Well, as of today we are one time zone closer to home! Probably will be on Central Time for the next couple of months. From Pensacola, you can cover 4 states in 4 hours! Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. I never realized how narrow the seacoast areas of Alabama and Mississippi are. We could have been in New Orleans tonight, but we are saving that for a few days, and going to explore AL & MS instead.
Before we left Flori-da, though, we had to be reminded of the "da" just one more time. As we left Pensacola, over the large bridge (but not that long) was a highway sign that read "long bridge, check gas". DA!!!
We decided to head for Biloxi and work our way back to Mobile. We had to make a stop at Moss Point, MS -- my friend Betty's home town -- and on to Pascagoula that she talks about frequently. Definately small quiet southern towns. Tried to call "Betts", but no such luck catching her....
Biloxi is a gambling town -- very large Casinos right on the Gulf front. Lots of them. The Parkway that runs for miles along the waterfront is alternately jammed packed with Casinos, then stretches of beautiful open sand beaches. Quite nice actually. Down the strip, you come to Gulfport, a much more industrial town, but still with the Casinos and sand.
Decided to take in the Jefferson Davis Memorial Library and house. The Library is new and well done -- we learned a lot about Jefferson Davis -- he had some tremendous strengths, and some serious weaknesses. The house, Beauvoir, was where he spent the end of his life -- a beautiful place right on the water.
We hung around another night and went to one of the Casinos -- very Las Vegas like. Phil is having a suspicious mole on his neck removed tomorrow -- we couldn't believe we actually found someone who could do it on short notice -- hope he's not a quack!!
Rain greeted us on our way to Mobile. We wanted to see the Bellingrath Gardens -- supposed to be one of the top 5 gardens in the US -- on a beautiful old plantation that was developed by one of the founders of Coca Cola. Once again luck was with us. By the time we stopped for lunch, and got down there -- the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy the daffodils, tulips, camelias, tulip tress, and many other beautiful blooms. Bellingrath is known for their azeleas -- and there were thousands, but they weren't quite in bloom yet -- they must be beautiful.
We are still trying to figure out what to see in Mobile. This is Mardi Gras week -- and Mobile has the oldest celebration in the US -- just not as large as New Orleans. Wouldn't you know, this is the only night of the entire two weeks where nothing is going on!! It did make it easy to get a hotel right downtown -- the historic Lafayette Plaza Hotel ($59). A round building with nice views of the river and town. The place is dead though -- everyone must be resting up for the last "push" of activity and parades!!
We keep asking around about what to see -- no one has any ideas except the USS Alabama -- the downtown area, which should be strutting it's stuff this week, seems tired. There are some neat old buildings, but everything really seems like it is dying.
The USS Alabama was really interesting! The thing is huge -- a floating city with everything you could possibly imagine -- barber shops, metal and wookworking shops, a huge kitchen, a full hospital and dental clinic -- really cool! We hiked up in the tower of the ship -- you could see for a long ways from there. A fun morning.
A couple of hours on the road and we're in Montgomery, the state capital. Spent the afternoon checking that out, along with the first White House of the Confederacy, and the Civil Rights Memorial -- what a diversity of sites that was! Mongomery is a nice town. We were really surprised!
A beautiful day and we're off to Selma -- the home of the voting rights campaign in the South. It seems unbelieveable to us that just 35 short years ago, black people in the south couldn't vote. We saw the entire route of the march from Selma to Mongomery in the 60's. It is kind of sad that the people of Selma haven't organized the legacy of the march as well as the march itself. The Voting Rights Museum could really tell a story, but instead it is an odd collection of pictures with no theme or story -- and not done very well, at that. The various locations around town that sparked much of the history are difficult to seak out. There are 4 different musems that are loosely associated with the movement, but there is no coordination to tell the story. In addition, the Visitors Center, which could play a role is located far from the action. Nothing much has changed in Selma since the 60's. That could be a real advantage in putting together a historic view of the events. Nonetheless, we enjoyed seeking out the history, and doing the driving tour, which is mostly about the various Architectures in the city. They have done a nice job of preserving many of the old homes.
The old man's last birthday that start's with a "5"!!! His wish is for a day of Golf (what else). We are right in the heart of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. An undertaking by the State of Alabama Retirement System. They have built 8 sites with 3 courses each site -- a total of 378 golf holes -- all designed by RTJones, Sr, and all designed to be affordable resort play. $55 pp is the top price and the course we played was fabulous. Rated at 124, but a really tough course just a few miles from Montgomery. They have a lodge with 90 rooms on premise, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. We were surprised how quiet it was, considering the weather is quite good this time of year down here. Their prime months are March and April before the humidity and bugs set in.
Next week is Mardi Gras week -- we are off in that direction in the AM. We aren't going to get to see everything we want to in Alabama and Mississippi, so we'll catch the rest of it after Mardi Gras and a visit with Phil's friend, John Bryant in Monroe, LA.