The Mini Does the Big Easy

Martha & Joan

Michael & Croc

 You know there were two states in our continental United States I had never experienced - Mississippi and Louisiana.
 Now I have.
  After we left Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, AL, we drove through Mobile and then headed out on Highway 90 (NOT I-10) to drive along the Gulf coast of Mississippi.  The road hugs the coast much of the way going through Pascagoula, Beloxi and Gulfport.  We drove past miles of beautifully clean new beachfront sporting small palm trees in Biloxi and past some lovely new and rebuilt southern-style homes in Pass Christian
and Long Beach. Across the highway from Biloxi's beachfront are many vacant lots, most of them for sale. They're remaining evidence of Hurricane Katrina's devastation 10 years ago when this whole coastline was obliterated.
   Highway 90 took us right into New Orleans and to Pontchartraine Landing RV Park and Marina on the northeast side of the city. We got settled into our #63 site in this Big Boy RV Park just before the gray sky gave way to a deluge of rain. Rain continued for the rest of the day and most of the night, what seemed like inches of water. The gravel parking lot quickly became a lake. Let me just say that the only thing worse than staying in a small-fry RV on a rainy night is staying in one with a wet dog. But of course we did.

Café Soule, St.Louis St.

Beer and a latte

 Fortunately by morning the rain had stopped and most of the water had soaked into the ground. We left Nina in the Pickle and took off in the Mini to see a bit of New Orleans. Broad St. took us downtown to the French Quarter. The Mini is just the right size for maneuvering the narrow brick streets of the Quarter and, after getting a feel for the place, we parked and walked. Decatur Street runs along the Mississippi River and acts as a "front" to the Quarter. This is where you'll find the kitschiest souvenir shops, all hawking Mardi Gras paraphernalia and tee shirts. Michael even had his picture taken with a festive Monsieur Crocodie. We walked the street, with a stop at a building housing a National Park exhibit that detailed the history and cultural influences of the  area. We finally arrived at the gilded Joan d'Arc statue. That's where I wanted my photo taken.
                                           We realize our late morning to early afternoon stroll was quite different from the evening and late night revelry that occurs during the Mardi Gras season. We're okay with that. Our revelry consisted of a latte and a Lazy Magnolia beer at Café Soule.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Gulf State Park near Gulf Shores Alabama. That's where we are!

The park, with its 496 campsites, 2 small inland lakes and miles of paved biking/walking trails sits across the Boulevard and down the road from the Gulf's surf and sandy beaches.
  Coming here was not our original intent.  In fact no where on our very flexible, ever changing itinerary did we consider Gulf Shores.  Our arrival here has to do with what we left behind in Michigan and what we brought with us. We left behind typical January cold  temperatures and a good covering of snow. We brought with us the family cold (meaning virus.) By the second day into the trip when we were resting snuggly at my sister and brother-in-law's house in Knoxville and we saw the forecasted cold snap predicted for the next few days in the upper southern states, we made our decision. Head south. Drop the planned southwesterly route. Make a beeline for warmer temps. Once we're feeling healthy again we can head west.
And here we are. We're feeling better now, but still plagued with lingering coughs. After a few days of 55 - 60 temps, today is cooler and VERY windy. No day to drive the Pickle, so we'll stay put a few more. We have a reservation until Tuesday.

Ready to leave Ypsilanti,

January 14th

First night out near Georgetown,

Kentucky