_27 February ‘09 Friday

Last Monday, Louise and I went back to NAS Pensacola to see the air museum.  We heard so much about this museum and how good it was, we just had to make a day of it.  Unbelievable, but the admission is FREE…  Not only is the admission free, so are the guided tours.  We joined in with about 20 others and thoroughly enjoyed the stories and knowledge that our guide passed on to us over the 2 hours we were with him.  Pat was a retired Navy aviator and flew a number of the airplanes on display during his career.  Not only did he know the museum well, he knew the planes that were there and their stories as well.  As you might know, NAS Pensacola is the summer Home Base for the Blue Angles.  As you drive through Pensacola you couldn't miss the fact that the Blue Angles are loved here.  They have schools, streets, and shops throughout town named after them.  I must admit, they deserve it...

_Obviously we had a great time and we look forward to going back sometime this week.  I also came across the Heavy One patch that we wore on our jackets and flight suits while we were at NAS Sanford, Florida.  Unfortunately they didn't have one for sale...so I took this picture instead. 

_Leaving the NAS (Naval Air Station), we tried hard to remember things about Pensacola from 1960, but absolutely nothing was familiar.  We even tried to find the apartment that we lived in, but to no avail…    It would have been nice, but it was just an apartment… 

Tuesday and Wednesday we just stayed close to the coach.  Louise wasn’t feeling well and I was getting tired of seeing a dirty coach.  I pulled out my ladder, buffer, cleaner, wax, and got busy. 

Thursday we drove into Pensacola to see a doctor and today we saw another and received the results.  All is well. 

_22 January ‘09 Sunday

Louise and I were on the road a little earlier than normal…we’ve been invited to church.  Bo and Jeannie asked us to join them this morning to enjoy a service at their church.  We met Bo and Jeannie about 10am and joined them in their car as we drove down to Josephine Baptist Church.  Josephine Baptist is beautifully landscaped with a massive area of green grass, Live Oak, and Pine trees.   As soon as we opened the doors of Bo’s car we were met by a lot of their friends and neighbors.  Pastor Dr Ted Mashburn met us at the entry into the church and made us feel like we had known him for ever.  Bo had told us that he has this quality and also that he gives one heck of a good service.  It didn’t take long and we were sitting in our pew and meeting the whole congregation as each and every person made sure that they came up and welcomed us in.  Bo was right, Ted’s service was very good and one that we will take with us. 

Following church, Jeannie had invited Louise and me and another 6 to join them for lunch at the house.  As I had mentioned in one of my earlier postings, Jeannie is a great hostess and produces a wonderful meal.  I hate to say that it was “just soup”, but that is what it was…SOUP !!!  This soup was sooo good that everyone there was hoping that they would be able to get the secret recipe.  I’ve been looking forward to eating the “local” foods and Jeannie has gone out of her way to make me happy.  Today’s soup was “Collards Greens” and sausage and…. IT WAS SOOOO GOOD !!!  Oh yes, there was also cornbread and an open bar…  Bo was in charge of the open bar, and he did a great job too. 

_21 February ‘09

Saturday

By 11am this morning we were looking for the best parking spot in Mobile, Alabama.  We were in town to see 3 different Mardi Gras parades, and it was going to take all day to do it.  We happened down this very narrow one-way road and saw this little vacant lot.  Noticing that they had some parking lines faintly painted on the broken up blacktop, and there were already 2 other cars parked, we jumped the curb and parked between the other cars already there.  I was hoping that if there was a problem with us parking there, they wouldn’t notice us cuddled in-between.  Pulling our beach chairs out of the back of the car, putting our coats on to ward off the cold wind, we head off to find “our” place along the parade route.  A short block away we found what seemed to be the center of town.  There was a large park located there that was having entertainment going on all day and we thought that setting up “camp” across the street would work.  This way, we would be entertained while we’re waiting for the parades and far enough away from the speaker system that we’ll be leaving with our ear drum still intact.  The first two parades came through one after another, so it really felt like there was only one.

_That was OK, as we caught enough beads and Moon Pies to last us a long time.  With the next Mardi Gras parade not starting for about 4 hours, we pull the chairs and take them back to the car.  Now we’re off for a walk around Mobile.  I’m not sure of the population of Mobile but over-all the city it’s self can be walked easily.  There are many homes and commercial buildings that mirror the designs and age of New Orleans.  We noticed quite a large number of church steeples though out town but one set of two really stood out.  The dome of both steeples were covered in gold leaf and with the sun setting on them, it made a beautiful site.  These domes top the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. 

