Big Piece

A few months ago, I visited a traveling Titanic exhibition that came through Dallas. It offered a compelling narrative of the disaster, told through artifacts from the White Star Line—including a single cup that had been smuggled off the ship before the tragedy. The storytelling was powerful and immersive.

This week, I had the opportunity to explore the Titanic artifact exhibition at the Luxor in Las Vegas. While similar in theme, this exhibit focused on items recovered directly from the wreck itself. There’s something profoundly moving about seeing objects that were actually aboard the ship during its final moments—each one offering a glimpse into the lives of the passengers and crew. It made the story feel much more real and personal.

The most striking piece for me was the “Big Piece”—a massive section of the ship’s hull that broke off as it split apart. Standing before it, you’re dwarfed by its sheer size. It’s a haunting reminder of the ship’s scale, with hundreds of rivets still visible and portholes through which someone—perhaps a worker or a passenger—once looked out.

The entire experience was somber and deeply reflective. It brought the reality of that fateful night into sharp focus in a way that words alone never could.

SS Hurricane Camille

I’ve written about the SS Hurricane Camille before, but this time I decided to take a deeper look at the tug over the years. Washed ashore during Hurricane Camille in 1969, the vessel became a well-known Gulfport, Mississippi landmark, a rusting reminder of what was once thought to be a once-in-a-lifetime storm. For decades, it stood as a silent witness to the power of nature. But in 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and in the wake of that destruction, the storied tug was finally scrapped — closing the chapter on a symbol of survival and storm-battered resilience.

My grandmother, mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins stand in front of the SS Hurricane Camille in 1969.

Here is one from the Early 90's of me, my sister and parents in nearly the same location.  

Another one from the late 90s with me, my sister, mom, and a family friend.  

This one I took in the early 2000's prior to Katrina.  

One taken about 6 months after Katrina.  

Please excuse the flash — this photo of the plaque was taken before Hurricane Katrina.

This was an experimental photo series I shot in the early 2000s, with the idea of developing the film and assembling the images like a puzzle — this was the final result. 

USS Missouri

Constructed at the height of World War II, the USS Missouri holds a significant place in history as the site where Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, effectively bringing the global conflict to an end. Following her pivotal role in the war, she was later transformed into a museum ship, preserving her legacy for future generations. Remarkably, the Missouri was reactivated decades later, serving once again during the Gulf War before being decommissioned for the final time. Today, she rests in honored retirement at Pearl Harbor, standing as a powerful symbol of American naval history and resilience.

Mariner

 

One of my favorite things to do while on a cruise is simply wandering around the ship’s deck with my camera in hand, capturing random moments and details. There’s something about the lines, textures, and architecture of the ship that makes for surprisingly interesting photos—especially as the light changes throughout the day. Whether it’s the golden glow of sunrise, the stark shadows of midday, or the soft hues of sunset, each moment offers a different mood and a unique perspective. It’s a peaceful, creative way to experience the ship beyond the usual activities.

Tiki Time

 Who doesn’t love taking a moment to enjoy a refreshing fruity drink? Something sweet and colorful always seems to brighten the day—alcohol optional, of course. I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of this vibrant neon sign during our last cruise on the Mariner of the Seas. It was glowing proudly inside the Tiki Club, setting the perfect tropical mood. I absolutely love the playful colors—it captures the carefree, vacation energy perfectly.

Somber Sky

The Hawaiian sky stands as a silent guardian over the USS Arizona, resting in eternal repose at Pearl Harbor. Sunk during the infamous surprise attack on December 7, 1941, it remains a solemn tomb for 1,177 men. Seeing it in person was a deeply emotional and reflective experience—a powerful reminder of its history and the events that followed. us.

 

 

Framed

 One of my favorite spots on any ship I’ve sailed on is the stern. On the *Navigator of the Seas*, it provided the perfect frame for Ensenada in the distance. The view was nothing short of picture-perfect—a scene so captivating that I couldn’t resist capturing it.

Vibrant Memorial

The vibrant colors of Hawaii add a poignant contrast to this solemn scene. Here lie the remains of the USS Arizona and the brave men who went down with her during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The radiant sky and lush greenery surrounding the memorial stand as a quiet yet powerful tribute to those who were lost, a reminder of beauty and resilience amidst the weight of history.

 

Also linked to: Sunday Best.

Of the Seas

 

Fortunate Souvenir

 

Some passenger boarded the Titanic for a brief journey from Southampton to Queenstown. Before disembarking, they discreetly tucked this cup and saucer into their bag—a small, forbidden keepsake from their time aboard the "Ship of Dreams."

I can imagine their pride, admiring this beautiful piece of contraband in the days that followed, a tangible reminder of their short voyage on the largest and most luxurious ship of its era.

