Last weekend we made a little trip to Biloxi Mississippi to the Beau Rivage Casino. This is only my second visit to any casino since gambling became legal in Louisiana. On the way, we passed through Gulfport where the wrath of Hurricane Rita was unbelievable, even three years later. I had heard about the oak trees that were destroyed and maimed by the salt water and tidal surge. Some of the ones that had no chance of being recovered were pared down and sculpted into pelicans, swordfish, dolphins and eagles. It was a very moving experience seeing these trees and so sad to know they are reduced to twigs only about 6-7 feet high. The total irony of it all is how beautiful they look as sculptures and how well done they are. Many of them are enclosed in a little fenced area right by the beach. You can see where entire houses and businesses once were and all that is left is a slab. One place had only the chimney sticking out of the ground, all alone in the middle of what used to be someone's property and home. 
The casino itself was amazing! I never imagined such an elaborate and beautiful structure existed in the humble state of Mississippi. It is an enormous and elegant place, and is so well maintained and so clean! Yes, I know its a casino, and that part is mysterious to me. I don't really understand the lure of it all, but have to say it was fascinating to watch the people (i'm a people watcher big time). They had some gift shops that you can't believe and the restaurants were all top dollar, no fast food in that place! The casino also had a theatre that we went to and saw Yes. Some people may not know who Yes is, but us old-timers probably will. The sound was fantastic and the theatre was small and best of all, had RESERVED seating! I was told that most concert events nowadays are all reserved seating, so you can tell I don't get out much........ :)
Also, I had reservations about seeing a concert in a casino, but they were unfounded. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and am thinking about going to see Chicago in April at the same place. BTW, the rooms were awesome and very well appointed, room service extraordinaire (although we didn't order any THIS TIME).
The casino itself was amazing! I never imagined such an elaborate and beautiful structure existed in the humble state of Mississippi. It is an enormous and elegant place, and is so well maintained and so clean! Yes, I know its a casino, and that part is mysterious to me. I don't really understand the lure of it all, but have to say it was fascinating to watch the people (i'm a people watcher big time). They had some gift shops that you can't believe and the restaurants were all top dollar, no fast food in that place! The casino also had a theatre that we went to and saw Yes. Some people may not know who Yes is, but us old-timers probably will. The sound was fantastic and the theatre was small and best of all, had RESERVED seating! I was told that most concert events nowadays are all reserved seating, so you can tell I don't get out much........ :)
I would like to stay two nights next time and relax a little more to watch the wildlife.
