Day 10 - Memphis/Mud Island
We had never heard of Mud Island before but were happy that we found this little treasure. This is a unique 52-acre park devoted to showcasing the cultural and educational aspects of the Mississippi River
The fun started with the ride over to the island on a monorail. It carried us from downtown Memphis over the harbor to Mud Island.
The most interesting aspect of Mud Island is the five-block-long flowing replica of the Mississippi River. It is built to scale and each 30-inch stride along the River Walk represents one mile. This is just a stone's throw from the mighty river it represents.
There is a large museum that is devoted to the Mississippi River. We weren't able to take any pictures inside; however, we were introduced to the Native Americans who originally populated the area, climbed aboard a reconstructed 1870's steamboat, witnessed gunfire from the deck of a Civil War gunboat and listened to the sounds of the music that was generated by those who lived their lives along the banks of the River. At the end of the museum we watched a display of how a paddlewheel works and viewed a miniature aquarium. I thought that the picture of the turtle from underneith was interesting.
Mud Island is also the home to the Memphis Bell, World War II's most famous B-17. The Memphis Bell was the first U.S. bomber to complete 25 combat missions against enemy targets without a single loss of crew.
These are a couple of other pictures of pretty sights along the walk. The view of the Memphis skyline is spectacular!
At the end of the walk is the Gulf of Mexico. We sat down and enjoyed the beauty of the day and the great 80 degree weather.
P.S. Let me apologize for not getting the web pages up in a timely fashion. The phone lines are so slow in Memphis that it takes me hours to upload the pictures.
The most interesting aspect of Mud Island is the five-block-long flowing replica of the Mississippi River. It is built to scale and each 30-inch stride along the River Walk represents one mile. This is just a stone's throw from the mighty river it represents.
There is a large museum that is devoted to the Mississippi River. We weren't able to take any pictures inside; however, we were introduced to the Native Americans who originally populated the area, climbed aboard a reconstructed 1870's steamboat, witnessed gunfire from the deck of a Civil War gunboat and listened to the sounds of the music that was generated by those who lived their lives along the banks of the River. At the end of the museum we watched a display of how a paddlewheel works and viewed a miniature aquarium. I thought that the picture of the turtle from underneith was interesting.
Mud Island is also the home to the Memphis Bell, World War II's most famous B-17. The Memphis Bell was the first U.S. bomber to complete 25 combat missions against enemy targets without a single loss of crew.
These are a couple of other pictures of pretty sights along the walk. The view of the Memphis skyline is spectacular!
At the end of the walk is the Gulf of Mexico. We sat down and enjoyed the beauty of the day and the great 80 degree weather.
P.S. Let me apologize for not getting the web pages up in a timely fashion. The phone lines are so slow in Memphis that it takes me hours to upload the pictures.
Mud Island is also the home to the Memphis Bell, World War II's most famous B-17. The Memphis Bell was the first U.S. bomber to complete 25 combat missions against enemy targets without a single loss of crew.
These are a couple of other pictures of pretty sights along the walk. The view of the Memphis skyline is spectacular!
At the end of the walk is the Gulf of Mexico. We sat down and enjoyed the beauty of the day and the great 80 degree weather.
P.S. Let me apologize for not getting the web pages up in a timely fashion. The phone lines are so slow in Memphis that it takes me hours to upload the pictures.
At the end of the walk is the Gulf of Mexico. We sat down and enjoyed the beauty of the day and the great 80 degree weather.
P.S. Let me apologize for not getting the web pages up in a timely fashion. The phone lines are so slow in Memphis that it takes me hours to upload the pictures.