Vicksburg and home

Our hotel was right across the Mississippi River from LA, so first we crossed the bridge first thing.  Then we toured a bit in Downtown Vicksburg.  Our first stop was the first Coke bottling facility.  It was not quite as exciting as the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, TX (which I totally loved!!) but it was fun to see the early bottling methods and the memorabilia.  We then drove back to Military Park, this time armed with a map!  There are over 1330 markers relating to the events of the siege that lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863, two cemeteries, and a museum containing the recovered Ironclad gunboat, the Cairo.  We spent several hours in the park before driving home.  It was a short trip, but we had so much fun!!

Syrup Dispenser

This was always our motto!!

This looks like a good place to get a Coke, but--

I guess not!!

Check out the phone!!

Yes, this was the Coke Museum!

An original Soda Fountain

The terrain was very rough.  We imagined it was not an easy place to battle.

Wayne leading the charge!

The Shirley House.  They held slaves but were Union Sympathizers.  This house was used by Union Forces.

The Illinois Monument

Rhode Island (I just thought it was cool)

The Cairo

They were cleaning these a few years ago and found that they were still loaded from the War!!

A fox in the road

Of course, I'd find the only pelican in the park!

Wisconsin

Someone was burning their fields.

Moon over my cotton!

Time to call it a night!

Drive to Vicksburg

Sadly, we left the beach around noon and headed to Vicksburg, MS.  I have never been to MS, so I get to add another state visited to my growing list!!  We drove through Mobile, AL and frankly, were getting a bit bored.  We decided to make up some stories about pictures!  Also, the signs in MS were comical and a bit sad.  Here are some examples:

Slow down to 55 mph while children are present
Bridge ices before road
Watch for long logs
It is illegal to cross the median

My favorite was on an inappropriate bathroom machine:  50cents (Use 2 quarters) 

Anyway, we did make it to Vicksburg in time to drive through the Military Park and see the sunset over the cemetery.  The park is huge and was the site to the Siege of Vicksburg, a turning point for the North during the Civil War.

USS Alabama

Spanish Moss-it's neither Spanish nor moss!!

We decided this was MLK's house

Seriously? A purple SUV? 

World's Largest Watermelon!!

Wow-who could ask for more?

Fort Walton Beach, FL

October is a perfect time to visit the Emerald Coast and attend a wedding!!  We arrived Thursday and jumped right in with a sunset photo shoot of the bride and groom.  The sunset was spectacular and we really had a ton of fun.  After meeting for an 8 AM(yes, AM!!) run on the beach, we kicked back and had some fun in the sun the rest of the day Friday.  Friday evening was the rehearsal dinner which was held at the beach bar around sunset.  Again, just beautiful!!  Saturday was busy with decorating the reception hall, getting the girls ready, and then the sunset wedding.  The ceremony was performed by a very close friend of the couple so it was heartfelt and very special.  Then the party started!  I will put up a limited amount of pics from these days next week.  The following are from Sunday.  Wayne and I decided to stay an extra day to relax on the beach.  It was a bit windy but otherwise it was another perfect day in paradise!!