Jeeping the Coast 2021 ( JTC )

 Finally ... after a year of waiting, it was time!

Last year's event was officially cancelled, but many still rolled in including ourselves all the way from Texas. All the bands and events cancelled, but hundreds of Jeeps still roamed the area from Bay St Louis to Gulfport. Unofficial rides and meet points went down and fun was had by all. The weather rocked and I couldn't wait until the 2021 event.

As soon as they advertised it last year, I signed us up immediately, ensuring I got a Parade Sticker (first 250), shirts ( they had a crazy amount on hand) ... and .. to support it.  Locked and Loaded. I also locked in the AirBnB we had from last year that was close to the beach and a beautiful smaller country home.  Well, as it drew closer..   few things changed up.  As I've mentioned before, we bought a second home in the area which meant I now had an AirBnb cancellation I had to deal with.  Also, we've been busy putting in furniture etc and ... as luck would have it, we got our mattresses coming in and we have to be there to have them brought up and delivered...  they won't give me a 'hard time' so I can't have anyone there to meet them ( all day!?!?) .. so, we head down a few weeks early.  Instead of heading back to Texas, we opt to hang out ... for 3 weeks!

We've got the Davis's rolling in from Arkansas to join us... but... they are dealing with some crazy issues with their new jeep and .. coupled with potentially shitty weather, they opt out (which turns out to be a good decision IMHO). So now, Lucy and I are hanging with family and local friends on the weekends down here, and ...   living life during the week ..  in other words.. work work work!   Still, we've finally gotten Internet, all the TVs in place, sound systems, you name it.  Weather overall has rocked and we're ready for JTC2021!

I'm ready to pull off the top and doors and enjoy it all to the fullest, but I've been watching the weather the last week.  This is a high dollar new Jeep and I have zero wants to have it turned into a rolling swim pool .. and ... mother nature is rearing it's ugly head. Looking like it's going to rain all f'ing weekend?  Well ..... sort of.

Thursday is here and it's warm and partly cloudy.  We head over to Pass Christian to sign up ... it's over a two day period, 5 hours each day.  Starts at 3pm so around 4 we roll in and ... Jeeps and Jeeps as far as the eye can see.  As we get closer to main street we see  the line of folks that stretches  a LONG way ...   crap.  Finally find a spot, work our way over several blocks and we are officially in line to pick up our swag in the pre-registration line.  WTF?  Turns out, if you had NOT pre registered there is a different line and ...  against all common sense, it's a short one and they scoot to the front.  What's wrong with this picture? Anyways, after several hours ... we make it to the front.  During that time, we break out of line, go grab some drinks, work our way back .. find empty chairs to park asses in as we slowly move to the front... one thing is obvious .. it's a HUGE showing for the weekend.  I try to do a quick count .. I'm thinking we've easily got over 500 Jeeps in attendance; my nephew's count is over a thousand.  However you do the math... bring it on! Eventually, we finally get our goodies and with full bellies and plenty of alcohol . .. then .. the Whiskey Bar!   Lotsa' Jack, Rum and good tunes.... but .. sooner or later .. time to pull the plug.  

Got Jeep?

 Friday is here and the rain has stopped.  After a  great breakfast and mucho mimosas, we're headed off to Bay St Louis for the beach crawl. This is a touristy area by the harbor and it's almost surreal.  Multi story bars on the waters edge, people on the balconies everywhere and a line of jeeps that seems to go on forever. We finally work our way to the end, get in line and do the slow crawl through the maze, the overpass onto the harbor edge and down onto the beach area. For awhile I'm wondering if it's all worth it but once we finally are off the pavement, drop down onto the sandy beach area and do the 'beach crawl' seems worth it.  When we get to the far end and do a 180, it's time to drop it into 4 high since the rear wheels are spinning and the axle is sinking; I do NOT want to be the guy stuck and have to be pulled out?  Well, we finally slide over the to Jeeps by the waters edge and back it in for our time in the glory and watch the endless parade of folks rolling by.  I love this stuff..... the majority have been personalized ...   moderate tires . .huge tires...  stock ...   crazy paint .. crazy wraps..   few V8s roaring ...  and I'm seeing more CJ's than I've seen in the last decade all together. Got the lawn chairs out, music booming, sipping frozen daiquiris.   But eventually, it's time to go.  We've only got a 4 hour window here for this portion of the event and we're soon rolling out.  Back up to the bars, find some parking and off for some live music concerts.... and ... more daiquiris and cervezas.  After a late night previously, Lucy and I pull the plug before the witching hour and back to the new home. Probably a good move on our part since the rest stay out until 0300 .. No Thanks!  I'm showing my age here!

Beach Crawl

Mexican Comida!

 Saturday is here and .. it's raining.  A slow steady sprinkle.... grrrrrrrrr... We've been lucky up to this point...   Still, its warm out and it's not pouring.  So put the Panels back in the top to seal it up dry and we're off to Long Beach for a day with the vendors...   A whole block is sectioned off and I'm finding lotsa' cool stuff.  Think I found my next Stereo Upgrade.  My next light upgrade. Purchased some Hangers for my doors and top panels....   then .. tummy is screaming .. FEED ME! .. so .. we head up the road two miles for some awesome mexican food, place we found a few weeks ago and new fav of mine; El Saltillo Mexican Restaurant.    .... ... then .. back to the homestead.   We consider the evenings concert.   Pass.  Consider participating in the Parade .. Pass.  Turns into a nice lazy relaxed evening with lotsa drinks and Pizzas delivered to the front door.  Success!  Mid-nite... we're yawning and...  done

Vendor Jeeps

Vendor Jeeps

BAM!!!!!!

 

Found my new speaker Setup .. this shit rocks!

Sunday ...   Lucy and I are catching up on Honey Dos .. Leaving the following day and seems like so much to do .. but .... Nephew and his fiancee roll up with Daiquiris and it's a nice relaxing afternoon .. I can get used to this! ...   Still, the weekend is coming to a close.  JTC2021 is officially in the record books.  I wonder how much more awesome it'd have been if the weather had rocked like last year?  Well... we'll find out ... at JTC2022

 

Promoter on Saturday ... rainy beach day

 

The Line from Hell!  Thousands of folks ........

Downtown

LONG BEACH on Saturday

Some sharp rides!