Battleship Park & The Beach

I’ll start by acknowledging that none of my hobbies include marine/navel themes (except maybe reading a book on the bench seat, while John fishes from a boat at the cottage, ha ha), but I was truly educated and impressed with the USS Alabama (battleship, commissioned in 1942, served in WW II – Atlantic and Pacific) and the submarine, USS DRUM (the oldest American submarine on public display). The tour was fascinating – we laughed, we questioned, we were surprised, and were saddened. We spent an amazing 3 hours exploring these massive vessels – time just flew by.

Much like the cave tour at Mammoth Cave, KY, I cannot do this topic justice, so if you’re interested please have a peek at the historical facts and figures for yourself on their website. 

Since it seemed that every minute there was something remarkable to record, I did take a lot of photos. We’re still at the beginning of our journey, but I can already imagine boring my loved ones with the wonderful facts and details when I’m home :o)

If your interest is “not so much”, here are just a few of my pics, below.

Barracks

Example of how every locker had to be packed

Chef’s kitchen

Dentist’s office

The next day we finally hit the beach. As per usual, there were not a lot of people around (families were wearing PANTS, but we were in shorts!). You could easily ID the folks who are just passing through – I’m talking to you, fellow with cowboy hat, flannel shirt tucked in, silver-platter belt-buckle, and your socks and boots on the bench beside you..

Although it did feel wonderfully warm as we lay on our beach towels for a half hour, it wasn’t quite ‘so hot I’ve got to cool off’. John, on the other hand, dove in and enjoyed the refreshing salty water. The town of Gulf Shores takes great care of the public beaches – they are spotless, the restrooms and outdoor shower towers (lots of kids getting their feet wet), and the parking set-up are very impressive. This would be a wonderful alternative to Florida for a vacation.

Somebody tried to take my place as John’s date…. we think it was the salt water from the beach!

A few souvenir shops later and we were ready for our homemade dinner of steak, potatoes and green beans back in the bus. We had to be up early to head to Louisiana!

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Upon leaving the state park, and heading south, we had to make a stop. The “Check Engine” light had previously appeared on the bus, but since US Thanksgiving seems to close the country for a whole week, we had an appointment with a dealership in Montgomery, early on our travel day. Long story short, the team at Stivers Ford was super, and although we were frustrated at first, I soon grew to secretly enjoy the reliable wi-fi in the customer lounge – I was an emailing, Instagramming, uploading, downloading, portable-hard-drive-movie/book-dragging fool for about 3 hours! Again, no serious issues, so off we went!

The beach was just past this bridge!

When we arrived at Gulf Shores, Alabama, my first thought was ‘Florida??’, as we drove along the beachy main strip, calling out ice cream shop names, goofy souvenir/surf shop names and the MANY seafood restaurants which all promised to be Best on Earth. For the first time on this trip, when we exited the RV to register, we were excited to feel that it finally felt like the South – WARM!

On our evening walk we waved to a friendly senior named Bob. We stopped to chat, and it was soon obvious that Bob-from-Michigan was John’s hero (John said so twice). While Bob shared tips and tricks for newbies, he joked that he hadn’t worn long pants in 24 years (#1!), and is excited for this January, when his pensioner years will surpass his 30+ years working at GM (#2!). He was such a delight to listen to, we just stood and smiled. My favourite chat:

• Bob, to me: “Do you cook?”
• Me: “Yes.”
• Bob: “Really, you do?”
• Me: “Yes, we both do.”
• Bob: “Well my wife only makes 3 things – thaw out, go out, or take out!”

We all laughed, but Bob got serious quickly. He must have named about 6 lunch spots nearby, complete with detailed specials on their specific weekdays, PLUS recommended times of arrival – he’d memorized all the menus.  Bob’s main goal was for himself and his wife to eat a late lunch each day for less than $14 (they share a can of soup or a sandwich before bed). We thanked Bob for his tips, and parted ways. Alas, we never did make it to Roadkill Café, in Elberta, AL.

