Keeping our powder dry in Vicksburg

Today was a history buff's dream. We spent the entire day at Vicksburg National Military Park where during the summer of 1863, the Confederate army held off the advancing Yankies for 47 days in the bloodiest siege in the Civil War. It was facinating yet sobering to know how the men from both sides would talk at night and then fight by day--"Brother pitted against brother". We could hardly pull ourselves away and finally "surrendered" when a Schlitterbaum thunderstorm finally let loose.

As you drive the 16 mile route, you follow a GPS thingy that tells you everything you need to know depending on where you are. Of course, it was raining when we started and the GPS signal didn't work (don't get technical, Logan) so we resorted to a CD which we purchased that would lead us along. Actually, it was a fabulous set up and we felt the whole flavor of the place. There were more than 1,300 markers which told how many fought and died and which regiment they were from etc. I learned a lot about battle talk--artillery, infantry, trenches, brigades, bridges(ok, I already knew "bridges") but I'm too tired to come up with any more on that topic! Trust me, it was cool!

Tomorrow we're heading back to the gulf coast and hopefully Florida. Funny us, it's Memorial Day weekend and we're heading for Florida! That's why this is a fun trip!