We’re gifted with Yona and Ed, ever curious and very knowledgeable about how things work, and a lot of fun.

Our last several days have been an exploration of the industries that have driven the economies of the South, past and present in the Gulf and on the Mississippi.

We enjoyed an in depth  Shrimp Boat Tour in Biloxi – the shrimp capital of the country, Who knew that humans only consume about 5% of the world’s shrimp & 94% devoured by natural predators and 1% live to reproduce.

Morgan City, LA is home of the International Petroleum Museum which is the first ever moveable offshore Oil Drilling Platform for deep sea drilling, used from 1954-86.  Fascinating learning about the world of oil drilling by crawling around this piece of history.

Next we headed north along the mighty Mississippi to Natchez, the oldest town on the river.

Natchez’s history begins with the native Natchez Indians, who were matriarchal – and men could only elevate their status by bravery in war.  Hmmm. These people lasted about 30 years once the first European explorers arrived. Only a few ceremonial mounds are left of their once complex way of life.

Slavery and the cotton industry are tragically inseparable.  A tour of Frogmore Plantation’s historic buildings described the hardships for the slaves creating cotton fortunes for their masters.

Melrose is the Antebellum (pre-Civil War) Mansion of a cotton baron built in 1841.

The William Johnson House still stands, home of a freed black slave who was smart and entrepreneurial.

The Doumas House shows the wealth created from another crop – sugar cane – although the old plantation is now mostly a tacky tourist attraction.

The river drives it all…compelling, fascinating, an integral part of our transportation system – 5 barges being pushed by a single Pusher Boat.