Vacation Pix

We just returned from our vacation. We went through AZ, New Mex. Tex. Louisiana to Mississippi and back. While we were driving through north Louisiana, Lisa pointed out to the horizon and asked "What are those things sticking up in the distance?" Westerner that she is, she'd never seen a water tower. I told her what they were and proceeded to tell her about how they are like the town markers in most rural towns in the South......all over the non-mountainous regions for that matter. It became a large part of our vacation from that point. We'd see one in the distance and figure out how to get up close to take a picture of them, wherever they were. Here are a few of the more notable ones. We took LOTS of 'water tower' pix.
This one is along the Mississippi River in Vicksburg.

This one is one of the newer styles. Kinda reminds me of a space ship.

This one is on the grounds of the old school where my mom graduated high school in 1940.

One of the more modern ones.

The last one we saw on our way home.

Along the way we stopped in Vicksburg at the Civil War battlefield.

Yeah, I was there too!

We went to a Coca Cola museum where the first Coke was 'Bottled'. Previously it was only available as a fountain drink. This man, Biedenharn, who owned a candy store in Vicksburg got permission from the company to bottle it and thus began an empire. This was the first bottling machinery.

It was a great museum with lots of cool memorabilia.

I particularly liked this one.

We spent a little time with my "Mommy". She'll be 88 on her birthday in May.

My great grandfather was a Confederate soldier. This is his tombstone. The people who had it made didn't know his birthdate or day of his death, but in our genealogy I discovered he was born in 1825 and died in 1899.

We came back through Natchez MS. Here's one of the beautiful homes there.

And here's one more..

We went to the city of my birth for the first time in my adult life. (since I was 7 months old) San Antonio River walk.

Also the Alamo.

We had a great time, but it's also good to be home.

Love those pics, DP! All places I would want to see...yes, even your great-granddaddy's tombstone would be on the list! Glad you had a nice time and please tell your mom happy birthday from us - my mom will be 96 in May!

Great pics Randy. I am also lucky to still have my father who just turned 90 last Nov.

Enjoyed the armchair tour, especially since we don't go anywhere. My family moved to the Dallas area when I was 19, but have never 'toured' anyplace. When my sister sent pre-prom pics of a niece and friends taken at a beautiful rocky/creek area park, I chastised her for never showing me anything pretty in the area. Who knew there was more to see than malls and homes? When another sister went to college in Nagadoches, I drove down there and saw all sorts of pretty areas the further south I drove - but then I couldn't understand the people when they spoke, LOL.

My speech is heavily influenced by my 35 years of living in rural Arizona, which has a bit of a drawl to it. But when I return to the South, it's hard to believe I've ever left. Even Lisa picked up the local vernacular in only 5 days with my family. It is a very relaxed way to speak. She seems to really like the word "Y'all". Uses it all the time now!!! LOL

I was transplanted out here when I was two weeks old, and I still use certain phrases I picked up from the grown up in my youth. Just ask me to say the word fire. You'll see.
If I've been hanging out with relatives from the south, TX, OK, and LA, it sneaks up and before I know it, I have a southern accent again. LOL!
I am so happy that you were able to spend some time with your Momma. Wow! Eighty-eight years, is something to respect! Imagine all the changes she has seen in her lifetime!
I loved all those water towers and the grand old houses. I bet you had a lot of fun figuring out where to go to get those photos.
The graveyard was really interesting. Sometime I should post some of the photos that I took last summer of where some of my ancestors are buried. Some markers were just a rock with a name and dates painted on it. Some were made of concrete (which was crumbling away), and some were made of marble. We're talking about putting some of Dad's ashes in a pedestal with a blue bird on the top of it (My idea!), and posting it (boy Dad, would love the word play there!), by his parents grave stones. I think he'd really like that. : - )
Thanks for the tour of the San Antonio River Walk. I still hope to see it in person some day. Same with the Alamo!
DP, the last photo of you and your gorgeous wife should be cropped and framed. I really like it. Or maybe, it's the background? LOL!
Can't wait to meet your DW, and am so glad you are back and enjoyed your journey.
WIB!
SW

It certainly was a fun trip. We're looking forward to the RU now!

Me too! : - )
Bring your Cameras!
WIB!
SW

Yeah!! We can take pictures of each other taking pictures of each other!!!

It's mandatory in my family, DP. I have photos to prove it. LOL!
WIB!
SW