Last day in Gulf Shores...for now

 Today is our last day at Gulf Shores State Park this year. The last few days have been busy, enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures, taking trail walks while avoiding the route of a marathon race throughout the park. Yesterday we drove over to Mike & Joanne's one last time so Jim could help Mike put a large beam up on the front porch. Joanne and I spent that time exploring options for another trip together. Afterwards we went out to lunch together continuing to talk about a fall trip. It was then time to get Gus loaded in the car and say our final goodbyes before heading to Joe Patti's one more time and then back to camp. I had a tutoring session scheduled in the early evening. Today we are hanging out and starting to pack up after things dry out from an early morning rain shower.

 Tomorrow we will head north toward Jerry & Heidi's home in Murfreesboro, TN.

Fun Saturday

 Saturday we drove to Mike & Joanne's home to spend the afternoon and evening together. Gus was included at least for some of the activities. After hanging out for a bit we left Gus at their home to take a ride in their '67 Mustang Convertible out to the beach where just one week ago we saw the Mardi Gras Parade. A stop at Paradise Bar & Grill for drinks on this sunny afternoon seemed the thing to do while discussing possibilities for another trip together this year.

After our ride in the Mustang, Joanne and I took Gus for a walk before going to Sal's Pizzaria and Grill for an early dinner of Pizza, Calpine, and Mussels. Then it was back to the house for dessert of carrot cake before heading "home" to Gulf Shores. Below are pics of Fitzpatricks ' home, a front view with a porch that is being rebuilt, and a view of the canal and neighbors across the way from the family room doors to the back porch, pool and beyond.

Warm weather- no rain

 Thursday I was able to spend time walking on the beach. There were others with the same idea as there was some sun and nice breeze.

I saw several man o' wars on the beach this day, my first sightings this trip.  Mark & Lori had pointed out the Christmas trees on the beach so I checked that out as well. While I was doing that Jim took Gus to the dog park where Gus got hassled by a boxer that wouldn't leave him alone.

Friday was still warm but very foggy in the morning and still very cloudy the rest of the day. Gus and I still got in a long walk that included Armadillo Trail. The Armadillos come out at night and dig lots of holes in our site and throughout the campground. Watch where you walk!

Ash Wednesday

 St. Jude's By The Sea Lutheran Church is in Gulf Shores and the website said it was a Missouri Synod church. They offered a 7 pm service today so we attended the service. 

The program handed out did not identify the church's name although a big sign outside did. It was a pretty church with 10 tall stained glass windows, 5 on each side of the sanctuary and beautiful wood ceilings  that peaked in the middle and a large wooden cross hanging behind the altar. There was a communion rail but no place to kneel...maybe because the geriatric crowd doesn't kneel. We were given communion but no ashes...not sure why not? It was an interesting service with a sermon that was really just the telling of David's story.  It ended with my "favorite" hymn, Amazing Grace. Please do NOT sing that at my funeral!!!. 

Gus waited for us to come home, sitting in the copilot seat probably the whole time we were gone. Just happy he didn't rummage in the trash for the chicken bones. We had forgotten to set the trash can up out of reach before we left. 

Tuesday Feb 21

 Happy Birthday to me! I received lots of birthday wishes by text, on Facebook, in person (Jim of course), and by phone from our son and grandsons.  They even sang to me...made my day! Jim and I talked about going out to eat but I had food in the refrigerator that needed to be prepared before going bad so we stayed here. We will go out to eat later in the week as we approach Jim's birthday...one dinner for two birthdays. 

Gus and I took 3 long walks, the first at 5 am, another at about 1 pm and a third at 5 pm.  If he has to go out tonight, Jim will have to step up. He did go to the grocery store for a few items including ice cream and he grilled the Brats for dinner. 

Sunday February 19

 Yesterday was a full day in Pensacola Beach to watch the big daytime parade. We drove to Mike & Joanne's home first to leave Gus there, then headed to the Beach to set up our spot on the parade route where we hung out people watching, enjoying great conversations, finding some shade, and enjoying lots of food and drinks we brought with us. The parade was from 2 pm to about 3 pm with more Floats than what we saw Friday Eve, more beads, balls, Frisbee and other items including spears. Jim and I each caught one of those as did Lori and Joanne. 

After the parade, we all drove back to Mike & Joanne's home for dinner and fellowship. Gus was very happy to see us. Dinner was fabulous....Homemade Spaghetti, meatballs and sausages,  with salad and garlic bread, followed by carrot cake and a King cake. No one got the baby which was in one of the remaining pieces of cake. It was a great day with friends old and new...Mark & Lori who's friendship we have been blessed with for about 30 years, Mike and Joanne who we met several years ago while visiting Pensacola and who have since become travel buddies, Debbie and Tony who we met two years ago through Joanne & Mike, and finally Mary and Chris who we met yesterday also through Joanne & Mike. 

Saturday, Feb 18

 What started as a relaxing morning with a breakfast of bacon and eggs became a very busy day. We all took a long walk with Gus as the guys looked at 5th wheel RVs on the first part of the walk. After that, Jim and I took Gus to the dog park while Mark & Lori went down to the pier and beach. 

That was followed by showers for all except Gus. We went out for a late lunch/ early dinner at Doc's Seafood on Canal Rd that included Bushwackers for all - 3 salted Caramel and 1 regular. With full bellies we headed to Flora-Bama for a little music and drinks. Jim and Lori photo bombed a group of women getting a group shot and we caught a beautiful after sunset sky on the deck overlooking the Gulf. 

Friday Feb 17

 We started the morning with biscuits and sausage gravy that Mark & Lori brought with them.  Afterwards we walked it off with a long hike. The day went by fast and before we knew it it was time to drive into Pensacola to meet up with friends at O'Riley's pub for dinner and the evening Mardi Gras Parade. It wasn't as crowded as last year but there were still plenty of people fighting to catch beads and whatever else was being tossed from some spectacularly decorated Floats. It was a lot colder this year but we hung in there to the end, then hiked several blocks to our car before driving an hour back to camp. Needless to say Gus was very glad to see us when we got back "home".