Jan and Dean's New Adventure: Last Day in Mississippi

Yesterday morning we started driving west on highway 90, which runs along the Gulf of Mexico. It seemed the further west we went the more, well, I probably should say less we saw. The area of damage became more widespread, in a lot of areas west of Gulfport, there was nothing left back to the railroad tracks, which are about a quarter of a mile from the highway.

The highway is closed at about a mile before the bridge to Waveland, Bay St. Louis area. I've been told that the Katrina damage is even worse there, which I just can't imagine after seeing this area. They are really doing a terrific job of cleaning up though. I saw pictures of the beach that were taken just after the storm and you wouldn't know that there was a sand beach there for all the debris. Long Beach has a large area of their beach open for public use but I'm not sure that I'd go in the water as you don't know what debris is hidden on the bottom. The officials do know that there are many, many vehicles out in the waters of the Gulf, along with who knows what!

We stopped and visited with some friends, Bill and Bette, on our way back to Gulfport. They live in Long Beach and had little to no damage other than roof shingles. We did a lot of catching up and had a very nice visit. They are talking about getting a travel trailer and hitting the highways when Bette retires which I believe she said will be in less than two years.

Next we went to our "old" neighborhood and visited with our neighbors and friends of 30+ years, Fred and Peggy. They took us out to lunch at a place called the "The Shed BBQ". What a place! You can check them out on line at www.theshedbbq.com . The BBQ is very good. Some of the best that I've had! Next door to the Shed is a campground that used to be a KOA where we did a lot of weekend camping. We didn't check out the campground, but it and The Shed are directly off I-10 at exit 57. If you head this direction, make plans to stop for some of the best BBQ there is. After lunch Fred drove us around the bayou's in Gulfport and showed us more damage. The water line came within 800 feet of our old house which sits at an elevation of 32 ft. I'm so glad that we didn't live there anymore. Fred and Peggy are also talking about getting a travel trailer and hitting the road (I doubt full time) when Peggy retires this year. I told them to go for it!

It was so good seeing our friends and neighbors and talking on the phone to those we didn't have time to visit in person with, but now we must leave Mississippi and head for the dealer in Pensacola, FL to get this darn slide fixed.

My prayer is that God will protect the Mississippi Gulf Coast from storms for many years to come. The estimate that I've heard is that it will be a good 10 years before the coast can recover from Katrina. I believe that statement after driving highway 90. Of all the homes that once stood there are only a handful left, and those are not livable. There is no commercial business left anywhere along highway 90 from Biloxi to Pass Christian. Just signs of where they used to be. This is something that unless you see it with you own eyes, you just can't comprehend the devastation - I didn't. I am heartsick at what I saw, but the people of the MS. Coast have a drive that won't quit and they will be back!

Here are more pictures....
Pilings from a "safe" apartment complex with more apartments in background that are heavily damaged.