Your Scribe recently sat along the Mississippi River, in Memphis.

Here are some observations of this river, which is quite different than the ones I know best in Maine: the Sandy River, the Kennebec River and the Saco River.

- Large barges are a way of life on the Mississippi. Huge craft come down regularly, with loads that include gravel, stone, wheat, corn, and other materials. (An aside: Maine rivers in the mid-19th century were very busy, with log drives sending valuable wood to ship-building companies along the coast. Bangor reportedly was one of the busiest inland ports in the country when during its heyday of producing long, straight timber).

- There were water-skiers on the Mississippi. I had always read that this was a dangerous sport on the Old Muddy. The river is filled with branches and logs. In addition, there are strong whirlpools and eddies that would threaten a thrown skier. But there it was: a boatload of hedonistic skiers.

- Actress Cybil Shepherd lives in a condo overlooking the Mississippi. Though she also has a home in Hollywood, the star grew up in Memphis and maintains a residence. She even goes to her high-school reunions. Her first movie that I recall was "The Last Picture Show."

- The riverwalk in Memphis this weekend hosted a huge barbeque contest with more than 200 teams competing for awards. It's a fun event, as some of the team names suggest: "The Hog Father," "Sassy Sows," "Pig Nation," and "Pigs in Paradise."
(Aside No. 1- My nomination for a team name would have been "Sweet Hog of Youth.") (Aside No. 2 - It was frustrating that the booths didn't sell samples to the thousands of visitors. They saved it for the judges. So one would walk by these well-decorated stands, but there was nothing to buy. It would be like going to a wine-tasting event, but only being permitted to look at the labels. Your Scribe did get a pulled-pork sandwich at Corky's, a commerical venue, and he was very happy he did.)

- Looking across the Mississippi on a sunny day, one wonders if Maine rivers have as many stories to tell. Author Kenneth Roberts was our Mark Twain but I don't remember as many famous tales. "Arundel," with Stephen Nason and Cap Huff, yes. But I don't know of a Huck Finn of the Penobscot. I vow to check the libraries when I return to the Pine Tree State. (An aside: Mark Twain wrote most of his famous books in Hartford, Conn., quite removed from the river that made him famous. That's where the publishing business was centered in his day). Perhaps Neil Rolde, the well-known Maine historian, has written some texts that I am not familiar with. I will check.

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