Good Thursday!
First let me say, I don't want to go home. Sorry family and friends but I am staying here. I will find a job on a dolphin boat or something and stay here. Sadly, tomorrow is our last day and then it is back to trying to keep my chin up and trying to find a job. It isn't hard to get out of bed every morning here. Of course, I am sleeping until 8 so that makes a difference!
Today was an unexpected day of doing little or nothing. We went souvenir shopping this morning and then hit "Sweetie Pies". SP's is a little cafe that was featured in the August 2008 Southern Living as having the best Pecan Pie in the south. We both had broccoli soup. I had Tropical Pecan Pie (pecan pie with coconut and pineapple). It was good but not the best I have ever had. The best pie I have ever had was at Lecompte, LA at Lea's Pie Shop.
I was really really wanting to sit on the beach all afternoon. When we got back, Ken didn't want to go directly to the beach. He promptly sat down and went to sleep. I laid down on the couch and dozed off. I woke up about 1:00 and decided I'd go down to the pool so I put on my beach clothes, grabbed my book, towel and pop and headed off. It had clouded up and the wind was blowing a bit so it was very cold. I stayed there for about 10 minutes and gave up. I came back upstairs and Mr. Ken was still asleep so I sat down and read a bit. The sun came out and Ken woke up and I decided to try the chairs on the balcony. By the time I got there, the sun was gone again and so I went back up to the condo and stayed. I was very disappointed. Oh well, tomorrow is supposed to be 70 and sunny so I will get in one last bake and burn I hope. At 6:00 or so we will go to hear Los Lonely Boys at The Hangout and then our trip will be over. Little tear.
Oh gee, I can't believe I forgot the best part of the day!!!! Feeling too sorry for myself I guess. Tonight was our Dolphin Cruise. This is the third year we have sailed with Capt. Bill and Ceatacen Cruises. He operates the only DolphinSmart cruise in the area. You have to be certified yearly by the Dolphin Research Institute to have that title. Bill really knows the dolphin pod in Wolf Bay. Currently there are 31 dolphins. One is two weeks old and one is only 4 days old. We briefly saw one of the babies tonight. I think this was the best cruise we have been on here. Several dolphins swam right up to the boat. Two or three were "dancing" so they really came up out of the water. Dancing is what boy and girl dolphins do together and then a year later, a baby dolphin is born. It was so cool. Then we went back in the swamp and saw an alligator, an osprey, a blue heron and a pelican sleeping on a branch. It was the highlight of my trip so far.
Now it is off to the Flora Bama for real this time. The old folks better get going or we will fall asleep in our chairs again.
Love you all!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sailing, Sailing...
Failte!
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you. Didn't sleep well last night so I didn't want to get up this morning. It didn't help that it was rainy and dark either. We had already decided that today wouldn't be a beach day and the rain was expected.
Last year on a rainy day we took the ferry boat from Ft. Morgan to Daphin Island and then drove up to Mobile. We were headed for the USS Alabama but underestimated how long it would take to get there. So, we arrived about an hour before they closed. We rushed through but didn't get to see everything that we, especially Ken, wanted to see. When we were talking about our trip this year, Ken said that he really wanted to go back to see the whole thing. So, that's what we did today.
We got there a little after 10 this morning so we had plenty of time. The USS Alabama is a South Dakota class battle ship. It was commissioned in 1942 and initially served in the North Atlantic. In 1943, as WWII heated up in the Pacific, the Alabama traversed the Panama Canal and begin service in the Pacific. It saw a lot of battle in the S. Pacific before it was decommissioned in 1947. Prior to decommissioning, the Bama was one of the occupation ships in Tokyo Harbor and the Marine detachment aboard were the first Americans to set foot on Japanese soil at the end of the war. The ship was mothballed in Bremerton, WA until the sixties when it was moved to Mobile Bay and its current home. The Alabama was refurbished and turned into a museum. The USS Drum, a WWII era submarine, is also docked in Battleship Park. It is the oldest Gato class sub still in existence. We were able to see both with plenty of time to really take everything in. Ken climbed clear up to the navigation deck (really high up) but I was too pooped to go up and down all those steps. Actually, I really don't like climbing up and down those steep stairways. They also have a small airplane exhibit with an SR 71, 2 navy helicopters and several other aircraft. The hanger and some of the craft were badly damaged in Hurricane Katrina and are being restored.
