Swamp People

Many people asked why Morgan City, Louisiana and not New Orleans well it's all about Swamp People. If you've ever watched the TV show you probably know what I'm talking about. You see Troy Landry lives in Pierre Part which is about 10 miles away from where we are camped but more about that later.

I wasn't really sure what to expect when arriving in Morgan City, I haven't been to the south. After spending a few days here I would have loved to stay longer. On arrival our neighbor introduced herself to us and was disappointed to find out we were only staying 3 nights.

Our site backed onto Lake Palourde which is well know for great fishing and boating.


Our rig in the middle of the picture site #85

The view from our back window can't get any better

People actually swim in this lake. Not doing that two reason one alligators and two cottonmouths. This is the perfect habitat for both. There is only a levy between us and the wilderness. The whole town including the campground is below sea level. So to prevent flooding a levy was installed many years ago consisting of a berm with large steel girders.

Levy

Barges travel up and down the river carrying cargo from one town to another.

Barges travel up & down the Atchafalaya River

Like I mentioned earlier one of my favorite people to watch on TV is Troy Landry from Swamp People. We were told he hangs out at a shell station in Pierre Part, so away we go. We couldn't find the place so we stopped I asked for directions and ended up eating lunch with Stanley. The story is that Stanley has owned this store/repair shop/gas station/ meeting place his entire life and loves too talk to anyone that stops by. Stanley was having lunch as we ventured by and invited us to "sit and have a bowl". We accepted and were treated to the best stories and the greatest food.

Our new friend Stanley

Chicken  sausage &  orca gumbo 

Our bellies were full and our brains filled with memories and stories to last a lifetime. But we had to continue on down the road to see if we could find Troy. Finding the shell station was easy, finding Troy not so. He was out of town and gator season doesn't start until September. Oh well we did get to see Duffy's.

This is where Troy brings his gators

On the Thanksgiving episode of Swamp people Liz and her family went hunting for Nutria. What are nutra you ask? Well they are a rodent that is not indigenous to North America but released many years ago and have flourished ever since. As I was having my morning coffee these Nutria walked by totally unafraid of people.

Nutria

The squirrels here are like most, unafraid also. They are so bold they will climb up your screen door to get food.

Very bold squirrels

Biloxi, MS

Leaving Florida and moving into uncharted ground was exciting for us. Last year, Biloxi was on our list of places to see but motorhome troubles caused delays and some places had to be cancelled Biloxi, MS being one. I decided on the Majestic Oaks RV Resort because of the great reviews and very friendly people. I would not be disappointed. It's a small resort by some standards but that's what we like.

The welcoming signage

Entrance to resort, pool on the left

Interior roads all paved

Our site # 33 beautifully landscaped

Biloxi, MS is a small city with a population of approximately 45,000. Lying on the Gulf Coast it is considered a subtropical climate with mild wet winters and hot humid summers. When driving along the coast a very well known landmark is the Biloxi Lighthouse. This lighthouse, made of cast iron and brick was built in Baltimore and shipped south to Biloxi where it was completed in 1848.

Biloxi Lighthouse, Gulf in background

Across the road is the visitors information center which was completed in 2011.

Antebellum style visitors center

You can't visit Biloxi without seeing and talking about the destruction and impact that Hurricane Katrina had on the city. Many hurricanes have hit the Gulf Coast but none like the one August 29, 2005. The storm surge level can be seen on the inside of the lighthouse.

Storm surge levels

The first cannery factory opened in Biloxi in 1881. The coast was dominated by shrimp and oyster boasts in the 1950. With legalized gambling in 1990's came the casinos. Biloxi became a tourist destination creating an important center for millions of dollars. Floating casinos dominated the coast. When Hurricane Katrina hit on that fateful night the barge casinos where ripped from their supports and thrown inland contributing to the damage. Years later the destruction has been cleaned up but the emptiness remains.

Empty beaches once riddled with casinos and restaurants

Across the road from the beach once stood large antebellum homes now the lots are vacant. All that remains are concrete pads and driveways leading to nowhere.

Just trees remain, sign says lot for sale by owner

Many owners chose not to rebuild because insurance cost made it unattainable. Also Biloxi city by-laws stipulates that a house has to be rebuilt in the old antebellum style. Well that sure isn't cheap.

Concrete pad and driveway is all that remains

Brick fireplace is all that remains

On that fateful night Hurricane Katrina came ashore at high tide with a storm surge of 27 feet. Ninety percent of the buildings in Biloxi and Gulfport were destroyed. Trees were also hard hit. But something good has come from this. Local artists sculpted the now dead trees into works of art.

We decided to try some of the local cuisine. A restaurant that has been a landmark here in Biloxi and one that was rebuilt on the beach after Katrina.



