Floribama

Our travels have provided a lot of "lessons." One being, trying to find the "typical" geographical area or region is a waste of time, as are your preconceived notions about local/regional culture. Our case study for today class is the State of Floribama. Treating the area as unique is not without a reason. Historically it was West Florida, one time Spanish, one time British, and unofficially, perhaps, a colony of the Republic of Barataria. This was a bay in Louisiana used by privateers/pirates, most famous the Lafite brothers.

The Alabama portion is, for sake of argument, bounded by Mobile Bay in the west, the Gulf of Mexico in the South, Interstate 10 to the North and the Florida border to the East. WAIT! you say. What about Mobile? I will weasel and reserve judgment but for everyday life Eastern Shore people (and you see vehicle decals and such to this effect) don't need to go to Mobile. It appears that they are more likely to go east to Pensacola for shopping.

The area delineated above is Baldwin County which is rather diverse. It is certainly a tourist/vacation destination. The Gulf Coast of Alabama is much the same as Florida and Mississippi, continuous condos and beach houses. The coast of the bay is mostly residential with some park/refuge lands and commercial fishing. The town/city of Gulf Shores is concentrated "beach" business. The Bay has a mix of fishing towns, Bon Secour, and quaint artsy-fartsy places like Fairhope and Daphne. Of note is Magnolia Springs which maintains much of its turn-of-the-century "feel."  The town of Foley and others north along highway 59 are "working" towns established by the railroads and everyday commerce.

Magnolia Farms RV Park, where we are, was part of a FEMA trailer park established due to Hurricane Katrina. Before that it was probably a cotton field, if the cotton fields that surround it are a hint. The snowbird flock dominate the population and most of the rigs with Alabama plates are northern escapees. I imagine many of the people in the area are incomers as southern dialect is not all that usual. It is similar to retiree/snowbird areas in Florida.

So why here? Weather of course. Also we had covered most of Seacoast Georgia and Northeast Florida and needed some new quests. These will be posted here as they happen. We took a break for the holidays to let those with "vacations" deal with the traffic. Another major draw is FRESH SEAFOOD. There are many outlets of just off the boat (they swear) fish and shrimp.

The photos should confirm that I have not mastered the use of the MACRO setting on my camera. Yet, I thought I would tease you with flower photos taken in December 28th. I nearly neglected to include "the flower" taken the same day.

(edit 1/12/17) The fenced in area behind Denise is the "dog park" and NOT as suggested by a correspondent an area for a cage fight as much as I love to watch two attractive women beat the **** out of each other. Can anyone tell me why anyone thinks that is "entertaining?"

PBY Catalina

Stephen Coonts, author of a zillion books including Flight of the Intruder and subsequent tales of Jake Grafton, has a collection of 3 novellas in a volume titled, The Sea Witch. One of the stories is about a PBY Catalina in the South Pacific early in World War Two. As an intro he mentions the display at the Pensacola Naval Air museum with the cut-away. This aircraft is one of those machines that you cannot help liking. I think I constructed two plastic models of it as a kid. According to Wikipedia there are some still flying 80 years later. So thanks to Stephen Coonts for a recommendation although I would have gone there anyway.

(yes, that is a German 262 at the bottom)

Galley, if it is Navy there is coffee.

Another instance of the many owing much to the few.

On the Upper Deck of the Naval Aviation Museum you wander through thematic displays. As you leave the "Home Front" area you are at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. To your right Marine ground crew are repairing a F4F "Wildcat. On the other hand is the "rec" area, giving you a laugh before you sit down and watch the video of the air war over the islands which were a last stop for the Japanese moving toward Australia. War is a nasty business and this campaign would qualify for a poster.

Naval Aviation Museum

Our visit to the museum at the Pensacola Naval Air Station will probably provide more than one blog post. Also, there may well be subsequent visits as it has more than one day's amount of stuff. We visited the two buildings but did not take the trolley ride to the outdoor aircraft exhibit. There was the cut-away of the PBY that I had read about and it was an excellent way to see the interior. A walk-through would have taken some agility and we probably would have learned far less. A surprise was a display on the American Volunteer Group (AVG) the "Flying Tigers." If it is Naval Aviation from day one through today, I believe it is here.

