Marty Kittrell

Wanderings

2011-09-29T08:12:00.001-05:00

Tagged along with my friends Robert Walker and Jerry Rushing a couple of weekends ago. We went to Lake Hamilton in Claiborne County, one of my favorite places in the world to shoot, and hit the jackpot again. I especially love the smiley face we found formed by water collecting in three strategic places on a lily pad. Other photos are of the Grand Gulf Church, which is miraculously still standing. We also ventured to the railyard in Vicksburg to look at the turn-around, turntable or whatever you call the thing can does what it does. Plus, we visited the garden planted by the Audubon Society next to Marcus Furniture. As always, plenty of beautiful flowers and plants were found. I love the purple thingies. If anyone knows what those berries are, please let me know.
Glad to be back shooting again. Traveling has kept me busy for a while and I have been working on my golf game. But nothing beats finding a smiley face floating on a still lake!
I am trying out a new look for the blog. Just click on the photo at the left to see all the photos.

Baltimore, Maryland

2011-07-22T15:53:00.000-05:00

Got to spend some time in Baltimore, Maryland, last week and enjoyed my walkabouts in downtown and around the Inner Harbor. The mixture of old and new throughout the area was interesting.

I found this owl underneath some scaffolding of a building under renovation. The whole front of the building was covered by this ornamentation.

The Bromo Seltzer tower was probably the tallest structure in the area for quite a while, but is now dwarfed by skyscrapers in the area.

All the old buildings retain their original exteriors but the interiors have been repurposed. This building, above, was closed but its last occupant was the Dubai Nightclub.

Some ornate brickwork on one of the buildings downtown. I wonder how it would look if it could ever get a good scrubbing?

This Catholic Church was swallowed up by the skyscrapers around it.

I loved these two guys holding up this building. I would have a cramp by now.

Chinatown in D.C.

2011-07-18T07:46:00.000-05:00

Spent some time in Chinatown on a recent trip to Washington, D.C. It doesn't take much to entertain this ol' country boy. I enjoyed the massive wooden doors on a Catholic Church, above, and the Chinese writing on all the signs.

Click to enlarge the photo above to see the imagery on the building. Pretty awesome.

I ate in the place above one day. They have ducks and octopi hanging on their right.

This church was interesting for its burned-out steeples. But it still had a message for me in its stained glass below. Click to enlarge if you like.

Only I could go to Washington and be fascinated by rocks in a grate, above.

Georgia Aquarium

2011-06-27T07:24:00.000-05:00

Had the chance to visit the Georgia Aquarium while in Atlanta recently. Here are some photos from that adventure. Can't wait to go back and see the dolphins and experience this place with my wife, Karen.

Downtown Atlanta

2011-06-24T07:34:00.000-05:00

I had the opportunity recently to spend a week in downtown Atlanta. Each evening was spent walking around that magnificent downtown with all its skyscrapers. For a country boy like me, it was quite a sight. Anyway, these photos may bore you silly, but I love shooting the architectural angles of buildings such as these. There are just so many textures and patterns and colors and....

I call this one Ebony and Ivory. Taken from my hotel balcony on a stormy night.

This is my favorite.

Vicksburg Flood 2011: The Water Marks

2011-06-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

Here are some photos taken this morning of the high water marks left at City Front and on the old depot. You are welcome to go take these photos yourself, but get ready to be assaulted by more gnats than you knew existed.

This is what remains of the rose bush that was featured in some of my earlier photos. It didn't make it.

When the floodwater creasted at 57.1 feet, the storage building next to this house was not visible.

Downtown Sacramento, California

2011-06-10T07:10:00.000-05:00

Traveled to Sacramento, California, a couple of weeks ago and was able to walk in the downtown area a couple of afternoons. I just love the architectural angles of a big city. Plus, the state capitol and its surrounding park was a couple of blocks over and was just magnificent.

