Family Vacation: Last Stop, Vicksburg, MS

We spent one night in Vicksburg, MS, to break up the drive home, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Right now is the sesquicentennial of the 40+ day siege on Vicksburg during the Civil War, so we really enjoyed touring the National Civil War Park. Every state that fought in the siege has a memorial, and there were markings where important battles took place. Dave has been teaching the boys about the battles of the Civil War, so this was a perfect stop for us.

Staring Contest at dinner

Minnesota Memorial

Fire the cannons! 

The Illinois Memorial

battlefield

USS Cairo -- This ironclad gunboat was sunk in the Mississippi River in 1862 and recovered about 100 years later.

Texas Memorial

Iowa Memorial - This memorial was originally dedicated in 1912 and just finished being refurbished. It was going to be rededicated the next day by Iowa Gov. Branstad.