Alabama Gulf Shore

Monday, April 30

We left Rocky Bayou State Park and headed to Alabama. We took I-10 part of the way to our destination of Gulf State Park, located between Orange City and Gulf Shores Alabama.  I-10 was really a pleasant ride; lots of hills and valleys and very little traffic.  We were more than impressed with the campground. (more to follow on that - there was so much to take in there.) Our site was awesome!

Tuesday, May 1
We took a road trip to Fort Morgan via the Alabama scenic by-way.  Again, the roads were beautiful.
However there is a  section (Seaside Salvation) that is vacation rental heaven.

History Lesson: For Morgan was the defense for Mobile Bay battle.  It is where the "Damn the Torpedoes" was said by Captain David Farragut (the Yankee captain, from New Orleans, who secured Mobile Bay from the Confederacy.)   He took his ships through the Bay which was full of torpedoes, believing that the torpedoes were deep enough in the water that his ships' primers would not hit them, and his gamble paid off.  He was later promoted to Admiral and as the first admiral of the US Navy.

It is the most "hands on" forts we have visited.  You can actually climb all over it and through it with very little restrictions.

 

Also located there, is the Battery dating back to 1895.

Unfortunately, an eyesore is located there as well. They do not belong!

Wednesday May 2

 We headed to Mobile, Alabama for the day.  This time to see the USS Alabama. 

 

 

Every time you get this former sailor near a ship, he heads to the engine room. and does a little reminiscing.

 He didn't have one of these, though.

And there was a lot more to see here.

 

 

 

Even a Momma Bird and she was not getting up from her work.

Travelers from California.

Next stop was historic Mobile for a trolley tour of the area.

Along with mascot Oliver.

A beautiful old area, full of different architecture.

We passed by where they are building the new navy ships, the Coastal Patrol Boats, a high speed patrol vessel, in place of destroyers. 

 If you look closely you can see in above the wall.

 

And surrounding the downtown center, statues representing the city's history.

 
Last stop, of course, the Harley Dealer.  Like we don't have enough shirts.

Thursday May 3

We took a ride around the area and went out to the beautiful beaches.

While we were there, the 2018 National Collegiate Girls Beach Volleyball Championships was taking place (Thursday through Sunday). Congratulations to UCLA.

We took a ride into Foley for a step back in history.

Then it was Flora-Bama Time!.  We were only abut 10 minutes away.  They ride was beautiful.

 But as usual, areas of Condos/Hotels

The Flora-Bama
 

 

The Main Room (waiting for Dave McCormick) to play.



The Yacht Club were Bat was playing.  My good friend Robin texted me that he would be there (her favorite) and I can see why.  He never stops singing.  You can add us to his fan list now.  What a blast we had.

After such a busy day, we were glad to get back to the coach and crash, since the next day we were pulling out for Black Water State Park and Delaney's graduation from University of West Florida.