Category Archives: Mississippi Diary

Courthouse

 

Yesterday we stopped in the tiny town of New Madrid, pop. 3,200.  Its claim to fame is a series of earthquakes in 1812-13 that were the worst in U.S. history.  There were four earthquakes rating 8.0 on the Richter scale plus 1,000+ smaller quakes and aftershocks.

Today we dock in Hickman, Kentucky.

Truman campaigned for the Senate from the Courthouse steps.

 

Graceland

The Wi-Fi on this boat varies from slow to no.  It was not working most of yesterday so this is a day late.  Spent our time in Memphis on a short driving tour through the city and at Graceland.  Memphis is something I’d like to spend more time on.  Here’s some photos.

House was decorated for Christmas as they were filmIng a special. The “media room”

 

Yesterday we spent river cruising so nothing to report.  Watched a bunch of movies on TCM but the only one I had not seen previously was Monte Hellman’s  Beast from Haunted Cave (1959).  Unless you are a Hellman completist my verdict is don’t bother.

Today it is on to New Madrid, Missouri.

Didn’t see much of Greenville on our tour out to Indianola.  BB King donated a museum, which then bought a nightclub in his hometown.  It was a day of good music.

Gospel group greeted us when we arrived at museum. Live blues music at Club Ebony

Today we’re cruising the River all day.  I’ll try to take some shots inside the Duchess.

View of Vicksburg from our balcony on American Duchess

Yesterday was occupied with touring the Vicksburg Battlefield.  It was hotter than blue blazes and I say this as one who knows! Tour included documentary film and talks by a re-enactor.  Such sadness.  This has the highest number of monuments of any of the Civil War.

Illinois sent the most soldiers to the battle and has the biggest monument. Alabama Memorial Replica of Confederate fortification used during the Siege of Vicksburg. USS Cairo – this Union ironclad bombarded Vicksburg before it was sunk by a Confederate mine. Much later it was recovered and is now on display

Today, I’m looking forward to a tour of B.B. King’s hometown of Indianola, Mississippi and a nice dose of the Blues.

 

King Cotton made Natchez one of the prettiest cities in the USA.  Before the Civil War put an end to plantation riches, Natchez had more millionaires than anywhere outside New York or Boston.  Planters built palatial dwellings for their wives and children in town, distant from the fields which were often in Louisiana.  We stopped three places on our hop-on hop-off tour.

Visitor Center had a good movie on Natchez history. Home of a freed slave that made good with a number of barber shops. Poor guy was murdered. Killer got away because courts would not accept the word of black witnesses against white killer. Stanton Hall. Planter spent years building mansion died months after he moved in – in 1859. Restored to its former splendor by the ladies of the Pilgrimage Garden Club. One end of the parlor at Stanton Hall

Today I visit the battlefield at Vicksburg.

The American Duchess’s route is followed by three large tour buses that meet us at every stop.  Have not figured out how to crop, sorry.

Yesterday we visited the tiny town of St. Francisville, pop. 2000.  It used to be a major shipping port before 1927 flooding destroyed much of it.  Remains were moved to higher ground.  Took a ride around town and a tour of the supposedly haunted Myrtle Plantation house.  Supposedly planter took Chloe a field slave as a mistress and made her a house slave.  One thing led to another and she poisoned his wife and two kids.  She was accordingly hanged and now haunts the place.  This is a “cottage” plantation.  Planter grew indigo before switching to cotton.

Myrtle Plantation

Today we see Natchez, Mississippi.

Never did see the town of White Rock.  Duchess docked near Nottaway Plantation.  Rich sugar planter spent 10 years building his dream house.  Lived there six years before the Civil War dashed the dream – fortunately for his slaves.  Now the complex includes accommodations, restaurants and a big wedding business.

The White Ballroom.

 

 

 

Had lunch here with live blues. BBQ for husband and a Po Boy for me.

The Wi-Fi speed on our boat does not permit streaming so I’m afraid I’m movieless at the moment.  Had a tour of the beautiful city of New Orleans looking mighty good 13 years post-Katrina.

Dylan rates a table at B.B. King’s. St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 Beignets and cafe au lait at The Morning call in City Park. Sunset on the Mississippi.

Arrived 7-14 and took it easy 7-15.  Today’s a busy one.  NOLA City Tour followed by boarding The American Duchess for our cruise.

Yesterday I rewatched New Orleans (1947) directed by Arthur Lubin.  History of jazz is not too accurate but the musicians make the movie.  Hear Lady Day sing “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans” with  Louis Armstrong and his band!  Complete  movie is available on You Tube.