Roadtrip 2015 – MS to Florida

DAY 1:

After days of rain and being stuck at home, the hubby and I decided to drive to Florida. Yes, we both got bored. 🙂

We’re not used to sitting around you see. We run a business back in the Philippines. So, we are used to going out and doing things almost everyday. Honestly, I felt suffocated just sitting inside the house and doing nothing. Hence this road trip.

Since we live near the Natchez Trace, we thought of enjoying the sights on our way to Alabama. I will write separately about Natchez Trace Parkway because it deserves its own.

The trip via the Trace is at least 5 hours passing through beautiful rivers, creeks and the lake. Normally, the fall colors would have been fantastic then. But sad to say, the leaves didn’t turn pretty well that time. Despite that though, the place is spectacular. So you should not miss it if you are in Tennessee, Alabama or Mississippi. The Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the most amazing scenic byways in America and it is really worth the drive.

From Natchez, Mississippi we continued our trip for about an hour. We decided to stop at Best Western Plus in McComb. Why? Well, other than the fact that we like the Best Western , a few steps away from this hotel is Golden Corral, one of our favorite buffet restaurants when we are in the US.

Check in at the hotel was fast and easy. The receptionist was great and very helpful. For more details of this hotel, please check their website here –

http://bestwesternmississippi.com/hotels/best-western-plus-mccomb-inn-and-suites

After leaving our overnight luggage in the room, we proceeded to the restaurant for dinner. As I mentioned above, Golden Corral is our favorite. They have home cooked style buffet with options of Mexican and American food. I love their corn bread, salad and steak. Plus yes, they have rice! 🙂

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and settled for the night. I have to mention that their King bed was comfortable. Given the chance, I will go back to this place someday.

DAY 2:

We left the hotel after breakfast. Our final destination for the day is Pensacola Beach. 🙂 This is at least a 5 hour drive so we just took our time and enjoyed the day.

In an hour or so, we reached the boundary of Mississippi and Louisiana.

And Louisiana’s Visitor Center. Check the door knob. 🙂 It spoke volumes. haha

I love traveling in the U.S. They have nice visitor centers with clean bathrooms. Even in the middle of nowhere. Awesome right? That’s tax dollars , put to work. Even a foreigner like me, gets to enjoy it.

What I love about it more is the fact that the brochures are free. I collect them wherever we go because I like to read what each place has to offer. Hopefully, someday we get to go back and visit the ones we like. 🙂

After the Tour Center, the hubby took a side trip. He wanted to show me The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.

This causeway is composed of two bridges. Its length is 38.35 kilometers. It connects New Orleans and Mandeville Louisiana.

America’s infrastructure has always amazed me. But this is by far the best I’ve seen.

Seeing New Orleans, up ahead.

Marriott Hotel, just after the bridge.

To downtown New Orleans.

We did not go there anymore. Maybe next time. 🙂

There’s too much water on this side of America. I don’t think I want to be there when there’s a storm. It’s so beautiful to watch when the weather is good. But I’m worried of floodings during stormy season.

After Louisiana, we saw once again a portion of Mississippi. Yes , it is that big. lol

We found another Visitor Center.

Of course, Elvis is there! 🙂

And the Lunar Lander.

Read the Lunar Lander’s story below.

From here, we proceeded with our roadtrip. Next destination – Mobile, Alabama.

The view along the road. I wonder if the swampy area beside us has alligators? 🙂

More water means beautiful bridges in this side of the country. 🙂

Finally, Alabama skyline.

G. Wallace Tunnel, below. On our way here to USS Alabama.

Ahh… I get to see the USS Alabama finally. 🙂

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is a National Historic Landmark in the US. This ship fought during World War II but is now being used as a museum located in Mobile, Alabama. More of this in the Alabama page of this blog soon.

After about two hours in this museum, we proceeded to Pensacola Beach. This part of Florida is just an hour or so from the USS Alabama Parkway. So there was no reason to rush. After all, I was able to book our hotel ahead of time. 🙂

Ahhh, reached the Sunshine State at last. 🙂

Crossed another bridge again on our way to Pensacola.

I can see the island already. To my Davaoeno friends, Pensacola Beach is like Samal Island. The difference is that this island is connected with a bridge to the mainland. And it’s very well developed.