We need a break from New Orleans so we are heading to Mississippi to check out the gulf coast beaches.
On the way we stop at City Park so Jack can get a work out in in the track
. The rest of us wait with Starbucks. City Park in New Orleans is a 1,300 acre park with a variety of sport facilities, gardens, and playgrounds and amusement rides for kids. Best of all it has two tracks, a competition track (which is closed) and a practice track that is open. The park was designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park in New York City and the grounds at Biltmore Estate where we were just a couple days ago.
After Jack finishes we return to the nearby Starbucks so he can change and get something to eat. As we are waiting we see that they have painted a line on the exterior of the Starbucks that indicates how high the water was during Hurricane Katrina. The line is at the top of the doors, nearly seven feet high!
We set off for the gulf coast of Mississippi. Along the way we observe that the terrain is much like Florida, flat and swampy. Only when we drive over a bridge can we get a brief view of the surrounding area
. In Louisiana the traffic moves fast, real fast, but when we get to Mississippi everyone slows down, and for good reason. Police are everywhere pulling speeders over. We avoid any exchanges with the local police and arrive in Biloxi to find white sand beaches and muddy water. The beaches are empty, but we are told they will be busy this weekend as spring breakers flood to the gulf coast. The sand is fine, like sugar sand. Not sure if it is natural or imported sand.
We found a nice local pizza and salad place for lunch and decided to drive back along the coast for a scenic drive. What we found is tons of vacant lots from both homes and commercial businesses that had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Homes were gone leaving porch steps, foundations,fences, and mailboxes. Commercial building were vacant and abandoned, or torn down leaving empty parking lots and foundations. For sale and auction signs outnumber the remaining homes. Several homes and hotels and casinos have been repaired, but most have not
. Oddly Waffle House is going strong along the golf coast and seem to be spaced about 3 miles apart from each other.
We drove through some of the small towns but did not need any junky beach souvenirs so we just motored on. As we drove back into New Orleans we saw more abandoned commercial buildings and more vacant parking lots where buildings once stood. In downtown New Orleans there is a 6 or 7 story building near the VA Hospital that is vacant and abandoned.
Back in New Orleans we headed for the French Quarter to browse some antique shops. Many were junky, one was snooty, and one was very nice and welcoming. The proprietor showed us all around and told us the history of his buying trips to France. He gave us his business card which is the only thing we could afford.
The French Quarter is busy this afternoon. Lots of streets are closed to cars, so street musicians and performers are everywhere.
For dinner we walked a few blocks to a nice restaurant. A good meal, but not the best of the trip. The sun has set as we return to our hotel. Being Friday night the streets, restaurants and bars are busy. We have noticed a lot of Kobe Bryant LA Laker jerseys around town as Lakers are in town to play the New Orleans Pelicans.
Another full day, one more before this trip is done.
Mississippi Coast
Friday, April 08, 2016
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
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