...Magnolia State of Mind (Part Three), also known as "Take The Long Way Home"

At this point in the "Magnolia State of Mind" blog trifecta, I must share my personal travel mantra: Take the Long Way Home. (Hum the Supertramp song if you want!)

I get so annoyed by how many people miss out on what our country has to offer because of the manic "drive like a bat out of hell" from Point A to Point B mindset. What's the point in that? Schedule it to where you can take your time and check out some of the places, attractions, and people along the way to and from a destination. 

Case in point:

So, we pack to leave Gulfport. We clean up the vacation rental home, follow the directions, and check out. Instead of hitting the interstate and nearly killing ourselves on a mission to arrive in Missouri by midnight...we drive a bit to see more of the coast heading east towards Buloxi, MS. 

After we had a few more moments near the coast, that's when we make our way north to our hotel for the night in Arkansas. (Yes, you can break up a drive, please do!) 

Because I wasn't in a crazy hurry, mom and I were able to see things...

Did you know this? Just outside of Buloxi is a Lickskillet Road. I still wonder, was the skillet hot when they licked it? Is that why it was so "name-a-road-worthy" of an experience?

Heading north, we took the time to stretch our legs at rest stops and check out the "brown signs." One brown sign along our route had caught my eye many times. "Little Red Schoolhouse" is what it said, so this time we found out what it was.

I not only enjoyed stretching my legs here, but learning that this place wasn't just a "Little Red Schoolhouse" - it is the birthplace of the Order of the Eastern Star. Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Morris_(Freemason) 

On the second day of our "Long Way Home" I said, "I don't think I have ever been to New Madrid, Missouri." So, we went. Just off I-55 is this awesomely cute historic and interesting town. 

Granted, it sits right on a fault that could cause massive death and destruction, but I still enjoyed New Madrid. (Sorry about that dose of reality with the mention of the fault line!) The riverwalk area was so beautiful. There is so much history here. I know in the future I want to go back to really explore this area more. 

While I wasn't thrilled to get back to the Missouri temps, I am happy that on the way home we took the time to do some scouting reports. 

#1. New Madrid is on my list to return to in the spring or summer. Many spots to tour and explore.

#2. I know the next time I pass by the brown sign in MS for the "Little Red Schoolhouse" and it is a Tues-Sat, I am pulling over for a tour. 

Maybe we all need a "Magnolia State of Mind." I've noticed in the south people kinda tend to take their time. Often there's a slower pace. We can apply that to our travels. 

Mainly, don't just FLY via your vehicle at a high rate of speed towards your destinations. If possible, take your time to explore and learn more about your country and about your world.

Until next time... Happy Trails and Happy Creating, 

Michelle from MK Designs
Jan 2015 (but the trip was in Dec 2014)

The Magnolia State of Mind (part two)

Day 2 in Gulfport started with joy in my heart!  

The rain predicted for Sunday lifted with patches of fog to be expected. A warm front was coming up from the Gulf. Oh, and I decided we were so close to Louisiana, why not? Neither one of us had never been!

Cruising along 1-90 towards Louisiana, I had no idea a mixed bag of emotions was headed my way. 

We did a nice side trek (still in MS) along the coast through Bay St. Louis and Waveland... up towards the I-10 that leads to Louisiana. 

I love this shot my mom took on the way!

Once we crossed into the state, mom snapped my photo (thanks mom!) and besides squinting in the sun, I was bothered by the excessive traffic on a Sunday compounded with the HUGE amount of trash on the side of the road. (I am so thankful for the roadside adopt a highway programs Missouri and other states use!) 

Me and LA and trash in the far left corner.
Trust me, there was way more than what is showing in the photo!

After a quick stop at the LA visitor's center, we headed to New Orleans... NOLA for short. This is where I hope I offend NO ONE (these are just my thoughts), but I see why the NO is in NOLA. 

Visitor's Center for LA

I was able to navigate the city, but never parked. Mom took a lot of photos out the window of the cool buildings, and there were moments of beauty...

...but I have to be honest for every moment I said or thought, "Oh, this is totally what I pictured!" I had a twist of "Oh, this is so sad..."

A lot of things I saw made my heart ache. 

My mom clicked this in a residential area. Loved the houses!

Just how I had "pictured" NOLA to be. Love this one by my mom, too.

My quick NOLA experience was much like that moment you really look forward to that is a total let down. (Underwear as a kid for Christmas. That awesome Valentine's Day he forgets. The birthday party your "best" buddies blow off. I could go on and on!)

On a Sunday afternoon, I saw people passed out in filth and trash amidst beautiful buildings and historical features. I noticed a sign in a residential area encouraging people to walk in groups to be safe because as much as NOLA loves their police force, there just isn't enough of them. 

