Tuesday 20th: The excitement of getting to Pensacola was partly to see the camp sites mom and dad stayed at but also he wants to see how much damage was done to the area from Hurricanes. Ivan came thru here and hit it quite good. The roof of the restaurant we ate at "Crabs We Got 'Em" was taken off during the storm. It is back on now of course but they still need to fix the door to the bar because it lets in a lot of cold air. Unfortunately the roads were being worked on that prevented us from getting to the campground, so we could not actually get to see the spot they were at. But it was mission accomplished anyway because that is what he wanted to find out. I had been in this area before the storm myself and i must say that it does not look much different than I remember. The water is beautiful and so is the sand, the temperatures are not so good at 42 degrees during the day and hard freeze warnings for the inland areas tonight. It makes you think twice about going back out to the car from a warm hotel room to get the gin, so that comes in with us the first trip.
Friday 23rd: After a $200 fix of the computer I'm back in business. Could not even get into safe mode!! But all files recovered and going again, but will need to load all my lost programs later.
Getting to Waveland dad showed me why he wanted to get down here so bad. This was a home away from home and everywhere reminded him of mom, but it has changed. The hurricane trashed much of the place so much is rebuilt. The park where they stayed is closed but we went in anyway and the store where he got fish is closed and trashed. The hotel we are staying in is out front the old grocery store (Coast Inn) so he can sit in the room and watch the action out front of the old store (passing cars). The Casino Magic is now the Hollywood Casino in one place and the other location on the beach is nothing but a foundation now being worked on. Many lots are for sale and empty but others have huge houses built on them standing on pillars that look like they would withstand a big storm. But talking to locals they see them as kites. The highway 90 bridge was completely destroyed and it was a massive concrete and steel thing.
So it is the same, but different, with memories built on what seems like shifting sands of a once sturdy foundation.
Weather is going to be rainy and cooler and the trip home will turn cold soon. But seeing this area has settled some things it seems and hopefully this will lead to a little peace of mind.
Slide show below will be added to in the next few days.
Sunday 25th: Left Waveland to return home today and traveled to Vicksburg to see some Civil War History. The hotel is the Battlefield Inn by the Vicksburg National Military Park and Museum. A great stop where dad can have some catfish and work the hotel bar. May stay another day because of the free drinks and all there is to see here..............a real good day.
Tuesday 27th: Seems like we are moving along sort of fast. Now in Nashville we are back in cold weather. Ice is forecast for tomorrow morning. But the drive along the Natchez Trace Parkway was nice. Temps about 70 degrees during the day. We stopped in at another campground along the way he knew, but it was closed for the winter. Another one or two days here in Tennessee and then it will be North for the push home.
Friday 30th: It's been a few days in Tennessee seeing the area around Cookeville. Nice hills and lakes make for possibilities later.Stopped in to see Bob and Donna McGovern in Crossville. It was a surprise to see that Bob and dad worked with the same people even though they never met before.It is a small world. After a long drive we are back in Warren Indiana staying at the Huggy Bear. It is the first stop on the way out for dad's trips and the last stop on the way back. I think there is some thermal sink at this spot because it is 5 degrees now with chill to -7.I think adding the temperature up from the first time here and this time it doesn't pass 10 degrees. Tomorrow is Saginaw and for me two days from San Diego.It will be good to get back home.
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