A Week in Gulfport, Ms

We arrived in Gulfport, MS a week ago today and found a perfect pad at the CB Base in Gulfport.

We don't usually stay in military FamCamps because they are usually out of the way or it is next to impossible to get into them because of permanent party personnel utilizing them as their homesteads. This base isn't much different except they keep at least 10 sites for "transits". That is if you come before or after snowbird season! Anyway, full hook-ups along with free wifi and cable for $100 a week. Good deal!

Our primary reason for stopping was to visit with Dean's youngest daughter Krystal and her husband. Unfortunately, it didn't work out and we didn't get to visit with them. Maybe next time?

We have stayed busy, catching up with a lot of friends that still live here that we haven't seen for awhile. One in particular, Bill & Bette, were glad to see us. They are the ones that recently bought their first fifth wheel. Bill was having problems with one of the fantastic fans and Dean was happy to help him solve the problem. Bette cooked us a wonderful meal of roast, potato's, & carrots.

We also went in search of a couple of our "old" favorite restaurants. The Dinner Bell used to be located in D'Iberville and I would go there for lunch when I worked at Keesler AFB. Like so much, Katrina displaced them and they are now located in Woolmarket. Not to worry though, we found them and I had my dressed/pressed po'boy! It was soooo good!

We made a return trip to The Blow Fly Inn in Gulfport, another one of our favorite places. We had a wonderful lunch of rib eye steak, roasted potato's, salad and banana puddin for dessert. This was at lunch time and was the lunch special for $7.00 including tea.

We drove the back roads looking for the house the Dean and his Dad had built in the 70's. Found it but time sure has changed the area! I had to look twice to make sure it was the right house. Of course we made a drive by our old house on Hand Drive and drove the beach and Pass Road several times. It still makes me sad to drive the beach - so much has changed and will never be the same. I still don't understand why New Orleans got all the attention from Katrina when there was so much devastation along the whole Mississippi Gulf Coast. There are so many empty lots, two blocks deep, as you drive along the beach drive. Very few houses are being rebuilt - it's very sad.

Saturday night we went to the Hard Rock Casino for the Tim Conway & Friends show. My daughter, Suze, bought tickets for us for Mothers Day/Fathers Day since she knew we wouldn't spend the money for them. A BIG THANK YOU WITH LOVE SUZE!! It was a fabulous show and I'm glad we didn't miss it. Tim Conway was so funny. He did some stand up comedy along with several skits with his Friends. The friends were Chuck McCann who has done a lot of voice over for commercials and cartoons, and Louise Duart who does impersonations. She was very good starting with Edith Bunker and ending with Carol Barnett. In between was Barbara Walters, Cher, Carol Channing & Joan Rivers to name a few. A wonderful evening of great entertainment.

Yesterday we visited the church we belonged to when we lived here - Handsboro Baptist Church. When we went there the church was always full on Sunday mornings with lot of young folks. Yesterday, it seemed very empty. Is this another dying church? I hope not. Dean and I both sang in the choir and there were at least 30 members when we were active. Yesterday there were maybe six in the choir. This really saddens me. Where have the people gone? I know that a lot of the "mega" churches have drawn from the mainstream churches - could this be the problem here? It was nice seeing some of the members that we know and catching up with old friends. My second daughter Susan (didn't know I had one, did you?) and her Mom were there. It's always nice seeing them. Suze is coming to Gulfport to spend Memorial Day weekend with Susan - they were BFF's in school.

So here we are, Monday, May 3rd and tomorrow we depart Gulfport for Freightliner in Mobile to get the engine oil changed and the chassis lubed. Then on to Pensacola to Carpenters to get my new Microwave/Convection installed. I don't think the jack are there yet so that will have to wait. Then we will head to Montgomery for a few days to see our granddaughter, Morgan, for her birthday.

It has been a relaxing, fun week with a little sadness at not getting to visit with Krystal & Ed. Can't believe it's almost over. So....till next time, Stay Safe.

I've posted a few pictures at Picasa.