Getting out of New Orleans was more difficult than I expected. Sunrise, lack of signs, and the fact that I10 East goes west in town all contributed to the troubles.
After entering Mississippi I realized that I had no “event” planned for the state. My new rules dictate that must have a memorable experience in a state to say I’ve been in it. So I turned off I10 and drove down to the coast. Route 90 is so close to the coast there are work crews shoveling sand off the highway! It’s a beautiful coastline, made poignant by the high water marks attached to the beach restrooms. Katrina’s marker is 24 feet above sea level. Even so, the houses along the shore are beautiful. Its a road well worth taking. I regretted turning back to the I10.
I learned about the USS Alabama Museum from a suggestion for the trip. It’s really much more than the battleship, having a submarine and a building dedicated to aviation. Timing and interest limited me to just the ship though. I’d never been on a battleship and the 16 inch turrets were a revelation. Hard to get into, and harder to move around. I shudder to think about being in one while it was being fired. The rest of the ship seemed very roomy compared to an aircraft carrier, I guess meaning that the size of the ship had more to do with providing a stable gun platform than crewing it. There were a host of displays dedicated to other ships scattered throughout it’s interior. Overall, a very nice museum that could do with some rework of the displays. It’s been a museum for decades. It’s so old it’s sort of a museum of museums.
Got my official “Retired” ID card at the Pensacola naval station. I should now be able to camp in the naval station in Key West. There are no other campsites there, and hotels are insanely expensive. Now if it will just not rain, I’ll be fine.
On my way to Destin I stumbled upon Historic Pensacola Village. I didn’t have time to see much, but it looked very nice.
DO NOT drive on 98 east from Pensacola. Traffic and traffic lights. Highways before interstates.
Gulfport
Note the Red Sign.
See the red sign?
More recent history.
Biloxi
This is the Visitor’s Center in Biloxi.
Mobile has some pretty buildings
This 5″/38 caliber gun mount is similar to the 3″/50 mount I was in when I lost most hearing in my left ear. Nostalgic.
The helm
View from the Helm
Interesting for tire freaks. (All MC riders are tire freaks.)
Shot 40 people, then became a lawyer.
You can learn all about brick making at the Pensacola Historic Village.
Just thought this was nice.
