Jack & Stacy's Excellent Adventure!: Biloxi Blues (well, not really)

A million years ago, Jack was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, so he was especially keen to revisit his old stomping grounds. We tried to get permission to cruise thru the base, but were met with stoney stares and a firm but respectful, "No, Sir. That is NOT allowed". We'll be seeing a LOT of Biloxi, as we've had to extend our stay to have some work done on Bessie, our trusty Ford F-150.

Biloxi white sand beaches, 84 degrees!!!

Since Jack was here last (1967), the Biloxi-Gulfport stretch of coast has been devastated by two major hurricanes: Camille in 1969 and Katrina in 2008. Driving around the east end of the Biloxi peninsula we saw blocks of empty building foundations where the neighborhood was leveled by Katrina and simply not rebuilt. However most of the area has been not just rebuilt, but greatly improved, thanks to a MAJOR effort from the state (and FEMA funds). Everyone we talk to is extremely proud of the Biloxi spirit, and no one seems to be dwelling on the past. The Biloxi area is regaining its reputation as the Riviera of the South, with at least 10 casino-hotels, including a Hard Rock and a Margaritaville Casino-Hotel.

We went to the Biloxi Visitors Center where they had a wonderful 45-minute video of Katrina's devastating blast through town. It was really moving, and drove home how powerful these storms are. Several residents told their individual stories, and they showed dramatic local footage of before, during and after the "surge".

On Sunday we took a day trip eastward to Dauphin Island, Alabama, a resort area just off of Mobile Bay. Beautiful and pristine white sand beaches, houses built on stilts (that apparently survived Katrina, or they are new), and not much else. On one end, there was Fort Gaines, another defensive installation dating back to the early 1800s. Adjacent to the fort is the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.