We left Battleship Park about 3:00 and drove downtown to the Historic District. Mobile has been in existence since the early 1800's. Many of the buildings are pre-Civil War. We drove around Cathedral Square, Daphin Street and other historic areas. The trees are magnificent. Such big, old trees! I really wanted to go into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception but it was closed. The church design and decor are a combination of Gaelic and French representing the two predominate cultures of Mobile.
I read in the AAA Tour Book about a place called the Dew Drop Inn.
For those who remember The Walton's, that was the name of the tavern on Walton's Mountain. This isn't the same one but the name caught my eye. According to the AAA book this is the place were Jimmy Buffet developed "his lust for the cheeseburger" and considers this burger the best around. I can't say that we agree. I didn't read the directions very carefully so we ended up driving 4 miles out of the way. Finally found it and it is a hole in the wall. The Dew Drop is the oldest continuous restaurant in Mobile. It has been around since 1924. The current building was built in 1967 and hasn't been changed since. I had the Dew Drop Hot Dog with chili, sauerkraut, mustard, onion and a pickle. It was a very different dog but was very good. Ken had the cheeseburger with chili. He said it was good but it wasn't the best he's ever had. Leaving the Dew Drop we drove through a very interesting section of Mobile. Roll em up!
We drove south toward Dauphin Island and Ft. Gaines to catch the ferry to Ft.
Morgan. We didn't have to go that way but we enjoy the ride across the bay. It happened to be sunset as we were going across and was a beautiful ride across Mobile Bay. Ft. Gaines and Ft. Morgan were the guardians of Mobile Bay during the Civil War.
Since it is St. Pat's we went to the Hangout for some music and a drink and then back home. I am pooped! Tomorrow is a beach day and the sunset dolphin tour then it's Friday. Why is it vacation goes so fast and the rest of the year goes so slow?
Slainte!
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you. Didn't sleep well last night so I didn't want to get up this morning. It didn't help that it was rainy and dark either. We had already decided that today wouldn't be a beach day and the rain was expected.
Last year on a rainy day we took the ferry boat from Ft. Morgan to Daphin Island and then drove up to Mobile. We were headed for the USS Alabama but underestimated how long it would take to get there. So, we arrived about an hour before they closed. We rushed through but didn't get to see everything that we, especially Ken, wanted to see. When we were talking about our trip this year, Ken said that he really wanted to go back to see the whole thing. So, that's what we did today.
We got there a little after 10 this morning so we had plenty of time. The USS Alabama is a South Dakota class battle ship. It was commissioned in 1942 and initially served in the North Atlantic. In 1943, as WWII heated up in the Pacific, the Alabama traversed the Panama Canal and begin service in the Pacific. It saw a lot of battle in the S. Pacific before it was decommissioned in 1947. Prior to decommissioning, the Bama was one of the occupation ships in Tokyo Harbor and the Marine detachment aboard were the first Americans to set foot on Japanese soil at the end of the war. The ship was mothballed in Bremerton, WA until the sixties when it was moved to Mobile Bay and its current home. The Alabama was refurbished and turned into a museum. The USS Drum, a WWII era submarine, is also docked in Battleship Park. It is the oldest Gato class sub still in existence. We were able to see both with plenty of time to really take everything in. Ken climbed clear up to the navigation deck (really high up) but I was too pooped to go up and down all those steps. Actually, I really don't like climbing up and down those steep stairways. They also have a small airplane exhibit with an SR 71, 2 navy helicopters and several other aircraft. The hanger and some of the craft were badly damaged in Hurricane Katrina and are being restored.
We left Battleship Park about 3:00 and drove downtown to the Historic District. Mobile has been in existence since the early 1800's. Many of the buildings are pre-Civil War. We drove around Cathedral Square, Daphin Street and other historic areas. The trees are magnificent. Such big, old trees! I really wanted to go into the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception but it was closed. The church design and decor are a combination of Gaelic and French representing the two predominate cultures of Mobile.
