The Polar Vortex!

Yup, it's here too!  We have spent this past week along the gulf coast - but the weather hasn't been conducive to spending a lot of time splashing in the ocean.  But we have certainly enjoyed driving along the scenic byways and highways!

Zombie at the air show

We started the week by going to the Pensacola Naval Air Station for the Blue Angels homecoming.  The day was perfect - clear blue skies, a little breeze, and a great show.  We were able to take a few photos, although it sometimes quite challenging.  As we went through the many pictures, we came across a number of them - perfect blue skies - but nothing more.  Hmmm - wonder what was meant to be in that one!

Dolphins by the ferry

Rigs in Gulf of Mexico

Lunch time in the park - Dauphin Island

Looking for renters??

Hitching a ride - on the ferry!

Longleaf Pine needles - used for basket making

Monday - another wonderful day - warm temps, blue skies, but today there is no wind.  We took a drive south of Mobile, AL to Dauphin Island which is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico.  It is accessible by bridge or ferry - we came on one and left on the other.  Apparently, on the west side of the island, every house was destroyed by Katrina.  New building codes say that they must all be on stilts (as are most buildings in the area) because of the flood plain. Off the shore you can see numerous rigs out in the Gulf.  Apparently these are rigs either being built, or already in service, extracting natural gas.  On the ferry ride over, nearer the shore on either side, we saw several dolphins.  While they didn't jump in the air as in the shows, they did come out of the water as they swam around - what a sight!

jellyfish washed up on shore

Since we had been going, going, going - it was time for the everyready bunny to take a rest.  It was another great day so we just hung around camp and did some visiting.   Here, there were a lot of long pine needles (as you can see in the photo) and a lady made some lovely baskets from them (one which I bought), She offered to teach me but I decided that I likely didn't really need to find another craft.

Friendship tree - oak 500 yrs old

Then it was time to move - we now call home a campground near Pass Christian, MS.  Again we are near the beaches.  The difference here is that all the beaches are very accessible - lots of parking and beach access.  In Alabama, it seemed many large hotels, condo projects, and/or homes were built right on the beach, so access was very limited.  Any homes, hotels (but mostly homes) are across the road from the beach.  Pretty well all the homes nere are either built on stilts or have been converted to stilts.  These stilts may be wooden poles, concrete blocks, or concrete poles, and they are of varying heights.

A heron - not afraid of people

While in this area, we took a drive in both directions along the beach.  We went east to Biloxi, where we stopped at the Hard Rock Casino (all we won were a couple of XL t-shirts for signing up).  Then we went west across to Bay St. Louis and stopped at the Silver Saddle Casino (this time we paid for parking - the car - no t-shirts this time).

carved dolphins

carved herons

carved pelican

Fishing pier after Hurricane Katrina

 This area took the direct blow from Hurricane Katrina being at the eye of the storm.  While there is little evidence of it now other than there are many places where you can see where a building had been because of concrete pads or a parking lot, or sometimes only the stilts.

Entrance to campground

As we drive along the beach, there are a number of sculptures that have been carved from what looks like broken off trees.  They are either on the beach side of the road, or in the median - very attractive.  There is a great wood sculpture near the entrance to our campground - the talent of the carver is quite evident. 

While here, we have gone for lunch a couple of times - as we sample some seafood fare.  We will be going out a few more times yet before we totally leave the area.

Pine cones from above

Our site the past few days

I have been asked about the pictures, and how they are sometimes difficult to see.  If you double-click on them, you should be able to see a larger picture with some detail.  And I would love to hear your comments - constructive criticism is always welcome (although maybe not always appreciated) but it would great to hear from you.