Heading for the Coast

The sun is bright this morning and the air is crisp and cold. Yes, it is time once again to turn my eyes toward the South. I have the sense that as soon as I have totally escaped 'winter' I can begin to look for spring!

Leaving is hard. I've been here in Jackson with my family for five weeks, living in their backyard. That is not actually true, I have been sleeping in my RV in their backyard, living in their house. I have so enjoyed my time with the four of them. Each is a very special person and I value my time with each and treasure their differences. They all make my heart happy, as my little niece used to say.

ZeZe saying goodbye to me, Chorro saying goodbye to the cats, with the morning sun highlighting them.

Goodbye for now, Jackson Mississippi. Adventures are waiting. Places I have never been, people I have never seen.

Before long, we see huge stands of Southern pines that line the roadside.

Eventually turned into timber. I see many logging trucks on this road today. I realize that my perception of the logging industry was that it was confined to the northwest, but not only is it alive and well in the south, it was apparently born here.

We stop at a rest station so Chorro can have a short break. This one has a golf course across the road. Oh yes, I forgot that I am really heading into the GOLF coast, aren't I?

I travel through Hattiesburg on my way south. I trust the sign on the overpass is about University of Southern Mississippi spirit here and not a beauty pageant!

Then on to Gulfport Mississippi, about where Katrina actually came ashore two years ago. Gulfport appears to be a pretty little town. The only evidence I can see that the hurricane hit this town as I drive through is that the main street is lined with prefabbed houses for sale, rows and rows of them. The sight of them is a sad reminder than many people who lost their homes have still not been able to settle into homes of their own again.

After a long long traffic delay on the interstate, we arrive at our campground. The first task is always to level the RV and turn on the refrigerator. The second task is to take the wandering wonder dog for an initial reconnaisance trip.

We are not beside the water tonight, but there is a small pond in the campground.

Is it Alligator Pond? We take a closer look, but I can't tell and I am quite content not to know.

The sun is low even though it is just five o'clock. We are near the eastern edge of this time zone.

It is beginning to feel chilly. Time to go indoors and turn on our heater!

And tomorrow is a new day.