The iconic tune from Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern’s 1927 musical “Show Boat” still captivates audiences nearly a century later. Its enchanting lyrics and melody create an almost otherworldly experience:
ah gits weary/An’ sick of tryin’ Ah’m tired of livin’/An’ skeered of dyin’, But ol’ man river, He jes’ keeps rolling’ along.
It’s truly timeless, much like the river itself.
This sentiment didn’t cross our minds last year when we set out to explore the Mississippi River. After navigating the Snake and Columbia rivers in the West, as well as the Ohio two years prior, we figured it was high time to tackle America’s most legendary waterway.
The cruise line we adore—featured on this issue’s cover—offered several routes: from st. Paul to New Orleans or just segments like St. Louis to Memphis or Memphis to New Orleans.We opted for the Lower Mississippi due to its past significance and perfect timing in late August.
A LITTLE RIVER KNOWLEDGE
We boarded American Symphony, one of american Cruise Lines’ newer vessels (launched in 2022) that belongs to their River Class fleet. unlike traditional paddle-wheelers we’ve experienced before, this ship accommodates only 180 guests with spacious staterooms that offer more room than typical ocean liners.
This boat features a unique bow design that allows passengers easy access via a retractable gangway directly onto shore at many stops—a bit like a dolphin beaching itself! Passengers can either walk up steep embankments or hop on golf carts for town explorations.
The embankments are crucial for flood protection; they were constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers using concrete mixed with rocks and sand known as “rip-rap.” These structures also serve as docking points for commercial barges that need safe harbor away from busy river traffic.
A HIGHWAY OF COMMERCE
The Mississippi is essentially America’s trade artery—barges transport grains like wheat and corn downriver while tankers carry oil upstream toward refineries. It’s bustling all day long; think of it as I-95 but on water!
You won’t find many recreational boats here; it’s simply too risky with all those commercial vessels around—and let’s not forget those tricky twists! Mark Twain famously described it in his book “Life on the Mississippi,” noting how it takes over 1,300 miles just to cover what could be done in straight-line distance by crow flying only 675 miles!
An interesting tidbit: A single drop of water takes about three months (90 days!) to travel from Lake Itasca in Minnesota down through all twists until reaching the Gulf Coast—a journey spanning approximately 2,340 miles!
SIGHTS & SOUNDS ALONG THE WAY
Kicking off our adventure was Memphis—the city famous for its music scene—with a pre-cruise visit at Graceland! Elvis Presley’s home is vibrant and lively; you can feel his spirit everywhere among fans celebrating his legacy together!
A highlight was visiting The Peabody Hotel where five ducks make their grand entrance twice daily via elevator! They waddle down a red carpet into their fountain home while guests gather around—it’s quite an entertaining spectacle!
This fun atmosphere set us up perfectly before boarding American Symphony for our ten-day journey towards New Orleans covering about 640 miles along this historic route.
Cleveland, Mississippi was our first stop—a charming town named after President Cleveland featuring Delta State University known affectionately as “Fighting Okra.” This area played notable roles during cotton production historically post-Civil War era too!
Next came Vicksburg—a must-see destination especially if you’re into Civil War history! We explored battlefields filled with monuments commemorating those who fought there alongside an remarkable museum within Vicksburg National Military Park showcasing artifacts galore!
If you’ve never visited a cotton plantation before—you’re missing out! In Natchez we crossed over into Louisiana visiting Frogmore Plantation where modern technology meets tradition across sprawling fields complete with computerized gins separating cotton fibers efficiently—it was eye-opening learning how labor-intensive this process really is!
If you’re into food experiences? You’ll love what Bayou Sara has waiting: an old-fashioned pig roast at Oyster Bar (a cozy restored fishing shack).trust me when I say—the pork served there might just redefine your standards forever—it blew my mind away completely deliciousness-wise!!
Dinner onboard featured regional specialties such as crawfish hash or catfish po’ boys alongside classic gumbo dishes—all gourmet delights worth savoring every bite throughout evenings filled with live entertainment ranging from blues bands performing soulful tunes right through jazz ensembles keeping spirits high till nightfall arrived…
TIME TO REFLECT ON THE RIVER’S BEAUTY
Beyond sightseeing though? The real magic lies simply being present amidst nature watching life unfold along these waters…Sitting back rocking gently while gazing upon passing scenery feels surreal yet grounding simultaneously… And then suddenly spotting barge tow emerging around bends creates moments frozen forever within memory banks—majestic sights reminding us how timeless everything truly is…
The views expressed here belong solely to me—not necessarily reflecting opinions held by The Maritime Executive.< / p >
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