Saturday, December 28, 2013

Dreaming of a White Christmas


December 17 – 26, 2013

SIT arrived at Gulfport/Biloxi on December 20th. On our way there from Austin we stayed a three nights in Lake Charles Louisiana.

We had to do some TLC on the trailer, well it was filthy and needed a bath, plus we wanted to play some golf since the weather was actually above 60 for a day.

The weather along the Mississippi gulf was a bit below normal for the time of year so I finally had to break down and wear my jeans. Darn, my goal was to wear shorts all of December. Oh well, at least we weren’t in below zero temperatures.

Our first stop was to see the white sands of the gulf. I decided this was a nice way to have a white Christmas without having to put your snow suit on!  The bad part though is Izzy can’t enjoy the beach like we can since they don’t allow dogs. Oh well, she was able to take a nap!
Inviting You Out

 

 

We headed to a few places we were told we should visit while in the area. The first one is the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. Walter Anderson lived from 1903-1965 in the Ocean Springs area for most of his life. His art depicts plants, animals, and people of the Gulf Coast and your eyes are drawn your to them to search for all the hidden treasures.

We did get some pictures but the museum is well worth the trip if you are ever in the Ocean Springs/Biloxi area.
His Dining Table
Birds in Paradise

Determination

Man and Lion

Swimming Fish

Horse
 
He created the Community Center Murals as a gift for Ocean Springs. You walk into the room and are pretty much amazed. The work was finished in 1951.

 

 
He was known to be a bit eccentric and would take off on his bicycle which was how he got around. He rode it to New Orleans even to get some paint. He also would take his boat and row out to the barrier islands where he would spend weeks drawing and painting and writing in his journals.

We hit the visitor’s center in Biloxi and found some great carvings on display. The Lighthouse is also in the middle of the highway in front of the center. To our knowledge it is the only one in the middle of a highway!


 


Two Herons carved from Katrina Driftwood
 
We spent a few days staying at the Gulf Seashore National Park. This gave Izzy a chance to play fetch so should could get some exercise and use up some of that energy. She was getting pretty excited for Christmas since she usually gets a present.
My Bone

Throw It Pretty Please

 
We also took their nature trail hike and we were by ourselves so Izzy roamed leash-less. That was both good and bad as she found a bog and made herself some mud socks. The good part was she probably got about 4 miles of running and walking in!

 


 
 

 
The Gator Pond

We had a chance to go visit a couple that I worked with during my career. Byron and Carol moved to Long Beach from Washington DC in July. It was great to see them and it gave Izzy a chance to have a play date with their dogs too!

The other place we were told to check out is Beauvoir the home of the only President of the Confederate States of America and the place where he penned his memoirs. Beauvoir is a Mississippi Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

The Green Gate
 
It serves as a museum and the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library.  Beauvoir, which means beautiful view in French, was built by wealthy Mississippi planter-entrepreneur James Brown. The house was completed in 1852, and was eventually purchased by Jefferson Davis in 1879.

The estate had been used for a soldier’s home after Mrs. Davis (Varina) sold to the Mississippi Division, United Sons of Confederate Veterans. Through her direction upon the sale the home and the grounds were dedicated to the veterans.

The house was decorated for Christmas and the furniture inside is of the era and simply beautiful. We were unable to take pictures inside but the doors on the back porch will give you an idea of the height as well as quality.
The Back Door

Bedroom Doors
 
Our first Christmas on the road was wonderful and we feel very blessed to have the opportunity. Plus the turkey breast we cooked was great! Steve didn’t complain about the chocolate chip cookies either.
 
We pulled up the stabilizers and hit the road Friday with our next destination Milton Florida in the panhandle. Stay tuned for why Milton!   

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