I read in the AAA Tour Book about a place called the Dew Drop Inn.
For those who remember The Walton's, that was the name of the tavern on Walton's Mountain. This isn't the same one but the name caught my eye. According to the AAA book this is the place were Jimmy Buffet developed "his lust for the cheeseburger" and considers this burger the best around. I can't say that we agree. I didn't read the directions very carefully so we ended up driving 4 miles out of the way. Finally found it and it is a hole in the wall. The Dew Drop is the oldest continuous restaurant in Mobile. It has been around since 1924. The current building was built in 1967 and hasn't been changed since. I had the Dew Drop Hot Dog with chili, sauerkraut, mustard, onion and a pickle. It was a very different dog but was very good. Ken had the cheeseburger with chili. He said it was good but it wasn't the best he's ever had. Leaving the Dew Drop we drove through a very interesting section of Mobile. Roll em up!We drove south toward Dauphin Island and Ft. Gaines to catch the ferry to Ft.
Morgan. We didn't have to go that way but we enjoy the ride across the bay. It happened to be sunset as we were going across and was a beautiful ride across Mobile Bay. Ft. Gaines and Ft. Morgan were the guardians of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Since it is St. Pat's we went to the Hangout for some music and a drink and then back home. I am pooped! Tomorrow is a beach day and the sunset dolphin tour then it's Friday. Why is it vacation goes so fast and the rest of the year goes so slow?
Slainte!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Technology-Can't live with it, can't live without it!
It is a sad thought that the one nagging little niggle of my vacation has been that I couldn't connect to the Internet unless I was in the car with my Iphone! Technology has taken over my life. Could it be that I am addicted to my social networking via email, blog and Facebook. Here I am surrounded by a beautiful beach and gorgeous weather and my main thought was would they really get my internet fixed today! Sure nuff, when we came in this afternoon, it was up and running. Life is good.
Monday was a day for the beach. The wind had died down to a manageable level and the temperature was lovely. We took our leftover shrimp, a cooler full of pop and our beach gear and staked out our little space on beautiful Sugar Beach (also known as Romar Beach). There are lots of young folks here this year. Seems to be a volleyball tournament or something going on. A busload of Canadian kids are staying here with their sponsors. They are very well behaved but it does make the beach more crowded. We sat out for 5 hours reading, dozing and walking. Despite continual application of sunscreen (yes Di, lips and feet too) I still have my red patches. I finally checked out the adult beverages at the Sugar Shack this year. Ken and I indulged in a little margarita and a little daquiri (respectively-not one of each) and it wasn't too bad.
Dinner was at Tacky Jacks, a very popular hangout on the marina. As it was Monday night it wasn't very crowded so we got to sit down right away. We wanted to sit on the deck but it was way too chilly. So, indoors we went. Unfortunately we were seated next to the loudest 8 girls (and 1 boy) south of the Mason/Dixon. I mean, they weren't just loud, they were LOUD! And, they loudly reminded each other that they were being too loud. The lady across from me kept glancing at them and then looking at me. My teacher radar went up and we both rolled our eyes. After the girls left I asked her if she was a teacher and she said yes and asked if I was. I told her I was and we both laughed. I reminded her we were on vacation and didn't have to take charge.
I did learn at dinner that they don't know what a red beer is down hey-ah. The bartender didn't look like he wanted to learn either. The margaritas were good, the steak Ken had was good and my fish was, fish.
Awoke this morning around seven to pounding hammers somewhere in the condos. You'd think they'd have a rule or something preventing hammering before 8 a.m. I don't know, maybe that would make too much sense. Tried to lay in bed but finally gave in about 8. We basically hung around the condo this morning being lazy. Went down to the beach about 12:30. I think today was about the most perfect beach weather you could ask for. About 68 degrees, NO wind and bright sun. Not hot, not chilly, just right. Fed the seagulls, walked down a sandbar, read and watched all the college kids boogey boarding. Some of them are pretty good. I predict that boogey boarding will be part of the next summer olympics :-)
Todays afternoon cocktails: margarita for Ken, Amaretto Sour for me, yum!