The first thing that hit us when we walked in was the wonderful smell of all the different spices they used when cooking. They had shelves of herbs, spices, potions, from hot to suicide and beyond. Susan and I both looked at each other and wondered if we would have a stomach after we left.

Cajun catfish, hushpuppies, and fries

Sole, hushpuppies, fries, and coleslaw

The food here was fabulous, my catfish was very spicy Cajun style. Susan's was mildly battered with a little bite. If in Biloxi I would highly recommend this place.

Watching the sunset after supper

Sightseeing, amazing food, wonderful sunsets how can we finish off Biloxi. The only way is spending some cash at the casino. We chose The Hard Rock Casino over the others for no particular reason and had a great time.

Hard Rock Casino

 



White Sugar Sand and Clear Blue Water

When I think of the top of Florida I think of white sugar sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. We had a couple of reason for stopping beside the beaches. One, it was a great midway point getting to Mississippi. We know and like the area as we have been here a few time before. Secondly, and most importantly we had a chance to reconnect with a couple of great friends.

Once we arrived we got set up then decided to seek out our friends.

Our site # 77

We met Betsy and Nancy a couple of years ago in Lake Louisa State Park, FL. At the time they had a very young full of energy black lab puppy named Spirit. I'm soon to find out that Spirit is no longer that cute puppy but an energetic beautiful 2 year old.


Spirit

Riding to the beach to catch a sunset is a nice feature about this park. Once a private campground turned state park the beautifully landscaped park offers something for everyone. Besides the beaches, there are miles of hiking trails, a paved bike path to the beach, an unheated pool, free WiFi, and lots of ranger run programs if you what to participate.

Beautiful Sunsets

Susan riding her new bike and loving it

A neat fungus, looks like a flower

The four of us pretty much decided to hang out together for the next couple of days. They invited us for supper, our first taste of chicken and sausage gumbo. OMG it was sooooo good. We invited them for desert, chocolate cake vodka, grape moonshine, and caramel whiskey. Catching the theme. We all shared stories of our various adventures across the country. What a great time. Check out Nancy's blog RV-A-GOGO.blogspot.com for more great adventures.

Betsy, Nancy, & Susan

Goodbye Bonita Hello North Florida

After 2 fabulous weeks in Bonita we said our goodbyes not really knowing when we would be back. It's always sad to leave such great people but this is a travelling year for us. So new adventures here we come. Beside our great friends Dave & Marilyn will be using the place for 3 months in our absence. I call this a win, win situation all around.

As we make our way to the north of Florida we are noticing the temperature gauge going down. We started in the high 70's at 9:30 with the air conditioning on now it's 65 at 11:00. Susan is not happy.

Our overnight stop is Lee's Country Campground just off the I-75 and a few miles from the I-10. We've used this campground before for it's convenience. As I stepped out of the truck in my shorts and t-shirt donning a SW Florida tan I was hit with a blast of cold winter air. OMG I'm lovin' it. I get a not so happy look from Susan and a very strange look from the owners. Oh, did I forget to say it's 46 degree. Finally nice cool days and nights, from air to furnace.

This campground is not a destination resort but a great stopover on our way west. It has all the necessary amenities, 30/50 amp service, water, and for a dollar more you can have sewer. Their is no over the air TV stations but I'm sure you could get satellite. After talking to the owner the campground is up for sale and unless they sell it, it will close in January 2014.

The office

The only real issue I see with this campground is the frontage road. It's called Thunder Road and the name says it all. The traffic noise can get pretty bad at time. People seem to race down the road at all times of the day and night. However it is a pretty little place.

Pretty campground close to Thunder Road

Home Sweet Home

We arrived home in Florida almost a week ago and I realized I had not blogged in that time. Just having toooooooo much fun. We've managed to combine a little work with lots of play. Wash the outside of the park model, go for a pontoon boat ride with our friends Murray & Laurel. Weed the garden, have an afternoon beverage with our neighbours Frank & Sheila. Catching the theme yet. Like I said a little work and lots of play.

Susan had never been to Lover's Key State Park so we decided to venture over to breath in the early morning salt air and look for shells. Supposedly this park has the best shelling in all of Florida.

A horseshoe crab waiting for the tide

 At one time Lover's Key was only accessible by boat. By the 1960's a causeway was built connecting the barrier islands. Today the 2 mile long sandy beach can be accessed by boardwalk or tram. We chose to enter the park by the river since starfish litter this area when the tide is out.

Beautiful pristine beach with tide out

As Susan looked for shells, of course my face was to the sky looking for birds. Little did I know it would turn out to be a great birding day. Several birds in the area such as magnificent frigatebird, osprey, gulls, terns, and more. Many of the birds had no fear of humans.