Adorable decor at somebody’s site

The next night, we walked after dark and noticed there were many snowbirds at this park (easy to figure out by the décor around the sites). Some folks take decorating their site very seriously, which was neat, but still funny, with no snow. At this particular park there was a nightly float that drove along the park roads, with holiday music blasting, and candy being tossed out to bystanders.

As Jimmy Buffet fans, the next day we went to Jimmy’s sister’s restaurant, Lulu’s (one of only 3 locations). It was a bright sunny day, and we were seated on the patio, just a few feet away from the Intracoastal Waterway below. I’m not really a foodie, but I am adventurous, and so I had to try ‘Crazy Sista’s Crab Toast’, which was absolutely delicious! You know it is because I took a picture!

Crazy Sista’s Crab Toast

Before we left Lulu’s, I had to check out one silly thing, due to a serious curiosity. Yes, there is such a thing as a Hurricane Simulator. And yes, it’s actually really hard to stand up – you get seriously tossed around even in this little booth!

 

Fun Fact: Before we went out for lunch, John went for a bike ride – from Alabama to Florida!

Come back soon if you like Alabama Naval history, the beach – and after that, Louisiana!

Sweet Home Alabama

On Friday November 24, we moved on to Alabama. Wanting to try some real “State Parks”, we found Oak Mountain State Park, not far from Birmingham – very impressive.

Our view from one side of the campground.

Oak Mountain State Park offers horse-back riding, an archery park, mountain bike and road bike trails, a BMX track, 50 miles of well-marked hiking trails, from “family” level upward, a golf course, boat rentals, and beautiful options for camping, from very rustic private sites (tent folks who like to ‘rough it’) to more traditional sites.  Peavine Falls was one amazing attraction, but John loved the fact that the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) included one of these trails on its  list of EPIC rides!

Beautiful views at Peavine Falls

On Saturday John took his mountain bike out for a 3 hour ride. When he returned he told me about a fellow who fell off his bike, smacked his head, and broke his jaw – and he WAS wearing a helmet. Paramedics tended to him, and other bikers surely were more careful for the next little while.

Guess who’s in trouble for taking too many pamphlets, which apparently are weighing down the bus?

That day we also met a wonderful (local!) family at the campsite next to ours.  Mom, Dad, and their two very polite sons (12 and 16) are all SERIOUS college football fans, and so we were invited to pull up our chairs and watch (and learn).  We had such fun chatting about college football, about how they could qualify for a motorcycle license at 14 (!!), and how we really should give Tater Tots a try!  This lovely family (+ one sweet and funny friend, visiting for the game and dinner), offered heaps of advice and suggestions for our remaining stay in Alabama, and we acted on most of it!!

I brought one of my beef burgers over when we were invited to join them for dinner, but John gratefully accepted one of their homemade (they hunt*) venison burgers and loved it. When hot chocolate appeared at the end of the night, I retrieved my coffee-flavoured “moonshine”, and we toasted to a new friendships (AND College football!). I took the boys’ suggestions for burger chains, and DID eventually enjoy what they recommended! Tip – – Sonic Cheeseburger is similar to Wendy’s!

* Fun Fact: We were gently commenting on each others’ accents, and I truly do like a southern drawl.  During dinner this really happened.  I heard:

• John : (..vague question to the Dad about hunting).
• The Mom, to older son: “Sweetie, when is the last time you all went huntin’ with Grandpa?”
• Son: “Oh! It was when dad shot that big neighbour.”
• Me: “Uhhh, PARDON? What? Your dad shot a big neighbour?”
• Son, and all others, laughing: “Nooo, he shot a big Mule Deer.“
• Me: ‘Ohh..kay.  You sure you didn’t say neighbour?”  

LOTS more laughter – nicest folks ever, and I had no idea I’d enjoy being called “Ma’am”.

We’ve already emailed and four of us are following each other on Instagram (good guess if you supposed ‘not the dads’, ha ha) – this family was a very warm welcome to the state of Alabama!

Next up for Alabama, more RV repairs, a hero named Bob, a visit to Lulu’s (Jimmy Buffet’s sister), and a little hurricane!