_This just happens to be the first Catholic parish on the Gulf Coast and was established at Mobile in 1703.  In 1835 the cornerstone for this cathedral was laid on the current site.  As we passed through the huge doors and into the nave and looked forward to the sanctuary and apse, we were reminded of so many times that we had the opportunity to witness such beauty as we have re-found here in Mobile.

_In Europe we admired so many absolutely beautiful cathedrals and now in Mobile, we’ve found another.  Time for the 6pm parade was getting close so we started back to the car to gather our chairs and position ourselves once again for a Mardi Gras Parade. 

_As we sat low to the ground, feet on the barricade, eating a sausage and onion sandwich roll, we were visited by some parade “officials”.  These 4 guys made such an impression on us that I just had to include them in my journal… 

_Well tonight’s parade is going to be our last for this year, but we will be back. 

_20 February ‘09 Friday

Last Monday, Bo and Jeannie invited us down to their home in Julian, which is about a mile off the white sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico.  Their home sits on one of the many inlets off of the coastal waterways, which gives them quick access to the Gulf for a quick sail or cruise in the beautiful aqua blue waters.  The view from the deck at sunset is amazing,

_and it also gives them a great place to enjoy a quiet breakfast in the early morning, or entertain many of their closest guests for an incredible dinner that “Chef” Jeannie continues to produce with ease.  Well this morning we drove the ¾ hour drive to their home.  After a  little (a lot…) of catching up conversation, and a tour of their home, we were off to see the “local” sites and grab lunch at Pirates Cove, one of the local eateries at the marina. 

_Unfortunately it seemed to take forever to get our food, but on the other side, lunch was really good, I’d go back anytime.  Bo then drove us around for the next 3 hours to see all the sites of the area.  We drove down to Gulf Shores, made a left hand turn, and then followed the white sands along the coast highway to Pensacola.  Again we saw some of the damage that occurred from the last hurricane that hit this area, Ivan.  Driving across a beautiful arching bridge we found ourselves on the roadways leading into Pensacola, Florida.  Bo was going to see if I could remember anything about the base…our barracks, the photo school, BRIG ?, or…  Well once he got us to the area of the photo school, I did recognize it, closed but the building was still there.   Bo thought our barracks had disappeared and become another parade field and that was probably the only answer as there was nothing there any longer.  Did I mention Chef Jeannie ??? 

_Well Chef Jeannie asked us to stay for dinner and she was making us some “Southern Fried Chicken”….  Let me tell you something, her Southern Fried Chicken was sooo tasty.  I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed chicken as much as that.  It was complimented with rice, gravy, broccoli, and Jeannie’s chicken.  Thanks Jeannie… Oh yes, thanks to Bo as well, we had a great time today…

_18 February ‘09 Wednesday

As Louise and I passed through Mobile the other day, we passed by the Battleship Memorial Park, which was set up to display the USS Alabama, an aircraft pavilion, and the submarine USS Drum.  We knew that visiting the memorial was a must while here in the area so we chose this afternoon to do it.  We drove into Mobile about noon, so before we went over to the Alabama, we stopped off for lunch.  Close by, we found Felix’s Fish House.

_It has survived a number of Hurricanes and it still sits overlooking the bay.  With a cement foundation, walls and roofing of steel sheeting, it will most likely stay through a few more.  We found the service at Felix OUTSTANDING !!!  I can’t remember having better service and knowledge of foods being served.  It was so good (oysters and catfish, and incredible shrimp), I went to great length to let everyone that worked with us know how much we appreciated their service.  The food was also way above average…this was a great experience.  Following lunch, we drove the mile over to the memorial.  Once into the grounds, we were blown away by the size and stature of the Battleship USS Alabama.  It is an amazing ship…  We purchased our tickets and headed for the gang plank.  Over the next 2 hours we walked most of the passageways, and levels of the Alabama examining everything closely.  I even tried out one of the bunks.

_Man did that take me back.  My bunk on the USS Independence was the top of two.  I had a vent cover on the air-conditioning system that I could take down and store some of my “goodies” (food), and I shared the room with 9 others.  Here’s a little information on the Alabama that I thought I would post: Commissioned in August ’42, fought the Germans in the North Sea area until being transferred over to the Pacific Fleet in August 1943. Because of her advanced radar systems, she was able to detect enemy planes, alerting fleet gunners with enough advanced warning that they were able to knock down 476 enemy planes, including Alabama’s guns were able to stop the Japanese “Kamikaze” pilots that were bent on crashing their aircraft into our warships.  It was also sent to Japan in 1945 and struck with devastating results using its big 16” projectiles.  Following the surrender of Japan, and moving around the Pacific Ocean to make sure that the world was now safe from war, the Alabama was sent to Bremerton, Washington in 1947 and decommissioned and put into “moth balled” fleet. 