Above is a P-40 decorated in the manner of its service with the AVG flying for China before the US entered the Second World War. The pilots (conveniently) allowed to "resign" from the US service compiled a commendable war record and gain experience that would be critical very soon.

Below is the Corsair, easily identified by its "gull" wings. What is the connection? If you know your history and television, Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, USMC, was a member of the AVG and later, back with the Marines, led the "Black Sheep" depicted on TV by Robert Conrad. In the show the squadron flew Corsairs. I read Boyington's book decades ago and cannot remember what actually happened but if it is on TV  it must be true.

I climb that, to go where, in THAT?

Don't worry sailor, the guys on the ground are always alert for trouble.

Henry Ivan

In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit the Gulf coast to the tune of 20 billion bucks, give or take, in damage. Not included, I imagine, was a six month old pelican with apparently a broken wing. A fellow who traveled in a motorized wheelchair found the bird, fed it by hand, and built a wagon so the pelican could go along with him. Anyway, the story has a happy ending and a flying Henry Ivan is the favorite in Fairhope, Alabama.

Henry hangs around the municipal pier when there are fishermen he recognizes as a soft touch.  This story was related to me by a local. There is however documentation in the form of a children's book called Henry the Pelican. If it is a book it has to be true.

Henry does have fellow birds in the area and some decorate for the Holidays. His look does make me question his Christmas spirit.

Another Day at the Beach

Started the day with breakfast at Grumpy's. Got to the beach and was welcomed by Crabby. This set the scene for a wonderful day with nature. Looking out on the Gulf. . .

This is just one of many in the area that was devastated by a "blow out" a few years ago. The local fisherman appear to support the incoming national administration believing, I assume, that there will be regulations and safeguards against a repeat of that disaster.

I love beachcombing but this was a tad large to bring home. Also, I had no idea for adapted reuse. (It was about 6 feet in diameter.)

Of course I have to included my bird of the day, artistically framed with the Gulf waters in the background. I add that to justify selling copies at 100 bucks a pop (unmatted and unframed), signed and numbered of course. OK, it's a joke but I have seen same in "the gallery" and "Images by Rene" was not joking.

"Andy's Artsy-Fartsy Photography" portfolio would not be complete without a driftwood shot. This is a limited edition creation and well, don't ask, you can't afford it.

The beach and the dune area is part of the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge and near Fort Morgan, a state historical site. It was on the map but there were no direction signs along the road. Although open to the public I believe the powers think it prudent not to encourage visitation. The access road left a bit to be desired. I took this photo at the point where we parked. It shows where we had been. It was not quite as nice going further toward the beach. What there was would have made a challenging bike path.

Want to go to a wildlife refuge or a beach? Both

It suddenly dawned on me that a photo of the sign would save me having to type Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. If you look at a map it is southeast of Mobile, Alabama. If you don't look a map, you will have to take my word for it. It has the usual trails and trees and alligator warning signs but it also has beach, relatively uncluttered with vacation homes and such, but there are a few. Unlike Gulf Shores, the beach is ungroomed and comfortable.

The dune area leads to the busy beach.

And there are little and big friends walking about.

Some of the birds fly. . . .

. . . . but I think they are just showing off.

Why Stars Fell on Alabama?

There seems to be a old tradition of Alabama songs. So why invent the wheel to find a "catchy" title for the blog. I especially like this song. I especially like Jack Teagarden's rendition, actually renditions, as you can find others. The tune has been done by a lot of people including, I have read Jimmy Buffett, who was raised in Mobile. If you think Teagarden's vocal has a bit of Louis Armstrongness you're right or maybe Armstrong had a bit of Teagardeness. You will find the two together on duets like "Rocking Chair." They had fun with their music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT7QNFZx76U

It's 78 degrees, go to the BEACH!

It is difficult to get tired of watching the waves roll in. These particular waves are performing in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It is our first visit to the beach and I found no pirate treasure. I have learned to deal with large disappointments. No sea glass or shells for Denise. This probably will result in another visit. There are, however, other amusements.

This fellow seemed quite put out that I was where he wanted to go.

I would pass a regulation of no buildings within sight of the beach. Actually had I taken this shot in the other direction along the beach you would be dazzled by multi-story condo towers.