The Vietnam War Memorial on the capitol grounds

Saturday, May 21: Two days after the crest

2011-06-09T08:35:00.002-05:00

A bit of traveling has kept me away from the ol' blog, but here are some photos taken on Saturday, May 21, two days after the historic 57.1-foot crest of May 19. Water level at the time these photos were taken was 56.6. The photo above and below are of the Glass Road area.

North of Vicksburg

I have posted these aerial photos before, but doing it again to complete this day's shoot.

These photos were from a ride aboard the Sweet Olive that my wife, Karen, and I took on Saturday afternoon, May 21. What a wonderful adventure! If you haven't ridden aboard the Sweet Olive, what are you waiting for?

The Sweet Olive was not allowed to go downriver underneath the bridges, but we went upriver for quite a ways.

This is the railroad track on North Washington Street across from the National Cemetery.

This bird is standing on one of the railroad tracks. I love this photo.

Vicksburg Flood 2011: Yazoo River Bridge/Redwood

2011-05-23T07:32:00.000-05:00

I rode up to the Redwood community Saturday morning to see how the Redwood Elementary School was faring and to also see how far over US 61 the floodwaters came. See for yourself! As always, click on the photos to enlarge them.

Notice the sleeping dog. I let him lie.

Dump trucks were running constantly while I was there. Some went up the exit ramp and then around, but some cut right through the water on the road. This is looking north.

Looking north. The Yazoo River bridge rises in the background.

On top of the exit ramp looking south.

On top of the exit ramp looking north.

The Yazoo River from atop the bridge, looking west.

The Yazoo River from atop the bridge, looking east. The guys in the boat looked like they were taking water measurements.

Northeast

West

Northwest

North

Southeast

Southwest

South

The Great River Road.

Notice the sleeping dog. He found some shade.

Vicksburg Flood 2011: Aerial view

2011-05-22T13:04:00.001-05:00

I flew over downtown Vicksburg on Saturday. Here are some of the shots. It was extremely hazy. Stay tuned later this week for I have lots of more shots to post, including a ride on the Sweet Olive on Saturday afternoon, a walking trek to the top of the Yazoo River Bridge on US 61 North Saturday morning, and photos of the bridges during the thunderstorm at sunrise Saturday morning. Click on each photo to get a better view of the detail.

More from Day of the Crest

2011-05-20T08:47:00.001-05:00

Here is another set of photos taken on Thursday, May 19, the day the Mississippi River crested at 57.1 feet. These were taken mainly in the afternoon after work. The Lord gave me a beautiful sunset as a backdrop, just as he gave me a wonderful backdrop of white clouds that morning. You can see those in my post from yesterday. The photo above was taken driving west over the I-20 bridge and it shows how close the water got to the underside of the bridge.

The photo above was taken from the Riverfront Park.

Big River Shipbuilding

Anderson-Tully

All the homes above are on North Washington Street.

Looking north. Taken from the parking lot of the Riverwalk Casino

Taken from the parking garage of Ameristar

Chickasaw Bayou Road

North Washington Street and its HESCO bags

Bethlehem M.B. Church on North Washington

Day of the Crest: May 19, 2011: 57.1 feet

2011-05-19T13:34:00.001-05:00

These photos were taken this morning to record the Mississippi River at its highest ever level in Vicksburg. Photos at the bridge were taken at two different times. These were taken at around 7 a.m. and a batch below was taken at 6 a.m. What a majestic sight the river is.

I have taken photos of the two home above throughout the flood. I will show you the progression of the flood at a later day.

Vicksburg Flood 2011

2011-05-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

I am constantly drawn toward the Mississippi River. The massive cloud bank that drifted over the city around dusk was an awesome experience. It closed in the river and felt like it was just going to come right down and settle on top of my head. The third photo in this blog is of the cloud as it passed on by, leaving me with a glorious sunset over the might Mississippi. You kind of had to be there to experience it, I guess. And, by the way, for those who think you have to have a big expensive camera to shoot good photos, well, I have to tell you that the camera doesn't matter. These photos were taken with a Canon Powershot S95, small enough to fit into my shirt pocket. To take pictures of pretty things, the main thing to do is go stand in front of pretty things!