Clouds have rolled in so the rain must be on its way. After I fix spaghetti and meatballs for dinner we will be off to make a Wal-Mart run and then possibly hit the Flora-Bama for a little night fun.
Tomorrow's plan is to leave early in the morning and head north to Mobile. We want to tour the USS Alabama again and then we will probably head toward Ft. Morgan via the ferry boat. It will be St. Paddy's day and I think this is Ken's plan to keep my as far away from QVC as possible. Ha! He probably doesn't remember that I will actually be on the Emerald Isle itself in 3 months and will need all my Euros for shopping there.
Have to go cook dinner now. A woman's work is never done but at least my Internet is working.
Monday was a day for the beach. The wind had died down to a manageable level and the temperature was lovely. We took our leftover shrimp, a cooler full of pop and our beach gear and staked out our little space on beautiful Sugar Beach (also known as Romar Beach). There are lots of young folks here this year. Seems to be a volleyball tournament or something going on. A busload of Canadian kids are staying here with their sponsors. They are very well behaved but it does make the beach more crowded. We sat out for 5 hours reading, dozing and walking. Despite continual application of sunscreen (yes Di, lips and feet too) I still have my red patches. I finally checked out the adult beverages at the Sugar Shack this year. Ken and I indulged in a little margarita and a little daquiri (respectively-not one of each) and it wasn't too bad.
Dinner was at Tacky Jacks, a very popular hangout on the marina. As it was Monday night it wasn't very crowded so we got to sit down right away. We wanted to sit on the deck but it was way too chilly. So, indoors we went. Unfortunately we were seated next to the loudest 8 girls (and 1 boy) south of the Mason/Dixon. I mean, they weren't just loud, they were LOUD! And, they loudly reminded each other that they were being too loud. The lady across from me kept glancing at them and then looking at me. My teacher radar went up and we both rolled our eyes. After the girls left I asked her if she was a teacher and she said yes and asked if I was. I told her I was and we both laughed. I reminded her we were on vacation and didn't have to take charge.
I did learn at dinner that they don't know what a red beer is down hey-ah. The bartender didn't look like he wanted to learn either. The margaritas were good, the steak Ken had was good and my fish was, fish.
Awoke this morning around seven to pounding hammers somewhere in the condos. You'd think they'd have a rule or something preventing hammering before 8 a.m. I don't know, maybe that would make too much sense. Tried to lay in bed but finally gave in about 8. We basically hung around the condo this morning being lazy. Went down to the beach about 12:30. I think today was about the most perfect beach weather you could ask for. About 68 degrees, NO wind and bright sun. Not hot, not chilly, just right. Fed the seagulls, walked down a sandbar, read and watched all the college kids boogey boarding. Some of them are pretty good. I predict that boogey boarding will be part of the next summer olympics :-)
Todays afternoon cocktails: margarita for Ken, Amaretto Sour for me, yum!
Clouds have rolled in so the rain must be on its way. After I fix spaghetti and meatballs for dinner we will be off to make a Wal-Mart run and then possibly hit the Flora-Bama for a little night fun.
Tomorrow's plan is to leave early in the morning and head north to Mobile. We want to tour the USS Alabama again and then we will probably head toward Ft. Morgan via the ferry boat. It will be St. Paddy's day and I think this is Ken's plan to keep my as far away from QVC as possible. Ha! He probably doesn't remember that I will actually be on the Emerald Isle itself in 3 months and will need all my Euros for shopping there.
Have to go cook dinner now. A woman's work is never done but at least my Internet is working.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
We Arrived!
Greetings from sunny Sugar Beach!
I am writing this on my iPhone as I can't get my computer to connect to the net. The after hours service number only works M-F!
Friday's drive was uneventful. Including Tulsa rush hour and stopping for dinner it took 7.5 hours to get to Little Rock. We had a brief but nice visit with Don and Jamie and then turned in for the night.
