Oct. 24 – Gulfport, MS

Gulfport Small Craft Harbor

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” ― Leon J. Suenes

Wow...what a night. Our nice little anchorage turned into a carnival ride that lasted all night long. Wind predictions on all our weather apps called for light winds...I guess they forgot to tell the wind. Our evening was very nice, but by the time we went to bed the waves were slapping the haul and we were bouncing. The only place we could find an accurate reading was a weather station located at Fort Morgan...15 knots. It was a VERY long night. By this morning we were both ready to get moving...even if Mobile Bay was rough. It turned out to be more comfortable than the anchorage and by the time we got to the Mississippi Sound it was a very smooth ride. Another wonderful day to be on the water.

We're back to oil platforms, barges and large tankers. Once you begin to cross Mobile Bay...pleasure cruising is left behind. We may see a few sailboats and even a few large fishing boats, but from here to Texas there won't be many, if any, trawlers or motor yachts. Our choices of anchorage and marines will also be limited...very limited in some areas. This may be our last marina until we get home so we took advantage of getting a few things we needed…fuel, oil, a pump out and water. It’s amazing how fast you can spend money when you fuel up a boat and buy oil. This area of the coast was devastated by hurricane Katrina, but the town of Gulfport has done a great job of rebuilding this municipal marina. It's one of the most modern marinas we have ever stayed in…too bad we don’t have more time to enjoy it and explore the town.

Our views this evening

Mar. 21 – Ocean Springs, MS

Day 15 - Shopping, Relaxing, and Visiting

Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor

When you start cruising you begin to find out it’s a small world. We had a visit this morning from Tom McIlwain, a friend of Lanny’s, our dock mate from home. While talking to him he mentioned he knew a couple that owned a Monk in the past…come to find out, it was the couple that owned our boat a few years ago. 

We spent the morning cleaning the boat. Stan washed the decks and I cleaned the cabin. Even when you’re cruising you have to do the routine chores. The rest of the day we spent looking through little shops, riding bikes and poking around town. We had lunch at Leo’s Wood Fired Pizza. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the day and the pizza.

We visited with a few other boat owners this afternoon and had another visit from Tom and his wife this evening. Everyone was very helpful and gave us good ideas of places to visit on our way to Florida. With all the great ideas it may take us another two weeks before we get there!

A few homes along Front Street in Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs beach

View from our boat of the harbor

Mar. 20 - Ocean Springs, MS

Day 14 – Wonderful Little Town

Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor

We stayed in Ocean Springs today…we may stay here forever! It’s a nice little town that reminds me of Carmel, CA. Cute little shops, lots of small restaurants, nice houses, beautiful churches and a wonderful beachfront. We spent the morning riding our bikes around town…about eleven miles around town. The temperature and scenery were both wonderful. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. 

We bought fresh shrimp from a boat just down from ours on the dock and rode to the grocery store to pick up a few fresh items for dinner. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the day.  

First Presbyterian Church

Some of the stores in town

Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor

This business puts boats in and out of the water all day

All you have to do is call and let them know when you want your boat ready...and they take it out of the barn and set it in the water.

Mar. 19 - Ocean Springs, MS

Day 13 - Greetings from Mississippi
Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor

We were joined in our anchorage last night by two sailboats. One was the Peregrin that we have been traveling with for the last four days. We waited until 9:00 before we lifted the anchor and it was still a little foggy.

After the fog burned off the weather was perfect for crossing the Mississippi Sound. Plenty of sunshine and light winds. As you can see from the pictures we were in very open water...quite a ways from shore. We're staying in a cute little town called Ocean Springs; it's just across the bay from Biloxi. On the way in we cruised by the Biloxi waterfront. There were a lot of activities going on...part of a parade, people at the beach, people out fishing and boating and an air show that included the Blue Angels. It was fun to see all the action.

As we pulled into the little protected harbor several guys came out to help us dock. Both are full time liveaboards. Ken, originally from New Zealand, came to dinner and shared his knowledge on upcoming anchorages. He also helped Stan decide what to do about our anchoring system, which hasn't been holding the way it should. After dinner we took a walk around the harbor, surrounding neighborhood and down to the beach. This looks like a good place to spend a few days.

Sunrise in our anchorage

The Mississippi Sound

Gulf Port, Mississippi

Biloxi, Mississippi

The Blue Angels in the Angels Over the Bay air show

The entry to Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor