The Pot Luck to the Pirate Captain

I'll miss Mississippi when I remember the first miles when I was invited in to eat from the monthly church potluck to the last hours and my visit with the Captain. The elders of Pascagoula had every kind of southern cooking and two tables of cakes. I managed to resist the pies but did have fried chicken (when in Rome), "aw-rotten"potatoes, greens(I committed the cardinal sin and drained the 'pot-lickers' off my plate), liver and onions(I swallowed three bites), and cornbread. More memorable was when the congregation broke into song, happy birthday accompanied by the organist and his new "music machine that makes 200 noises." Fifty old folks singing that old standard to a Laurence Welch style polka that transitioned directly into happy anniversary to the tune in happy birthday polka style. In Pearlington I spent my last evening at the Mosquito Coast Yacht and Gun Club at Kelly Point Between two Bayous with access to the Gulf Coast where the Pirate Captain Fou reigns over the Mosquito Coast Tea Party Organizational Compound. (Which by law I cannot give an opinion of). Hearing the Captains tales of Caribbean adventure and survival of category 5 storms that spice his tea or coffee (whichever you may prefer). Someday I may return to the Mississippi and enjoy the Coast again. For now, Louisiana, the thirty third state we have stepped foot in steeps with adventures of it's own.
Walk to prevent or control diabetes.

General Delivery

Luckily all those who estimated how far it was to the post office in Pearlington were wrong. I made it there before the Post Office closed at two. New Hiking boots were waiting there for me. Thanks again to Red Wing Shoes for sending them to me at the last stop before Louisiana, Pearlington Mississippi.

To the Edge of the Wave

The morning storms and rain lulled me to sleep. When I awoke the front had blown past Bay St. Louis and it's edge was over the Bay. It was ten o'clock. I put my boots back on, donned my pack and rolled away. The paints I'd applied yesterday were rinsing away on the grass and road. The winds behind the front from the west, I pushed against the World for each step. Today was a mule day, I was the mule. Plenty of people stopped to talk, take pictures and talk some more. I found that I would not be able to stop at a facility a few miles past Waveland I had planned to get to. It didn't matter in the end, the winds were so strong and the conversations of the day only allowed me to get to the edge of Waveland. This was a day of few miles but a few of those who stopped left me saying they would walk more; I had a good day walking a few miles and accomplished my purpose for walking.
Wind or not, tomorrow I have a long day of more than twenty miles. I hope to get up and going before sunrise. I'll be walking after dark. An adventure! Walk for yourself, feel better.

Fire in the Skies

The rain was supposed to come last night. Just as I was ready to get on the road the lightening and thunders came with the showers. A morning of relaxation watching the light show in the Bay St. Louis City Hall and Police parking lot sounds good. The National Weather Service has announced a tornado warning for this county and menioned this city and others I've walked through in the past two days.
On a positive note, the bushes I am parked next to bloomed some pretty yellow flowers overnight. Winter on the coast.

Over the Bay, Bay Saint Louis

Gulfport, Pass Christian, all the cities from Biloxi have the beaches looking beautiful. Anyone can walk along a side walk all the way from Bay to Bay. Miles of broad boardwalks and benches. The view is breathtaking with the ocean to one side and a few hundred yards thick with hearty old oaks and the occasional tough old home mixed with the new; where there are any homes at all. I have never been along this coast and never saw it before but I can say the coast is ready, building back. The bay bridges are pedestrian safe,and the view... Walking slowly and listening to people talk about the hurricanes and the spill, it touched so deeply what it didn't wipe out. I met a man who built his dream home on the land he was born on. Now it is not a crowded neighborhood. He is like the first one in a brand new subdivision before everyone else gets the idea to move in, except he has a View of the beach. The old fart was happy as a clam. He is diabetic but too happy to care, and told me so.
Tonight I found myself again at the police station. This time it's Bay St,louis Mississippi. Who knows, tomorrow I might spend the night at the new state prison. I've had a long two days, just leave it at that...

Along the Boardwalk

We'll be walking along the beach front again today. The rain is due to come tonight. The sand is slowly grinding the World down. The paint and patches Will need a good day of maintenance soon. The Gulf coast is looking good and there is certainly lots of beach front property ready to rebuild if you want a great view.
Walk for your health.

In a Fog

I've spent the past two days in a fog. A fog so thick I could hardly see an eighth of a mile before me. Over the Biloxi Bay Bridge yesterday the only time I saw even a glimpse of the sun was as I walked upon it's highest point before it descended to casino row. The sun this morning has come out a time or two. We were soaked just before the fog lifted for awhile but I think ot may just be a passing break because it's looking thick. At least I can see about one half of a mile down the beach.
Two tales have stuck with me from yesterday of folks I met one was a man who's mother suffers from diabetes. Like I do often when I speak to people while walking to bring the point home about staying active I encourage walking to keep from loosing toes and feet. This man replied that his mother has had both her feet cut off due to poor circulation. I felt I'd put my foot in it but he assured me that he and his father had warned her and done their best to encourage her but she wouldn't listen. He said, "She made the choice.".
Don't make that choice, walk.
Another man drove up and said he had a hard family history of type-1 diabetes and he was on 8 shots plus 18 pills a day, was struggling but keeping after it. He had a positive attitude despite his burden and family history.
A good decision.

Into the Biloxi fog we go!

"The air you wear"

It's foggy this morning and it rained last night making all the paint I put on the worn spots of the World wet and running down the side. I could wait for the sun to break thru to dry it. There is very little wind to air dry the canvas. I will most likely go ahead and roll the dam-p paint off in the grasses and wet roadsides. I repatched some spots with fresh adhesive yesterday so those areas will be alright. Too many days of being wet wears off the paint faster and also separates the many patches slowly. I had stopped early in the day to work on the world yesterday but the woman who had offered a ride had an errand so I had to wait. The wait was a good time to rest, to be quiet and watch the people coming in and going out of the Walmart with enough time to also see their packages, what they drive. I guess I better get going.
Have a good walk.