And then—tragedy.

Suddenly, this stolen memento was no longer just a souvenir. It became a haunting relic, forever linked to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Now, 113 years later, this once-hidden treasure has transformed into a museum-quality artifact, a centerpiece of a traveling exhibit dedicated to the ship whose fate it narrowly escaped.

SS Selma

Built in Mobile, AL in 1919, the SS Selma was the largest of a unique class of concrete ships. She remained in service for only a few years before striking a jetty in Tampico, Mexico, in 1920. Towed to Galveston for repairs, she was ultimately abandoned in 1922 and allowed to sink just off Pelican Island, about a mile north of Galveston. Today, she remains the only permanent shipwreck in the Houston Ship Channel, a lasting relic of maritime history.

Jewel of the Seas

Back in April of 2024 we took a cruise from San Juan, PR to Fort Lauderdale, FL.  

Our stops included: 

Sint Maarten

Saint Thomas

Saint Kitts

Jewel was one of the smaller ships we had been on and though we were assured that it was full; it seemed less crowded than some of the bigger ships in the Royal fleet.  The service was exemplary even compared to some of the other ships we have traveled on; I think this was due to it's more intimate setting.   Overall, I loved this ship and would love to travel on her again.    

The bow of Jewel of the Seas at Sea

Jewel of the Seas at Port

     Jewel of the Seas from a distance on Saint Thomas, USVI

Porthole

 

Cruising the Gulf

A view of the Gulf of Mexico cruising on Royal Caribbean.   The peace and solace of being at sea is a great meditative tool.   For those who have not yet done it or who may have some trepidation.   I definitely recommend a short cruise to see how you like it.   It is a wonderful way to see the world and have fun doing it.  Plus, you get to try different things and foods you may have never thought you would.  

The song in the video is, Star Across The Sky
by SPICY CHOCOLATE and Sly & Robbie.  I heard it first on a cruise back in 2019.  

The Venezellos

Sitting in the small seaside town of Apalachicola lays a boat, I am unsure of the history of this boat except its name, the Venezellos.  It reminded me of the SS Hurricane Camille, a shrimp boat that washed up in Gulfport, Mississippi during the infamous 1969 storm and lasted until after Katrina when it was removed.   Considering the amount of disrepair, I doubt that this boat will remain in the city for much longer, unless someone steps up to save it.

Lady Louise

Ships and boats fascinate me perhaps only second to airplanes.  This particular beauty was docked in Apalachicola, FL.   I loved her name, the “Lady Louise,”   while I am sure she was named for a famous “Louise”   such as Lady Louise Windsor; however, Louise is a name often repeated among women in my family…  so I immediately associated it with them.

USS Cairo

The USS Cairo was an ironclad union warship that patrolled the rivers and waters of the confederacy during the American Civil War.   The ship was patrolling the waters of the Yazoo River in Mississippi when it struck a confederate mine.  The Cairo disappeared below the smooth flowing waters of the Yazoo River with no loss of life.  It was rediscovered and recovered in 1965 and later transferred to the National Park Service and put on public display at the Vicksburg National Military Museum for all to see and experience a piece of history first hand.

Reaching Out

It is amazing how time flows… it seems like just yesterday we were at the dawn of a new decade, and now the year is nearly half finished. So many things change, and so fast… it never ceases to amaze me. Time to me is like a river, you can’t stop it and occasionally you hit rapids or pick up people on the banks! The Mississippi River is the most important River in the United States, and here it is flowing under the I20 and Old Hwy 80 Bridges in Vicksburg, MS.

Many of you have heard about the Tornado’s that devastated my home state last week. I would like to report that I am well, my city was not affected, however Yazoo City and surrounding areas about 30 miles north were devastated, if you would like to help please visit Here and Here.

We also have another series of storms moving in this week, hopefully nothing as severe as those last week.

Rivers

Rivers are a mysterious part of the landscape; they provide a mode of transportation for man and water to the sea. The Mississippi river is the largest river and North America that provides just this purpose; it connects the American heartland to the sea, and effectively divides the continental United States into Eastern States and Western States.

On some nights, I have found that if you travel to a river… you can sense spirits travelling down with the water. Where they go I am not sure, but I can definitely see why so many ancient cultures revered rivers as paths to the other world.

Perseverance

Humanity has many flaws, but we also have a great strong point… through the greatest disaster’s we will persevere. This is the Gulfport Yacht club, destroyed in 1969 by Hurricane Camille, and once again in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina… No longer does it lie in ruins, it is a symbol of the Coastal communities ability to rise up from the ashes, stronger and better than before!!!

800 East Pier

Gulfport, MS 39501

Get Directions

(228) 867-6796