The Smitanic Captain and Navigator leaped out of bed early to shove off before the toll of 8 bells. The weather radar map indicated that the worse part of the storm would hit in the destination point of Bay St Louis after high noon. The drive was 3 hours down I10 with a diversion to I12 north of Lake Pontchartrain. A very brief fueling stop added little to the target time as a bit of light rain triggered the front wipers to be put into action. At 11am the Smitanic pulled into the Bay Hide Away RV Park & Campground where the park attendant was hailed to make way for the arrival. The assigned pull thru site had a gravel surface . The team guided the large vessel into the narrow slip. Theresa provided signals to the Captain to steer the 18 ton vessel slightly forward. Kevin took his foot off the break to let the Smitanic slowly walk its way forward. No movement....that was odd. Kevin checked the transmission to ensure it was in drive. The instrument panel confirmed Drive and 1st gear. No movement, Not Normal. Kevin coaxed the vessel to proceed forward by adding pressure to the gas pedal. No reaction, then slowly the Smitanic slugged its way forward. Kevin had seen this before when the air brakes had not fully disengaged. He applied more pressure to the gas and the Smitanic still responded sluggishly. “CRAP now what?”, thought Captain Kevin. He decided to put the vessel in reverse in an effort to break the perceived lock on the tires by the air breaks. Still the Smitanic did not respond as expected. Theresa was watching with confusion as to why the Captain was not following her explicit directions on how to dock the Vessel. Kevin then put the gears into drive and stomped on the gas. “Damn the Torpedoes full speed ahead”. The Smitanic was slow to respond than lurched forward as if freed from a tracker beam that clearly had it in its grip. The team then slowly nudged the vessel into an ideal placement in the slip. The engines were shut down, boards placed under the jacks, in anticipation of heavy rains, and jacks lowered. As the team performed a walk around of the vessel it was discovered that the pad the vessel was on had a very wet/soft spot just behind the rear wheels. The Smitanic had dug deep ruts into the pad This is what had been dragging the vessels momentum during the previous slow maneuvers. The Smitanic lives up to it's name :) With the mystery solved the slides extended, water connected, and shore power secured.
Theresa then took Zin out for her last outing as rain started. As the evening unfolded the crew was entertained by the political debates as lightening illuminating the sky to the south west followed by a accompanying rumble of thunder. The storm was nearing.
Theresa then took Zin out for her last outing as rain started. As the evening unfolded the crew was entertained by the political debates as lightening illuminating the sky to the south west followed by a accompanying rumble of thunder. The storm was nearing.
The team switched to the local weather station just as it announced tornado warnings and spotting of funnel clouds that had crossed I12. The Smitanic had just sailed past that location less than an hour ago, Yikes, that was the right call to leave the mornings port early, and to be docked prior to the current weather situation!
One cell of the storm was on a path to possibly hit the park so Kevin opted to turn off the main power supply and wait until the major threat was past. Thank goodness it was a quick moving storm. The power was turned back on and the news video showed tornados crossing I12 with semi trucks and cars scattering everywhere. Kevin and Theresa were relieved to be in a safe harbor. The next morning would allow the team to explore the new port of call.
Some other locals, who overheard the question, also offered that the restaurant across the street, The Blind Tiger, also was serving b-fast. The original gentleman agreed that The Blind Tiger had good food and did not know it was now serving b-fast. Kevin and Theresa, wanting the local color, headed across the street to investigate. It was true, there was breakfast and it was free??? what?? yes the restaurant serves free b-fast on Wednesdays. Well that was luck! Kevin and Theresa dished up some sausage, eggs and grits as well as some freshly brewed Community Coffee (Theresa's favorite). Kevin suggested to the manager that they ought to serve bloody Mary's along with b-fast... the manager replied that he did not know how to make a Bloody Mary, however he knew someone that may be able to handle that request. About 5 min later a 'Bloody Buddy' appeared for Kevin's delight! The manager and Kevin exchanged cards and Kevin promised to highlight this experience in the blog (done). What a great local color experience!
Oh but it was not over! After a Walmart and resupply of adult beverage run, Kevin and Theresa headed back the park. The parks planned activity for the evening was a potato potluck. The park provided the baked potatoes and everyone brought something to go with that. With everyone swapping storm stories, Kevin and Theresa were encouraged to attend the potato bake.
The Port of Bay St Louis, MS was technically the start of the 'Redneck Riviera' so Kevin and Theresa were anxious to see what the coastline had to offer. Just a few miles drive from the RV park was the main waterfront community of Bay St. Louis. There were no high rise condos nor resort hotels, just a local marina, a college and several churches. Kevin parked near a pier with a restaurant. Theresa asked a local who was walking his dog,”where is a good place for b-fast?” He replied, suggesting a few places around the next block.
Some other locals, who overheard the question, also offered that the restaurant across the street, The Blind Tiger, also was serving b-fast. The original gentleman agreed that The Blind Tiger had good food and did not know it was now serving b-fast. Kevin and Theresa, wanting the local color, headed across the street to investigate. It was true, there was breakfast and it was free??? what?? yes the restaurant serves free b-fast on Wednesdays. Well that was luck! Kevin and Theresa dished up some sausage, eggs and grits as well as some freshly brewed Community Coffee (Theresa's favorite). Kevin suggested to the manager that they ought to serve bloody Mary's along with b-fast... the manager replied that he did not know how to make a Bloody Mary, however he knew someone that may be able to handle that request. About 5 min later a 'Bloody Buddy' appeared for Kevin's delight! The manager and Kevin exchanged cards and Kevin promised to highlight this experience in the blog (done). What a great local color experience! 
Oh but it was not over! After a Walmart and resupply of adult beverage run, Kevin and Theresa headed back the park. The parks planned activity for the evening was a potato potluck. The park provided the baked potatoes and everyone brought something to go with that. With everyone swapping storm stories, Kevin and Theresa were encouraged to attend the potato bake.
One gentleman, AKA the park troublemaker, felt like he meant his twin when Kevin began his usual banter. The majority of seasonal residents hailed from Wisconsin or Michigan where no one takes them selves to seriously. The dinner was lively and welcoming. What a great group of folks! This area demands more exploring on a return visit.
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