We had planned to go north from New Orleans to Jackson, MS, but decided to detour to the beach to cool off. The drive through southern Mississippi was beautiful. We drove through some rural areas like the town of Pearlington, and could still see damage that tropical storms had done there. Lots of empty foundations, porch steps leading nowhere… it was sobering to think of what they have been through. We stopped in Biloxi to see a Hurricane Katrina memorial and to check out their beaches.

Chad has been doing his best to embarrass the kids every chance he gets, and this was one of those times. He was illustrating how his skin could blend in with the white sand. Kind of like a green screen…

Alabama was beautiful and we really enjoyed the Gulf Shores beach that a friend recommended. The sand is called “sugar sand” because it is white and the texture is a lot like sugar. Wish I’d taken some close-ups! We spent a long time playing in the waves and collecting shells. We always feel refreshed after a stop at the beach!

Also, we are loving the cheap gas!