It was great waking up in the same city two days in a row. After Gary's late night tech work we slept in somewhat this morning. Our goal for today was to see a few of the places that make Vicksburg what it is. Our first stop was in the historic district .... Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. He was the first person in the world to actually bottle the soda. Until 1894 you could only get the drink at a soda parlor!
We were able to also see the original soda fountain machine that was used in his candy and soda parlor store. Gary was studying how the dry ice was used to cool the soda. Did you know that the term soda "pop" came about because the cork used in bottling the soda "popped" when it was taken out? Interesting.
The Vicksburg National Military Park came next on our tour. We had already driven thru the grounds last night, so today we went to the visitors center. The video they had was good, but the map in the exhibit room had lights that helped show all the troop movements and made all the descriptions make sense. Its interesting that all the townspeople in Vicksburg hid in caves and there was not much, if any, loss of life (townspeople) during the siege.
After lunch we started driving north, around the side of of the national park. We found what we were looking for - Margaret's Grocery. Its kind of a folk art structure that reminds me of Watts Towers or the guy in the California desert that paints the desert clay (can't remember his name). Anyway, it was just unique.
Heading back toward town we picked up part of the "Blue Tour" and it took us by some old houses. This one is Ahern's Belle of the Bends. I was hoping it was Ahren's, not Aherns! It is an Italianate mansion overlooking the Mississippi River and one of the best preserved historical homes that is now a Bed and Breakfast. I guess we could have taken a tour of it and it's grounds, but we didn't!
We tried to get to the Riverfront Park, but a bridge was out of service and the detour did not let us find us. Instead we went to The Navy Circle overlooking the Mississippi. This view shows one of the many Casinos on docked riverboats.
The cannon was on the hill at the Navy Circle.
We went back to camp to let Apollo out and take a break. After we had walked around the park and taken care of Apollo we went out for a short drive south. This little fruit stand is well known for its BLT sandwich and its Jamaican burger w/jerk sauce. Mark, you'll have to help us on this one. We did get a fruit smoothie and a jar of fine ground white corn to make "grits" with. I think the chef in the family gets the honors!
"The Tomato Place"
Tonight we are preparing for our road trip for tomorrow - we hope to drive about 400 miles on I-20 and stay near Dallas, Texas.
The Weather Channel is active again as we listen to warnings about severe weather where we are staying. High winds, hail, rain and tornadoes are possible. Tornadoes are not exactly what we want to hear about. Strong winds are one thing - tornadoes are another. Gary is listening to the weather channel on his ham radio and they are giving us up-to-date warnings. I guess the worst of it should be through by midnight.
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