SUMMER BUCKET LIST 2016

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is filled with a wide variety of things to enjoy year round, so this year I decided to create a “Bucket List” for each season, in hopes to check off as many things as possible.

Some of the items on my Summer Bucket List were simple things that I haven’t done in a while like reading a book, trying a new recipe I found on Facebook, and swinging on a rope swing. Others were a bit more whimsical, such as learning to solve a Rubik’s cube one-handed and purchasing a bunch of lollipops trying to find the elusive “Indian shooting a star” Tootsie Pop wrapper.

 

While I didn’t quite cross off everything I wanted to accomplish, I was able to knock out quite a few, so with fall having officially arrived I wanted to take a look back on some of the fun I got to experience during the hot summer months.  

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - ROLLING WITH THE MISSISSIPPI ROLLERGIRLS

Not having strapped on a pair of roller-skates in nearly three decades my only wish when participating in a Mississippi Rollergirls Boot Camp was that I wouldn't end up hospitalized.

Thankfully, a visit to the emergency room wasn't required, but after having to nurse a variety of bumps and bruises I'm confident I won't be strapping on the skates again anytime soon.

MISSISSIPPI ROLLERGIRLS

COMING SOON!

www.mississippirollergirls.com

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - RACING AT GULFPORT DRAGWAY

When racing in a car going close to 110 mph in a little over 12 seconds, there's a good chance it will get your adrenaline pumping.

I learned that heart-pounding fact firsthand when I paid a visit to the Gulfport Dragway for my latest Gulf Coast Bucket List adventure and unexpectedly ended up in the passenger seat of a dragster.

Gulfport Dragway has been host to amateur and professional racers from around the country since the early '70s. Originally named Magnolia Raceway when the track was built in 1971, it has gone through a few different names and owners over the years.

GULFPORT DRAGWAY

COMING SOON!

 

 

www.gulfportdragway.com



GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - A DAY WITH SHIP ISLAND EXCURSIONS

While I've done my fair share of exploring the Gulf Coast during the past two years since moving here from up North, it was only recently that I finally paid a visit to some of Mississippi's finest beaches -- those found on historic Ship Island.

SHIP ISLAND EXCURSIONS

COMING SOON!

 

www.msshipisland.com

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - TOURING THE GULF COAST BREWERIES

It's not often you can say you got to drink beer directly from where it originated, but I recently had the opportunity to do just that with some of the freshest suds you can find on the Mississippi Gulf Coast by visiting South Mississippi's four breweries: Lazy Magnolia, Crooked Letter, Chandeluer and Mississippi Brewing Company.

LAZY MAGNOLIA, CROOKED LETTER, CHANDELEUR, MISSISSIPPI & BILOXI BREWING COMPANIES

COMING SOON!

www.lazymagnolia.com
www.crookedletterbrewing.com
 www.chandeleurbrew.com
www.mississippibrewing.com
www.biloxibrewing.com
 

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - LEARNING TO SAIL ON THE BILOXI SCHOONERS

Taking the helm of a 65-foot Biloxi oyster schooner isn't something I ever imagined I would do in my lifetime, but that's exactly what I did recently for the latest Gulf Coast Bucket List adventure.

My day on the water came courtesy of the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, established in 1986 to preserve the maritime history and heritage of Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

BILOXI SCHOONERS

COMING SOON!

www.maritimemuseum.org

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - BIG FUN AT BIG PLAY

Continuing my quest of trying to stay young with a milestone birthday rapidly approaching, I figured a visit to Biloxi's Big Play Family Fun Center might be just the place to let my inner child run wild with a playful afternoon of fun.

BIG PLAY FAMILY FUN CENTER

COMING SOON! 

www.bigplayfamilyfuncenter.com

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - EMBRACING MY INNER CHILD AT LYNN MEADOWS DISCOVERY CENTER

With an upcoming birthday just around the corner where supposedly I'll be going over some sort of hill, I recently decided to embrace my inner child by visiting one of Gulf Coast's hidden gems -- the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center For Children.

Located at 246 Dolan Ave., the Discovery Center is housed in the old Mississippi City Elementary School building that was originally constructed in 1915.

Completely renovated, the 15,000-square-foot building is home to Mississippi's first children's museum, and is filled with exhibits that encourage visitors to explore, discover, inspire and have fun.

LYNN MEADOWS DISCOVERY CENTER FOR CHILDREN

COMING SOON!

www.lmdc.org

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - GOING BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE GULF COAST GATOR RANCH

It's not every day you get the opportunity to drive an airboat through alligator-infested swampland, or actually get close enough to feed an alligator by hand, but during a recent visit to the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, I got to experience both of those things and a lot more.

The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, located on 105 acres of wetlands at 10300 U.S. 90, Moss Point, is where you can find some of the oldest and largest alligators in captivity. Family owned and operated for the past decade by Alan Adams and Curtis Silver, the Gator Ranch offers walking tours along protected walkways, as well as high-speed airboat tours in the wild.

GULF COAST GATOR RANCH AND AIRBOAT SWAMP TOURS

COMING SOON

www.airboatswamptoursofmississippi.com

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - A PEEK INSIDE THE PECAN HOUSE

For over three decades The Pecan House in McHenry has been offering delicious pecans, as well as a large variety of other homemade treats, for Mississippi locals and tourists alike. If you’ve never had the chance to visit the rustic looking building on Route 49 though, you may be in for a surprise, as The Pecan House offers much more than just edible delights.

THE PECAN HOUSE

COMING SOON!

www.thepecanhouse.com

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - LEARNING THE SECRETS OF STEAMPUNK CURIOSITY

Deeply hidden somewhere on the Gulf Coast is the secret laboratory of a mad-genius engineer who constructs devices such as time machines, portals, weather machines, Tesla guns, and is protected by an army of minion “Steambots.” While some might view this as cause for concern, I’ve been assured that the reclusive Dr. von Walrod, the alter ego of a local artist who creates fantastical contraptions from bits and pieces of things that some might consider junk, only uses his inventions to ensure safety from those that are after him and his highly coveted apparatuses.

STEAMPUNK CURIOSITIES

COMING SOON!

www.facebook.com/SteampunkCuriosities

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - BEING AN EXTRA ON THE MOVIE MISSISSIPPI GRIND

On Monday, I found myself in front of "Hollywood" cameras, potentially heading for the big screen.

It started a little more than three weeks ago, after I read a story in the Sun Herald about a call for extras for "Mississippi Grind," a gambling-themed comedy-drama starring Ryan Reynolds, Sienna Miller, Ben Mendelsohn and Analeigh Tipton being filmed in Mobile, the Mississippi Coast and New Orleans.

BEING AN EXTRA ON THE MOVIE MISSISSIPPI GRIND

COMING SOON!

GULF COAST BUCKET LIST - GETTING A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT A MARDI GRAS PARADE FLOAT

Having recently moved to the area from Wisconsin, I have many exciting things planned to check off on my Gulf Coast Bucket List. First of which, is something I’ve dreamed about doing ever since I participated in Mardi Gras festivities during my college years long ago. Getting an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at an authentic parade float.

Carnival season kicks off February 15th this year, with the first major coast parade of the season being held in Ocean Springs. Sponsored by Elks Lodge #2501, this will be the 39th year the Mardi Gras parade rolls through the downtown streets. 

KREWE OF BARRY MARDI GRAS PARADE FLOAT

COMING SOON!