Biloxi -- Day 4 + Home

I planned to go to Jefferson Davis's "retirement" home this morning -- and did so. Took the CTA (Coast Transit Authority) bus to get there and back. The buses here are cute, cheap ($1.25 regular rate; 60 cents senior citizen rate), and went to the places I wanted to go. However, they tend to run late -- even when leaving from the bus station itself!


The Jefferson Davis house and grounds, named Beauvoir, were quite nice. Here's the house, me on the porch in the rockers where one waits for the tours to begin, and the view from the porch.





























In the front hall the guide provided the group with basic information about the house and pointed out the picture of the house immediately following Hurricane Katrina. The house is raised 21 feet off the ground and had survived all previous storms, including Hurricane Camille, with little damage. Unfortunately, the Katrina storm surge was 22 feet high so the house had a foot of water in it for over 6 hours as well as roof damage and the loss of all the porches.

It took three years of restoration work before the house reopened to the public. Work on replacing the outbuildings, some of which disappeared years ago, some of which were lost in Katrina, continues. There is also a major building under construction -- a museum and "presidential" library.

I very much enjoy old houses and also enjoy history. However, I must admit to mixed feelings in touring the house of the man celebrated for heading the Confederacy. The house is owned and operated by the Sons of the Confederacy organization, and Confederate flags abound. Not totally comfortable for a northern liberal. . . .


Had to walk a few blocks from Beauvoir to get to the bus stop. Along the way, in front of the Coliseum building, were some topiary figures. I do like topiary. . . .



Along the beach, the government (city, county, state?) has built beach houses with restrooms that also serve as bus stops. A few people were out enjoying the beautiful white sand beaches.

Returned to the hotel in order to get my suitcase and head out to the airport to begin the trip home. The return trip went far more smoothly than the trip to Biloxi. The ground transport was by $15 van rather than $40 taxi. No planes were canceled or delayed by mechanical problems. Arrived in Minnesota on schedule and was home by 9:45 -- in plenty of time to pick up Katy who had been staying with Miggy and his moms. Jackson was glad to see me but had obviously been well taken care of by neighbor Cyndy.

So I'm home and not planning any more trips until late June when I head to Hungary and Croatia. But, if I get a good opportunity before then, we'll see. . . .