Each Each side of Beach Blvd/Highway 90 between Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi was flattened during the 2005 hurricane season. We saw vacant land after vacant land. Many with FOR SALE signs, all with driveways going to the property where only concrete foundations remain. Some homes and businesses have been rebuilt, some are still boarded up with the damage of Katrina leaving its mark. Remains of restaurant signs on the empty spot where it once stood. The vast destruction is still so evident.The positive in all of this is that these communities have the opportunity to rebuild and reorganize the layout of these coastal resort towns. A new shopping mall just opened, high rise condos and casinos and hotels offer unobstructed view of the Gulf shore and white sandy beach. Its all new. No trash. No run down buildings. No slums. This area is inviting with southern hospitality and friendly people.
On to Louisiana. We are bypassing New Orleans for now. We will stop there on our way back to Florida in April. The weather should be warmer. Today it is only in the mid 40's. Also this is Mardis Gras week. We called several RV parks with going rates of $40-$80 a night-just to camp! So we are taking I-12 to the north of Lake Pontchartrain thru Baton Rouge. We crossed the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge which is actually two parallel bridges between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The length of the bridge is 18.2 miles long. It is the tenth longest bridge in the world. It travels over the largest swamp in the USA which is filled with wetlands, bayous, bald cypress swamp and marshes.
On to Louisiana. We are bypassing New Orleans for now. We will stop there on our way back to Florida in April. The weather should be warmer. Today it is only in the mid 40's. Also this is Mardis Gras week. We called several RV parks with going rates of $40-$80 a night-just to camp! So we are taking I-12 to the north of Lake Pontchartrain thru Baton Rouge. We crossed the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge which is actually two parallel bridges between Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The length of the bridge is 18.2 miles long. It is the tenth longest bridge in the world. It travels over the largest swamp in the USA which is filled with wetlands, bayous, bald cypress swamp and marshes.
Spending the night in Lafayette. The Live Oak Society has its headquarters here. This group was organized to preserve the live oak, an evergreen shade tree. Annual membership dues are 25 acorns. Thinking about joining!
Hoping to arrive near Beaumont, 
Texas tomorrow.
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