Mini vacation

Rested yesterday. Got back Monday, the Fourth, from our mini-vacation. We went down on Thursday evening to take the kid to my sister's place in Gulfport.

So we left here at about 6:40pm. Stopped at the Alabama welcome center with the Saturn rocket. That's cool. I think we finally got to my mom's place in Long Beach at about 3am. The people in Alabama drive 2 ways on the freeway-way below the speed limit, or WAY above it! I think we were the only car in the state actually doing the SPEED LIMIT.

We slept for a few hours and then got up and went over to my sister's place on the Naval Base. After awhile, hubby and I went out. we went to eat at Whataburger-which I miss from Texas. Then we went to the Biloxi Old City Cemetery. Then down to Pass Christian and the Live Oak Cemetery. Then we walked along the beach and found the benchmark in Long Beach along the seawall. We had been out awhile, so we stopped and ate dinner at Taco Bell. Yummmmm. Overlooking the Gulf at that. Went back to sis's place and chilled for awhile. Tried to watch the Busch race, but Truex won and I can't stand him. Bummer. Went to bed, but our air mattress has a leak. So we were sleeping flat on the floor by morning.

Saturday, hubby and I got up early and headed for New Orleans. We stopped first at Cafe Dumond for begneits. I love that place! We grabbed some tourist info, walked around Jackson Square and headed back to the car. I coulda swore that we were there less than an hour, but it must have been just over-and EIGHT BUCKS for parking is a crime! Only part that sucked really. So then we head out Canal St(since the tourist guy told us NOT to go to St Louis #2 cemetery-where I had wanted to go) to Metairie. We went to Greenwood Cemetery first. So much to see, so little time. Took tons of pix and then headed across I-10 to Metairie Cemetery. I love that one! The monuments are amazing. Again, so much to see, so little time-but I think we spent three hours in the area between the 2 cemeteries. Found the graves of Generals John Bell Hood and Taylor( Pres Zack Taylors son). We finally drew ourself away and headed out to Oak Alley Plantation. There is NO place to eat once you get across the Mississippi River and on to River Road. So we were starving by the time we got there. And they had a resteraunt. Now I'm not usually into fancy eating places and expansive food-BUT the chicken po'boy there was FAN------TASTIC!!! I'm getting hungry now just thinking about it! So then we go down and get tickets for the plantation tour. That was interesting and beautiful. And the trees are just, wow, so unbelievable. We had a Mint Julep(my first ever) before we left. And we made the hour trip back to Gulfport. Got back in time for the Nascar race. It was going good until Mikey's tire cut down. That sucked. As soon as that happened, I went to bed.

Sunday we spent with the kiddo. The three of us went out to Stennis Space Center for the tour. That was pretty damn cool. I had no idea that they would take us right out to where they test the rockets and the stuff in the museum was incredible. I highly recommend this freeeeeeeeeee tour! But it did take longer than we had expected. So we stopped at the beach in Pass Christian to play in the sand and water. Found another benchmark-the Pitchers Point one. We stayed out there for awhile. The beaches were the busiest I had personally ever seen them, but not crowded. Thought we had a nice quiet spot, but then a family of about 10 showed up and they had to be the loudest and stupidest people in all of Harrison County. So we took that as our cue to leave. Got back in time for the BBQ to begin. Burgers, dogs and the kids in a kiddie pool. Pretty nice. Just hanging out and resting since we were leaving early the next morning.

Monday morning, the Fourth of July, we left Gulfport at about 6:30am. Not easy leaving my baby there, but she is getting a vacation out of it, and I get a little peace and quiet before it is time for her to head back to school. So anyway, we decide to try a different way back home-up I59 to I20 and then over to I65. Yawn, I will never do that again. It was nothing but trees the whole way. Not that there's anything wrong with that-but it's way too boring for a road trip! We did however stop in Meridian, Miss. along the way and a couple of cemeteries there. One had loads of Confederates and also the King and Queen of Gypsies, Emil and Kelly Mitchell. Kelly Mitchell's grave was covered with Mardi Gras beads and liquor bottles! Cool! And then we went and found the Marion Confederate Cemetery. It was 170 unknown soldiers. Sad. And then made our way home. It rained most of the rest of the way. But we are now home.