Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Spring has sprung

Amazing seeing all the raised houses

Trail we walked on

He's in there, really, he is-right in the middle of the picture

Ok, so we know we're from California, but we were still so excited to see an Alligator right where we're camping!! We were taking a bike ride, rode over a bridge and there he was, sunning himself, right along side the turtles. Got a picture, but sad to say he blends in so well, so did the turtles, you can't really see him, but we did!!

We rode our bikes down to the dock and talked to some guys that were fishing and they filled us in on some things. The beaches along Biloxi apparently had hundreds of casinos and across the street from them were the grande, old, regal homes that the south is known for. The bridge we've been driving over is brand new also. They said their homeowners insurance runs them about $4,000 a year at the least.

They also told us to eat at Aunt Jenny's Catfish Restaurant and so we did. The restaurant is set right on the bayou with huge old oak trees all over the place, one is said to be 500 years old. When you sit down, they bring you sweet tea, homemade bisquits, and a crock of cole slaw. Bill had Catfish and Gulf Shrimp and Laurie had Southern Fried Chicken, yummy. Ocean Springs is a very cute, quaint town, love the old houses and the charm of the city. Beaches are beautiful, perfect weather, still being eaten alive by the bugs.

Biloxi, Mississippi

Our campsite at Davis Bayou,Gulf Islands National Seashore

Bill attempting to take flight with his helicopter

Bill on Sand Beach in Biloxi, MS

Sand Beach

Sand Beach, notice the beaches are empty and it's beautiful weather

Well, we haven't traveled very far since our last post. But the good news is, the sick bay is closing!! We are both feeling much better. We stayed in Biloxi while recuperating. Biloxi and Gulfport are other areas which were also hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. All along the beach front are empty lots, all with For Sale signs on them. Lots of casinos still up and running and it looks like they are building/rebuilding more. They had been businesses, condos, homes, all wiped out. The beaches are beautiful, all white soft, sandy beaches. You can walk out for more than 100 yards and still only be up to your knees.

We drove about 10 miles east to Ocean Springs and are now staying in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Davis Bayou. Beautiful here, and although we knew to expect them, the bugs are terrible!! Bill is getting a lot of use out of his electric fly swatter, his legs are covered with bites. Wonderful place for bike riding and Bill is enjoying flying his helicopter.

We didn't fall off the edge of the earth, but Bill decided to "share" his sickness with Laurie, so we've been under the weather. Should be back on track in a day or so. We're in Biloxi, Mississippi for now, beautiful white sandy beaches.

New Orleans, French Quarter, 2nd day

French Quarter, Bourbon Street, above picture is supposedly the oldest bar in the U.S. we just loved what it looked like

City Park, which is bigger than Central park in NY , it was under 4 feet of water after Katrina, some areas throughout the city were under anywhere from 7-11 feet of water. Some houses/buildings still show the mark, stripe, where the water line was.

Above ground cemetery

Rained last night, but was pretty much done by the time we started our day. Took a shuttle down to the French Quarter and had Chickory Coffee and Beignets at the Cafe Du Monde.

Went to some galleries on Royal Street and then had to meet our bus for our tour of the Katrina Hurricane area. Was surprised to hear the population of New Orleans is down by over 100,000 since Katrina. Can't imagine coming back to your neighborhood and wanting to rebuild when so many people have chosen not to come back. The houses still have the marks on the homes that were made by the national guard after checking each house for survivors. The marks indicated what state the national guard was from, the date it was checked and how many people had perished in each home. There is still so much to be done and it seems impossible to imagine how it can be accomplished. We drove through an area in the ninth ward that Brad Pitt put up 5 million of his own money and got some friends to donate 7 million and they are helping to rebuild an area, all of which the houses are built up high.

After the tour, we had hamburgers at a place that was recommended called Yo Mamas, they were as good as we heard.

Natchez, Mississippi

Dogwood Trees starting to bloom

At Rosalie Mansion, behind Bill is the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River

Behind the trees is the Mississippi River, still behind Rosalie Mansion

Stanton Hall - built in l857

This restaurant was built in 1940, serving pancakes and lunch, still open today

We are about 3 hours away from Natchez, Mississippi where Laurie's dad was born, so we drove up there for the day. We left at 6:30 this morning and it was very foggy so you couldn't see a lot for part of the drive. It was a beautiful drive, so many trees, so peaceful too. We stopped on the way at a lake that was beautiful.

So many grand, old homes in Natchez, some taken care of, some not. Sad to see them in such disrepair. We were able to visit several old mansions and so many of the houses have a sign in front of them with the year they were built.

We had a great "Southern BBQ" meal, ribs, baked beans and potato salad at a gas station, yes, I said gas station, it was delicious and we bought some potato salad to bring back with us, yummy!

Above ground cemetery

Streets in the French Quarter

New Orleans, French Quarter

Natchez River Boat on the Mississippi River

Mardi Gras Beads on the wires

More Mardi Gras Beads

Beautiful streets

Love these big old trees

So today we explored New Orleans and the French Quarter. What an experience. It's so different than what we're used to. As we drove toward the French Quarter, the remnants of Mardi Gras could be seen in the trees still filled with beads and all over the telephone wires as well.

The huge, old trees dripping in moss were just beautiful.

We got to the French Quarter and ate at Johnny's Po' Boy. Have to have a Po'Boy when you come to New Orleans. Long line, but worth the wait. So many of the buildings on and around Bourbon Street are empty and have for sale/for rent signs on them, we were told since Katrina it's been like that.

We met a local that was quite colorful, and gave us lots of information about the area.