Thanks, Mississippians. (Hattiesburg, Vicksburg, Ocean Springs: home, camping, live)

[Ira500]

I just spent several days in Mississippi driving back home to Seattle from New Jersey, trying to avoid ice and snow, and just wanted to let y'all know what a great time I had in Mississippi. The people in Mississippi were extremely nice, the weather was great, the food was amazing, and y'all are doing a great job keeping what a great place you have a secret. We spent a few days in Hattiesburg and absolutely loved the old part of downtown,(and had the best BBQ ever in H'burg) a few days in Ocean Springs ( another great place) and another great meal in Vicksburg at an Italian-Creole place.
I was very pleasantly surprised at how pleasant Mississippi was, and the drivers there were great, much nicer than the drivers we encountered after we crossed the state line and went into Louisiana. Anyway, thanks for the great time. My wife and I both loved your state a whole lot.

[Huckleberry3911948]

no stranger to that state, go there a lot to memphis area but sometimes also jackson and vicksburg.

[Tama]

New Jersey to Seattle through Mississippi! That sure sounds out of the way.
But glad you enjoyed Mississippi and it is real kind of you to mention it.

[bls5555]

Originally Posted by Tama

New Jersey to Seattle through Mississippi! That sure sounds out of the way.

That's an understatement. Though I am in Missouri and we got a crap ton of ice and snow, so extreme south was probably the only route with no snow.

[Ira500]

New Jersey to Seattle through Mississippi! That sure sounds out of the way.

Absolutely out of the way...But much of the central and northern US was paralyzed with ice and snow and we just wanted to go far enough south yo avoid it. On the way east we mostly took I-70 and only encountered a bit of snow in Colorado, but watching weather forecasts for the way back it was much colder, and also a month later. We finally did hit a little snow in northern California, but one has to head north at some point if one lives there.
Again, the most pleasant surprise of the trip was Mississippi...I'd read somewhere that Mississippians are the fattest folk in the US. I can see why. Mississippi has some pretty amazing food.

[auntbee]

Glad you enjoyed your visit. We need more posts like yours on here.

[mccarley]

Originally Posted by Ira500

[u] Mississippians are the fattest folk in the US. I can see why. Mississippi has some pretty amazing food.

I just moved from Mississippi and loved the time I spent there except for the hurricanes.
Mississippi does have the highest percentage of fat folks as you read.

State Population % obese Number Rank
Mississippi 2,938,618 32.6 957,989 1
Washington 6,549,224 25.9 1,696,249 31

It does appear that Washington must have some pretty good food also.

[Ira500]

Yeah, Washington does have good food too, but a lot of restaurants give you small portions along with high prices. I didn't have a bad meal in Missisippi, and I was there five days. I'm sure bad places exist..maybe if tried a few more places we would have had some bad food. I had some exceptional meals in Mississippi, still craving more of those fried green tomatoes topped with crab and shrimp and parmesan.

[mofford]

I would like to take my first trip to Mississippi to burn off some of the pumpkin pie I've been shoving into my face. Been to Florida a few times, but would like to keep an eye on the forecast and go camping near Hattiesburg along the Long Leaf Trace bike trail. I really enjoy the bicycle thing, and the trace is described as a fine trail that has 50 miles or so of hard surface. Thinking about Jeff Davis Lake as a quiet place to camp and take in the scenery. Should be a pleasant change from the snow and ice we have in Iowa, now that the holidays are about over. Looking forward to a string of 70 degree days forecasted later in jan/feb so I can get in some long rides and sleep in my tent a few nights. Might have to spoil myself the last day and try the BBQ in Hattiesburg.

[Tama]

Welcome! The Trace is grand.