Vicksburg Flood 2011

2011-05-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

Some piece of something floating down the river on May 12

The tip of the last tree visible at the riverbank at Riverwalk Casino

Friday, May 13, 2011

Saturday, May 14, 2011; notice the towboat in the background

1927 Flood mural; Saturday, May 14, 2011

1927 Flood Mural; Saturday, May 14, 2011

This catfish on the road will soon be swimming again!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Port of Vicksburg; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Levee around Anderson-Tully; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Port of Vicksburg; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Great River Shipbuilding, Port of Vicksburg; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Floodwaters coming over the road at Anderson-Tully; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Floodwater creeping up on Bethlehem M.B. Church; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Ford Subdivision; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Chickasaw Bayou Road; Saturday, May 14, 2011

A spot of beauty being consumed by floodwaters; Saturday, May 14, 2011

Flood stage at 56.3 feet; Sunday, May 15, 2011

Kudzu leaves in the afternoon sun; while waiting for sunset along the Mississippi River Sunday, May 15, 2011

The photo above and a few below are of the Mississippi River at sunset on the day the river hit the highest recorded flood stage in its history, 56.3 feet; the river is expected to crest at 57.5 feet on Thursday, May 19, 2011

The photos below were taken this morning

MV Mississippi now has floodwaters underneath

Stop.

Vicksburg Flood 2011

2011-05-13T12:28:00.002-05:00

Taken on Tuesday, May 10. click on photo to see people on top of wheelhouse. Estimated 5 foot of clearance from top of radar array.

Yazoo River Bridge on US 61 North. This photo and the ones below were taken in early morning light on Wednesday, May 11.

Hwy 465 to Eagle Lake

Intersection of Hwy. 3 and US 61 North

Redwood Elementary School and the levee built around it

Chickasaw Bayou Road

To me, this is the most significant flood photo I have taken to date. Haunting in its colors. And one friend told me the rose bush looked like a funeral wreath placed before the home. This is also on Chickasaw Bayou Road. Click to enlarge, if you please.

Chickasaw Bayou Road

Bethlehem M.B. Church on Washington Street. Taken on Wednesday morning. The church should be flooded by now.

On Washington Street

The Railroad Depot in downtown Vicksburg; it's on the wrong side of the floodwall

Random shots

2011-05-09T08:09:00.000-05:00

Some random shots during my ramblings of the last few weekends.

Pilgrims Rest M.B. Church

2011-05-05T07:26:00.000-05:00

I visited another old friend this past weekend, the Pilgrims Rest M.B. Church, which is located along the levee in Louisiana between Delta and Mound. The church is nestled in some trees that are eventually going to consume her. Inside are handmade pews and this old rocking chair that is falling apart, but at one time was a seat of honor for someone in the church. You can see more photos on this blog or at my other website, www.martykittrell.com. See if this link will work: http://www.martykittrell.com/Marty-Kittrell-Portfolio/PRpilgrims-rest-mb-church/8288376_fvMwA#546160707_eot6r

The collapse of the Big Red Barn

2011-05-04T07:23:00.000-05:00

The Big Red Barn in Rolling Fork, MS, collapsed sometimes Friday night or early Saturday morning. Here are photos taken about 10 a.m. that morning. See yesterday's post for photos of the barn taken during the past few years.

Remembering the Big Red Barn

2011-05-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

The structure in Rolling Fork, affectionately called the Big Red Barn, collapsed Friday night or early Saturday morning. Built around 1918, it was majestic. Here are some photos I have taken over the years of the barn, plus some of a house that was once on the property but has since been torn down. You'll also find one of my favorite subjects of all time to take photos of...the piano in the tack room of the barn.

I'll have photos later of the collapse.