We left LR at 6:45 stopping for breakfast at Mickey D's. There was an Army JROTC team there too so we felt right at home. Drove through Memphis and greeted McLemore Blvd as we drove by. Then it was south to Jackson where we ate lunch at Pizza Inn. I think John Y. and I need to start a franchise out by New Market Sq. :-) Later in the day we stopped for gas and immediately after that Erin called to say that Bank of America called to alert us of unusual activity on our account. So we called and found out that they were concerned that we had transactions in 3 seperate states in one day. Guess they aren't used to us traveling. Ha! Actually I really appreciated it.
We pulled into the driveway of Sugar Beach exactly 11:30:03 hours after we left LR. We ran into bad traffic coming into
Mobile that delayed us by an hour. I used my handy dandy timer on my iPhone to time us. We are back in the condo we had two years ago and I was so glad to see it is still comfortably nice. Nothing fancy but cozy.
For dinner we went to The Hangout. It is a huge family restaurant/bar that has something for everyone. They had an emcee entertaining diners between live music sets on the outdoor stage. Friday night Los Lonley Boys will be there so I am trying to talk Ken into going. We had great food. We had Frickles for Meghan ( fried pickles) and Ken had fried shrimp. I had a Shaka Shaka Shrimp Wrap. It was the best meal we've ever had down here.
Woke this morning to find that we had no hot water, the Internet still won't connect and my new capris that I didn't try on don't fit. Ken flipped the breaker on the hot water tank, I can connect on my iPhone and we are going to make an old navy run for shorts and capris. The sun is shining and the water is lovely so all is well.
As the say at the Hangout- laugh loud dance fast have fun or go home!
Shaka Baby!
I am writing this on my iPhone as I can't get my computer to connect to the net. The after hours service number only works M-F!
Friday's drive was uneventful. Including Tulsa rush hour and stopping for dinner it took 7.5 hours to get to Little Rock. We had a brief but nice visit with Don and Jamie and then turned in for the night.
We left LR at 6:45 stopping for breakfast at Mickey D's. There was an Army JROTC team there too so we felt right at home. Drove through Memphis and greeted McLemore Blvd as we drove by. Then it was south to Jackson where we ate lunch at Pizza Inn. I think John Y. and I need to start a franchise out by New Market Sq. :-) Later in the day we stopped for gas and immediately after that Erin called to say that Bank of America called to alert us of unusual activity on our account. So we called and found out that they were concerned that we had transactions in 3 seperate states in one day. Guess they aren't used to us traveling. Ha! Actually I really appreciated it.
We pulled into the driveway of Sugar Beach exactly 11:30:03 hours after we left LR. We ran into bad traffic coming into
Mobile that delayed us by an hour. I used my handy dandy timer on my iPhone to time us. We are back in the condo we had two years ago and I was so glad to see it is still comfortably nice. Nothing fancy but cozy.
For dinner we went to The Hangout. It is a huge family restaurant/bar that has something for everyone. They had an emcee entertaining diners between live music sets on the outdoor stage. Friday night Los Lonley Boys will be there so I am trying to talk Ken into going. We had great food. We had Frickles for Meghan ( fried pickles) and Ken had fried shrimp. I had a Shaka Shaka Shrimp Wrap. It was the best meal we've ever had down here.
Woke this morning to find that we had no hot water, the Internet still won't connect and my new capris that I didn't try on don't fit. Ken flipped the breaker on the hot water tank, I can connect on my iPhone and we are going to make an old navy run for shorts and capris. The sun is shining and the water is lovely so all is well.
As the say at the Hangout- laugh loud dance fast have fun or go home!
Shaka Baby!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Spring Fever
Greetings!
In about 28 hours we will be leaving for what has become our annual trek to the white sands of Gulf Shores, Alabama. More specifically, Orange Beach and Sugar Sands condominiums. This will be our third year going to Gulf Shores and hopefully it will not be our last trip.
This year we are taking Roy as far as Little Rock for a visit with Ken's brother Don. We will pick him up on our way back home next Saturday. I have my books, magazines, MP3 and DVDs ready to go.
I'll try to update this every day internet connection permitting.
Can't wait to get into beach mode!
Laura
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