This was a very short driving day as we are now just exploring the Gulf Coast and the beaches of Mississippi.
It’s Easter Sunday and I have spent a good part of the day texting with friends and family some of whom, like us, are traveling.
Quite by surprise, we came across another major NASA installation east of Slidell on the map, the Stennis NASA center and the Infinity Science Museum. This turned out to be the rocket testing facility for space flight. Turns out there are 4 major NASA locations critically important to the Apollo space flights: Huntsville, Alabama; New Orleans (manufacturing); Hancock County, Mississippi (rocket testing); Cape Kennedy, Florida (launching).
Of course the facility is not open to the public but the nearby Infinity Science Center, located in nearby Pearlington, is. We stopped in for a visit. Infinity is a non-profit science education center and museum focusing on promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education through interactive exhibits and programs.
NASA in Hancock County, Mississippi
The Stennis Space Center, also known as the John C. Stennis Space Center, is a NASA rocket testing facility located in Hancock County, Mississippi, United States. It is officially named after John C. Stennis, a former U.S. Senator from Mississippi who was a strong advocate for space exploration.
The Stennis Space Center is a major NASA rocket propulsion testing facility where rocket engines are designed, assembled, and tested. It plays a crucial role in supporting NASA’s missions by testing rocket engines used in various space exploration projects.
The center covers over 13,000 acres and is home to more than 30 federal, state, academic, and private organizations. It provides a wide range of testing facilities and services for both government and commercial interests in the aerospace industry.
Overall, the Stennis Space Center is an important facility for advancing space exploration technology and supporting NASA’s efforts in expanding our knowledge of the universe.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
We arrived at our campsite before we could grab some lunch. It’s Easter Sunday so we were looking for something special. We drove into Bay St. Louis just up the coast and found a great restaurant full of families dining out. Brian finally had his shrimp grits and I had the best pan fried trout I’ve ever eaten. They sure know how to cook fish and seafood down here.
Bay St. Louis is a city located in Hancock County, Mississippi, United States. It is situated along the Gulf Coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene. The city was heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but has since undergone a revitalization process. The city’s historic district is home to many well-preserved buildings dating back to the 19th century, including the Hancock County Courthouse and the Saint Stanislaus College.
Our campsite is on a small lake and we enjoyed the rest of the day relaxing, reading and sewing. Yes I’m working on a quilt on this trip. I have a deadline for this one that I am hand quilting.
It’s getting warmer now, slightly more humid and the mosquitoes have arrived. I put the little tent up for the first time.
Louise and Brian McLeod Travel Blog 
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