Ocean Springs/Biloxi, Mississippi

It looks like we dodged a bullet weather-wise yesterday by leaving our campground when we did. A monster thunderstorm came through the region last night and dumped an inch of rain throughout the area. Breaking a wet and muddy camp is no fun but we were holed up in a hotel here in Ocean Springs, six miles east of Biloxi so didn’t have to deal with that.

A weather watch for tornadoes was in effect last night and severe hail occurred in some places so we were glad to be indoors. A thunderstorm and hail warning remains in place for most of today but tomorrow’s forecast is for a sunny 75 degrees. We are going to stay here another night to avoid any chance of getting caught in a downpour or even hail.

The day before yesterday we spent a few ours with our maps trying to firm up our itinerary. We came up with a minimum 16 overnights to get to Acadia National Park in Maine. Weather of course will have a major influence on how well we will want to stick with that.

Our ride yesterday was only some one hundred miles. Forty miles or so was right on the Gulf Coast, U.S. Highway 90 and the wind was blowing hard off the gulf. The sand from the beaches got into the inside of the trunk on the trike and any exposed skin felt like it was getting sandblasted. We left 90 to get to I-10 and away from the winds and sand and then decided to stop short of our planned stop in Mobile, AL, 50 miles from here.

I saw that there is a Sandhill Crane Reserve just a few miles from our hotel and the National Seashore we will be visiting to get another National Parks stamp is also just down the road. The skies right now our only partly cloudy so we should be able to do some sightseeing today.

Today I turned 59. I am reminded of an old friend of mine who passed on a few years ago, Judy Ritchey. Many who visit here will remember her. Not long after I met her she urged me to be first to call my Mom on my birthday to thank her for having me. Mom was thrilled when I did so and I made it a habit to do it every year. Mom is no longer with us either but I wanted to take today to thank another woman who has given me life as well.

Without her encouragement and support I would not have done so many of the things that brought me personal reward and satisfaction since I met her. She goes along with my mad plans and even more maddening sudden changes in those plans. She had adopted the slogan, “We have options, not plans". She nursed me back to health after breaking my femur and continues to brighten my days.

Thank you Von. I love you.

Greg