The Mississippi River is more than a water born thoroughfare, draining 40% of the United States. It’s the cultural icon, around which many great works of literature have written and many wistful songs have been penned. As it threads its way around the land masses of New Orleans, the river is wide, deep, and integral to the the culture of this great city. I was lucky enough to live just a mile from its banks, and have an office which overlooked the grain loaders of Leake Avenue.