Bryce's Bayou

Who would think a stream as beautiful as this one could be found in Warren County? This is Bryce's Bayou, located along Campbell Swamp Road in southern Warren County. It is an absolutely peaceful little creek that meanders alongside the road. The little rock overhang I found along the way is absolutely picture perfect! I will post some other photos from the creek in a few days.

Sunset at Eagle Lake

I just finished taking a few days off and one of the treats during that time was watching the sun set over Eagle Lake. That is part of the allure of that wonderful lake — you never see a bad sunset! I didn't know the water would be warm enough for skiing just yet, but some folks must have a higher tolerance for freezing water than I do.

This sunset, to me, is God at His finest. What a wonderful way to end a day!

Jackson signage

I can't explain why, but I just like old signs, especially old neon signs. I always look for unique signage in my travels and hit upon a motherlode in my recent treks to Jackson. The finest old neon sign I have seen in a long time is the Redwood Court sign on Terry Road. Right below the sign is the Jackson manhole cover which I thought would be pretty neat. It's sideways because my shadow would have been over the manhole if I had taken from in front. The pictured looked stupid when I rotated it, so I just left it as is.

The Crechales sign should bring back a lot of memories for folks for I think every couple in Mississippi has eaten there at one time or the other. I don't know how they can pack so many people in such a tiny space. But it is worth it. 

The First Baptist Church sign may not really be called a sign. It's etched across their original sanctuary that resides right across the street from the state Capitol. It's so ornate, it is nearly too hard to read!

And I have seen the Horace Slay corvette all my life. I don't know if that is the same car that has always been up there, but it sure catches your eye. Not much business on that end of State Street anymore, however.

The Bel Air shopping center sign is on Hwy. 80 between Ellis Avenue and Terry Road. The Sun-n-Sand in downtown Jackson was home to many a legislator for many a year. It's a rather bleak sight now with the chainlink fence up all the way around the hotel.

State Capitol: Part 2

Here are some more photos taken of the State Capitol on my last few visits to Jackson. I wonder what the lions on the side of the building represent. Maybe they will come alive and eat the lawmakers who can't make the tough decisions this states needs made!

All Saints Episcopal School

I am glad All Saints Episcopal School on Confederate Avenue is getting a new life through the AmeriCorps program. This hidden jewel in Vicksburg is too valuable a resource to let it while away time sitting empty. Next week, I will post the crown jewel of this hidden jewel — the school's chapel — one of the prettiest buildings in Vicksburg.

Anshe Chesed Cemetery

One of the most historic — and prettiest — cemeteries in Vicksburg is the Anshe Chesed Cemetery located right next to the Vicksburg National Military Park on Clay Street. Here is some information I grabbed from a National Park Service Web site:

From available records, it appears that the current Anshe Chesed Cemetery came into being in 1864, when on August 23, the parcel of land was deeded to the Board of Trustees of Anshe Chesed Congregation for the purpose of establishing a burying ground for the benefit of its members and their families. 

Shortly thereafter, bodies were removed from the old cemetery and re-interred. The first burial in the present cemetery most likely took place in May 1865, when a man named Mayer was buried in grave No. 1. This shows the cemetery's creation to be almost 40 years prior to the establishment of the Vicksburg National Military Park, which now surrounds the cemetery. 

I love walking through this cemetery. It contains my favorite tombstone, pictured at the top. It's a grave for Florence Nauer. She was a 21-year-old girl who died in 1901. She's been reading that book now for 108 years and there are four more to go under her right hand. Many of the tombstones are in Hebrew and one of the larger markers is made of metal. You have to tap on it to be sure, though. Please don't go into the cemetery on Saturday, however, for that is their Sabbath. I've always respected that. 

Dogwoods at the Old Court House Museum

Somebody asked me the other day if I had taken any photos of the dogwood trees at the Old Court House Museum. Yes, I did. Twice. Here's a sampling. I'll let the beauty of the dogwoods trees and the Old Court House Museum speak for themselves.

Staring Contest

Ever have a staring contest with a squirrel before? Me and this little fella had one Saturday morning as I was rambling through the Vicksburg National Cemetery. I first spotted him sitting on top of a tombstone and did my best to get close enough to photograph the scene, but the squirrel would have none of that and scampered up the nearest tree. I spotted him about 20 feet up the tree, however, and he was just as curious about me as I was about him! So we stared each other down. It was a classic battle that should be written in the history books. And, dang it, the squirrel won!

What a beautiful creature! Another example of God's Glory, isn't it? What a blessing it was to spend some time watching him scamper through the tree. Some might say this is just an average picture, not too exciting. But sometime photos are more than photos. They are glimpses of the beauty that surrounds us in the simple things. Next time you are outside and come across a squirrel, have yourself a staring contest! You'll probably lose, but you'll walk away with the biggest grin on your face!

Vicksburg National Military Park

Capt. Hickenlooper

Illinois Memorial

Illinois Memorial

I drove through the park on Saturday and shot the four shots you see above. I was excited about the photo of Capt. Hickenlooper because I had seen it a few days ago in the wrong kind of lighting and was glad to finally shoot it under the muted conditions early Saturday morning offered. 

I wanted to take a photo of the newly painted gates to the Vicksburg National Cemetery, but a park official told me I have to have a permit to get them to close the gates for a photograph. I still cannot fathom the depth of that bureaucracy, but it is what I will request. You need to see this gate. Volunteers painted it recently and it looks wonderful. 

Tomorrow I will show you the blessing I found in the Vicksburg National Military Park on Saturday!

Red Lick Road in Claiborne County

To get from Barland Road, where the Little Bayou Pierre waterfall is, to Red Lick Road requires a step in faith. My route took me down Violet Road, which has to be the thinnest and curviest gravel road in the world. Man!

The top photo is of the Crossroads Masonic Lodge along Red Lick Road. It doesn't look like it has been occupied in quite a while. The steps leading up to the door were pretty shaky. I sure wish I could have gone in!

I surely wasn't expecting to see the next photo...a big ol' yellow bus at a place called Muhammad's University of the New Islam. I am kicking myself now for not getting a picture of their new bus, one of the fanciest rigs I have seen in quite a while. I have never heard of this place. 

The last two photos are of a rare two-seater outhouse located behind an old church now occupied by the Love and Deliverance Healing Christian Center. I just had to show you the custom, hand-carved seat in one! Ha! Mother Nature is claiming this little building... and not a moment too soon!

What a way to end the week! Y'all come back now, ya hear!

Little Bayou Pierre II

Early morning is not the best time to shoot photos of this beautiful little waterfall as I was shooting into the sun. So I will be going back one afternoon to take a look. It was interesting to see the numerous mussel shells that could be found along the creekbank. Another interesting feature was the crumbling limestone that was located on the opposite side of the waterfall. I love knowing each layer of that limestone has a history to it.

Tomorrow I will show you some photos of my ride along Red Lick Road. Mother Nature is claiming an old structure..and not a moment too soon!