I have reserved Wednesdays for lighter reading and writing fare. I try to review a movie I have seen, or maybe a book I have read. Today I am going to review a venue for lack of a better word. In the last two years or so I have been toying with the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail. I have read about people older than me hiking this trail so it seemed doable. I have a friend that works in the Grand Canyon and he does a lot of hiking and is my age so I thought I might be ready to give it a try. I did some research and found some other trails in America that might be worth a try. I came upon a trail that is local right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and it seems right up my alley.

   I was a boy scout as a young man so hiking and camping are no strangers to me. I have spent many nights in the woods and I have walked, hiked and climbed over some pretty tough terrain. There is a "trail" if you will, nearby called the Robert Trent Jones Golf trail and while it is not a "hiking" trail it consists of golf courses throughout Alabama that are listed on this trail that you follow and play. The trail I have discovered is in my own backyard while not quite as tough seems to me to be one that may require some effort to conquer.

   Since I am of an age where rock climbing, crossing rivers, and traversing long distances of difficult terrain can be problematic I chose the following trail for my summer trek. The Mississippi Gulf Seafood Trail is located right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and includes 62 miles of Mississippi coastline. The trail consists of 42 restaurants located on this stretch that feature fresh caught Mississippi Gulf seafood. While the term Mississippi Gulf is a misnomer it still conjures up the proper image for the trail's purpose and that is to highlight local restaurants that serve fresh caught Mississippi seafood.

   Hurricane Katrina decimated the coastline here and that included most of the best and oldest seafood joints in the country. The trail can be found at mississippiseafoodtrail.com where a complete listing of participating restaurants can be found. They range from fine dining to what one may describe as "hole-in-the-wall" joints. The menus are available as well as explanation of what is offered at each establishment. The site also describes some of the more popular dishes and their ingredients and some interesting factoids about each one.

   So if the wanderlust has stricken you as it has me play it safe for the summer and check out the Mississippi Seafood trail at the website listed above. The official run of the trail finished August 15th, but the site is up and running and it also has a facebook page you can visit. Strap on a pair topsiders and reserve the time for your "hike". Remember to leave an itinerary with some friends or family in case you get lost on the way. Look for me out there in the wilderness at your favorite spot. I am hiking this trail from beginning to end and may turn around and trace it back. Stretch, and practice a little and enjoy, I am as I start I over, over 50.