A River Town — Saturday Snapshots
My hometown of Louisiana, Missouri rests alongside the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Hannibal. In many ways, it’s more like the Hannibal that Mark Twain knew than Hannibal, which has grown considerably, is now.
I visited Louisiana yesterday, for the first time in six years, since shortly after my mother died. Given that I’m in the middle of a month-long memoir project on my blog, this was an opportune time to visit. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a happy occasion –one of my classmates died last month and his mother died this month. I went for a joint visitation. The funeral is this morning, so please offer a prayer or thought of comfort for his friends and family.
I always loved Louisiana in October — it’s a beautiful town for displaying fall color.
The prettiest tree I saw was in the Riverview Cemetery
Barge from Riverview Cemetery
The Champ Clark Bridge for Highway 54 — the only Mississippi River Bridge between Hannibal and St. Louis is at Louisiana, Missouri. Photo taken at Riverview Park
The railroad bridge has a swing span to allow boats through. This is the same barge that I photographed several minutes earlier from the cemetery. This picture is from Riverview Park.
Entrance to Big Ordonia outside of Louisiana, Missouri
One of my memoir project posts, Places — October Memoir Challenge, was about all of the houses where we lived. Two of them were in a neighborhood called Ordonia across from the plant where my dad worked. The whole subdivision was demolished right after I left for college. This is the street that used to lead back to the house where I lived from age 8 to 18.
Louisiana Public Library, Louisiana, Missouri
Louisiana boasts a Carnegie library. You can see why I thought of it as a castle for books. Last year, I wrote about my first adventure outside of the children’s section: Louisiana Public Library.
I also took photos of all the schools I went to — I’ll post them tomorrow as one of my memoir posts.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit to my hometown. For more Saturday Snapshots, visit At Home With Books where Alyce graciously hosts a weekly round-up of photographic pleasures.
Oh yes, the mix of autumnal colours is wonderful.
I do like the idea of the castle full of books. I am afraid our library is in an awful looking building
carol
It looks like very pretty country. I’ve seen the Missisisppi at New Orleans only; where it’s very flat. I like the rolling hills you have in Missouri.
Those are beautiful pictures! Louisiana looks like it would have been wonderful town to grow up in. My sympathy to your classmate’s family and friends.
What a beautiful foliage shot! Just gorgeous! I was saddened by your memoir shot of the entrance to the old subdivision where you grew up … sad to see neighborhoods fall to wrack and ruin. This must have been such a sentimental journey for you!
Lovely photos – I can’t believe the trees are already turning in Louisiana – we are still green green green here in North Texas!
My condolences on the loss of your friends. A sad time for you. I will be interested to hear how your visit to the old home place affects your writing.
I can only think what a lovely setting and serene space for your classmate and his mother to rest in peace.
Lovely photos. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I hope the visit gave you a chance to feel connected to your friend and his family.
Oh, those photos take me back! My father was born in Missouri, and when I was a kid, we took a road trip there. It was in the summer, but I can imagine how beautiful the fall seasons were. We stopped in Moberly, Hamilton, and another small town that has slipped my mind.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
I like the deep orange color of the leaves on that tree! And the stone library is beautiful – it makes me wonder what the inside looks like!
Louisiana looks like a lovely place to visit, even for such a sad occasion.
So sorry about the deaths of your friend and friend’s mother. You took some beautiful shots of the tree turning in the fall and of the mighty Mississippi. I was just talking to an older gentleman the other day who said, “Why don’t we have a writer like Mark Twain anymore?” Do we, I wonder. I suggested Christopher Buckley, but Twain’s shoes are probably impossible to fill. Here’s Mine
That tree in the cemetary is beautiful–what a wonderful shot!
I am sorry about the loss of your friend. Your photos epitomize autumn with those lovely fiery colors!
That looks like a very nice place. The library looks fabulous!
Such interesting pictures. That swinging bridge is cool, I haven’t seen one like that before. I’m sorry that you were visiting for a sad reason.
I’m sorry you have lost a friend. Your photos show a beautiful last resting place.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friends, but the photos are wonderful – I had no idea Louisiana was so beautiful. No Snapshot from me this week, but I’m enjoying looking at everyone else’s.
That is beautiful scenery. Sorry you didn’t get to visit under happier circumstances though.
Beautiful countryside…Sorry it marks a sad occasion