Decided not to stay another night in the state park and headed out along the coast again. Filled up on propane while we had the chance. First stop was Ocean Springs. Touristy little place. We found the pottery "colony" way off the beaten path. Some really nice things. Received state $$ to reopen after Katrina. Clerk and another woman talking about it. Said can't believe it is 4 years later and still all they talk about. Got a little something for my sis. Drove through the old downtown with more artists, shops, etc. Nice. Seem like very wealthy people here on one side of the road and not so rich on the other.
Over the brand new 6 lane bridge to Biloxi. We were going to take a tour on a shrimp boat but no one around. Lots of shrimp boats docked right behind the Hard Rock Casino and Beau Rivage all redone right next to it. Hardly any people. We then thought we would take boat out to Ship Island which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore but trips were cancelled because it was so blustery.
So, instead we went to the Jefferson Davis home. See pictures. Totally devastated and you can just not believe how well they have restored it. We were surprised that the guards at the parking lot had guns on their belts. The older ladies in the gift shop-in a temp building like they have around overcrowded schools- were very nice and solicitous of Jack. Got golf cart to take him to the home and used elevator to get him to main floor. They said they were so sorry to see the couple go that restored the interior. Art historians who went down to the original paint, etc. Triomphe d'oil work throughout is all amazing. They left a couple of places where you could see the color before Katrina and the colors they returned everything to. Many of the furnishings were lost but still saved quite a bit. I asked why they didn't move things or protect them and they said in all of the hurricanes in all of the years, Katrina was the first time water made it into the house, and it would have taken them weeks to move everything so they just took what they could carry essentially. The entire museum was lost. A few very beat up pieces from the museum on display in the gift shop. They are planning a presidential library on the property.
Very interesting history. After the Civil War everyone in the south became US citizens except Jefferson Davis. He was a man without a country. Lived in poverty but tried to keep up a good front. Believed he was right until the end. Lived a very long life. His wife and daughter moved to NY City after he died. Seems odd.
As we drove along we saw a lot of empty lots where things had been leveled. Example is a totally empty lot where there was a sign for Outback and several shops. Also lots of new development especially restaurants and motels/hotels. The road along the coast is much better than it used to be. The guide in the Davis home said that settlements with FEMA and lawsuits are the hold up for a lot of things that people want to do.
Went to look for Michael's in Gulfport (need a cross stitch fix) which is next city. Turned out the store is near I-10 which we are taking to New Orleans tomorrow so found an rv park nearby. Outlet malls, shopping centers, etc all new in this area as well. We were surprised how many miles in from the shore you can see damaged buildings, etc. The park section with longer term rv's is packed. The section we are in for short termers is empty. Did laundry and for the first time since we left Tampa we have TV so we will catch up on weather etc.
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