Found this image online (there are many of signs like these) of what I saw in NOLA.

There was a time I seriously thought I'd love to go to Mardi Gras in NOLA. Now, I know I would hate it. I will stick with Soulard/STL Mardi Gras and feel safer... and as odd as it sounds... CLEANER.

I would love to give NOLA another chance and perhaps take a guided tour or two, but the bit I saw (and smelled and heard) from "Betty" on Sunday destroyed the "Let the Good Times Roll" vibe I thought the city held... or maybe my idea of a good time is not the same as their view? That's always a possibility, too.

As we left NOLA and headed along a road (not the I-10) that went through LA towns and spaces that included wildlife refuges and marshes, I was still saddened by the amount of trash on the roads. Even out of the city in areas that are supposed to be protected people are dumping trash, and I still didn't see any signage or efforts for roadside cleanups. 

Getting back into Mississippi was so good. 

Back in Pass Christian, just a hop from Bay St. Louis. 

We had a late lunch / early dinner (I dub "linner") in Bay St. Louis, then went on a lovely beach walk in Pass Christian. I set up my tripod as the "blue hour" hit and got some long-exposure shots of a pier with the motion blur of the gentle waves around it. (I still have to process the images soon to see how they came out!) 

Once the light was gone, we decided to go look at some shops, hit up a Wal-Mart for local fare, and then settle in at our house for one last night, before heading back north Monday... which will be part three of this little tale! 

My gift to myself from MS! :-)

Until we meet again, 
M of MK Designs (Michelle!)

PS Do me a favor, if you like my blog or my photography... even if you can't afford to buy a piece, please share my blog on your social media sites and/or share my facebook page with your friends. I'd really appreciate it! 

The Magnolia State of Mind...Part One

I had to get away. 
- The fall semester was long and challenging this school year.
- My windowless classroom and endless run of days without seeing the sun was making me insane.
- Too many days I'd step outside and my face hurt from the sting of the cold Missouri air. 
- Simply put, I was coming undone!

So, I did what any logical gal would do and looked at when I had a chance to get in "Betty" and drive south. What route could I do in a day and get to warmer weather? Where could I change my latitude and attitude as Jimmy sings? 

B I N G O - Answer found! 

Google Map is dangerously fun! 

Mississippi is what the doctor ordered. If anything could cure my funk and tame my wanderlust, the Magnolia State sure could... and guess what? It did! 

I found a great deal (amazing winter rates!) on a home in Gulfport, MS and my mom was on board with the plan for a little weekend trip away. We left Missouri the Friday morning after Christmas and was in Gulfport, MS that evening. 

Vacation Home front room

My bedroom (mom had her own). Since it was just me, I took the lower bunk! ha!

On the beach night one. Windy and in the 60s! 

Saturday, it was rainy (warm!). After sleeping in a bit and enjoying the house, we hit Hwy 90 along the Gulf and headed east. We went as far as Ocean Springs, MS. Found great Mexican food and Gulf Islands National Seashore. I have been to the visitor area near Destin, FL... but not to this one in the Davis Bayou area of MS yet. It was beautiful.

I was a bit annoyed that I didn't see any gators except artist renditions when we'd walk around the area. However, one may think that's a good thing and not an annoyance!

P.S. Beyond Davis Bayou... I'd like to add that Ocean Springs, MS overall was beautiful. Charming. Artistic. A place I'd love to see again. 

Elizabeth Veglia created a series of these BEAUTIFUL pieces in the park.
In honor of the city... and its rebirth after Hurricane Katrina.

Now, how about Biloxi? Lots of casinos... a very cool visitor center, lighthouse, and pier. I am sure there's "charm" to be found there, but for the most part, seemed a bit "neon" to me. I need to revisit and go off the beaten path more to find that charm. 

One place that did surprise me with "charm" that we toured in Biloxi on Saturday was Beauvoir. 

This is the last home of Jefferson Davis and his presidential library and gardens and confederate cemetery and home to some former circus animals. I know that is a lot of ands. There was a lot going on here. 

How many of you have seen a camel in the fog at dusk in the middle of a confederate cemetery? I have. My mom has, too. So did the couple on our tour. Sadly, I wasn't able to click a picture that has said camel in it. I do have to wonder about it all. I think a fence to keep the critter off the cemetery is in order. 

After that leg of the adventure we found Po'Boys at the Harbor View Cafe in Long Beach, MS. I got shrimp and mom got catfish. They gave me so much shrimp, I felt some envious glances from across the table. Don't let it be said only children do not share because this time I gave mom a few. 

The long day out was rewarding. As I snuggled in at the house to work on school work (gotta love work laptops!) and other items, I was pretty amped about what Sunday had in store... and THAT will be shared in another blog entry. :-)

Until next time,
Michelle... the M of MK Designs.