Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Biloxi MS and a fender bender…

Biloxi MS 022

Biloxi MS 008We had a short uneventful drive over to Biolxi, Mississippi and pulled into Martin Lake Resort. This is a Passport America Park and a member of Coast to Coast. The rate is a little over $22 per day including a $2 per day charge for cable (had to watch some NCAA basketbal).  There is also $2.00 per day charge for 50 amp but with the temperate weather we elected for 30 amp. The park is an okay park with fairly tight sights but since it is close to the beaches we will put up with its lack of appeal for a few days.

After we got all settled in we decided to take a drive up the coastline to see the remnants of what Hurricane Katrina left behind. We had driven this road a year after the hurricane hit and the devastation was obvious with many of the Victorian styled Biloxi MS 014homes wiped out and the large old live oaks snapped off like twigs 8-10 feet above ground. This time around there was no sign of the remnants of of foundations of the destroyed homes, only fields of green grass left behind.

There is still a lot of construction needed in the area but it now has a strong foundation from which to rebuild. Also many of the old trees that were snapped off and killed were converted in to beautifully carved wooded sculptures commemorating the devastating hurricane. We stopped to photograph a few of these and walk along the white sandy beaches.

Biloxi MS 016While sitting at a red light talking about what we wanted to do we were suddenly interrupted by a powerful jolt and loud crashing sound as a Ford F150 pickup slammed into the rear of our Honda CRV. After being quite startled we realized we had been hit from behind by a truck and fortunately neither of us were injured. As I got out to inspect the damage I was expecting the worst especially after seeing the front of the truck all caved in. But when turned to look and saw the rear of the CRV I was amazed that there was absolutely zero damage. He hit full force on the steel piece that attaches to our bicycle rack. This steel piece is bolted directly to our frame and after looking under the CRV I could find no apparent damage as can be seen by the photos below.

Biloxi MS 001Biloxi MS 006

Biloxi MS 019Just to be safe we called the police and our insurance company. Since we won't be here for any length of time our insurance company assured us that we could arrange an appointment in Gaffney for a full inspection of the car while we are attending the Freightliner class. The driver of the truck as it turned out was uninsured. So not only did he get a ticket, but was arrested and transported in the back seat of the patrol car. WeBiloxi MS 011 can only assume he had an outstanding warrant. So we drove off apparently unscathed and decided that we would visit the nearby Hard Rock casino bar for a cold adult beverage to forget about this unpleasant experience…

These bumps in the road happen now and then but we are very thankful because we know it could have been much worse.  We decided not to let it dampen our enthusiasm and added an extra day for exploring more of Biloxi over the next couple of sunny days!

17 comments:

  1. Glad you weren't injured and your CRV appears okay!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I take it that the damage on Mr. Pickuptruck's hood was from a previous accident?

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you like BBQ, then I'd suggest you visit 'The Shed' in Gautier. Along with Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, of course. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you weren't hurt. Hope everything checks out ok in Gaffney.
    Those wood sculptures are beautiful! We'll have to stop there again one of these days and check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad to hear that you were not injured, definitely have your car checked out, there could be frame damage that you would never see if you weren't looking for it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are lucky folks -- glad you weren't hurt. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We enjoyed that area too. Martin Lake is very tight like you said but we did it coast to coast for $10.00 a night and enjoyed the Biloxi coast too. The Visitor center is a nice stopto check out with a few videos to see, and The Boomtown Casino has the best lunch buffet 1/2 price for Lunch buffet $6.00 on Mon and Wed for seniors over 50. and $10 free slot play with a new players card.
    Good thing you were not injured and be sure to get you car checked out thou.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad everything appears to be okay and you weren't injured. With that kind of luck, I hope you played the slots. It was your lucky day!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amazing that the truck had that much damage and that neither you nor your car were injured. Great news! Virginia has a law that you cannot get or renew license plates for a vehicle if you do not have insurance or post a bond as "uninsured". Wonder what your perp was doing that he didn't see you dead stopped??

    ReplyDelete
  10. Any problems with gnats at your campground? We're being eaten alive and may consider moving along from here?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here being Buccaneer State Park in Waveland.

      Delete
    2. no gnats but lots of morning rain, we will likely pull out this morning and head north to avoid the worst of it...

      Delete
  11. We love that area. We just left a few days ago. The love bugs were killing us. We were going to spend more time in Gulf Shores but saw all the rain coming.

    So glad no one was injured in the fender bender.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your right about the bumps in the road! Glad to hear you guys are not hurt

    ReplyDelete
  13. Between the towing plate on the front and the bike racks on the back - we R''rs keep our vehicles protected:) BB's in Ocean Springs - great po boy.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Glad you weren't injured. It's good to have the Honda checked out...for possible hidden damage

    You just might feel a stiff neck several days after accident.

    ReplyDelete