_16 February ‘09 Monday

We’ve moved on again…  Yesterday morning we pulled out of Martin Lake / Ocean Springs and headed east on Hwy-90.  We drove through Pascagoula and up to Moss Point where we crossed into Alabama.  Just prior to Pascagoula we passed over the Pascagoula River.  The river spreads out for well over a mile wide and looks more like a large bayou filled with reeds that happens to have a river running through it.  It’s known to be a wonderful place to do some kayaking…  Oh the temptation…  We have now added one more state to our growing list…Alabama.  Our new site is located at the Styx River Resort, in Robertsdale, Alabama.   In November of 1958 I joined the Navy.  I went to boot camp in San Diego, was sent to a 2 month school in Norman, Oklahoma, and then sent to my first duty station at Pensacola Naval Air Station.  That is where I met Bo Benedict.  Bo was from Birmingham, Alabama and had arrived in Pensacola with his Austin Healey sports car. A car like that was the envy of every sailor on base, and I just happened to have the bunk right next to “this guy with the sports car”…just a little kidding, but true.  Anyway, Bo and I had a good friendship that seems to have lasted 48 years.  Just last month, as Louise and I were getting closer to Pensacola, I got thinking that I Just might get lucky and find Bo.  As luck would have it, I did a short search on the internet and found a phone number for a Bo Benedict.  After picking up my cell phone and dialing the found phone number, I found myself talking once again with Bo.  I could tell immediately that he hadn’t changed one bit, he was still the Bo Benedict that I had known years ago.  This afternoon Bo and his lovely bride Jeannie came by for a couple of hours here at the coach.  Unfortunately time flew by on us today but we’ll be getting together again this week as Louise and I have been invited down to their house in Gulf Shores.  We really enjoyed having them come by and see us, but there is one thing that I totally regret….I FORGOT TO TAKE A PICTURE !!!   I’ll do better, I promise. 

_14 February ‘09 Saturday

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to everybody !!! 

The Valentine Baby above is :  Austin, Phil and Kathy’s grandson

Louise and I are enjoying our Valentine Day here in Gulf Springs, Mississippi.  We went back to the casino this morning.  When we signed up for our “Gaming Card” they told us that if we were to come back this morning, we would receive up to $25 credit each, for the losses we might have incurred yesterday.  Well we parlayed that credit into a plus for me of $28 before I cashed in and Louise took it to $80 before she cashed in…  that was a nice Valentine gift for both of us. 

_“ Friday “  13 February ‘09

A little cloudy with the sun poking out now and then and a forecast of rain…a perfect day to do the laundry.  We just filled a couple of machines and will patiently await the finished product.  Today will also give me the needed time to continue working on our web-pages.  I’ve been working on adding pictures and correcting some of the postings to Egypt, Austria, and now Hungary.  I’ve found it to be harder to do than I originally thought to complete this project and I just hope it’s worth the time…  I’ll try and keep you updated as I go. 

Unfortunately with the weather threatening heavy rain and thunder tonight, the Mardi Gras parade marshals are letting us know that they just might have to cancel tonight’s events in New Orleans.  They are telling us (those that weren’t around ) that it very well could be like last year’s schedule, off, on, and off again to finally be rescheduled. 

Noon quickly arrived and Louise went to the pantry to find the pick-ins for lunch.  As she put the can of tuna on the counter to make us a couple of tuna sandwiches, she said “I guess we could go over to the Hard Rock Casino. 

_They’re having their $4.99 buffet…”  Yep, you guessed it, we went for the buffet.  We’re really not into buffets but with it dark and raining, and Louise really liking the fun at the casinos, it just made sense to make her happy.  Of course we received our gaming card which gave us the $4.99 price for the buffet.  Fortunately for me, my buffet was free because of my birthday this month.  I’ll take “Free” anytime…  Following lunch, Louise took $20 and headed over to the penny machines.  By the time I found her she had already won about $10 on top of her investment.  I put in $20 twice and lost it quickly…I love gambling.  A couple of hours later we were heading out to the car and as we passed a couple of machines at the entrance, Louise asked if I might have a couple of one dollar bills.  It didn’t take but a couple of minutes and she was already up to $26 on a penny machine so I pulled up next to her and put in $3 more dollars.  For some reason I got lucky and had my $3 up to $130 in about 15 minutes.  We didn’t pull out right away, but we did after I dropped down to $80.  OK, I’ll take the $40 profit and let’s head home… 

