Mississippi

I am glad I learned that little rhyme for spelling this state but from here on out it will be MS.  We crossed over from LA, after a night of blowing wind down in Grand Isle.  I suspect the gusts were at least 40.  I was awake all night picturing being blown off the bridge as we left the southern reaches.  Fortunately it laid down and we made our way out early.   Driving the box down the road (sorry Bella) is not fun in the wind.

The trip around New Orleans went well and we made it into MS early enough to check out the campground and get some provisions.  I must say that for all its bad wrap, Walmart is a reliable source for so many people.  I like fresh fruit for breakfast and many "local" stores have really poor produce sections.  Surprisingly Walmart has organic milk and some organic produce.  I am sure if more people wanted it and were able and willing to pay for it, they would have more.  They do also seem to carry regional items as well, frozen green chiles in NM and boudin in this part of the country.  We take good advantage of their allowing overnight parking in many Walmarts.  But here we found a nice state park near the Bay St. Louis and settled in.

Katrina really hit this area hard.  Pretty much all we heard about at the time was New Orleans, the failure of the local, state and federal officials as well as the people who valued watching their house and possessions over their life.  The big hit however was in MS.  The Bay St. Louis was at the eye of the storm and had 46' of additional water!  Just west of there, in Waveland where our park is located, there was 24' of water.  The park is nice but STILL undergoing repairs.

Beautiful white beaches in Western MS

There is a lovely road that runs right along the coast, with the pretty white sand on one side and beautiful, stately mansions on the left.  Some were either spared or repaired but in about 60-70% of cases, all that remains is grass and remnants of foundations.  There are endless For Sale signs, and we are told that bank loans require wind and flood insurance which is costly.  As you approach Gulfport and Biloxi, the casinos, condos, restaurants and tourist stores are in full view, rebuilt after the storm.  The sad loss is the historic homes and of course, the financial hit which still hurts the area.   

Only the steps are left

Beauvoir after Katrina

Silver Service from Beauvoir recovered after Katrina

Still being restored is Beauvoir, the estate of Jefferson Davis for the last 20 years of his life.  While there was considerable damage, the stately home as been restored and the "Presidential Library" will open this summer.


By many accounts, Jefferson's wife Varina was the more interesting personality.  A northerner by birth, she was outspoken and a lively conversationalist.  These characteristics did not endear her to the Southern society ladies.  After Jefferson's death, she moved to New York where
she made a living as a correspondent.  I will read her biography when I can get a copy.
After his death she left the property to be a museum with the grounds to be used for the housing civil war veterans and their widows.  Up to the 50's, about 1500 had lived there and hundreds are buried on the property.

Beauvoir Cemetery Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Civil War Widow