M-I-SS-I-SS-I-PP-I

Kiln, MS
McLeod County Park

It was a very short 85 mile drive from the SE corner of Louisiana to the SW corner of Mississippi.  McLeod County Park turned out to be a real jewel of a find.  It sits right on the Jourdan River. The loop in the front is more open but the loop in the back is right on the water.

We were very happy to leave behind the heat and humidity and arrived to much cooler weather with no humidity.  Pure luck I'm sure that our next few days here would remain like this.

It's a beautiful park that the locals flock to.  Very popular since you can tie your boats, kayaks and jetskis right up in front of your site.  We lucked out with getting, once again, what we feel is the best spot in the place.  R7 sits by itself with no sites around it.  It had it's own cove and tiny private beach with sugary, white sand.  FHU's for $26.  The only downside I'd say is the roads through the campground are narrow as are the poured concrete pads to park on.  Luckily Steve is a champ at backing in and it didn't take long to settle in.

View out the back.

What's that... music??  Why it's an ice cream truck, er, van.  I haven't heard that sound for many years.

They are adding more campsites and it won't be long before R7 will have neighbors across from it.

It was still early and the weather was so nice we slid the kayak in right at our spot.

So many boats of all sizes.

We found an offshoot of the main river and had a quiet paddle most of the way.  The wild Magnolia's are just starting to bloom.  They are as big as a dinner plate.

River markers posted along the way.  There are miles of river out here to enjoy.

It was very calm and the reflections of the Cypress, Magnolia and Pines were pretty.

Heading back after a long day on the water.

Enjoying the nice evening.  No bugs either!  Loving it here!

We watched boats come and go then called it a night.

Good thing we spent yesterday on the water because today was supposed to be stormy.  We have been very lucky as these huge thunderstorm producing hail and tornados have been skirting us each time.  Just outside of the campground sits Stennis Airport.  We heard that military planes practice here and run every hour.  We must've gotten lucky again as we only saw 3 the entire time.

Our first stop was the Lazy Magnolia Brewery next to the airport.  They had a great thin crust pizza we sampled also.  Steve loved the beer.

We then drove 20 minutes to the coastal town of Bay St. Louis.  It was very cute and strangely quiet.  Not many people about or businesses open except a few restaurants.  You can see it's a very popular tourist spot but not many people around.  After walking around we chose to have dinner at Tripletails once I found out they have Royal Reds!  The music was blaring from the 3rd floor but the restaurant is on the 2nd floor.

View from the balcony.

We split the dinner as there was plenty for both of us and we even brought some home.  If you don't know what Royal Reds are, you must get some if you're in the gulf states.  These huge shrimp are deep red before they are cooked and taste more like lobster.  They are tender and buttery.  Mainly found in the deep waters off the Florida panhandle to the Mississippi coast around 1500 feet deep.

After our yummy dinner we walked the beaches.  Again, almost no one in sight.  We had an ice cream and walked the powdery sand.  The gulf is a murky brown instead of the emerald green not too far east.  Not sure if this is normal or from all the recent storms that here in the bay.

On our way back through town we came upon this statue of Jesus and the Stations of the Cross near a seminary.  We stopped so we could walk around and visit. 

The 14 Stations of the Cross depict Jesus Christ on the day of his Crucifixion. (Those CCD classes paid off.)  This was off a main road but I bet almost no one comes here.  I love old history like this.

Later that evening another storm was coming through and made some of the most colorful skies I've ever seen!  The picture below is about 15 minutes later.

The sky was glowing with purples that I don't think I've ever seen.

Then came the reds.  Wow!  It's like the song, Smoke on the water, and fire in the sky!

Oh and by the way, I've been busy finishing my first picture.  My friend, Tina, gave me this Italian coloring book of one of my favorite actors!  I have to say though, the pencils are supposed to be erasable, but they don't erase everything!  ;-)   

Molte Grazie, Tina!!