On Our Way Home

Spent two rainy nights in Tunica, Mississippi - Monday and Tuesday. We had a terrible thunderstorm Sunday night in Biloxi.  We got wet hooking up the car and got wet again taking it off. However,  Tuesday during the day turned out quite nice.

We visited all seven casinos.  Only one casino we betted in because we had the card from the Biloxi casino.  It was the Gold Strike. We each put in one dollar which I soon lost. But, Carl won $20. That is all we gambled.

We wanted to check that area out since we heard so much about it. Not too impressed. Area looks like it is going down a bit. One big hotel, casino, and convention center is shut down - Harrah's. It is a good stop over place to camp though.

We are stopped for the night now in Champaign,  Illinois a nice family campground on a little lake just off I57. Heading towards home tomorrow.  Should make it and hoping the winds aren't as bad as they were late this afternoon.

All in all, this was a really nice couple of months way.  Had good weather, a good time, and met a lot of really nice people.

Day Trip back to Alabama

We took a ride back to Alabama.  We wanted to check out the campground on Dauphin Island.  We usually just see the Island when we take the ferry back or forth to Gulf Shores. We drove down the main road but after miles and miles of condos and a lot being built decided to turn around.

From there, we drove to Bellingrath Gardens.  Been there a few times but quite some time ago.  Had lunch at their cafe before we toured the grounds.  Can hardly believe how much of the gardens grew.  The trees and bushes closed it in more so that you really need to follow the pathway as they direct.

On Thursday, we had planned to take another road trip to New Orleans; but decided against because it was just too muggy and hot to walk around the town.  Instead, we drove down the coast to the Mississippi/Louisiana border. Was a nice ride. Enjoyed Bay St. Louis. It is a quaint little town with the nicest people. They all seem to spend time talking with you.

We will be leaving Biloxi in a couple of days and heading up Mississippi to Tunica. Staying there a couple of nights. Friends have told us the campgrounds there are nice.

Biloxi Beach and Beauvoir

The beaches are a little different in Biloxi.  Some areas are just plain sand beaches.  While others have umbrellas with chaise chairs, picnic tables, floats, standing boards, and big wheel bikes for water or sand use.  There are a few parking areas or just pull off the side of the road.  There is a seawall next to the road where you go around to get to the sand.

We visited Beauvoir, which was the home of Jefferson Davis.  He was the first and only President of the Confederate states.  Hurricane Katrina destroyed quite a bit of it. The tidal surge came up 26 feet and the house was at 24 feet. The house is just across the road from the beach; of course, back in his days there was no road.

This is the building of his Presidential Library.  Outside of the building were Peacocks walking around.

There were beautiful gardens around the property.  In the back, there were animals just walking around wherever.  We just walked around them.  They did not bother us, but we did not bother them.  There were horses, goats, sheep, burrows, a cow, and a camel.

This little goat was just born.

In Biloxi

A week ago today we took a long bike ride on the trails from the campground into Orange Beach. This time we were able to see the resident alligator named Lefty.  And, as we were watching, along came two little ones.

After we got back from the bike ride, Carl got sick with the same stomach bug I had the week before.  It takes a lot out of you and he still was weak the next day so did not go to church.

We went up to the Tanger Outlet Mall on Monday and did a little shopping. Did not buy much but enjoyed walking around.

Had a nice lunch on the back bay at the Oyster House.  Did not get to go to a few restaurants we wanted to while in Gulf Shores with each of us sick two different times.  Always another time!

Before we left last Wednesday, we had breakfast at the Waffle House.  Great pecan waffles and coffee!!  We got to Biloxi Wednesday afternoon staying at the Cajun RV Park.  It is right across the street from the Mississippi Sound.  Can walk to different restaurants, stores, and even a Casino if we want.

When we went to leave the campground, our automatic steps would not retract.  Carl got under the steps/motor home to check it out, but everything he tried would not make them work.  So we called Coach Net, which is our road service.  They told him how to disconnect it and then bungee them up.  Told them where we were headed and later got a call to stop at a rv collision service place that was right on our way in Mississippi.  It took the guy about 15 minutes and he had it fixed.  It was not getting a ground because of the undercoating.  Fleetwood took care of the expense.

