Eclectic travelers

We began the day with our boat secured to the shore and a visit to Oak Alley plantation located over the levee. This has to be one of the most lovely avenues of trees in North America. The plantation is famous for its 300 year old live oaks and all the blooming azaleas and other flowers were a welcome sight for our winter weary eyes. Spring phenology is fascinating when you travel south to greet it.  Yellow-rumped warblers - the first of the warbler wave were in the trees beside the Mississippi. Red winged blackbirds, red bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, mockingbird and starlings were near the plantation house along with Fox squirrels.  starlings  Red winged blackbird  Northern mockingbird  Fox squirrel  Back at the river in the trees and shrubs we found fish crows, cardinals, Carolina Wren, blue-grey gnatcatchers, ruby-crowned kinglets and a few other elusive birds.  White Pelicans Blue grey...

Today was mostly grey and foggy. Two ocean going Cruise boats appeared mysteriously overnight.   New Orleans Harbor is always busy. The passengers came on board and in the afternoon we began our 58 mile journey up river.  The paddlewheel, which is mostly for show, churned the muddy water into a froth.  The views of the city were from the working docks. And the queen of the Mississippi moved out with ghostly images filling the horizon. The boat moved along with calliope music playing on the top deck and a variety of events, including our first presentation later in the day. Tomorrow everyone will visit Oak Alley Plantation.

Today was a day of contrasts - a collection of visuals that just do not seem to fit one day - Kate skiing at home and 5 degrees when I fed the birds.  Our neighbor Dick chauffeuring us to the Twin City airport, a landing in St Louis, then landing in New Orleans - taking a taxi to the Riverfront not far from the French Quarter and getting on the Queen of the Mississippi. This gorgeous boat brought paddlewheels back to the river after a gap where the river was absent the big boats that could cruise long distances.  Nice to be here and to see the riverfront on a warm muggy evening.  Kate is adding a new dimension to the river story this year.  Riding a pig on a paddlewheel on the Mississippi.  Ships passing in the dark.

On Saturday, March 23, we begin.  The upper Mississippi is under 2+ feet of snow, the lakes that the river passes through have 20 inches of ice on them and we will not have open water in the north until May (we hope we do then), but the river calls and this year is our year of trying to get on the entire river on as many different vessels as possible.  Daily post on Full Length Mississippi Facebook page will provide lots of insights and photos, and this blog, which appears on our website http:fulllengthmississippi.org will be updates regularly as well.  Tell people to follow the fun. On March 23 we go on the Queen of the Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis. We will actually do this trip twice and in between we are working on getting on to an ocean going vessel to get to the end of the river.  Stops in St Francisville, Vicksburg, Natchez, Oakley Plantation and Memphis. We hope to return to the headwaters in May and canoe from the source. After 300...