Twenty six blooms!!. . .and other thoughts from our trip

--The Mississippi River is much wider at Vicksburg than when we saw it at Hannibal, MO, a few years ago. Either place, it is a dramatic view of raw, liquid power.

--The views of the beautiful river were marred by the ubiquitous casinos.

--Louisiana is a different world. Different names, different food, and water everywhere. Bayous look like creeks to me.

--The weather in Louisiana matches the Carolina lowcountry in July.

--Southland is a nice camp. Older and rustic, but a very nice atmosphere.

--You can trust a son you leave at home alone! (at least this one.) This is what the den looked like when we got home. And the lawn was mowed, the dishes washed, his clothes washed, and everything on his list completed!