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Thursday, January 4, 2024. – Destination – Shepard State Park, MS, 290 miles from Coes Landing SP.
The Google address of the park is 1034 Graveline Rd, Gautier, MS 39553.
The GPS location of the park is 30.372775112652576, -88.62629212327154
We have been advised that the bridge just West of Shepard Park on Graveline Road will be closed beginning January 2nd for a duration of approximately 18 months. When driving to the park, please follow directions from Hwy 90 to Oak Street.
8:45 AM Group meeting at Coes Landing State Park. First group and independants leave at 9:00 AM. second group leaves at 9:15 AM.
There are not many places of interest at the beginning of the route. Prior to arriving at Shepard State Park, we will pass across Mobile Bay. On the west side of the Mobile Bay Bridge is the USS Alabama Memorial Battleship Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36602, GPS 30.68326865349765, -88.01620330468471. . It’s about 240 miles (4.5 hours) from Coes landing. T
There is a report of a good restaurant about a mile and a half (2 minutes) from the USS Alabama, east of the of the military park, on Route 98, Felix’s Fish Camp, 1530 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort, AL 36527, GPS 30.679140504800703, -87.99708580825636.
Shepard State Park is about 48 miles (1 hour) west of the USS Alabama on I10. Keep an eye out for the Ingall’s Shipyard, on the south side of I10. The major amount of the US Navy’s Surface ships are constructed here.
Campground Details:
Shepard State Park, MS, is located East of Biloxi.
Shepard State Park, provides electricity, water, showers, and a dump station. I have a reservation in Site 7. Check in time is 4 PM.
We have 19 people and 11 coaches coming from Coes Landing. There will be an additional 2 coaches and 4 people arriving at Shepard State Park.
Points of Interest
USS Alabama Memorial Battleship Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36602, GPS 30.68326865349765, -88.01620330468471. The park features the USS Alabama, the fourth and final member of the South Dakota class built in the 1940s, and was equipped with 16-inch guns. She saw service in the Gilbert, Marshall, Mariana and Palau Island campaigns, and completed the war participating in the Battle of Okinawa and attacks on the Japanese mainland. There are a number of aircraft and other vessels at the park.
Felix’s Fish Camp, 1530 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort, AL 36527, GPS 30.679140504800703, -87.99708580825636. There is a report of a good restaurant about a mile and a half (2 minutes) from the USS Alabama, east of the of the military park, on Route 98,
Along the Route, just off I10. Exit 49. Head South on Baldwin Beach Express, towards Orange Beach. Buc-ee’s, 20403 Co Rd 68, Robertsdale, AL 36567, GPS 30.634713735771875, -87.67695116810144
Close to Shepard State Park, Killer Crab & Seafood, 5116 Gautier Vancleave Rd, Gautier, MS 39553, GPS 30.416302620025878, -88.6514362983155. Highly recommended.
Nearby to Shepard State Park is a number of good breweries. Hops and Growlers is one, located at 2339 Government St, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, GPS 30.41489740870666, -88.80647878908715.
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge is also nearby, located at 7200 Crane Ln, Gautier, MS 39553, GPS 30.44581550855401, -88.66159933123497.
End of Day
Shepard State Park and Davis Bayou, COE Park are about 15 miles apart. We may have participants at both locations. The route from Coes Landing to Shepard State park follows I10. The route is about 290 miles, and should take 5 hours and 30 minutes, plus stops.
The total contingent at the end of the day will be 10 coaches and 16 people.