Kuhn Memorial Hospital

2011-04-24T19:42:00.000-05:00

Kuhn Memorial State Hospital in Vicksburg. It's been unused for decades. I ventured into it twice in the last few weeks to record these photos. Pass this site on if you know someone who used to work here and would like to go down Memory Lane.

Rambling with Mama

2011-04-18T08:04:00.000-05:00

I went to visit my mother in Grenada this past weekend. We went rambling up toward Gore Springs, down to Cadaretta and then around Hwy. 404 to Duck Hill. Later on we went chasing the full moon. We found a huge abandoned home in between Gore Springs and Cadaretta where the first three pictures were taken. I don't know the significance of the wire brush on the jar, but I remember drinking out of cups like those that are still in the cupboard. Pardon me for the self-portrait from a bedroom in the home. The next photos are from the J.D. Chamblee store on Hwy. 404. The Coke sign is neat and even neater when you look at the art deco portions of it up close. The swamp is near downtown Grenada. They gave it a big ol' long Indian name I can't ever remember. That's the Catholic Church at top, then Emmanuel Baptist Church (my home church), and then a Church of God near Mama's house. Me and Mama also visited Fathead's Flea Market. I didn't get to meet Fathead. Hey, you can click on the photos to enlarge them if you want. The night pictures were all handheld, too, so they may be a little blurry.

A day full of living!

2011-04-13T08:34:00.000-05:00

My friend, Robert Walker, and I went into the Mississippi Delta Saturday morning to see what we could find. Let's see now, there was the wonderful sunrise, the round barn at Lake Washington I had heard about, St. John's Ruins, the first ladybug of the season, an abandoned home on Lake Washington, an abandoned church, more alligators than I could count at Lake Chotard and along the levee, a farmer methodically spraying a field, and tons of great fellowship, plus breakfast at Chuck's in Rolling Fork. What a trip! What sights! All right around here! Wow!

Rejoice! The dogwoods are blooming!

2011-03-25T07:36:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite times of year is here! The pink dogwoods are now in bloom and the sight is a glorious one! I don't care how much gas costs, get in your car, put the windows down and pick a direction to drive in. Put down the phone, look out the window and see all the beauty around you. If you find a pink dogwood, let me know. I know of three trees in Vicksburg. Find them for yourself...they definitely are easy to spot!

Playing no more

2011-03-24T08:08:00.000-05:00

Over the years, I have run across pianos in abandoned churches and old barns. If only they could talk as I ran my hands over their dusty keys to tell me about revivals and souls saved and little girls learning to play chopsticks. Pianos are one of the few things in which a person can express their soul through touching. A lot of souls were heard through these. But now they are silent. Life goes on, I guess....

Going through my portfolio

2011-03-23T07:47:00.000-05:00

Been going through my portfolio lately and stumbled across this one. It's one of my favorites. Cloud formations this time of year have me going to the Vicksburg bridges a bit more.

Built to last

2011-02-22T08:13:00.000-06:00

These cars are lined up at a junkyard in Edwards, MS. You can see them from I-20. Some beautiful lines on these old classics.

Cedar Hill Cemetery

2011-01-18T12:53:00.002-06:00

I walked through the oldest part of Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg Saturday morning and the recurring theme as I gazed around was the number of fallen tombstones that were being slowly consumed by the earth. I figured I better take photos of them while I could before they are completely covered up by grass and then by the dirt itself. From my walk, it seems like quite a number of tombstones had already been reclaimed by the earth in the historic cemetery.

This is the oldest date I have ever found on a tombstone in the cemetery. As shown below, it is of the Rev. James Gwin, who was born in 1769 and died in 1841. It was humbling to look down on the grave of a man who was born seven years before this country was even founded. May he rest in peace as his entire plot slowly sinks into the earth.

Update on Jan. 26: For the rest of the story on the above tombstone, visit my friend Rachel at http://lawntea.blogspot.com/. She has researched this tombstone and her findings are extraordinary!

