Lower Alabama

When we crossed the Alabama/Florida border near Pensacola, the terrain instantly changed.  We had become accustomed to the sand of Florida; sand everywhere with very little dirt anywhere.  But in Alabama we began to see soil.  Sandy soil, but real soil nonetheless.  The trees became largely pecan, pine and oak and we passed farms with cows and cotton. We drove to Gulf Shores on the Gulf of Mexico and camped at a private small campground on a bay.  It was peaceful, pretty and friendly.  What more could we want.  The shore had a nice beach, and a dock that was usually perched in two or three feet of water.

        We went for a walk in a beautiful nature preserve.  The trail led through pine trees and palm trees to the bay behind the ocean front beach.  Unfortunately, as child experts would say, we made a bad choice.  We decided to take Louie with us, even though the trail was clearly marked "no pets".  We walked the mile and a half to the bay and were part way back to the parking lot, when a woman came driving down the "no vehicles" trail.  She stopped to tell us that no dogs were allowed and we were very lucky that no ranger was present or we would get a $75 ticket.  Amazingly, when we got back to the parking lot, a ranger was waiting for us and parked behind our truck so that we couldn't flee.  Ouch.  She was right.  $75.  And admittedly, we earned it!  Not our best judgment. 

Those ripples are fish swimming away.

We next drove to Mobile, Alabama where my daughter and family were visiting my son-in-law's father.  It was wonderful to see them all again as well as my son-in-law's family.  We went with my daughter and family to tour the USS Alabama which is a World War II battleship.  Our grandsons, 3 and 6, loved the ship.  I loved their energy and sense of discovery as they explored the maze of below decks.  I forget that these ships are floating cities with all sorts of services available.  Separate spaces are reserved for laundry, barbers, dentists, doctors, cooks etc.  Privacy is non-existent.  Rows and rows of toilets have no doors.  Beds are jammed in close together in bunks 4 and 5 beds high.  Nothing is spacious and nothing offers seclusion for contemplation of one's navel.  I guess in the navy, you have dedicated your navel to the USA.

Big guns!

Groups can arrange for overnight stays for children's learning experiences.

This is where they put people who walk their dogs in nature preserves.

Dentist's office.

On board hospital.

Not much privacy in the head!

Feeling a little "under the gun".

I love the old posters.  The mood of the country during the war is hard for me to imagine!  We don't see anything like this even though we have been involved in wars for a decade now.

We also got the opportunity to attend a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile.  Mobile was the first place in the US to host a Mardi Gras celebration.  For three weeks before Mardi Gras many organizations host parades.  This one was the Polka Dot Parade hosted by the IOOP women.  We went with all the family and experienced the tradition of a Mardi Ggras parade.  This was my first such experience!  And it was an experience.



The trees were decorated!

When we checked into a RV park, the office had a Christmas tree decorated with Mardi Gras beads.  I asked if that was a tradition and the gentleman replied that it was for his mother.  I later learned that such decorations are widely appreciated.



The crew on the floats toss out beads, stuffed animals, moon pies and more.  One tossed out a BIG plastic baseball bat.  I am so glad it didn't hit any one's head!

Daddy needs beads too!

I love the innocent excitement and joy!

Relaxing in the park with the "loot".

Moon pie dance!

Grandsons and friends meeting Louie.

One of the most amazing parts of the parade was the orchestrated rapid cleanup.  Following the parade was a team of baricade removers, a crew with blowers moving the trash, street sweepers washing down everything followed by a cadre of garbage trucks.  Twenty minutes after the parade, you couldn't tell anything happened.