_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.