One of the tombstones on this grave has toppled over and has already sunk down about two inches. The hillside on its right side has slowly pushed down the hill and is knocking it off-kilter. Another grave in the same location is below. It's fighting being buried.

I don't know what it is about this grave that I like. The broken planter calls out to me with some message, but I have yet to grasp it.

Christmas in Disney!

2011-01-09T21:23:00.000-06:00

Our family fulfilled a lifelong dream by waking up Christmas morning in Disney World last month. Here are some photos from our 6-day adventure!

Mississippi Industrial Land and Timber Corporation

2011-01-05T17:48:00.000-06:00

This small metal sign was near the King Edward billboard along I-20 in Edwards I wrote about the other day. It reads, "Hep Prevent Forest Fires" and also includes the words and logo of the Mississippi Industrial Land and Timber Corporation. I doubt it any traveler could have read the sign since it was so far off the interstate, so maybe deer, possums, raccoons and squirrels were smarter back then than they are today.

I couldn't find much information about the company other than that it was formed in the early 1960s and dissolved in either 1971 or 1989, according to corporate records kept by the state of Mississippi. If anyone knows anymore, post it here!

Where the Fleet once called home...

2011-01-04T19:28:00.000-06:00

The fleet of the Corps of Engineers used to dock along the Yazoo Diversion Canal just a little piece from downtown Vicksburg on Washington Street. You can see some of the remnants of the warehouses that used to line the street and extend near the river as you drive down the street today. When I took photos of the Sprague the other day, I wandered on down and walked through the woods between the road and the river. All that remains now is pilings and two cool-looking tanks that look like bullet trains. The old tree stump has seen many a high water run through it, but makes a pretty neat looking piece of natural art.

The Ark of the Covenant

2011-01-03T19:22:00.001-06:00

I met the Rev. H.D. Dennis more than 20 years ago. I was fairly new to town and he came to the newspaper where I worked at the time and ended up in my office one day. And the man could talk. That first conversation with him revolved around his news that the Lord had allowed him to build another Ark of the Covenant. Even more, the Lord allowed him to make improvements to it, namely by adding wheels on the bottom so it could be pushed and not have to be carried. Rev. Dennis said the Lord told him to have a parade with the Ark of the Covenant. He also said the Lord told him to come to the newspaper to have that news put in the paper. Our conversation ended with me telling Rev. Dennis that as soon as the Lord told me to put that in the paper I would. He was satisfied with that answer and left. I never have forgotten my first experience of Rev. Dennis.

The Ark of the Covenant still resides at Margaret's Grocery, the castle he constructed for his gentle wife on Washington Street. I stopped by this weekend to record it more closely for I am still flabbergasted that it has survived all these years. Rev. Dennis had a short ritual for opening the Ark on the few times I asked him about it. It included taking a Bible to the Ark and placing it in a precise position where the flowers are now located in the Ark. Rev. Dennis chastised me many a time for not knowing the Scriptures he used to quote during the times we talked about the Ark. He did it in such a loving way, however.

I love the Ark for it is vintage Dennis design with all sorts of objects incorporated into its design, including a favorite item of his, a large hairclip. It is quite a heavy object so I am glad the Lord let him put wheels on this one.

One large wasp nest on the left side and several smalls ones on the right side are now part of the Ark. I am glad I did not decide to take these photos earlier in the summer because that must have been quite a surprises for whoever ventured to open it up.

Margaret's Grocery is slowly fading away, with some of the structure now falling down. I will post photos of that later on. Vandals have already broken through the front door and I hate to think what they have done to the artwork inside. I am glad I have photos of the interior, however.

Go by and see Margaret's Grocery while you can. It won't be around for too much longer and it is such an important part of Vicksburg's heritage. But more than anything, it is a monument to one woman who deserved such a castle from the man who loved her.

