brother's new tombstone that was erected a couple of weeks ago. While there I took these pictures.  Above is a flock of buzzards hanging out on the side of a hill sunbathing. In the foreground is showing part of the Confederate soldiers that are buried in our City Cemetery.

Looking out towards the Confederate burial plots.

I stopped to take a picture of this angel statue.

An up-close shot!

Buzzard getting a birds eye view while sitting on top of a crypt.

Another buzzard looking around for a meal.

This buzzard had his beak wide open.

I stop to take some pictures of this beautiful angel tombstone. 

A saw this statue of Jesus and stopped to take a picture of it.

I love the moss that forms on the statues.

Spring Has Arrived In Vicksburg

All the trees are beginning to bloom here in Vicksburg, Mississippi.  

Happy Spring y'all!

The Queen Is Back In Town

Getting ready to walk through the entrance to see her majesty, American Queen, parked at the City waterfront on the Yazoo Diversion Canal just off the Mississippi River which leads to the Port of Vicksburg.

A tour boat, Sweet Olive, in front of the Queen which is out-of-service.  If you notice the steam from the rear by the paddle wheel it was playing music from the Calliope.

Trying to get the front end in the picture...such a huge steamboat!

Steam coming from the front end as the Queen was blowing her horn.  I just love that sound.

A beautiful day in Vicksburg for the American Queen to arrive at a mild 53 degrees.

A passenger looking down at the paddle wheel as it was turning in the water.

I went up to the second floor of a parking lot and as I got there to take this picture and towboat was pushing  a container towards the MS River from the Port of Vicksburg.

Close-up shot of the Ergonot towboat.

Towboat passing the flood walls near the Exit and a casino boat.

Summer Retreat

I received this beautiful card from one of my classmates, Kay who lives in California for my birthday back in January.  I have known her since the first grade at St. Francis Xavier Academy where we went to school 12 full years in one whole city block. She always remembers me on my birthday and wanted to share with you the card she sent me.  It is a painting by Bob Travers.  She found the card while visiting "Trees of Mystery", among the Redwood and ferns and said it was magical.  It was at the Paul Bunyan Gift Shop where she saw this card by Bow & Sparrow and thought of me.  It's so nice to be thought of and I'm so happy that we are staying in touch after all these years.  I am truly blessed!

Bear Tagging

My Photo Published In Sunday's Paper

Marian Love Phillips of Vicksburg took this picture of a Japanese magnolia tree blossom at night because it was threatened by an incoming storm.

I was excited again to have my picture published in today's, The Vicksburg Post.  I took this picture on January 29 right before we were suppose to have bad weather coming through Vicksburg later on that night. I rushed out of the house in the dark and took it and was surprised how well it turned out.  Was afraid all my flowers would get beaten to death from the storm. 

Once again I am humbled that they chose my photo to be published.  Thanks, Vicksburg Post! 

The Vicksburg Post will accept for publication photos submitted by readers.  The photos should be current and of interest to the public, either because of their subject matter or their oddity, or the photographic skill shown.  Submitted photos should be accompanied by complete caption information and include a phone number for the photographer.  Photos may be submitted electronically at newsreleases@vicksburgpost.com, in person at Post Plaza or by mail to The Vicksburg Post, News photos, P.O. Box 821668, Vicksburg, MS 39182.

Yesterday Before Sunset

While I was out running errands yesterday, I ran by the Louisiana Circle to see if any towboats were coming but none were in site.  I did get this awesome picture before the sun sets over the horizon.  

I zoomed in and took a picture of the flag over the old Hwy 80 bridge as the Kansas City Southern (KCS) train was making it's way towards Vicksburg, MS, crossing the Mississippi River from Louisiana.

One more pulled-out shot before I left.

Working On The River

Yesterday we drove by the Louisiana Circle to see if any towboats were coming and saw this one getting ready to make the turn in the bend of the Mississippi River.

This towboat was headed north while another towboat was headed south up the river.  I noticed that it held close to the Louisiana side and could not swing out because of the towboat at top and another towboat coming down that was out-of-site.

This towboat looks like it was towing a working barge.

Notice a little tugboat coming from the Yazoo Diversion Canal which leads to the Port of Vicksburg.  Diamond Jacks Casino in the foreground.

A close-up picture of the front end of the working barge.

Making it's way south in front of the Vicksburg Riverfront Park.

             It's the M/V Tiny Sanderson.         

Making it's way towards the Mississippi River bridges in the glowing sunlight.