Last Wednesday, I wrote "What could be more 2020 than sneaking in a coffeeneuring trip with a hurricane bearing down on the area?" How about coffeeneuring in a declared disaster area following Hurricane Zeta? With MRE coffee of course...
1. where: Henderson Point Park, Pass Christian MS
2. date: 11/1/20
3. what: French vanilla cappuccino (instant, in a bag, heated w/MRE heater)
4. ride details: CX bike, 70F-ish clear blue fall day
5. distance: 11.5 miles round-trip
Continuing with Disaster Week here on the MS Gulf Coast, after chainsawing for a good chunk of the morning, I drove to the National Guard distro point at the farmer's market to restock on ice. I didn't need the case of MREs, but the only question the guys working there asked was "How many people?" "Two." [turns to shout]"Two!" and four guys run up with the standard load-out, throw it in back of the truck, and move along don't slow down the line. [rolling out]"Thanks!" "No problem! Next!!!" Eh, won't have to hunt for groceries before next week, and the ice is much appreciated while finishing out the remaining fresh food in the house.
But back to the coffeeneuring. I had to peek into one of the MREs, not having seen a standard one in fifteen years. Hm, what's this? French vanilla cappuccino in a mix-and-drink bag? That's going in the jersey pocket for this afternoon's ride.
On to the ride. Today's destination is a half-mile from this year's stop #4, but on the bay side of Henderson point, at the little park tucked next to the Bay Bridge. Downright cozy, it seems a world away from the windswept Gulf-facing point. Families were out with the kids on the playground, burning off pent-up energy. Another group was down on the beach under the bridge salvaging lumber off a washed-away dock. I took a seat on some of the larger debris, and added water to the coffee bag and the heater...
While waiting for the cappuccino to heat, I snapped a couple of pictures of the mouth of the Bay of St. Louis, including the Hwy 90 and train bridges...
And then raised a toast to another successful year of coffeeneuring...
For instant coffee in a bag, it was surprisingly good. None of the synthetic or metallic tastes usually associated with instant mixes. The new MRE heaters are a big step up, and had things tasty-hot in just minutes. The drink was a little sweeter than I'd usually go for, but that's just me. Frankly, it was a good cup of coffee, and much appreciated after a week like this one.
On the way back, I snapped a pic of the park pavilion:
It seems to have made it through Zeta without a scratch, though the rest of the park was looking pretty rough.
And that wraps up the 2020 Coffeeneuring Challenge here on the MS coast. It has been different this year, to be sure, and it will always be outstanding in its weirdness. Looking forward to next year already, which will assuredly be quite different: less solo, more social, and lots more coffee-shop-with-walls.
Circling back to the One Good Thing theme for this year: Right after I got home, the electrician called and said he'd be here first thing in the morning to get my power hooked back up. Truly the one good thing I need! Funny how these things work out.
In closing, here's a pic of the beach bench where Stop #1 happened last month:
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