Gulf State Park Pier

Did you know the Gulf State Park Pier is the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico? We didn't until we visited it today.

Not only do we know more about the pier than we did before we visited, but there were several surprises.
• the pier has a nice, large parking lot
• no charge is required for visiting the entrance-first platform of the pier
• many varieties of salt water fish may be caught from the pier
• many people were using the beach area by the pier
• emerald green water was on display at this location on Saturday

Once we paid our $2 each to sightsee on the remainder of the pier, that was very interesting and educational itself. Those that were fishing had paid $8 a person, plus they also had to have Salt Water Fishing Licenses, which are sold at the first platform area.

I was pleased to see there was a small shaded area on the pier where one could fish.

Perhaps you will want to visit the pier also after viewing our photos and videos:
Gulf State Park Pier

Mississippi Gulf Coast

On a very brief trip over to parts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we wanted to share some of our experiences and photos from mostly the return trip to Alabama today.

We took care of some business in Waveland, Mississippi. Actually, I’d say the first part of the visit was more like a mission trip that was accomplished because it was not impossible. Then the last part was visiting with old-time friends.

On Monday, we took Interstate 10 into Gulfport to shop at Best Buy. As we speeded up to enter the interstate, I notice a stone sign about the Katrina High Water Mark. I did not get a photo and did not find one by searching the internet, but I do believe this article on July 22, 2011, is about the sign: Bay wants to ‘camouflage’ storm markers

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We chose to come back a little longer route by heading south to get on Highway 90 and then drive along the world’s longest man-made beach. That’s the trivia WDS seemed to know, and I’m taking his word for it.

Parts of the drive home were a little depressing because there were still signs of damage from where Hurricane Katrina destroyed areas which were empty of residences and businesses. However, much had been built back. Also the weather was great as compared with the very hard rains we drove in coming over.

We divided the photos into two parts. The first album is:
Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The two last photos were taken in Mobile, Alabama, where we stopped for a late lunch.

Gulf Islands National Seashore encompasses territory in both Florida and Mississippi, and is therefore separated into two districts. The Mississippi District includes Davis Bayou, and may be reached in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which we traveled through today on the way back to Alabama.

We enjoyed visiting their Visitors Center and boardwalks and seemed to have the place to ourselves except for one small skink we encountered on the boardwalk just behind the Visitors Center. Our photos from the visit may be seen at:
Davis Bayou ~ Gulf Islands National Seashore.

We have no photos to show we drove through a nice old fashioned downtown in Ocean Springs that we hope to return to and just walk around there. Somewhere in the same area is the Walter Anderson Museum of Art we hope to visit on another trip.

Kitty's Kafe

WHEN? Friday · July 1

WHERE? Gulf Shores, Alabama

We have been hearing good reports on Kitty's Kafe ever since it opened. It takes a little searching it out because it is not right on one of the main drags. Keep your eyes peeled for the Pelican Place shopping center located at 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway (Alabama 59) where it intersects with Cotton Creek Drive (County Road 4) . The restaurant is located in Suite 100 south of Target. Their phone number is 251-948-5233.

Perhaps word came to us because two of our friends work there as cooks. We still haven't met the owner, Kitty, but that's okay. This is a place we'll return to fairly often because the food is moderately priced and good, and the service is fast and efficient. Today was our second time to dine here at lunch.

I love murals, so I snapped the two in the dining room. I understand from reading some reviews of the place that they have them in the restrooms as well. WDS took the photo of the specials menu.

You might want to click on Kitty's Kafe on Facebook for more information.

We are not really food critics or reviewers as such, but we both know what we like. This place definitely gets the thumbs up.