Last Full Day in Mississippi

On Sunday, David & Patricia took us out for dinner in Biloxi. We drove down along the coast from Bay St. Louis. Couldn't believe the roadways. They were full of sand from the storm of a couple of days before. Reminded us of snow drifts.





We stopped at this one restaurant but over an hour wait - too hungry - so we drove on and found a new restaurant to try. The food was fine but the service was very very slow. Doubt very much if David & Patricia go back there again.




Did see a nice sunset.


We had a very nice time in Mississippi. Looking forward to going back. Maybe David will have his boat by then.

Sharon and the alligator

We're heading back from New Orleans along the gulf coast. You can still see some leftovers from Hurricane Katrina. Some houses were left abandoned. Some piers partially demolished. And then, you come across those places that were rebuilt. David & Patricia were telling us that when they first arrived here about a year ago there were even airplanes scattered here and there due to the hurricane. And, guess what happened next:



A couple of pictures along the highway


We stopped at a roadside inn for a quick drink. The server told us that there were a couple of alligators out in the bayou near the inn. A baby and the mother. The baby loves to eat marshmallows. They hadn't seen the mother for a few days. We didn't have any marshmallows but Sharon went out along the waterway and started calling for the alligator. Can't you just hear her: "here alligator; here alligator; come alligator"






Overall, this was a very nice and beautiful day. Had a great time seeing more of the area. Kind of sad in a way that there still is so much damage from 5 years ago, though.

New Orleans

Tuesday, March 20th.
At first we weren't going on Tuesday - the winds were kind of strong. However, after looking at the forecast for Wednesday & Thursday decided to go.

Going across the bridge into New Orleans.

Skyline


Through the car window driving on a downtown street. Good thing the streets are all one way.


Had lunch at the Charter House Cafe. Sharon had a cajun crawfish platter and I had the Taste of New Orleans

Sharon's dinner. She had crawfish etouffe, crawfish cake, and fried crawfish.

My dinner: jumbalaya, gumbo, and beans & rice.


We then walked to Jackson Square.


At Jackson Square we took a carriage ride around the quarter. If you look closely at the above picture, our white carriage is in it. Some pictures from our ride. As you can see from some of the beads hanging from trees, shrubs, etc., they don't remove them after Mardi Gras.




After our carriage ride, a trip to New Orleans wouldn't be complete without stopping at Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait. I loved the beignets - however, the cafe au lait was a little weak. We were told it was very strong coffee with some steamed milk in it. Guess we thought it needed more of the coffee.



After our donuts and coffee we walked up to the Mississippi Lookout. It started raining on us at the top but didn't last very long.




Did a little shopping around Jackson Square and then headed for home. David drove us through the Ninth Ward so we could see what it looked like today. Couldn't resist taking a picture of this one pump gas station. It was open.


For the ride back to Kiln he took us along the gulf highway. More later. Hoping that our internet connection stays strong.

Mississippi

Well, we're back in Springfield, MO. Have a lot better internet connection so I'll try and get caught up over the past few weeks.

On Friday, March 16th met some friends (Buddy & Maria) in Bay St. Louis for lunch. We ate at a restaurant that just reopened due to hurricane Katrina. Bay St. Louis didn't receive any federal funding for the 2007 hurricane damage so it's taking them a little while to rebuild. Most of the menu was seafood. I had eggplant parmesan; Sharon had the grilled red snapper. I tried a bite - not too bad.




Sharon celebrated her birthday on the 17th by watching every single basketball game. Yep, she did. She also had corned beef and cabbage for lunch. Notice, I said Sharon had that. If memory serves me correctly, my cheeseburger tasted very good.

On Tuesday, we went to New Orleans. I'll do a separate post for that trip. On Wednesday, we went to the grocery store and fueled up the truck. We heard a storm was heading our way on Thursday & Friday - so decided to go earlier in the week. Coming back from the store - we took a little detour and visited one of the parks close by. A few pictures from the area. We saw some irises growing in water along the roadway and some white flowers growing on these vines climbing trees and bushes. The cypress trees were very impressive.




