Austin to Boston: Pass Christian MS + Shalimar FL

Pass Christian, Mississippi

1280 miles

87° F

Gas: $2.51

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina almost destroyed this coastal town. Stephen went with some friends on a spring break relief trip to help the town. They spent most of their time clearing debris in the cemetery.

Stephen wanted to visit here to see how it looked, almost four years later. We actually drove past it at first because he couldn’t recognize it. Many new homes and businesses have been built. The library where the relief teams slept has been torn down, and a new one is being built. 

Stephen took his laptop out at the cemetery to compare with his old photographs.

 Spring 2006

 

Summer 2009

Spring 2006

Summer 2009

The family plots were once surrounded by iron fences, but most were mangled and removed. A few remain.  The grass grew back, gravestones have been set up in place again, and it was a peaceful place. 

Much of the road through Louisiana and Mississippi is through swamp. Interstate 10 is built on pillars for miles.

Shalimar, Florida

1485 miles

87° F

Gas: $2.54

In Shalimar, we stayed with cousin Amanda from Stephen's mom's side of the family. She lives with her husband Jared and their baby Makinley. 

They took us out for dinner to have hibachi and sushi.

Here's Stephen trying sushi for the first time!

Stephen and I spent most of our time at the beach. This area is called the Emerald Coast because of the green hue of the water. It was so clear and beautiful!

Our second day, we went into Destin looking for a beach. It was a little more difficult than expected as all the hotels, resorts, and condos have private beaches. When we saw a sign that said "Public Beach," we went out to investigate. 

The beach was only 30 feet long, both sides with a sign saying, "Private Beach of so & so." We wandered through the a few short private beaches and found an abandonded condo with an unclaimed beach. A few others found it also, but we had plenty of space. 

Here is our giant sandcastle! It was about 6 feet in diameter and had a functioning moat.

Again, we saw some dolphins, close to shore! We sat in our camp chairs and watched them for about 10 minutes. One even poked his face up once. There were also two foxes at night, which apparently are native to Alabama and this part of Florida. 

Amanda and Jared lent us their beach umbrella, boogie board, mats and beach towels. We grilled hot dogs on a tiny grill and stayed until the sun set, and we were the only people left on the beach. It was hard to leave.