Vicksburg, Natchez and St Francisville

Vacherie, Louisiana, Monday, March 9--We await our shore excursion to learn how to make jambalaya.  We're told it's not very difficult, so we'll perhaps remember it.

Remembering, though, all we have seen and done in the past few days is just plain fun--though some of the history we learned is not so much fun.   We went picking cotton on a plantation, learned about cotton gins (one, a steam driven one, was a year younger than John's grandmother, who had worked in a wool mill at one point in Yorkshire, UK).  We visited the Vicksburg National Battlefield Park, learning about trench warfare, and seeing all the monuments to the regiments from the states in the battle.  Regrettably, Rhode Island's monument, from the state where John grew up, is being rebuilt after a flood washed away the hill it was on.

One of major and fascinating sites at the Battlefield was a Civil War gun boat, dredged from a stream near the Mississippi.  It had hit a Confederate mine and sunk.  Found about 60 years ago, it is now rebuilt and part of the park's history.  It's fascinating how far technology has come in the last 160 years since the Civil War.  There are other names for that war here, and none of them mention "civil."

Then it was on to Natchez.  While Vicksburg was mostly destroyed by the Union Army and Navy, because it was central to transportation for Confederate military, Natchez had voted to remain in the Union and was saved bombardment.  Hence it has a magnificent collection of pre-Civil War buildings, and the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi make a grand park. The local Episcopal church has Tiffany windows. 

We stopped in St Francisville where Ben headed off on a walking tour.  He and friend Sheila appeared lost to a pair of young boys who were out cycling on a Sunday.  They helped them, to the extent of accompanying them to a local (excellent) coffee shop.  Both Sheila and Ben were most impressed with their manners and help.

This part of the world is very mannerly.  Lots of "Mister John" and "Mister Ben", lots of addressing as "sir".  And the pace of life in the towns we visit is significantly slower than what we are used to.  Friend Jane remarks that it is so different from her home in California.

Afternoon:  We saw our alligator, we made and ate jambalaya, and enjoyed the banter of Cajon humor this morning.  The jambalaya was very good.  John learned to make sure that the onions were properly browned before adding the rice and pre-cooked sausage and marinated pork loin.

Last night we had a humorous entertainment, with a good deal of inspirational input from a Black standup comedian.  We learned how to distinguish a meaningful "Bless your heart" from a disparaging remark.