| Do you notice a lack of recent
pictures? |
It's the camera again -- but I finally
figured out that the rechargeable batteries were just plain worn
out! So after a long process of elimination, we're back in business.
Thank goodness I still have my 35mm! |
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Our last evening in Florida
-- at Pensacola Beach -- the north coast of Florida is beautiful
and not as crowded and developed as the rest. We really loved
the fine sand and quiet of this area. |
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Camping under the moss strewn
Oaks - we need to get the RWH washed -- it has been in the salt
air for 3 weeks now and is in need of a hose! |
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Beauvoir - Jefferson Davis'
last home, after the defeat of the South in the Civil War. A
lovely restored plantation on the Mississippi Sound in Biloxi.
He like many of the famous generals, died in poverty. |
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The USS Alabama -- this was
interesting, we had never been on a really large ship, and the
complexity of running a floating city was quite evident. The
big guns on the right could shoot 21 miles! |
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The first White House of the
Confederacy in Montgomery, AL, where J. Davis was sworn in as
President. |
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All over the south -- starting
back in S. Carolina are these huge "live oaks" that
"weep" onto the ground. They are also interesting because
they don't shed their leaves til spring, when the new leaves
appear. I've so enjoyed them. |
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The Alabama State Capital,
where many of the Civil Rights activites were centered. It is
a beautiful building -- inside and out. |
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The Legislator Course at the
Capitol Complex on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail -- very
well done complex of 8 locations throughout Alabama --each with
3 resort courses. |
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The revelers beg for "throws"
and beads from the passing floats. We collected enough "loot"
to have our own great party next year -- watch for it!! |
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Every balcony was packed with
bead throwing crowds taunting the folks below for a dance, a
song -- or most coveted -- a "flash" from the girls |
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Bourbon Street the night before
Fat Tuesday -- Mardi Gras Day. Lots of people having a great
time, lots of police just watching and drinking coffee -- we
saw nothing that even resembled a problem. |
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It's probably a good thing
this came out blurred. Yes, it is what you think -- girls wearing
only paint on top... |
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A traditional Dixieland/Blues
band -- they were too few and far between. |
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Bourbon Street about noon on
Mardi Gras -- you could still walk, carefully -- it was so dirty,
can't imagine what it was like by evening! |
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The Float with Whoopi Goldberg
was especially popular -- other celeb's included Harry Connick,
Jr, Meryl Streep -- and others were riding the floats and throwing
the goodies |
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A neighbor of our friend John
Bryant's daughters', (Courtney and Michael Ann & husband
Jott), -- they were nice enough to let us geezers party with
them. He was an avid collector of beads and baubles -- not to
mention, beer!! |
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Phil and his friend, John,
after not seeing each other for about 10 years. They still seemed
to have lots to talk about -- even though John gave up golf for
other pursuits. |
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The kids hanging out with the
folks discussing the problems of the world!! (be sure to 'click'
on the picture to actually see their faces) |
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Isn't that a great fireplace?
We were deep into relaxing at this point! |
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Joe was sharing his Alaska
hunting trip with us. Courtney and Lindsay were thinking that
was pretty neat. |
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Father and daughter. Pretty
cute.... |
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The view from the cabin on
a misty rainy day in Louisiana. |
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John and Nerissa's home in
Monroe. The boys saying their goodbyes with a final 'pinch' of
chew! |
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Probably the most beautiful
Capitol building we have seen in our travels. Gorgeous marbles,
lots of stained glass and a dome that cuts through the entire
complex. Had fun talking with one of the 16 (of 122) female state
representatives. |
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The Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez
is a really big deal here. This is The Elms Court Plantation.
Nicely restored from its 1850's roots. Many of the homes, including
this one, are being lived in by descendants of the original owners. |
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The intricate and lacy ironwork
is really beautiful, especially with the hanging spanish moss
on the nearby tress. Lovely. |