We have not done much here yet.  Took a couple of rides in both directions checking things out.  Went to the beach yesterday.  Sand not quite as well kept up here and the water is not the beautiful blue like in Alabama.  It is because of the barrier islands. So, just enjoying the campground through the weekend and when the Easter tourist leave, will head out to check some of the area.  Will write about that next time.

Here is a couple of pics of the campsite:

Not Much Happening

We have been taking it easy this past week.  Last Sunday started out bad when it began to rain during the last part of church, but it ended up being a pretty good day after all.  It rained all day this past Thursday too.  Today (Friday-27) is beautiful; however, a little cooler and windy.  Going to have a couple of days of cooler weather.  I didn't feel good one day with some stomach virus???  So, we spent most of the day reading, watching tv and movies.  As the pic below shows, someone else in our family feels a little relaxing is good.

Ryan, the next pic is the condo that we stayed in called the Eden in Perdido Key.  Always remember that when we drive by because of the shape.  The other pic is the Caribe that I took from the beach at the Alabama Point bridge that you stayed in the last time.  The beach pictures are from that beach.  We were in an area with not too many people.  It was a great afternoon and the water was nice. We were trying to get the tiny sand dollars.  Got a few, but some of the waves got us.  I got one right in the face and over me, but I didn't fall in. The

We took a ride out Fort Morgan Road to the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge.  Walked on a few of the trails and nice to see Gulf Beach homes from the other side of the Bon Secour Bay.

Not far down the Ft. Morgan Road is a nice park, plenty of parking, good boat ramps, and no cost.  A place you can put your jet skis in like these two guys did.

The Gulf State Park put on a pancake breakfast for all on Monday.  The bacon was good, but the pancake were the worst I ever had.  They were about an inch thick and tough dough. Needed plenty of syrup to get those buggers down.  Kids from a church were putting it on to raise money.

Tomorrow we are going to go to Elberta, AL to their annual sausage festival.  My folks have gone before and they said it was nice.

May be I will have time to jot down a bit and a couple of pics before we leave next Wednesday to go to Biloxi, MS.

Our Campsite

Looking on from the front. They are starting the mowing down. The heat brought out the weeds.

This is coming down the road. On the right side is another rig.

This pic shows all the room we have between campsites.  It is like this pretty much in the entire park.  There is a road to go to another loop right on the other side of the fire hydrant.

This is the view coming off the trail.  Left side of the pic on the other side of the post is the beginning of the trail.  The trail is the Armadillo and Middle Lake trails

This is the view coming from the end of the road going out of the campground.

This is a sign we got for Christmas from Carl's sister Karen.

The board walk trail to Middle Lake.

The end of the trail at Middle Lake.

Part of the Armadillo trail.

Beautiful Beach Weather

Sure can't complain about the weather here.  Have been breaking the records all week. Also, keep predicting rain; but keep missing out.

Went to breakfast the other day at Hazel's Nook and the waitress called Carl a Stud Muffin. He keeps reminding me about that.  I call him a Stuffed Muffin.

On Saturday we rode our bikes, round trip 9 miles, to the Orange Beach Arts Festival. It was on the inter-coastal waterway in a park. It sure was crowded. It is a lot like our festival but not as much food and more art. Vendors from all over the U.S. was there selling. They had glass blowers and pottery makers. There also was talent in different areas.  Below, is some of the pics I took while walking around.  (No, I did not buy anything--way too expensive.)

We went to the beach about every day.  It was really busy Sunday with college students. There was a bunch from Texas AM and Iowa.  Most of the girls had the smallest bikinis on and all were drinking having a hi-oh time.  That day we went down by the Seaside condo. Took a pic to remember the "good ole days" there.  On Tuesday, we went down to the state park beach and the Blue Angels flew by on their way back to Pensacola.  Tried to get my phone out in time, but just got a speck going by.

The water temp is really not too bad. Actually, it feels warmer than Lake Michigan did last year when we camped at Pentwater last year with Ryan and Becky.

Carl was being silly again and wanted to see how he would look in hair again. But, he never would have combed it quite like this:

We planned on staying here at the state park in Gulf Shore for an additional two weeks; but we were not able to re-register, because they are filled up with reservations. Spring break down here is the same as ours.  BUT, we are not coming back to Michigan quite yet.  We will be staying in Biloxi, Mississippi for the additional two weeks at Cajun RV.