Life on the Mississippi

My husband and I have enjoyed several river cruises in Europe. In recent years we have discussed visiting parts of the United states we have not seen. Primarily the Midwest. A Mississippi River cruise was the answer.

After spending two days exploring Saint Paul, Minnesota, we boarded American Cruise Lines Symphony. And so, we began our two week adventure down the fourth largest water shed river in the world. We embarked on a journey of discovery.

Native American Tribes lived in the area way before any Europeans arrived. The Natchez and other Indian tribes constructed mounds (bluffs) along the river establishing their trade centers. In the 18th century the French, Spanish, and British settlers arrived. We saw their influence in architecture. To the Creole Cottage style, they introduced Federal, Greek Revival, Gothic revival, Romanesque Revival, and Victorian styles.

In the 19th and 20th century the steamboat invention proved to be important in the US development. It provided easy and inexpensive transportation of food, coal, cotton, and timber to the country. The River was vital to both sides in the Civil War. It bordered the ten states. The Union secured on one end New Orleans and the other end Kentucky-Tennessee, leaving the middle Memphis and Vicksburg to the Confederates rendering the Union victorious. We visited the battlefield in Vicksburg. It was the highlight of our cruise. It broke my heart to visualize those young boys fighting, suffering, dying under extreme conditions.

On a lighter note, another highlight was visiting Hannibal MO, Mark Twain country. Walking and touching the buildings where Samuel Clemens AKA Mark Twain spend his time, was impressive. The fact that the buildings still stand and are maintained, some are museums, is testament to the work of the locals who are preserving history.

Like most people, I appreciate and marvel at the strength of the people who lived in the 1700, 1800, and early 1900s. One of our excursions was to a working cotton farm. In addition to learning a bit about cotton farming, seeing an original wooden cotton gin and the modern cotton gin which was fascinating, the owner treated us to a bonus. When she heard plantations were going to destroy the slave dwellings on their property, she moved them to her cotton farm. As I walked through these dwellings, there was a twinge in my heart-a reminder of another life time. Of course that reminder was constant during the entire trip.

The railroad was another form of transportation that became valuable and still is today. We were amazed at the length of the trains. We counted one train’s boxcars and calculated it was two and a half miles long. The River was a constant reminder of life happening-long barges and trains going and coming continuously.

Difficult to choose a favorite landmark. I’m going to stay on the light side of things and share my impression of Red Wing Shoes. The company that manufactures durable and comfortable shoes was established in 1905. In 1917 Red Wing made footwear for soldiers, followed by footwear for oil fields, recreational footwear, women’s footwear, steel toe footwear, WWII paratrooper boots and continued to expand in the US and in the world. The company has a strong presence in the city of Red Wing MN.

How can I not mention the alure of Memphis the birthplace of the Blues? Or St. Louis with its free entry to museums, a great zoo, beautiful Cahtedral Basilica? And there is New Orleans. I think another blog is in order to cover them.