Brown pelican making itself look pretty

Great Blue Heron walking the beach

After walking the beach for several hours the shell bags got a little heavy, we got really hot, and I was very hungry. We decided to head home knowing that shells will always be there another day. That's a guarantee on Lover's Key.

Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

As we moved down the east coast into Florida we make a short stopover at Seasons in the Sun Campground. This is another great place with lots of space between sites and all the amenities.

Campground fire pit

 There's a nice walking path with plenty of orange and grapefruit trees along the way. Picking the fruit is allowed by all campers but the rule is only pick what you can eat.

Easy back-in sites

The campground has a couple of nice lakes (with gators) to watch birds and animals. There are 2 pools one heated one not.

Large clubhouse with movie theater

Enough about the campground. Your probably wondering why is this place so special. Well it's not. We stay here because it is very, very close to Blackpoint Wildlife Drive (BWD) on Merritt Island. This place happens to be one of my favorite birding destinations. The BWD is a 5 mile drive around lakes and waterways and happens to be a prime stopover for migratory birds. So enough said, I was up with the birds (no pun intended) and out the door before the sunrise to catch the first shots of the day.

There was a lot of cloud cover and a few downpours but that didn't stop me. I'm usually good for 3-4 times around BWD. After my first time around the birds that I'm use to seeing were just not there. I did manage to get some shots of an American Avocet which was a first for me.

American Avocet



   

A Touch of the South



Sometimes it's hard to leave a place your fond of but you know in the back of your mind there's a new adventure waiting. We have always wanted to stop in Savannah, GA so this trip south we decided that 2 days should do it. Well that was our first mistake. Our second was turning too soon and driving through downtown Savannah. All I could say to Susan was if we lose our air conditioner on the large overhanging trees I'm not going back to pick it up. Anyone that drives an RV, can relate.

Being girls we're not afraid to ask for directions. However next time it won't be at the local liquor store. That's all I will say about that. Let your imagination go wild. Finally after an hour we found the campground pulled in and got set up.


Skidaway Island State Park - Site # 6

We decided to do a one day blitz of downtown Savannah so we started at the tourist information place which seemed logical. Wrong again. Are you seeing a pattern forming here!!!!! We informed the wonderful lady that helped us that we only had one day and wanted to see the highlights. An hour later we were still there and so confused as to what to see we just drove around seeing the some sights. We were so mentally exhausted we had lunch and decided on a hike leaving downtown Savannah for another trip.

The hike we decided on turned out to be quite a history lesson as well. The day was cool with no bugs, thank God since Susan hates mosquitoes. The trail started on an old historic road leading us through tall pines and old oak trees.

Old Historic Road leading into the forest

The beauty of the water and fallen trees

Trees with exposed roots and Spanish Moss

As we continued down the trail the first historic site we came across was an area of discarded oyster shells. Beginning in the late Archaic Period(4500-3000 BP), Native Americans consumed coastal shellfish in great amounts. Over the years, huge mounds of discarded shells accumulated near villages and campsites. These sites are called “middens” by archaeologists. Since the shells decompose very slowly, these sites are still visible today. Because of the accumulated shells, these areas are very rich in calcium and tend to be much less acidic than surrounding soils. As a result, many plants that are scare elsewhere on the coast can be common on the shell mounds. One such tree is the Southern Red Cedar.

"Shell Middens"

As we moved further down the trail we came across what looked like old river beds. These formations I found out are called “earthworks”. They were built as part of a large system of coastal fortification along Georgia’s coast during the Civil War. While the main entrance to Savannah’s harbour was protected by the massive brick structure at Fort Pulaski, many creeks and rivers south of Savannah provided a back door route for smaller ships. The smaller earthen fortifications made it difficult to move equipment and supplies.

Earthworks

In the early 20^th century, remote Skidaway Island was nearly uninhabited and only reachable by boat. Because of it’s remoteness Skidaway became a preferred hideout for moonshiners. Business peaked during prohibition but illegal liquor production continued until the late 1960’s. Moonshine was made by heating corn mash to release alcohol valors, which were condensed through metal coils and collected into barrels for distribution. Many stills fell victim to police raids note the axe marks on the barrels.

Old barrels with axe marks

One aspect of RVing is meeting new people with amazing stories. One such couple is Justin & Karli Mosey. They are newlyweds who left their jobs behind, bought an RV and a kitten, and decided to travel America. Karli is a semi-pro log roller who travels to different venues demonstrating the technique of log rolling using a manufactured log. This log was a real conversation piece, no one knew what it was until they explained it.

New friends Karli, Justin, and their kitten

Their ?1976 GMC motorhome

The red, yellow, and blue manufactured log is at the back of their motorhome. Resistance is increased by adding or subtracting the yellow fins. Pretty cool.

A neat turtle I found at the visitor center