salutations from the south!

Greetings all Davisites! The Biloxi branch of the Plude Family (i.e. Keldon and Bryan) is/are checking in and letting everyone know we're ok!

Day one in Biloxi has truly been an eye opening experience. The trip from Biloxi/Gulfport International Airport to our hotel in Biloxi was merely a glimpse of the overall devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. However, despite the toppled bridges, caved in parking garages, dilapidated churches, and collapsed homes, Biloxi seems to be pulling itself out of the wreckage. Trailers and tents abound where people are already working to rebuild their homes and neighborhoods.

Our first day, as you already know was mostly spent helping a gentleman named Arcel spread dirt around his yard. Once Jerry got his bearings without his glasses (which later turned out to be in his shirt pocket!) we all got to work. From then on, wet was a constant state of affairs. The already humid air was buffetted by several hearty blasts from the yard's hose, leaving everyone downright drenched. This however did not have quite the desired effect that it does in Davis' dry heat. But no one complained (much) and by the time we were done, we went from being soaked to just being damp again.

Back at the hotel, after helping lay a pallet pathway for Grassroots, and even on the way back, stiffness and achiness started to set in (even for the younger ones). Hot showers and Ibuprofen helped to aleviate this, but I have the feeling that everyone will still be thankful for the day of rest tomorrow. We city slickers certainly have our work cut out for us, and we all are going to have to do our best to cope.

Until next time,

Bryan and Keldon Plude