jan 17, 2012

January 17, 2012

It’s Tuesday and we’re outside Mobile, Alabama.   We left Louisiana this morning and drove into Mississippi under overcast skies that sometimes splattered an occasional rain drop on the windshield.  Junnie totally ignored us last night.  The weather must be moderating and he didn’t need warmth from the two of us.

The drive today was through pine forests that were familiar and comforting.  Had we not known better, we could have thought we were on the straight stretch between Kinston and New Bern…even 70 MPH there, too.

So Far, Mississippi wins the most beautiful welcome center award.  The interior is reminiscent of an old southern plantation with the beautiful side boards, settees, marble top tables and gilded mirrors. There were two rooms  on both sides of a huge entrance/reception room where you are immediately offered  a cup of coffee.  The reception people were very well informed and were able to give lots of help to those of us who really know very little about their beautiful state.  In each of the four parlors were manikins dressed  in Mardi Gras costumes.  They were all designed and made by Carter Church from Bay St. Louis.  The elegance of each costume was magnificent. One head dress alone (with NASA   identification on the back) was over 5 feet tall.   Whoever wore it must have had a football players’ neck, for sure.  The men’s costumes were as elegant as the women’s’ costumes.  In fact, the King’s costume, head dress, cape and shoes were the most beautiful and intricate of all the costumes.   The handwork of beading and jewelry work must have caused many headaches.

Once again as we left a stop, we headed in a different direction from what we had  planned.  We headed south to the scenic US90 highway along the Gulf Coast through Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Gulfport,  and Biloxi, to Pascagoula.  90 actually runs beside the water of the Gulf of Mexico.  The beach is 300 feet wide and from Bay St. Louis to Pascagoula.  Miles and miles of white sand and the beautiful quiet waters of the gulf, along with humongous homes, are along this road .  There is still destruction from Katrina, but a lot of building and rebuilding has gone on as is the repair work still being done.

We found Jefferson Davis’ last home around noon and decided to eat before going on the tour.  The guard at the entrance suggested a place.  It was closed.  We had seen a sign touting the Rotary meeting on Tuesday.  Yeah…so we tried it.  It was closed.  We began to think that maybe no one eats in Mississippi on Tuesdays, but the Picayune cafeteria was open and Dan had catfish while I had a stuffed pepper.  We didn’t think it Kosher to ask for LA crawdads in Miss.  Sure would have loved to have had some beans and rice.

Just inside Biloxi we came to Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis’ home.  What a magnificent house.  It was built by a cotton farmer and the Davises bought it from them for $5,500.   Extensive damage was done by Katrina in 2005.  Even though Beauvoir is built on piers to catch the gulf breezes and to have magnificent views of the water, gale force winds ripped the roof off the house and allowed the floors and furniture to be soaked.   Renovation and restoration has taken over three years for just the house.   Each ceiling in the two parlors and two bedrooms on the entry floor have trompe faille work on the ceilings and the entrance reception room even has beautiful “fooling the eye” archway designs.   The docent was well versed, not only in the history of the house, but also in the history of the area and the other families who have lived in the home.  At one time it was used extensively by Civil War veterans.  Jefferson Davis’  library was available for them to use.  Do not forget that Davis was a US Senator and Secretary of War before he was President of the Confederacy.   The Library is under construction.  It was cheaper to build a new one than to try and restore the old building.

After leaving Beauvoir we headed back to I -10 and over to I-65N.  We are camped on the west side of Mobile, Alabama and will be heading farther north tomorrow. ( And below in typical Fran fashion is a question which has nothing to do with anything in the previous paragraph – Dan)

Wonder what exciting things we will encounter tomorrow?  Have you ever considered who is affected more?  Many in the clothing industry are going tag less in all garments.  Will a person who depends on feel (sightless) have more of an advantage or disadvantage than one who relies on their eyes in getting dressed?  I would really be interested in your answers and how you reached it.   That should give you something to contemplate for a while.

Blessings,

Triple Tripping Trekkers