We have abandoned the Interstates. There is no reason for us to hurry and it is so much more pleasant to drive the backroads. Admittetly it takes more time, but the wear and tear on my nerves, the scenery, Joyce enjoying spotting Wildflowers is worth it.
Camped at Country Side RV night before last. Right on the side of Highway 49, in Mississippi. Very noisy from road traffic, but what can you expect from commercial campgrounds. It has been my experience that they are very close to the major highways, and who can blame them. Most people won't drive far from the road to find a campground unless it is one they know about and like. It was cold that night. Our Dometic heat struggled to warm up the camper (it did not), but kept us from hypothermia. Both of us slept in long johns, socks and snuggled under a blanket and two of Mom's quilts. It was 38 when we got up the next morning.
After we set up camp we drove down to Gulfport and did some walking along the beach and out to a fishing pier. Very pleasant setting and lots of people use the area. Not many on the beach, but people were fishing and catching them. Joyce got a good picture of a Brown Pelican.
We had decided that we (Joyce) wanted Barbeque for dinner, so I looked up Barbeque places using my GPS. Located on called Millers Ribs about 5 miles from us, so we drove up there. When we got to the place is was supposed to be, it had been turned into a bar called Orangatans. We did not go into to check out the Beer and Pretzels. As we were working our way back to Hiway 90, I spotted a little hole in the wall place called An-Jacs.. They had good BB and the potatoe salad was the best I have ever eaten at a resturant.
We drove down the road to the DeSoto National Forest Campground (only a couple of miles away) and immediately wished that we had stayed there. Full hookups and about ¾ miles off the main highway. Very little noise. If you are ever going to Gulfport, MS look up Big Biloxi Campground. You will not be sorry.
We had found out that the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Reserve was closed until April, so we did not go there. Instead we did a couple of hikes in the Desoto National Forest. Probably covered about 4 miles total. After that we headed east to Eric and Donna's in Pearl River La. Took Hiway 90 west. A lot of rebuilding has been done since Katrina, and most of the debris has been moved, but there are a lot of concrete slabs and steps leading to nowhere. The campus of Southern Mississippi University was gutted and no one there. What a pity, and the towns west of there, Pass Christian and Ocean Springs, appeared to be hit worst.
We arrived at Eric and Donnas's about 5:30 and they got home shortly after. We spent an enjoyable evening with them. Last night was a good night not to be camping. It rained quite hard during the night and while we can sleep in the camper and be dry, we hate the thought of having to take it down wet.
Left there this morning, and took the backroads to Layfaette, La where we will spend at least two nights. Once again we are in a commercial campground within sight I-10. Nice campground, good facilities but noisy. We have gotten use to road noise and can sleep through it. Was not a great day for traveling, but by taking the “road less traveled” it was not bad. We covered about 200 miles today. Some some egrets, and Joyce saw a few flowers. The bad thing about taking these types of roads, one never knows where the next bathroom will be.
Supposed to cold again tonight. It keeps raining and the wind is blowing, but we will be ok. We bought an electric space heater at Walmart and that should help with the cold. We will run the onboard heat also. Let you know the next time how we did. Well I have probably bored you enough for now, so let me post this.
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