Denise saw these islands of grass as picturesque. It is different than the Atlantic coast in Florida where there is no vegetation (in our experience) on the water side of the dunes.

Blog the Bog

Settled in enough to go siteseeing or is that sightseeing? Guess it depends. First stop was Weeks Bay Reserve. http://www.weeksbay.org/ As the visitor center was closed we went to the pitcher plant bog.

The lovely pitcher plant traps insects and devours them slowly. Think Morticia Adams.

This looked like a solid flower until the camera brought it up close.

The Fish River feeds Weeks Bay.

A simple but relaxing morning.

Satsuma

In preparing for this winter's expedition I ran across a local favorite, satsumas. Denise thinks fruit is important in a diet and does not think wine counts as grapes. One cannot understand the female mind. Anyway, little oranges by whatever name are convenient and I don't have to wash a dish. The research on these devils was very positive. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_unshiu) It proved to be quite accurate. If not the best "mandarin-type" it is a contender.

On Location

It is November 23rd and I am seriously considering "going live" with this blog. The last two weeks are a blur. OK, and a frustration. Andy don't mind waiting but he likes some control over it. This was waiting because of truck break down, delayed repairs, and the Chrysler Corporation warranty policy. Please note, no one was to blame, everyone was just following orders.

Anyway, today and yesterday had temperatures in the 70s under blue skies and it is difficult to complain about that. Those who know me probably realize I would not run from that challenge. Yet, I will remain mellow and if that doesn't work I will add a margarita as a catalyst.

It is Sunday November 20th. We are at Cullman Campground, surprisingly it is in Cullman, Alabama. It is a comfortable, pleasant place, forested and quiet. So far, you can see I am a realist/optimist, the truck is running fine. Well should be at the winter camp in Foley, Alabama tomorrow afternoon.

Interstate 65 is a busy road and I am very happy that we went though Nashville on a Sunday. There is no bypass interstate. South Tennessee is very nice and the late fall colors are still with us the colors muted and soft.

The nights have been below freezing so we are roughing it, so to speak, by not hooking up the water at the campgrounds. Paper plates and such does the trick although the cat is starting to give me questioning looks.

Maybe tomorrow or the next day I will release this stuff to the world or at least the chosen few.

It Has to Get Better, Doesn't It?

It is just shy of 4 a.m., November 17th, and instead of being in Foley, Alabama, where we should have been on November 11th, I am sitting at home writing this (the latter part of that should be obvious). There is still a plan to go south. I will publish this to the blog and let the usual suspects know there is a blog when, and if, the operation gets "on the road again."

We left on November 9th at about 7:30 a.m. and came to a smoking halt in a Milford, Ohio, LOWE'S parking lot, near Cincinnati, around noon. The left rear wheel "area" was smoking. I will not go into the technical aspects of the problem as I am supremely unqualified in that regard. The highlights are, towed to repair shop. Axle seal problem, the goop it seals in was all over. Further investigation prior to repair revealed differential damage. Warranty required work be done a Chrysler dealer. Towed to dealer. Chrysler (corp.) required independent evaluation. Service had to wait for report before they could order parts. We came home Saturday the 12th. On Tuesday, November 15th we were informed that Chrysler had authorized the warranty repair so ordering parts had begun. Estimated availability of repaired truck, next week some time.

The warranty (certified used vehicle) covers the bulk of the cost. Yet, we spent three nights at a Holiday Inn in the mistaken belief that the repairs would be expedited and we had the travel trailer moved to a secure location in an RV dealer's lot. Some of these expenses may be covered by a supplemental repair policy Important word, MAY.

To give credit. The first repair shop, Bob Sumerel (Milford, Ohio) and the service dept. at Jeff Wyler Chrysler (Batavia, Ohio) did what they could. Hertz got us into a car on very short notice and then Wyler provided a loaner. Lowe's let us leave the trailer for a few days and Holman RV (near Wyler's) found a spot for it. Holiday Inn (Eastgate) was very understanding with our on again/off again need for a room. The only person with a bad attitude was me.

So, as I sit and wait I try to develop enthusiasm for continuing the trip south. Interruptions are frustrating, a newly repaired truck can be a question (reliability), and the result of the recent election seems to have "let slip the dogs of hate," especially in the South. Still. if you see this I suspect we are not still in Canton.