This was our favorite day. By Day 3 we were in the groove and ready to hit the road in the morning. From unexpected thrift stores to a beautiful venue by the beach with plenty of shade trees, it was hard to beat.

Before leaving Birmingham, we paid a visit to Chick-Fil-A. After all, they’ve got Chik-n, surprisingly good coffee for a fast food joint, and excellent customer service –

Of course, the results of our on-road paparazzi efforts:

We stopped to get gas at Fast Stop in Enterprise, MS and scooted across the street to the old Texaco station to snap some nostalgia shots.

Then it was time for a snack –

Miles down the road we encountered this sweet shop and stopped to peruse – To-Days Finds in Wiggins, MS on HWY 39, owned by Robin Gannon –

Just a short while longer from Wiggins and we turned into the coastline and merged with the line waiting to get into Centennial Plaza.

Centennial Plaza boasts a rich history along with its broad oak trees and Spanish Colonial architecture. Originally selected in 1916 as the site for a centennial celebration, plans were put on hold as the space was utilized to support World War 1 efforts; first as a Navy training center and then as a hospital for military servicemen.

Finally, after decades of waiting and negotiating, Centennial Plaza has been zoned to be built as a mixed-use traditional neighborhood development and placed in the National Register of Historic Places as “The Gulfport Veterans Administration Medical Center Historic District.” We’re looking forward to seeing its development into a key historical landmark and economic hub in the years to come.

As it is right now, it was a scenic and unique venue for a car show.

The ambience seemed to mellow everything out and bring out the personality of the cars, old and new.

We were excited to run into Jerry Painter and his crew from Chicago, with Jerry giving his Ford GT some road time. Great guys, great car!!

We ended the day at the beautiful Blowfly Inn with hearty food and our friend Allie the baby alligator.

Great drive, great venue, great people, great cars, great food. Power Tour, this is what it’s all about.