Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember,
and remember more than I have seen.
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| Beautiful beaches on Dauphin Island, Alabama |
Traveling is in my blood.
Whether on a
plane, ship, train, bus, car, or RV,
I'm in my element.
Writing is in my blood too.
Whether at home, in a foreign country, or on the road,
I'm in my element.
Whether at home, in a foreign country, or on the road,
I'm in my element.
The two go hand in hand.
This Lady Traveler is a simple writer and a simple traveler.
For me, they go hand in hand.
The purpose of our journey to Mobile, Alabama was for Rob to take
Part 1 of a 2-day first responder chaplain training class in Mobile, Alabama.
Each day he came home drained, yet inspired.
"Helping and encouraging people is part of your calling," I reminded him.
Part 1 of a 2-day first responder chaplain training class in Mobile, Alabama.
Each day he came home drained, yet inspired.
"Helping and encouraging people is part of your calling," I reminded him.
Afterwards, we spent a few weeks in the gulf of
Alabama and Florida.
Some times we plan ahead,
but most of the time we don't.
It's fun both ways.
That's what makes it a a true adventure,
not knowing where the road will lead you.
We have lots of old fashioned maps,
but the new technology of GPS's
usually keeps us on the straight and narrow.
Some times we plan ahead,
but most of the time we don't.
It's fun both ways.
That's what makes it a a true adventure,
not knowing where the road will lead you.
We have lots of old fashioned maps,
but the new technology of GPS's
usually keeps us on the straight and narrow.
We spent a week in at Pecan Grove RV Campground in
Theadore, Alabama, just south of Mobile.
We were surrounded by pecan trees, rivers, and wildlife.
Theadore, Alabama, just south of Mobile.
We were surrounded by pecan trees, rivers, and wildlife.
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| Forest Gump's fishing boat in a boat building yard about 30 minutes from our campground. |
We took day trips to the hot spots around the area:
Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach,
just to name a few.
And talk about delicious food!
I had the best shrimp and grits ever at
Ginny Lane Bar and Grill in Orange Beach
that overlooked the fishing boats on the river.
My mouth is watering just thinking about the special cajun flavor,
not to mention the loaves of warm bread delivered
faithfully to our table.
When the chef strolled by, he glowed as I raved about his special sauce.
When the chef strolled by, he glowed as I raved about his special sauce.
(and thank you to my Downey High friend, Phil Urban for telling us about Orange Beach)
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| Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island, AL Lots of history in this area! |
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| Lunch at The Pelican Reef on a windy day on Fowler River |
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| Popcorn's new friend. Don't think so! |
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| Celebrating Mardi Gras for the month of February from Pensacola FL to Mobile AL to New Orleans LA A little history: I didn't know that Mardi Gras first began in Mobile. There were parades and parties everywhere. There was a Christmas tree decorated for the season in one of the nearby restaurants, The Pelican Reef. |
All too soon it was time to travel to the Florida Gulf.
What fun driving through the large and small beach towns.
Mexico Beach was one of my favorites, where we ate breakfast at Sharon's Cafe.
Of course I had to buy a t-shirt with my name written on the front and back.
And the breakfast was scrumptious!
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| Sharon's Cafe, Mexico Beach, FL |
That afternoon we arrived at Ho-Hum Campground, and to our surprise we had
an ocean-view space right on the water!
Ahh, the sound of the waves beating on the shore, the seagulls flying overhead.
There is a bird sanctuary island within a kayak ride away.
But be on the look out for black sharks.
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| A room with a view. On the waterfront at Ho-Hum RV Campground Carrabelle, FL |
It was hard to leave this slice of heaven, but these upfront spaces are reserved a year in advance.
They squeezed us in between reservations for 3 glorious nights.
We met the sweetest couple next to us and we are now Facebook buddies.
Another reason why I stay on Facebook, although there have been moments when
i want to trash the whole FB habit off to the side of the road.
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| My happy place at Ho-Hum RV Campground, Carrabelle, FL |
Our last campground stop for 3 nights was at Sopchoppy City Park right on the Sopchoppy River,
in the town of -- where else? Sopchoppy!
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| Surprise! We arrive the day of a Jesus River Festival, complete with free hamburgers, hot dogs, and trimmings! |
Come to Sopchoppy supplied with food, etc, as there is only one small market in town.
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| We come prepared. Home-cooked spaghetti--yum! |
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| The only market in town ... cute and quaint |
I wish you all had the pleasure of experiencing the southern hospitality
of the little town of Sopchoppy.
When you ask for directions they personally walk you out to the sidewalk and point,
"Head down this road, pass the curve, then turn right, then left, right again,
and you're there."
Wow. So simple. Who needs a GPS anyway?
We made one last overnight stay at the friendly Waldorf Walmart in St. Mary's, Georgia.
We ate at Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries.
Again, delicious! And I wasn't even hungry.
At last, Home Sweet Home. Never more to roam, until ... stay tuned.
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8
You can order Lady and the Sea and Lady on the Run at www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com