_12 February ‘09 Thursday

A couple of days have gone by without getting to the journal, so I’ve got a little bit of catching up.  Tuesday morning we awoke to a very windy and cloudy day.  Fact is, while we were still lying in bed, it started to rain like hell.  Thank God it only lasted about an hour, but the amount of rain that fell left enough water on the grassy areas to be one big sponge.  This was not going to be a day for sightseeing so we went to the computer and checked for show times at one of the local theaters.  Our choice turned out to be Slum Dog Millionaire.  With all the positive reviews we’ve heard about this movie, we just had to see it.  It was noon when we walked in and just after 2 when we found ourselves ready to head back out into the bad weather…not a thing we really wanted to do. Sooo…  We went back in and took in a second movie.  “He’s Just Not That Into You” was our choice for the second movie.  This was a “girls flick” that I found to be just OK.  It’s not that “girl’s flick’s” are not entertaining, it’s just that this one was just not going to rate high on my list.  Wednesday turned out to be a great day with lots of sun and a noon time temperature in the mid 70’s.  Maybe not a great day to go shopping at the mall but that was something that Louise wanted to do.  Louise wanted to pick up a few new pieces of clothing but it just wasn’t going to happen.  We’ll have to look again somewhere down the road. 

Today was another great day.  We know we’ve got some crummy weather coming and it’s going to last past the weekend.  For that reason I wanted to push forward to do some kayaking.  Last week we drove out to the Gulf Island National Seashore Area and the Davis Bayou.  The Davis Bayou was just too much to leave behind without putting into the waters so today was the day…  By the time we entered the water, we found we had a light breeze coming off of the Gulf.  That wasn’t going to bother us abit, as our plans were to stay in close and paddle the many little pathways through the reeds and trees.  After filling the kayak with air, donning our jackets, and slipping into the water, we now had a chance to explore.  It was an easy paddle as we followed one passageway after another.  The large and small birds were everywhere.  At one point we saw a huge Osprey nest that was still under construction and the Osprey .  As we were rounding a corner through the maze of reeds, Louise almost came out of the kayak.  A HUGE Gator jumped out of the reeds and dove under water 15 yards in front of us.  I only saw and heard the splash of the water but Louise saw “THE GIANT” in action.  We’ve seen a few alligators since we’ve been here in the south,

_but this one was by far the largest.  We were in pretty shallow waters at the time so I really didn’t want to go any further into the path the gator had taken, so we slowly made a turn-around and paddled back out.  I don’t think we would have been in any danger but I didn’t want to push it.  We had a lot of different areas to explore and explore we did.   Another smaller alligator come out of the reeds in front of us but much before we were close enough to get a good look but we were happy enough with that. 

_8 February ‘09 Sunday

Well this is what we did today (went to learn about Jefferson Davis and Beauvoir), what did you do ???

Beauvoir…(BOV-WAH)…”Beautiful view”.  Beauvoir was developed by a wealthy Mississippi planter in 1848.  The land is fronting the Mississippi Sound (the Mississippi Sound is the waters that front the Biloxi area and is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by the thin strip of the Gulf Islands) and took 4 years to complete.  Beauvoir is a single story raised building

_that sat in a complex of 51 acres that included two pavilions, kitchen, carpenter’s shop and residence, foreman’s house, maids quarters, chicken coop, barn, carriage house and harness shop.  By 1877, Beauvoir had sold twice and the new owner a wealthy intellectual, Sarah Dorsey, invited Jefferson Davis to move into the estate and write his memoirs.  By year’s end, Varina Howell Davis joined her husband at Beauvoir after returning from Europe.  The following year Jefferson Davis became the 4th owner of Beauvoir for $5,500.  By 1881 Jefferson Davis had published his memoirs The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government and A Short History of the Confederate States of America.  After Jefferson’s death, Mrs. Davis and daughter were asked to move to New York and write for Joseph Pulitzer and the New York Times.  In leaving Beauvoir, Mrs. Davis knew that she would never come back but wanted Beauvoir to remain as a memorial to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States.

_Today things have changed considerably because of one huge hurricane…Hurricane Katrina.  Of the original buildings, five of seven were destroyed.  Beauvoir is still going through rebuilding, but is complete enough to have tours pass through on a daily basis.

_As of this month, they have spent $4.5 million dollars toward rebuilding Beauvoir by itself…it was a terrific storm that took it down, and the damage was staggering.  The interior painting project is going very slow because of all the detail that they are bringing back.  For instance the details on the walls and ceilings,

_and painting the “oak wood” designs on all the woodwork.  Because of the original woods for the doors not having any natural “grain”, they have diligently painted each and every grain to represent oak on all the natural wood stained doors (this was also done originally).