Wed, 11/9/11


Chattahoochee KOA, Chattahoochee, FL, to Manatee Springs State Park, Chiefland, FL:  Left this morning around 10:00 and stopped at a Flying J to fuel up and have some breakfast.  Continued east on I-10 and just east of Tallahassee we dropped south on Rt. 19/27.  This route is a four-lane, limited-access highway that winds through what old Florida was probably like back in the day.  Drove through the little towns (more like wide spots in the road) of Eridu, Idoo, and Shady Grove.  Past little cracker houses with tin roofs, large cattle and horse ranches behind brown flat board fences and electronic gates, old pecan groves, and magnificent live oaks dripping in Spanish moss.  Arrived at Manatee Springs SP and were set up by 3:00.  We were all by ourselves for a while.  Sat outside in the peace and quiet—the only sounds the buzzing of the insects and the raucous call of the pileated woodpeckers.  About 4 deer and a little fawn hung out in the woods behind us for a while. Hated to leave, but we had to go pick up a few groceries and have some dinner.  81 today.  Unfortunately, no Internet here.

Our pretty site tucked into the woods

Gulf Pines KOA, Milton, FL, to Chattahoochee KOA, Chattahoochee, FL:  A beautiful day today.  Would have liked to go back to the beaches, but today is a travel day.  Got the fifth wheel all closed up and ready to go.  Then we went out sans the fifth wheel to fuel up and have some breakfast.  Came back, hooked up and were on the road about noon.  A short drive today on I-10 through the gently rolling hills and pines of the Florida panhandle.  I drove for an hour and then we switched.  We were in Chattahoochee and set up by 3:00.  Lost an hour because we’re now in the Eastern Time Zone.  Unfortunately--hate the Eastern Time Zone.  Here for one night and then off to Manatee Springs State Park for six days.  80 today but a cold front is on the way east (sigh).

Bronze of the flight deck controller--Pensacola Naval Air Station

Bronze of a Navy pilot--Pensacola Naval Air Station

Gulf Pines KOA, Milton, FL:  Out to breakfast this morning and then headed to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.  But instead of taking I-10 we dropped south on Rt. 87 to the drive along the barrier islands and the pristine, white sand beaches along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  The last time we were down here was right after Wilma and a lot of the roads were impassable.  Heading west towards Pensacola Beach there was a long stretch of just sand dunes, sea grass, and the green waters of the Gulf.  No buildings.  No sign of human habitation.  Beautiful!   The sand is so white it looks like snow.  But off in the distance you could see the high rise condos of Pensacola Beach.  West of Pensacola Beach is Santa Rosa Island and Ft. Pickens—another of the historic forts along the barrier islands.  Discovered there is a really nice campground at Ft. Pickens.  We stopped briefly at the fort but plan to return either at the end of our winter trip, or when we come down next winter.  Left there and headed across Pensacola Bay for the Naval Aviation Museum at the Naval Air Station.  Spent the rest of the afternoon there.  Stopped for some burgers on the way home.  77 today and mostly sunny.

The pristine white sand beaches of the Florida panhandle

Looks like snow, doesn't it?

Approaching the high-rises of Pensacola Beach

Historic Ft. Pickens

Naval Aviation Museum

This historic plane, the Dauntless dive bomber, is the only known survivor of both Pearl Harbor  and the Battle of Midway

Dauphin Island, AL, to Gulf Pines KOA, Milton, FL:  Cloudy this morning,.  We didn’t bother to set the clocks back since we’ll be in the Eastern Time Zone soon.  Watched the Alabama/LSU football game last night.  Great game.  But LSU won in overtime.  I was rooting for Alabama.  Left Dauphin Island just as the sun broke through.  Wished we were staying a little longer.  A short, 2-1/2 hour drive to Milton ,FL. We’re going to the Naval Air Station in Pensacola tomorrow to the fantastic National Museum of Naval Aviation which rivals the Smithsonian.  Pensacola is home to the Blue Angels.  They practice a couple of days a week and the public is welcome to watch for free.  We did that a couple of years ago and it was great.  Sat just a few feet from the runway and could meet the pilots after if you wanted.  Unfortunately, we won’t be here this time for that event.  Only here for two nights.  73 today and partly cloudy.

Pensacola--home to the Blue Angels

Bridges on I-10 through Pensacola

Dauphin Island, Al:  This morning dawned bright, sunny, and cool.  Warmed up quickly.  After lunch we walked over to the estuarium and Ft. Gaines.  Next to our park is a Coast Guard station and next to that is Ft. Gaines.  The estuarium is across the street from the fort.  A short walk.  Ft. Gaines was established in 1821 and was involved in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. “Damn the torpedoes…full speed ahead.”  Walked back and sat around enjoying the last of the sun’s warmth.

Bang!
Ft. Gaines--established in 1821

Cute little creatures in the estuarium

Butterfly soaking up the sun and some nectar.

Structure on the left is the Sand Island Lighthouse.  The structure on the right we thought was an oil rig--but most of the platforms around the bay area are natural gas rigs.  They drill down up to 5 miles!

Sally Port at Ft. Gaines

Dauphin Island, AL:  Temps down into the 40s last night.  We were both reluctant to get out from under the covers.  But, a beautiful, mostly sunny day.  After lunch we walked out to the beach and then walked one of the trails.  After our walk we drove down to the western end of the island.  A lot of damage here after Wilma, but everything seems back to normal.  Stopped to pick up a couple of things at the grocery store and picked up some things at a local bakery.  Back to our park and sat outside in the sun reading for a while.  Mid-60s today.

Shady Cove RV Park, Hattiesburg, MS, to Dauphin Island, AL:  Headed out at 10:10 this morning under heavy clouds spitting rain.  Continued south on Rt. 49 for a few miles and then headed south on Rt. 98 and then south on Rt. 63.  Really good four-lane, limited access highway all the way down to Moss Point on I-10 where we stopped for food and fuel.  Mike started driving after lunch.  Only a short drive now to Dauphin.  We arrived around 2:30 and got set up.  This is a municipal park—the only one on the island.  It’s way at the eastern end of the island—just a short walk from the ferry over to Gulf Shores.  There’s a bike path the whole length of the island and several hiking trails.  By the time we hit I-10,  the rain had stopped and the sun came out.  73 when we got here.