54 | Viking Explorer Society News
With an abundance of migratory and year-
round wildlife, ornithologists will love the
range of birds to spot. The upper portion of the
river is home to beavers and pelicans and the
delta area features many endangered species
such as the Louisiana black bear, the green sea
turtle and piping plover, a small sand-coloured
coastal bird. And secluded swamps are the
perfect place to spot alligators.
Cultural legacy
The river's cultural legacy has inspired artists
and writers such as Maya Angelou, Tennessee
Williams and Mark Twain, whose depictions of
the Mississippi are a constant companion to his
iconic hero, Huckleberry Finn. In his memoir
about life as a steamboat pilot on the
Mississippi River before the American Civil War,
Twain observed, 'it is not a commonplace river,
but on the contrary is in all ways remarkable'.
The concept of the river as a symbol of
freedom and liberty has continued and is a
theme running through many novels and
historical non-fiction books today.
Unique culinary traditions are also bountiful,
from barbecue in St. Louis and Memphis, to
Cajun and Creole in New Orleans. There are
food options to delight every palate, and the
welcoming fare is at the core of Mississippi
culture and heritage. The community nature
of the cuisine is evident in the number of
heirloom recipes and family-run restaurants.
And the river's impact on American music
styles – including Delta blues, jazz, gospel,
country, folk and rock and roll – can be felt
deep in the soul of the music which continues
to evolve and delight.
LOUISIANA
MISSISSIPPI
New Orleans
Lafayette
St. Francisville
Baton Rouge
Darrow
Natchez
Vicksburg
Rosedale
TENNESSEE
Memphis
Nashville
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
–
C r ui s e
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
M o to r C o ach
••
O ve r night
Greenville
GETTING THERE: An 12-day Heart of
the Delta cruise from Louisiana to
Tennessee, or the reverse.
Clockwise, from above:
A wide stretch of the
Mississippi River in
Louisiana; colourful
trolleys; Cajun food
VIEW
VOYAGE
