The drive along U.S. 90 in the Biloxi area has to be one of the prettiest stretches in the country on the cross-country highway that starts – or ends – in my hometown of Jacksonville, which ain’t so pretty. In fact, it’s ugly, but that’s another story.

The Gulf of Mexico is off there to your right as you cruise this part of the Gulf Coast, and the great state of Mississippi gives you plenty of access to the water – unlike my hometown, but that’s another story. Well, here goes anyway: If Florida politicians got ahold of this stretch of property, they’d sell out to the highest bidder before the ink was dry and the people be damned. The entire view would be blocked out by blocky, generic, high-rise condominiums, and only the rich would get salt air in their lungs.

As it is now, you almost always have gulf views here. And the people are friendly as all get-out. So come on down, get yourself some love, eat some po-boys and play a little small ball!

Bonus question: Whosoever can name the author of this lyric wins that most valuable of TravelGolf.com gifts: my respect.

Down around Biloxi
Pretty girls are dancing in the sea
They all look like sisters in the water.
And the storms will blow
from off toward new Orleans