Eastward Ho!

[kelpie]

Just checking in. Left Port A and spent a night on Galveston Island, fairly uneventful. I accepted Martha's kind offer of hospitality and put her address in my GPS. Everyone look up in an atlas or google where it took me. Instead of up to I-10 it had me go on US 82. I saw some interesting country but I surely would never have chosen that way. No where to stop and pee or anything else. I was literally right along the water - in some ases about 100 feet. Had good visit with Martha then headed to Mississippi. Decided to stop and tour the tobasco factory on the way - will post some pics of these things later. Drove thru New Orleans, what a mess it still is, at least from the highway. Got to Gautier MS (pronounced go-shay, never would have got that right either) and found the state park where I planned to spend the night. Completely full - only had about 40 sites. This has literaly never happened to me before. Pulled out the old TL directory and found an ad for a place and drove there without any difficulty. Seemed okay, but I just spent the night. In the a.m. I visited Bellingrath garden and home - pretty interesting, although quite chilly(40s ) for looking at an outdoor attraction . Heading to Gulf Shore AL and GPS wanted me to take Mobile ferry. Saw a sign saying that there was a toll but not rates so I pulled off and booted up to check. Found out it was $35 for the MH so decided to go around. Drove around Mobile bay, then south to the beach again. It's a huge park with 11 bathhouses headed back into town today to take care of that chore. On way back stopped at the pier and wanted to walk out to the edge to take some more pics but there was a $2 fee and I didn't want to walk back to the rig for my wallet. Next stopped by the public beach to walk a bit and collect a handful of shells. In my pics I'll show the piece of a sand dollar I picked up, which is larger than most whole ones i have seen. Didn't even know they got that big. It's nice and sunny today but still cool - I think around mid to upper 50s. I know, I know, downright balmy for some, but a little chilly for the beach. If I can get photbucket to cooperate will post pics later.

[Acadianmom]

Glad you checked in, I was wondering where you were. Hope it warms up for your beach stay. It has rained all afternoon here and probably headed your way.

Martha

[kelpie]

I'll try to post some pics to illustrate my story. First stop was Goose Island, a few short miles from Port A, where this tree, known as "The Big Tree" is. It's thought to be one of the oldest in the US and is over 1000 years old.

My site at Galveston Island - just feet from the bay
Sunset there
The ferry I rode across the bay one of 2 that day (no pics of the other)

A view from US 82 in LA. I was across the road - see how close the water is

The only factory in the world which makes Tobasco sauce - you can smell the peppers when you step out of your veh icle
The pepper plants looks like this - harvesting is still done by hand and personally overseen by a member of the McIlhenney family
The ground up peppers are aged 3 years in oak barrels like these - which they buy from the Jack Daniels people
Once the barrel has outlived its usefulness, and that cn be 100 years after they obtain it, they chop it up into bits which they sell in their store and to restaurants to flavor meat.
This bottle represents the one currently in use, shipped to over 120 countries, with labels printed in more than 20 languages

This is the country store where they sell every tobasco product imaginable and a great many I would NEVER have thought of. You get to sample some products including jalapeno ice cream (yuck), tobasco soda pop (not bad) chili, a variety of sauces and salsas and jellies
and this, just because it's cute.
And whoo hoo, look at my new avatar. 2 new states! None added since last July!.

[avalen]

oh wow, how interesting, touring that tabasco place would be fun.

[BarbaraRose]

That tree looks like a great climbing tree! Also, very cool looking sunset!

[carold]

We toured that Tabasco plant. Enjoyed it. Looks like you're having a good time, with a little glitch now and then carold

[Nasoosie]

GREAT pics, Kellie! I never knew that Tobasco sauce was a family affair!

Your pictures are so nice and sharp and clear----I will anxiously await more from your eastward trip!

Thanks!