Billboards from the 1960s along I-20 discovered

2011-01-02T05:00:00.003-06:00

Every once in a while I discover something that just delights my heart. Such can be said of these two billboards I discovered along I-20 about 1.25 miles west of Edwards on the north side of the interstate. Both billboards are up in the woods and I have passed down that road for 20 years and have never noticed them...until this weekend.

The first sign is for Alamo Plaza. As you head toward Vicksburg, the sign advertises an Alama Plaza that was in Dallas. The other side of the billboard advertises an Alama Plaza that existed on Hwy. 80 in Jackson for years and years.

Here's a view of the billoard and its proximity to the interstate. It is located 1.1 miles west of Edwards on the north side.

••••

The photos below are of a billboard for two King Edward Hotels in Beaumont, Texas, and Jackson. The billboard is located about 1.4 miles west of Edwards on the north side of the interstate.

The bottom part of the sign has fallen to the ground and is half-buried. The sign facing west reads Beaumont. The top part of the sign is below. It reads "Thank you. Visit our King Edward Hotel."

The billboard advertising the King Edward Hotel as you head to Jackson is much more worn than the other side. But you can still read most of the sign including the words Downtown Jackson. The wording on the second part of the sign that is on the ground reads " Drive-In Lobby." The little circle at the top of the billboard is a star.

I am using information from the excellent blog, Mississippi Preservation, to date the sign. According to a post on their site about the King Edward Hotel in Jackson, the King Edward in Jackson was sold to Dumas Milner in 1954.
Here is an excerpt from that post:

It was sold in 1954 to Jackson entrepreneur Dumas Milner for $1m. Milner’s $700,000.00 program of renovation and modernization was nothing if not thorough. Few corners of the 400-room hotel were left untouched. In went modern touches like an escalator to the mezzanine floor, a fifth floor rooftop swimming pool with the hopping Patio Club and mod furniture throughout all twelve floors. Out went the grand rotunda, filled-in to accommodate a new ballroom. Society spots like the Petroleum Club moved in too. In 1960, a new and even larger convention hall was added on Capitol Street. The legislators continued to make the King Edward their unofficial home, thus continuing the oft-uttered joke that there were three houses of the Mississippi Legislature, the Upper, the Lower and the Edwards House. The dining room was changed several times during these years. The former Venetian Room became the French Verandah after an elaborate makeover. When this proved less than popular, Milner remade it again into the “Coach and Six.” There was also a popular oyster bar on the northwest corner facing Capitol Street. Milner also banished most of the offices from the third, fourth and fifth floors in order to accommodate more hotel rooms. There would eventually be a total of 407 rooms, though many of them would be considered small by the standards of our day.

Milner didn’t stop with just renovating the hotel from stem to stern. The name “Edwards Hotel” was apparently not regal enough for his tastes, so he changed the name to the “King Edward”, thus the name which has become so familiar to us today came into being on a whim. There was another “King Edward” owned by Milner, the old Hotel La Salle in Beaumont, Texas was purchased by Milner in the early 1960s and given a similar makeover and was also renamed the “King Edward.” It survived in one form or another until its demolition a few years ago. With the new nomenclature, the roof signs in Jackson were altered to reflect the hotel’s enhanced status. Still visible for miles, the red neon was changed to the “King Edward” we all recognize today.

Save the Sprague

2011-01-01T19:45:00.002-06:00

As has become a tradition on my blog at the start of a new year, I once again appeal for the people of Vicksburg to rise up and do what they can to save the Sprague. The remains of the famous sternwheeler lie in tangled vines on Washington Street near downtown. Most people passing by the historical remnants of Vicksburg's past have no clue how important a role the boat, a world record holder in steamboat lore, has in the heritage of our town. But for another year, it has been subjected to the elements and rust has had another year to gnaw at the once proud lady of the river.

I know all of the rusted pieces cannot be saved, but just close your eyes when you finish reading this and picture in your mind the sternwheeer section, pictured in the top photos, if was outfitted with new paddles and placed in a pool of water and allowed to show its majesty for all to see. Place a motor alongside the sternwheel and just think of how people would marvel at the size of the sternwheel as it churned the water. It would be an awesome sight!

