January 2023

 January 2023

We had a quiet New Year and prepared for John to begin year end which is his busiest time of the year. I spent time researching our next stops that have been complicated with Mardi Gras. 

I got over my trepidation of driving the truck on my own guessing the road conditions weren't going to get any better than around here. Parking and navigating car parks is the hardest bit as the truck pretty much takes four spaces so we just park right at the furthest end of the lot, great way to get your daily step tally up!

We went to Flora Bama on Sunday 15th January. This is a famous music venue right on the Florida Alabama state line and first opened in 1964 and has 5 stages and has concerts on the beach for thousands. This was another place that was very quiet on a Winter Sunday at 4.30pm but at the height of Summer would be crazy. We watched a guy called Kaleb King who was ok. 

I am having trouble being understood in the South even when I speak slowly and clearly. People give me a look that says Eh, what did you say? John says I need a t-shirt with "2 non-alcoholic beers please" printed on. Maybe I will just put on a fake Southern accent and see if that works.

https://www.florabama.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA2rOeBhAsEiwA2Pl7Q19rp2zV5640QiuY4KkWaHZIYDgjAydLMwKl3hYUTwXevxNGKHh4KRoCWTwQAvD_BwE

The month was pretty quiet with up and down weather but we did get to see more sunsets and I saw bugs and wild flowers while walking Morgan. I also began baking a little bit and having disagreements with the convection microwave oven in the RV that keeps turning itself off if you open the door to check your stuff, or does not seem to get very hot. I have had a chat with it, may have included a few curse words so hoping I have got over the learning curve of a new oven.

Bit over cooked rock buns

Pigs feet anyone? Big or small jars

Morgan sunbathing but she doesn't like being tied up

Vegan Chocolate chip scones. 

For John's 60th birthday last July I bought him wood whittling/carving tools as I knew he would miss his time in the garage with his tools and thought this would be a fun new hobby he can do sitting outside the RV on a nice evening or weekend and it was a hobby that needed minimal equipment. Since the weather has been so poor and with the dark winter nights we haven't really sat out much so he had not tried any carving. I found some people on you tube to get him inspired and suggested he could begin carving inside on the rug. He hasn't done a lot yet but is really liking it. 

Gulf State Park, Alabama

 Thursday 29th December 2022

It finally warmed up and we enjoyed a walk at Gulf State Park. This State Park has it all, a big campsite with 496 sites, numerous hiking and biking trails and two miles of beach. I had originally tried to book us into this park but it was fully booked. Looking back maybe someone knew we would need somewhere for longer?

The hikes are pleasant but a bit bland as they are on tarmac pathways, well signed, flat and very busy with a lot of cyclists passing you. Yup I think we have been spoiled by the wild forests of Tennessee. 

USS Alabama & Mobile

 Tuesday 27th December 2022

We enjoyed a day out that began with a visit to a small shop nearby that sold beignets (pronounced ben-yay). It is a fritter type of pastry deep fried, made fresh and served hot if the establishment is good. We split one serving between us and opted for the custard filled. They were quite expensive, $7.50 plus adding in the washing of John's jacket after he dripped custard down it!

We then had a 50 mile drive to see the USS Alabama. We knew we could not tour the ship but would only be able to walk around the grounds as we had Morgan with us but we still had fun and it had warmed up a bit! It was quite busy and would not like to visit it at peak season. There were some beautiful war memorials including a memorial to all service animals lost in action. 

Stealth bomber

We then drove into the city of Mobile and had a walk around. It was pretty quiet as still the holidays but we did find a great store A&M Peanut Shop, established in 1947. I had a bit of a wait in line for some freshly roasted warm peanuts but the wait was worth it.

Cinema on Dauphin Street

A&M Peanut Shop

Don't think the interior has changed a lot

Roasters

The Haunted Bookshop

We enjoyed a walk around some of the historic streets and I think taking a guided tour would be a great idea. While New Orleans, Louisiana is know worldwide for it's Mardi Gras festival, the first was actually held in Mobile, which is an older city and was originally part of Louisiana.

We are finding more and more that though the weather may not be great in the Winter we are able to enjoy the places we visit a lot more as we are not fighting big crowds.

Pensacola Florida

 We had a quiet Christmas Day relaxing and watching shows. We do not make a Christmas meal now as we have a big celebration meal at Thanksgiving. 

On Boxing Day, December 26th, we enjoyed a day out driving along the coastal road east ending up in Pensacola Florida. We had a walk around the historical area that had some gorgeous homes. I had not researched the area so we just enjoyed a wander around thinking we had not been there before until I saw an area with very southern architecture and said hey we have been here before there is an art gallery around the corner. John looked a bit unsure but after 31 years of marriage he knows to trust my memory and there around the corner was the art gallery, unfortunately it was closed. We had driven there a few years ago while visiting Taylor when he was stationed at Destin.

Some people have inflatable Christmas lawn decorations but this house has a train! 

On the drive back along the coast we stopped at an inlet next to Perdido Key and watched for dolphins. There were some guys fishing and blue heron were standing next to them waiting for dinner, they are so big!

ok not the best pic but that's a dolphin

We continued towards home and stopped at a nearby boat launch area on Little Lagoon and saw a fabulous sunset.

A very fun Boxing Day!