November 28,2015

Up at 4am to hit the road at 5. There is a real fine mist.We’re moving fast because we are getting soaked. The one good thing we know, we will be driving out of the rain. Finally we are crossing the Mississippi River. It reminds me of my Mom. When she was about 4, (1922) her Dad moved the family to Texas. The day they were to take the ferry across her Mom cleaned everybody up and put on their “Sunday clothes.” Today was an exciting day for the family, today they cross the Mississippi.

After 642 miles we have made it to our destination.Traveling with a GPS is interesting. Sometimes when you are not quite there it informs you that you are.  That is what happened when we got to Gulf Shores State Park. We just kept driving what seemed like forever till we got to the park office. At the campsite with everything set up we beat the sunset that was a good thing because when the sun goes down its real dark and that’s around 5:15. All are settled in for the evening. Tomorrow we explore.

We spent the next days riding and walking the different paths and hiking trails around the State Park. There are a number of people that come here year after year. Most, we are finding out started out like Jim and I traveling around for about 5 years and find themselves enjoying a certain area and end up spending their winters there and many become full time selling there homes and choosing to live in their trailers or motor coaches.

We went on some errands and stopped for lunch at a place called Lamberts, famous for their  rolls. Jim ask me what it meant. I said it must be the way they make them. When we sat down, all of a sudden something hit me in the head. Across the room some guy with a basket yelled “thrower roll!” and threw a roll across the room. That is what hit me. So they really do “throw” rolls there.

January 6 & 7

Today we are meeting up with Zoe and Eric. Zoe is the daughter of Sonja and Max Miley,some very dear friends. Max has raced for RBM since the early 80’s. Zoe and Eric married last year, he is in the Air Force and is stationed in Pennesacola Florida. A great lunch at a resturant called Cobalts and then we drove them around. They are not far from Gulf Shores but had never visited. There is a huge fishing pier near where we are camped. The people here are quite serious about their fishing.

The next day we went to Ft. Morgan. The arial view of the fort shows that it is star shaped constricted of over 4 million bricks. Finished in 1834 this fort was active during 4 wars the Civil War, Spanish American,World War I &II. It’s most historical battle was during the Civil War when Union Admiral David Farragut proclaimed ” Damn the Torpedos!” And went into battle and won the battle after a two week siege.

Some changes in the weather brought clouds and beautiful sunsets.We are off to Williston Florida tomorrow. Excited for a change.