Spread the word, my friends. I know not many people come to this blog, but leave a comment if you stumble across this post. Let others know of the plight of the Sprague. Let's save her before Mother Nature takes her or she is cut up and taken for scrap. We cannot let that happen. This piece of Vicksburg heritage can be saved; it can be a showpiece for the city; and it can serve the people of Vicksburg for years to come.

More glorious gingkos and other recent photos....

2010-12-15T13:12:00.000-06:00

Some recent shots of the glorious gingkos in the Vicksburg National Cemetery and some other shots from this past week....

Gingko diamonds and more...

2010-11-29T08:09:00.002-06:00

I never walk into the Vicksburg National Cemetery without remembering that I am walking on hallowed ground. It is only fitting that the Lord has placed several gingko trees in this cemetery to once a year drape many of the graves with a bed of golden leaves. It is a humbling sight, one I hunger for each year. There are four large gingko trees in the park and the leaves of one has already turned and started to fall. My friends, Robert Walker and Jerry Rushing, visited the cemetery with me this past weekend and here are a few photos I took of the gingkos and a few other finds. I discovered a whole new world by looking down while there and seeing the dewdrop diamonds that clung to the fallen leaves. It was a glorious sight. Presented here are those gingko diamonds and some other photos from this weekend. I hope you enjoy them.

This weekend in Vicksburg

2010-11-23T09:08:00.001-06:00

I spent a lot of time in the Vicksburg National Military Park and downtown Vicksburg this past weekend and captured these photos. The fog Sunday morning was absolutely glorious. A couple of these photos I consider some of my best work ever. I am so appreciative that the Lord gave me the gift of enjoying his creation down to the little details as that found in leaves and a bit of fog on a hillside. His beauty shines all around us during this time of year and I am glad.

A walk through Cedar Hill Cemetery

2010-11-09T08:05:00.000-06:00

New photos are always to be found at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg.

Southern Heritage Air Show 2010

2010-11-02T08:31:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorite photos from the 2010 Southern Heritage Air Show held this past weekend at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport in Mound, La. Kudos to Dan Fordice for such a wonderful show. Click on each photo to enlarge it.

Culkin Academy

2010-10-27T07:47:00.000-05:00

I figured I better go shoot the icons that adorn Culkin Academy before the building is reclaimed by nature. The building now has been sitting empty for years along Culkin Road, although for a brief time some of the building was used for a worm farm. My friends over at the Preservation in Mississippi blog can probably tell me what style of building it is, but it has nice angles and even the post at the front door is very enticing. I hate to see the building go to waste. My children went to school here in the last years of its life as Culkin Elementary, so I have some sentimental attachment to the building.

Vicksburg National Military Park at sunrise

2010-10-25T08:06:00.000-05:00

Rode through the Vicksburg National Military Park with some friends Saturday morning at sunrise. From top:
• The full moon sets over a cannon at Battery De Golyer.
• The full moon can be seen between the columns of the Illinois Memorial.
• The rising sun turns the Louisiana Monument a golden color as puffy clouds surround it.
• The Mississippi Monument.
• The Sentry stands guard at the Wisconsin Monument as the sun rises behind him.

Vicksburg National Military Park

2010-10-22T08:06:00.000-05:00

I wandered through Vicksburg National Military Park twice last week. Caught some photos of some turkeys and a partial rainbow at Battery De Golyer and the Illinois Memorial. It was fun chasing the rainbow! And I love the early morning sun on the cannon.

Rambling on Washington Street

2010-10-21T12:38:00.000-05:00

Ventured to Washington Street at dusk a few days ago and came away with these photos from the river and two churches/chapels located near downtown. I just love the cross photo in sepia.

