Bluffs and Bayous

We enjoyed an absolutely beautiful drive thru rural Southern Arkansas on Hwy 65. We cracked up seeing a sign that read "Warning: Entering Salene County, jail space available" Arkansas has a lot of personality! It is a beautiful state and we enjoyed this opportunity to explore another part of it. It is a beautiful sunny, hot day. The road was good and the land flat. There were crops along the road that we could not identify. We did see several man -made ponds we assumed to hold catfish, and after a while we did pass a catfish processing plant.

Now Gary had left Little Rock with a secret plan of making a side trip into Vicksburg Mississippi. He sprang this plan on me after we had driven several hours towards "that" end of Arkansas and since we were "practically there " "we" decided to go for it. Guess what? Hwy 65 just happens to bump right into I 20 which takes you right into Vicksburg.

Crossing the mighty Mississippi River and entering Vicksburg we saw the visitors center on our left safely guarded by several Civil War cannons. Quite an impressive sight. We got there around 3:30 and it was just about as hot as it could be. It had to be over 100 degrees outside, and it was up to 92 in the bbow so we ran the generator and air for a bit to get it to a livable 82. We stopped in the visitors center and immediately enjoyed the Southern charm and elaborate decor. Gathering some information quickly we headed out.

The reason Gary wanted to come here is that a significant civil war battle took place here for Vicksburg. The North successfully forced a surrender that gained them undisputed control of the Mississippi River. This is considered to be the most strategic campaign of the Civil War. There is a wonderful National Military Park to visit. We got there in time to see its Visitors Center and then to take a driving tour of the battle line bluffs which are dotted with over 1,330 markers in tribute to the different battalion positions along them. It's hard to imagine how an army could successfully maneuver over such terrain.

There were some portions of these bluffs completely overtaken by a large ivy type vine. It covered everything: every tree, every branch, everything. It looked as if someone placed a huge vine cloth over everything. One valley we passed was entirely covered with this vine.We tried to get a good picture but I haven't seen if it turned out. I really want to know what it is, so if anyone knows please tell me.

Leaving Vicksburg after 6 pm we knew we had a good three hour drive ahead of us. It continued to be a beautiful evening drive and we enjoyed seeing the scenery change as we now entered bayou country. We pulled in to a "resort" in Baton Rouge Louisiana after 10 pm and it was so good to be there. Then I freaked out when I noticed the size and quantity of bugs enjoying the lights around the "resort". One of the worst memories I have of our '92 trip happened right here with the stealth attack of the "noseeums". I began spraying repellent everywhere , keeping lights off and guarding the door like a hawk till we were safely set up and snug in our bbow.