Vicksburg Vignettes ... Part I

Yesterday was a great day to be outside (partly cloudy, with temperatures in the mid-70s), and I decided to just ride around Vicksburg, and take pictures of whatever caught my attention.

Vicksburg is a photographer's treasure trove when it comes to historical, architectural, and cultural photos, but I decided to "get off the beaten path" to see what treasures I could find.

I headed downtown where there are literally hundreds of old historical buildings I drive by every day.

Well, yesterday, instead of just driving by them, I really studied them and discovered that a lot of them are more interesting above street level.

I noticed elaborate architectural details around windows and doors ... some of which were in various stages of disrepair and deterioration. It saddens me to see the toll time and the elements have taken, but as a photographer, I also see beauty in the shabbiness of peeling paint and crumbling wood.

[You can click on the photos to enlarge them, if you'd like]

On a more positive note, there are signs of restoration to be seen all over town, too, like this pretty window that has the same iron trim as the gold windows above ...

And the beautiful restoration of the old Constitution Fire Station (ca 1870) ...

Here are a few other things that caught my eye ...

The exquisite details of the Ionic columns on the old Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Depot ...

I don't know the significance of this plaster or stone relief depicting three children overlooking Washington Street, but it was another thing that I've overlooked downtown simply because I didn't look UP! ...

This is a lichen-covered crepe myrtle tree trunk that I couldn't pass by without capturing it with my camera ...

This huge one-eyed bear was peeping around the window frame watching me as I stood across the street and took his picture.

I don't know how long he's been up there, watching the world go by from his window high above shops that I go in all the time ... but I never knew he was there until yesterday.

I have a few more photos I want to share, but will save them for tomorrow. I enjoyed my "off the beaten path" photo shoot and hope it will encourage you to "look up" the next time you're out and about ... you just never know what hidden treasures you may discover.

Please join me tomorrow for Part II of my Vicksburg Vignettes.

Sincerely,