Dodging Storms

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Day 6 Navarre Fl to Clinton Ms. - 315 miles

Norman waving goodbye to Navarre Beach Campground

The weather was already hot and humid at 8:30am when we pulled out of the campground at Navarre. While eating breakfast I noted that the weather channel was telling the folks in Jackson Ms. to 'take cover' from a tornado. Our planned route involved a huge area of possible severe weather.

We traveled US98 to Pensacola, picked up I10 west, across a small portion of Alabama to Biloxi Ms and to down US90 which runs along the Gulf coast. This was basically ground zero for Hurricane Katrina. We are happy that we visited this area many times before the storm. Gone are the huge, waterfront homes, many dating from the Civil War era, along with the beautiful, stately live oaks. Driveways to nothing, mile after mile. Jaw dropping devastation still....Katrina happened in 2005. In a mere 200 years or so, it'll look just as good as before the storm! We did, however see the 'tree carvings' that we'd seen on the national news...they are awsome.

There was a strong wind coming off the gulf, blowing sand, across US90, so much so that the curbing on the far side of the hwy was covered. We turned onto US49 in Gulfport and made the FIRST turn toward the north. We'll be heading in this direction for a long time!

It was past lunch time as we neared the Gulfport Sam's Club. Who can beat a extra long Nathan's hot dog w/large drink for $1.70? This was our lunch, I'm a cheap date.

The weather deteriorated as we headed north. The rain started and continued very hard for miles. At one point we could see two very bad storm cells and thankfully we passed between them escaping any violent weather. We drove by several areas with downed trees and power lines. There is s great deal of flooding in this part of the country.

We almost didn't get a campsite for the evening. For some reason most places are full. We secured a site in Clinton Ms. with just one site left. The campgrounds seem to have many more transient residents than in the past. With this economy, it's not a surprise. We have been taking more state highways, going through small towns and the amount of closed businesses is staggering. Some small towns are virtually ghost towns. Very scary.

We enjoyed a nice grilled samon dinner, watched Cold Case and turned in early. Driving and even being a passanger in heavy rain is exhausting.

Traveling days aren't too exciting...not many photo ops either!