Eco-Tours of South Mississippi--rivers, swamps, bayous and birdlife!

One of the local attractions that we wanted to experience was the Eco-Tours of South Mississippi (228 297-8687 http://www.ecotoursofsouthmississippi.com/). We were a bit worried that the tours wouldn't run in February, but a quick call settled that.  Of course they went year-round! And certainly Maggie would be welcome as long as she stayed calm and didn't bark.

We booked the 2:00, hoping that the sun would have time to warm the temp over 50 degrees, and sure enough, Capt. Kathy Wilkinson was ready with her nifty tour boat--right at the new City Park in Gautier.





The fishing pier is for fishing, crabbing...or just hanging out!




Maggie started up front in between me and Nancy.




A brown pelican swooped by....




and we happened on a large flock (?) of white pelicans.


Nancy got this great close-up!

Osprey nests were quite a presence.

We meandered though Buzzards and Whisky Bayous...swampy and fun!

Towards the end we were chilly (and very grateful for Capt. Kathy's blankets and tarps), but her knowledge of the Pascagoula River, its history and ecosystems kept our attention the entire time. We especially loved the swamp!

Do Bud and Cloyd look a little chilled?

Maggie behaved like the lady she is...not a single bark!



If you're in the area any time of year, this trip is very worthwhile!

A dog's life...neat local restaurants and lazy afternoons reading!

With friends here this week, we've slipped into a laid-back routine of getting up late, doing a bit of touring, finding fun restaurants for lunch then reading/napping in the afternoon before the evening activities.

It's a lifestyle that Maggie is loving!

Some local restaurants that we've found and enjoyed are The Buttercup on N. Second Street in Bay St. Louis (228 466-4930).  This is a wonderful sunny place with tables out on the porch as well as inside and great sandwiches/salads. The breakfast menu looks great too.

Cafe New Orleans (http://www.cafeneworleansdiberville.com/) in D'Iberville (pronounced Dee-Eyeberville) is a local place featuring Cajun/Creole and local southern food like fried pickles.  Bud enjoyed the Shrimp Creole--and the portions are immense!

 The Ole' Biloxi Fillin' Station (http://www.olebiloxifillinstation.com/) is actually an old gas station from the 30's and 40's that's been converted to a pub/restaurant. We ate there last June and loved it and found the food just as good in February. The walls are lined with old black and white photos of the place when they served gasoline--not Po Boys.  Great atmosphere!  We'll return when it's warmer next week and let Maggie join us at the outdoor tables.

Today we are off to research gator farms and eco-tours!

Kitesurfing in Mississippi Sound

Yesterday a storm blew in--nothing like other parts of the country are getting, but the wind came up.  Around here when the wind comes up the kitesurfers come out.  There were three fellows just off the beach in front of our house, so we went out to watch.

Waters in Mississippi sound are shallow and winds kick up a chop--no deep rolling waves.

It turns out that the idea of kitesurfing or kiteboarding has been around since 1800, but wasn't refined to the current sport with high-tech gear and equipment until the late 1990's. Outfitting yourself can cost $3000--a notch up from boogie boarding!

Getting the equipment reeled in requires buddies, it seems.

This fellow's kite took off across the street, heading towards the huge live oaks that line Beach Rd. Stopping was a challenge, especially considering his bare feet. It was dicey for a moment--he could been pulled right out into traffic.

It all worked out in the end!



Houses (mansions?) and hurricanes...loving the Gulf Coast!

Where have I been, you might ask?  No posts since Sunday night...and here it is Wednesday morning!

Well...the sun came out, the temps warmed up and we took a day to drive east through Ocean Springs on Monday, and then west through Long Beach, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis and a bit north yesterday. Combined with stops here and there at our favorite casinos, the days just flew by and we plopped into bed by nightfall--no time to post!

Friends Cloyd and Nancy wanted to see the Friendship Oak, which is just down the road from us. legend has it that those who walk together underneath its branches will remain friends forever. 

Here we are!

Another view of this 500-year old Live Oak gives a bit of perspective...but you really have to see it in person to get the full effect. A word about Live Oaks--they are so called because they have evergreen characteristics.  Leaves (and acorns) are much smaller than our oak trees up north and they stay green and on the trees year-round except for a short time in the spring when they drop their leaves and grow new ones right away. They give a wonderful ante-bellum feel to the whole area.

I have seen this area of the Gulf Coast referred to as the Garden District--perhaps a new term for them, but it certainly applies. One especially lovely stretch in Long Beach (a mile or two down the beach) has wonderfully restored historic homes.

Palms line the walkway...hence Les Palmiers!



Some are two-story beauties!



Some have second-level galleries overlooking Mississippi Sound

The porches are designed for outdoor living.

It's very interesting listening to residents talk about Hurricanes Camille (1969) and Katrina (2005). Camille came at night, so people could hear the destruction, but didn't get to see the extent of the damage until the next morning.  Katrina came by day, so people got to see Mother Nature in action. The subject of hurricanes is a common element of conversation--clearly these storms are a huge part of the local culture.

Route 10 is the main east-west highway, and is set quite a ways in from the coast--5 miles in most places. We saw this marker for Katrina's high-water mark at an interchange in Bay St. Louis. Our GPS set the level at about 23 ' above sea level!



 

Fort Bayou Slim at the Shed...the sun comes out and a dolphin comes to play!

Here's a clip of Fort Bayou Slim...a marvelous blues band we heard last night at The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint. The food was awesome (though be warned if if you get the Jumbo Sampler--it could feed 6 normal people!). There was a toasty bonfire, children dancing to the music in front of the stage...we loved it!

Maggie was a hit and friends Cloyd and Nancy approved of the food and the music!





But that was last night....today the sun came out and temp climbed up to 60.  We set out on a drive to Ocean Springs, and got waylayed at Ken Combs Pier in Biloxi.

We thought we would take a stroll with Maggie out to the end of the pier (a classic Gulf Coast fishing/picnic pier) but never even made it onto the first board. Next to the pier is a small boat launch area that leads out into Mississippi Sound.

Some people behind us shouted "Look...a dolphin!"  Sure enough, a large dolphin had followed some fish into the small (and very shallow) area.  Maggie watched--but not too closely. Nancy got this great shot of her keeping her distance.

The dolphin spent a good 20 minutes fishing in very shallow water.

And while Nancy and I were snapping away, Maggie decided to head down the beach at warp speed.  Luckily, Bud and Cloyd enticed her back...but not before she took a dip.

Bad Maggie!