Hay field at sunrise

2010-10-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

My brother-in-law, Justin Moudy, told me about the abundance of hay located on the Ferris Farm on Fisher Ferry Road Friday and I drove down there Saturday morning to see for myself. It was the most hay I had ever seen in one field. I enjoyed the early morning respite as I watched the fog settle in the low points of the fields and then burn off as the sun rose. The golden glow on the haybales was mesmerizing as well. That's some kind of beautiful land down that way.

Margaret's Grocery

2010-10-15T07:55:00.000-05:00

I have probably documented Margaret's Grocery on North Washington Street more than anyone else around for these past few years and it has been a joy to talk with Rev. Dennis and Miss Margaret during many of those visits. Miss Margaret is gone now and Rev. Dennis is in a nursing home and the castle he built for his wife is slowing fading away. It is starting to crumble in some places and many of the signs are now unreadable. Only in corners not touched by the direct sunlight is the vividness of what the castle's colors once looked like evident now.

Many want to preserve Margaret's Grocery since it is such an integral part of Vicksburg's personality. But I just can't see how it can be saved. You can't repaint it. That would destroy the uniqueness of Rev. Dennis. He painted those signs and posts for his wife and to paint over them would be to paint over his very public profession of love for Miss Margaret. And it would not be the same.

The interior might could be saved since it is just as decorated as the exterior. But even that would not embrace the soul of Rev. Dennis and Miss Margaret. It would be hard to present the inner beauty without offering the outer beauty along with it.

The solution? I don't think there is one. I believe, however, that the store should be allowed to just fade into the past. It's the Reverend's handiwork that made it what it is and if anyone else is allowed to change that, then it is no longer the same. Economics will win out in the end, however.

I ride by the place about once a week. I stop and find new details each time I go. What a wonderful building. I am sad to see it in its present condition. But more than anything, I miss the presence of Rev. Dennis and his wife at the store. They were such a joy to be around.

I also enjoy taking people by the store, even in its current condition. I tell them the story about Rev. Dennis and Miss Margaret, about the Ark of the Covenant that resides there, about the walls adorned with ornaments in every nook and cranny. The artwork is fading away, but the love story is still shining bright.

Thank God for Rev. Dennis. He is a man who is not ashamed to publicly broadcast to the world the message he wanted to convey. And, although, he can no longer take care of his monument to Miss Margaret, his work will always have a big role in what makes Vicksburg one of the greatest towns along the Mississippi.

(The photos above were taken two weeks ago.)

One cool firetruck

2010-10-14T11:31:00.000-05:00

Stumbled across this old firetruck the other day parked at the Culkin Volunteer Fire Department at the intersection of Culkin and Freetown roads. Man, is this thing cool or what? I love the sweeping lines leading into the bed of the truck. If anybody can tell the history of the truck, please comment and let me know.

Washington, D.C.

2010-10-13T08:01:00.000-05:00

Some random photos around Washington include Ben Franklin outside the Old Post Office, at flag at the Lincoln Memorial with the U.S. Capitol in the background, ducks and turtles in the Reflecting Pool, some shots from Smithsonian musuem, the U.S. Capitol at sunset and a shot from a Metro platform. Neat stuff for an old country boy to see.

Washington, D.C.

2010-10-12T08:00:00.002-05:00

I know this is a free country, but every American should be required to visit Arlington National Cemetery at least once in their lives. It is the only way to fully grasp the magnitude of how many people have died to protect our free country. To ride through Arlington is one of the most humbling and heartfelt experiences I have ever had. It is hard to grasp how many young men and women have died in battle until you see the endless sea of white tombstones that extend as far as the horizon it seems.

To view the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and to see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony is also a must if you are anywhere near Washington. You want to know about honor? Or loyalty? Or brotherhood? Watch those men guard that tomb and the dignity and respect in which they do it and you will understand why soldiers share the tight bond they do.

Arlington National Cemetery makes me proud to be an American. I appreciate the souls who reside there and for the price they paid so that I could live in freedom each day.