Mississippi - A Just Because Trip

Hot. That is the first, and perhaps largest impression I had of Mississippi in early August.

That was not a surprise, but I can’t say I was fully prepared for it. What was a surprise though, was how shallow the water is in the Gulf of Mississippi. While it was low tide when I did some wading (if you can call getting your legs below the knee wet wading), even the next day at high tide people, including children, had to go out quite a ways before the water was much more than knee high.

Someone warned me that the beaches were not beautiful. I’m not sure I agree with that warning. They were certainly different than beaches I’ve been to on either the East or West coast. But, if these pictures are any indication, I think there was plenty of beauty to behold:

One of my friend who lived in Biloxi for a few months told me there were not many “must do’s” in the area, and that she is pretty sure one of the only things she did during her time there was to eat.

The food was good. I went to The Shed for some amazing BBQ. This might be the only time in my life I have asked for more BBQ sauce. It was incredible.

The place itself was also awesome. The owner built it entirely out of items he pulled from garbage’s/ junkyards.

There were some Shed Philosophies posted around that were pretty funny as well:

While we’re on food, the other fun place I ate was The Fillin’ Station. Google reviews told me I had to try the nachos. The waitress told me they were huge and said I could get a half order. I did, and I don’t think I was even able to eat half of the half

One of the places that was recommended to me was Jefferson Davis’ retirement home, Beauvoir. It was an interesting experience. The place was neat, and impressive to see especially given how badly damaged it was during Hurricane Katrina. The before, right after, and today pictures were incredible.

It was also interesting because of the workers who I talked to. The man who gave the tour was a local man. I don’t think he looked at people while he gave the tour more than a handful of times. It also seemed like he was reciting something he had memorized, and he didn’t try to get people to be quiet before he’d rattle off, in a low, near mumbling voice the various segments. It was neat to have a little bit more free rain than is normally given in places like that, including being able to take photos (without flash, of course!). 

He did tell a pretty interesting story about the china that's on the kitchen table. Apparently it is all that is left of the original set they had. Everything that was in storage during Hurricane Katrina was destroyed, but what was out on display on the table was fine - despite the crazy winds and weeks of standing water:

I did ask him a few questions at the end, which led to him asking where I was from. And upon learning, why I was so far south of the Mason-Dixon line, and reminding me that I should think about coming back that evening for the Southern Ball, “if you are interested” (why didn’t I pack my Southern Belle Ball Gown!?).

The grounds were fun. I didn’t realize there was a grave for the unknown Confederate soldier:

And I wasn’t expecting the animals! As I was walking over to take a photo of the camel there was a worker who got out of a truck and called out to me. My initial assumption that I was getting too close proved to be entirely wrong. She chatted with me for a few minutes, and then asked if I wanted to pet a camel. When I said yes, she seemed a bit surprised, and told me she doesn’t always ask right off because most people say no (or their parents say no to their children’s desire to do so). It was pretty cool!

After exploring the grounds, I checked out the only Presidential Library of the Confederate States of America. They had recently opened an exhibit about the impact of Hurricane Katrina and the 10 year commemoration.

Items "salvaged" post Hurricane Katrina

Cup that was given to one of the men who ran the Confederate Soldier's Home on the grounds

Piano that was found in a tree on the grounds

Fun skylight from the second floor looking down to the first floor

Apparently this horse ended up in the Gulf and stayed there until residents raised concerns about seeing him "drown" every time the tide went up

I couldn't help taking a pic of this one!

This magnet was so tempting! and I certainly came home with plenty of bites...

A little bit further down the coast stands the Biloxi lighthouse, which has been through at least 20 hurricanes and still stands today. The Biloxi Visitor’s Center had a lot of interesting information/ videos about the lighthouse and the city. I’m glad I spent some time there.

There was a display case with lighthouses from around the US - including the Little Red Lighthouse that is under the George Washington Bridge in Manhattan near my apartment

This was carved from wood torn down in Hurricane Katrina

I made an accordion thing like this in art class - this one was huge, and very cool

As I was driving to the Biloxi Lighthouse, I saw this intense storm rolling in. It made me sad that I wasn't going to get much of a sunset, but didn't prepare me for the emergency announcement I heard on the radio. I wasn't sure which county I was in, but the sudden downpour told me I was near the counties that received the severe storm warning.

After making it safely back to the condo I was staying at, I enjoyed watching the incredible lightning storm!

 During a lightning strike

 Before and after a lightning strike

In order to not end on a stressful note, here are some other random gems:

A couple taking pregnant photos

Some animals bone - a tooth? a skull?

You can't see it very well, but these elevated houses had metal elevators on the side!

Sand grass

Birds on a sandbar

Man paddle boarding

During my morning beach walk, I ran into lots of birds, but saw only maybe 10 human beings. One of them stopped me to ask why I was on the beach and how long I planned to walk. I told him I was just visiting and didn't have any specific plans. He followed up with "Man, everybody and their dog is on the beach this morning! I don't like it."

All I could do was laugh and tell him the beach felt deserted to me. We agreed to disagree, and I enjoyed my near solitary walk along the beach :)