Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Vicksburg...Day Two

The day started out just as the weather folks predicted.  Rainy, cloudy and dreary.  I suppose if this is all we have to endure from Irma we did good!!                      
The view from the back of the Welcome Center overlooking the Mississippi
We started our day by returning to the Welcome Center, that had already closed yesterday when we arrived.  We learned a lot of things from a very informative lady.  She explained the driving tour on the map, the different places of interest and finally the Vicksburg Military Park.  We all agreed the military park should be postponed until Wednesday because of the rain.                 
A little blurred, taken from inside the truck


With maps in hand we decided to do the Historic Downtown Vicksburg route.  It was here we saw the original "town" of Vicksburg.  Very quaint with a brick road on a narrow street lined by local shops. We saw the Old  Depot Museum on Old Levee Street and decided to start here.  A beautiful building built in 1906 and featured the history of the war fought in Vicksburg along with the types of transportation this city was known for....riverboat town and rail center.  We saw a well displayed diorama of the two sides that fought this war.  The war was actually fought around this quaint town.  A video featured information pertaining to the war but as seen through the eyes of the townspeople.  Since the war raged around this town it was not safe for the women and children to remain in the town so they built caves in the sides of the surrounding hills where they stayed and dodged canons and bullets.  We are looking forward to learning more about this battle
tomorrow.

The Old Depot Museum
The Clermont
Part of the Diorama
An overview of the Diorama
The Wexford Lodge the Shirley House. Grant stationed himself here
We were beginning to get a little hungry....we spent a lot of time in this museum.  The lady at the Welcome Center had highly recommended a place called The Tomato Place to eat.  She said it was a local place and very unique.  She was completely right!!!  The tourist booklet describes it as...." Caribbean/New Orleans-themed "funky little shack" hidden under the guise of a roadside produce stand."  That is pretty accurate!!  You would never know it was a place to eat by looking at it from the road.  Inside was quite different but we like the idea of eating local when we travel to new places and this was definitely local.  We found a place to sit and I ordered a chicken sandwich on bread I believe they make themselves and Mike ordered the signature sandwich which was a BLT club and we shared a side of baked beans.  I am not a baked bean eater but these were the best I have ever tasted.  It was a unique experience.  I can't say it was the best food we have ever eaten, except for the baked beans, but we enjoyed the experience.   




Later in the afternoon we returned to the Historic Downtown area and took a look at some of the places highlighted in the tour booklet.  Unfortunately, it was a rainy day and walking was not an option especially with cameras.  

We are having a quiet evening in our Ollie!!  Tomorrow we will head out to the Vicksburg Military Park and begin at their Visitor Center with another video and then a driving tour.   

To me, it is so interesting and important to learn our history.  Some of it good and some not so good but it all works together to make us who we are....a great nation!!   I hope you will join us tomorrow!!








11 comments:

  1. What a fun day exploring, nothing quite like checking out funky little local eateries.

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    1. It was fun and we enjoy eating at the locals as much as we can.

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  2. Neat! Hope today is a clear, bright sunny day for touring. If ever in north Alabama, we have two RV sites on our property. Come visit!

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    1. Phyllis, thanks for your comments and especially for your very kind offer.
      Take care....

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  3. I think with all that was going on in Vicksburg, they thought of hiding the women and children in caves. How amazing were these people!
    We always try to eat locally. Glad it wasn't a bust. I love the looks of the place inside and out. How cool.
    Glad you are enjoying your stay. We really enjoyed learning about Vicksburg and the battles also. I agree, history is so important.

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    1. Thanks for your comments. The Tomato Place was really neat and quaint...very local. We are enjoying learning about the Battle of Vicksburg, such a sad time in our history. It is amazing how the women and children went into the dugout caves to escape the bombing and gunfire.

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  4. It is an interesting city. We found the civil war park a must see.

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    1. It was a very big battlefield and quite educational. It is laid out in such a way as to be able to understand the battle pretty well. Thanks for your comments.

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  5. Glad you enjoyed Vicksburg. That was a favorite for us. The Tomato Place sounds great.

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    1. We were unaware of how important this battle was and of how many people died here. We greatly enjoyed the experience.

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  6. what I great place, when I go get the Gkids I always stop there for a least one night...a lot of history.I have stayed at a passport America CG across the river(right on the river)...numerous amenities and the price was very reasonable with the discount. In the evening I sit on a bench at the rivers edge and watch the Barges...will try the Tomato place next time I pass through there...thanks for sharing...safe travels, Horst sends

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