The first stop after crossing the dreaded Mississippi River was Gulfport, MS. I scored a terrific parking place right along the Gulf at a casino.
It's a great town. The Mardi Gras museum is inside the Visitors Center. I'm not big on museums, but this one was quick, easy, and fascinating.
The detail on the costumes is amazing!
This area was hit hard by Hurrican Katrina back in 2005. It was one of the strongest storms to hit the US in the last 100 years. There is still a lot of damage here.
The homes along the waterfront that have been rebuilt are now on stilts.
There are many, many vacant lots for sale. If you are looking for waterfront property, this is the place to come.
It is no laughing matter, but these Laughing Gulls were really whooping it up.
One of the coolest things around are the "Katrina Angels," carved out of the dead trees left by the storm. This one was in a cemetery -
Where even the angel statues wear Mardi Gras beads.
The carvings are located all over town.
This was my favorite, done by wood carver, Dayle Lewis.
It consists of 3 dual-colored angels -
And a bunch of different birds and other critters.
The detail is amazing -
Even down to little lady bugs.
But the best thing we did here was meet up with Erin and Mui of Two To Travel's Phaeton Journeys. Erin is a terrific photographer, and Mui is not too shabby either. If you go over to their blog, you will have to go back a ways, because Erin is actually up-to-date, unlike yours-truly.
We met at the Blow Fly Inn. The food was great, in spite of the name. Whoa - is that an actual blow fly? Oh no - it's plastic. Good one!
Great pics! I ate at the Blow Fly Inn for the first time in Jan. on my long trip out to Quartzsite. Shrimp and grits - oh man, was it good. Can't wait to go back.
ReplyDeleteI think we spotted your rig parked at the casino, and we should have stopped but didn't. And we were parked 2 sites away from Erin and Mui, but didn't know it until after they left. We also ate at the Blow Fly Inn. Very good. Sorry we missed you - so close, yet...
ReplyDeleteHow far East are y'all coming? Blow Fly, with a name like that the food MUST be great..lol have fun!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely terrific those Katrina Angels. Amazing what can eb done with tree trunk. The idea turning storm damage into a huge attraction....fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of bloggers to be found east of the Mississippi, but you found two of the best!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they think the houses on stilts will really help.
ReplyDeleteI love those angels - amazing talent. And where are you really at?
ReplyDeleteI'm in Indianapolis now - long story....
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of the angels. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it last night that we had dinner??? Catching up is hard to do, but you're getting there. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI would love to see those angel carvings, but probably never will.
ReplyDeleteAll our RV friends are meeting our other RV friends. We're starting to feel left out.
ReplyDeleteI know the blow fly on your plate was plastic, but how did it taste? ;c)
Wow we missed all that neat stuff in Mobile! In Fact we did not even stop, I now see that was a mistake, thanks for the great pics.
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in Biloxi. My family and I now live in Lufkin, Texas since 2014 and I miss the Mississippi Gulf Coast terribly! When I happened on this site via the carved angel pic I suddenly was so homesick- my dad just died and he had always told me that no matter where I went I would always want to come back home; i didn't believe him. I now believe him! I am glad that you enjoyed Gulfport! I hope you went to Biloxi, Ocean Springs and back west to the scenic view of homes still left in Long Beach, Pass Christian and others. If you did not and you ever go back, go visit them- you will not regret it!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless and safe traveling adventures!!!
~Denise Gollott Stover
ChiRho Studio Silk Works, owner/artist