Memphis' Mississippi Mud

It’s been done before - but not quite like this.

We’ve all seen scale-models. Cars, trains, airplanes, boats. But this ‘miniature’ is five city blocks long. In conjunction with the adjoining museum, it tells a large part of the story of our nation.

We were there in July. Almost didn’t go. Too hot. Too humid. Oh, well, we should at least be able to say we’ve been there. We’ll give it an hour … then go find a cold drink somewhere. We started with the mono-rail ride across the harbor to Mud Island. We stayed for hours.

The Mississippi River Museum, located on the grounds, details the development of the midwest from the Mississippi River’s point of view. Fascinating! Barges and riverboats, traders and farmers, gamblers and entertainers. Slaves and free men. Frenchmen and Spaniards and English. Native Indians and settlers. Captains and thieves. We easily spent three hours browsing our history in air-conditioned comfort. We particularly liked the dioramas and reproductions of the boats that influenced the river’s development. From the French & Indian War through the Civil War and WWII, the museum is very thorough in telling our story. The story of the growth and development of America.

Aah, but the miniature … Wait till you see that!

Can you imagine calculating how many gallons of water flow down the Mississippi daily? Can you contemplate creating a model that mimics that flow? Pumping thousands of gallons of water daily from the river’s sources: stone walls that represent the Ohio and Missouri basins. A scale model that represents every mile of the lower Mississippi in each 30-inch stride. A 1,000-mile journey from Cairo, IL to New Orleans that flows along the edge of the real Mississippi at Mud Island River Park in Memphis, TN.

Wade the ‘river’. Stroll from town to town, each laid out in scale, precisely placed. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and seating is convenient for quiet moments along the river’s edge. We loved watching little ones splash in the water, the depth of which also mimics the Mississippi River in scale. Meander along the banks of the river to the Gulf of Mexico, a one-acre lake that holds 1.3 million gallons of water – recycled every twelve hours – from the Ohio and Missouri basin walls up river.

Plan a day, so you can explore everything … then swim in the ‘Gulf’ lagoon, rent a paddle boat or canoe.

Whether you like history - botanical gardens - tourist attractions - or just a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, this is it. The Mud Island River Park is a ‘must see’ in Memphis, Tennessee.

For more than three decades, Ruth Seebeck and her husband, Ed, have been encouraging, coaching, mentoring and teaching friends, family, neighbors and strangers to find a more enjoyable and fulfilling lifestyle. As avid travelers, gardeners, history buffs and expert organizers, they share lifestyle tips, topics, and travel expertise at http://www.touringwithus.com St Augustine said "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." Come, turn the page with us and discover new chapters for your own life.