Our story begins…
It was many years ago actually when this happened. To say it was several would certainly not be very accurate. Both a good friend of mine and myself were going through divorces. We were co-workers as well, and the company that we were working for was about to have their annual two week shut down for maintenance. We both had a little money and two whole weeks without work to contend with. We choose the Mississippi gulf coast as it was within reasonable driving range, affordable, has 26 miles of beaches, and casinos.
I managed to book a condo over looking the water for a very fair price. ( unfortunately due to the devastation of hurricane Katrina in 2005 the place no longer exists) Everything was all set up, that is right up until the last minute when the woman my friend was seeing blew a gasket and forbid him to go.
Making changes on the fly.
I wanted to still go, but there wasn’t anyone else for me to take. I already paid for the condo and gave my car a quick check up to see if it was ready for the 11 hour drive. I wasn’t getting my money back that was for sure. Considering the time period and status at that point in my life I had probably mailed the place a money. I actually don’t remember.
My family warns me that I’ll have a miserable time.
When I explain to everyone that my mind was made up to continue on my trip I was told that there was no possible way that I could have even the slightest bit of fun going alone. They all do there best to talk me out of going, and simply staying at home so I can pace a whole in the floor. My dad was the absolute worst about it. I don’t think he had ever actually done or went anywhere by himself. This idea of partaking of something solo was so foreign to him that he really couldn’t comprehend it. I remember telling him that now that I was divorced that I had a choice. I could go and do things by myself or spend the rest of my life never doing or seeing anything ever again. If I’m going to ever see anything, go anywhere, or do anything it most likely will be alone.
The trip: Success or fail?
Here’s what I learned. I actually had a great time. I must say that experiences are better when shared. I want to make that clear. Sharing memories with loved ones is one of the best things that we have as human beings. Now with little disclaimer out of the way here was the positive that I was able to take away from my experience. I never had to compromise. I didn’t have to accommodate. I was able to go do whatever I wanted to do when I wanted to and for as long as I wanted to do it. It was like, I want to go over here and see this. I think I’ll go and do this now. I want to go over here and eat. I think I’ll sit here a little bit longer. I went to bed when I felt like, got up when I felt like, and I ate when and where I wanted to. There are pros and cons to almost everything. I didn’t have to worry whether or not the other person(s) were being entertained or satisfied.
Here’s a special memory of mine that I’d love to share.
The condo wasn’t new by any means. It was probably very nice in the early 1980’s. It has seen some weather for sure as most things will that sit this close to the ocean. So, it was right on the edge of the hi-way. The place was called Chateau de la mer in Gulfport Mississippi and I’ll add some photos later on. Here is where I got lucky. (no, not in that way…unfortunately)
I believe the structure was three stories high and I was on the second floor. I had my own little balcony and I noticed that due to the level I was on you couldn’t see the road or the traffic below. Had I been on the first floor my view would have been just that of the road which is called Beach boulevard. The sound of the waves also canceled out the noise of the traffic.
My unit was equipped with sliding glass patio doors that went out unto the small balcony and there was a reclining chair facing the TV. I was able to open my sliding glass doors and position the chair towards the open patio doors. I was tired from site seeing and driving all over the area so I decided to have a seat.
Where I live I am land locked so the ocean is always a very special treat. Now this guy of very meager means was sitting in a condo (albeit a VERY affordable one) laying back in a recliner at night with all of the lights off now at this point with nothing, but the ocean in view with the sea breeze blowing in through those patio doors. For someone my age and from my background this was absolute heaven. I found myself waking up. I was so perfectly without stress, worry, or concern that I had drifted off to sleep without even meaning to.
Additional trips followed.
I’ve managed to go back down there several times since then. I tell everyone that will listen about the area. It’s very close to the Destin/Pensacola Florida area as well as New Orleans. If my memory serves it’s about an hour and forty-five minutes away from each, in different directions. So, you can see a lot for a little. The Mississippi gulf coast is much cheaper than Destin, so I usually stay in Biloxi or Gulfport and then make the drive over to Destin to look around. Sometimes I go by myself if I have to, but if I’m fortunate enough for a travel companion I’m more than happy to accommodate… if I have too.
Final thoughts
Don’t be hesitant to take a trip by yourself. Go do what you want to do, see what you want to see, and for as long as you want to see it! My friend who bailed out on me later married that woman and they have been married for around 20 years now.
I loved seeing this as I was driving into town. This was another casualty of hurricane Katrina. The casino reopened, but it is now just a regular building on land several hundred feet from the water. The ship shown above was actually sitting in the gulf.
