Mississippi walking

Shortly before I left for Mississippi, I signed up to participate in a forty one day Walking Death Match Challenge at work.

"I'm really serious about this," I said to Carol before arrived. "I need to walk at least five miles every day. Please do not let me get too comfortable on your couch."

"Don't worry," she replied. "I'll make sure you your steps."

And, in fact, every morning she got me up bright and early to go walk laps with her neighbor, Mike.

They do this almost every day. I think it's nice.

For the last day, however, I wanted to try something a little more ambitious.

Every time we drove over the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which links Ocean Springs and Biloxi, I couldn't help noticing the pedestrian walkway next to the eastbound lanes.

The bridge is 1.6 miles in length, a nearly perfect distance for a brisk one hour there-and-back walk.

Carol and I did it one night, as the sun went down.

Unfortunately, it went down on the other side of the bridge. I asked if we could come back in the morning for a similar-but-better walking experience.

On my last morning in Mississippi, we set our alarms and woke up in the pre-dawn darkness.

We arrived at the bridge just before sunrise.

The sun just started peeping over the horizon as I started walking.

We had a full day ahead of us, so I didn't dawdle, but I did stop periodically to take pictures.

It was a beautiful sunrise.

I can't remember the last time I went for a sunrise walk. I really enjoyed it and should make the effort to do it more often.

Here are my step totals from the days I spent in and around the Gulf Coast. 

Carol definitely did not let me get too comfortable on her couch!