Almost forgot to mention the storm that arrived on Wednesday night. The rains were unbelievable. David emptied his rain gauge twice by Friday morning - had more than 10 1/2 inches of rain. There was flooding in some of the housing developments a couple of miles to the south of them. Of course, those homes were on the waterways. We definitely understood why the homes in the area are built on "stilts". By the time we got out on the weekend the water had gone down drastically.

Sunday, before we left, Patricia and David took us to Biloxi. I'll do a separate post for that also. The pictures of the sand across the road is amazing.

Kiln, MS - First couple of days

Have been trying to update the blog now for a couple of days. Internet is intermittent here in Mississippi. So - maybe an update and maybe some pictures. We'll see how it goes.

Well, we made it to David & Patricia's in Kiln, MS. However, we arrived between 6 and 6:30pm. About 2pm, we text and said we'd be there shortly after 3pm. What did we do for those 3 hours. We sat along side I-12 with another blowout. We couldn't believe the construction, potholes and rough roads. We just congratulated ourselves a little too early about the great time we were making. And, of course, no spare since we had the blow out last week. The tow service sent someone to pick up both tires and get them replaced from a tire store about 20 miles behind us. The first tire store contacted didn't have the tire in our size but called around for us until one was found. We were back on the road about 5pm. Must say that all the people who helped us were absolutely wonderful.

David, Nick and their friend Butch set up the camper for us in their yard. Leveled it and everything. It was nice not having to park, level and set up.

On Saturday we had a very nice restful day. They now own a bar & grill in town. They had a blues & jazz band Saturday night. Went and listened to the band about an hour and came home. Band was very good.

On Sunday, David & Patricia took us on a quick little trip down to the Gulf. Took a few pictures of brown pelicans, laughing seagulls, ducks and loons. The houses south of I-10 are built on stilts due to tropical storms. They showed us some of the damage still around due to Katrina (2005). Nice couple of hours and stopped at a Mexican restaurant near the Gulf. Just a few pictures.

San Antonio

Have a few minutes now so thought I'd catch up on the last few days. Wow, have they been busy. Currently we're sitting in an RV park in Beaumont, TX. It has been so hot and clammy. I know 76 isn't all that hot but it just feels so sticky out. Showers are done for the evening and lasagna is in the oven. So, thought I'd write about our last few days.

On Friday night, we arrived close to 4pm. Talked a few minutes - set up outside and put together some of the inside for our 6 day stay. Friday night we went and had supper with the "old gang". They were having either pork loin or tilapia. You guessed it: Sharon had tilapia and I had the pork. It came with a small salad, cheesy potates, mixed vegetables and for dessert, million dollar bar - let's just say nice and chocolaty. Sorry no pictures from this night.

Saturday, we woke up early and went on a olive orchard tour near the campground. We're not olive fans but even Sharon thought the little olives weren't bad. Bought some olive oil (pressed at the ranch), jell (made from olive leaves) and one jar of olives. They had 10 different varieties last year and we bought a bottle that used all 10 varieties. Couldn't believe the difference in the taste. A couple of pictures from the orchard.




After the tour, we went to Mi Tierra Mexican restaurant with Yoli & Sue. It was awesome like usual. Here we are waiting for a table. We went on a Saturday - had about a 40 minute wait.


Sunday we rested. It's the only day we didn't set an alarm while in SA.

Monday, we took the truck for an oil change. On the trip down here the DIC told us it was time for an oil change. Then we decided to go down to Floresville for some peanut brittle. We had lunch at Jack's Cafe. Can you tell Sharon is real excited.


On Tuesday we went on an all day San Antonio tour. Yes, we got lots of pictures. We visited at least 2 places we haven't been before. Buckhorn Saloon and the Japanese Tea Garden.




Wednesday found us getting ready to leave: pharmacy, grocery store, fuel and then dinner with Gary & Sue at the Hungry Farmer. We all had excellent steaks - TBones.

Well, battery is running low so I better sign off for tonight.