After the 2 1/2 hour drive to Mobile Saturday morning we headed to the Gulf Port's Largest Flea Market. It had all kinds of goodies from fresh farmer's market items & electronics to a guy specializing in denim shirts and then a whole section devoted to puppies, kittens and birds. I believe the only purchase was the grey jacket Tom is sporting in this pix but it came very much in handy as it grew breezy and a tad rainy through the afternoon.
Next up was lunch at the Original Oyster House, right on the water. Deep fried fish platter, shrimp salads and Tom's fish dish that none of us could remember how to pronounce...but they were all yummy! Nothing like fresh fish!
Right out back of the restaurant was where we had reservations to take an airboat ride. The driver in giving us instructions and gauging what our comfort level was asked if we wanted to go slower or fast.....of course, the boys (men) said...."yeah, we're up for fast" so once we got out of the dock area, we were off!
Um, yes we do feel compelled to catch every moment on camera.
There is something about riding on a boat that is headed directly for this grassy area at a right rate of speed that is somewhat disheartening. I was pretty sure we were going to meet our demise out in the swamps of Alabama where our driver had already warned us there were plenty-o-alligators.
Cypress trees growing along the water's edge. It's roots go out from the tree and then these pieces of wood grow up from the roots. Those are the pieces our new wood carving friend uses for her carved Santas!
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| Ah, that pretty wind blown look! |
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| Baby alligator nest. |
So we pull up next to a pathway that is very wet and mushy
and our guide has us follow him on foot to this small little nest of baby alligators. We have to be very quiet however because the bumpy, mushy area he is standing on is very likely where the mother alligator is, under the mound of mud. Um. Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure I've heard more than a million times that the last thing you want to do is mess with a mama's baby unless you want to lose a limb. Can't think of any animal (or reptile) that principle doesn't apply to in any "how to avoid getting killed by another living thing" 101 class. So yeah, he reaches in, takes one out and has us walk the few feet back to the boat for photos. Even he sees the wisdom in not handling the infant in front of the mother, I suppose.
We stayed in the boat while crazy (oh by the way, this may be against the law) alligator handler took the baby back to it's nest. I had only opted for a quick pet of it's leathery head as I was already trying to figure out if I could handle the air boat back to dock once our guide had been eaten by mama A. who I was sure was laying in wait for him back at the nest. We all returned safe and sound after an hour trip through the swamps and open water. No other alligators to be seen but plenty of marked trails through the tall grass coming out into the water.
Obligatory tourist snapshot in front of blatant advertisement set up for just this purpose.
Next stop: U.S.S. Alabama
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| Jeff doing some on board acting ala Titanic |
This was just down the street from where we were so with only an hour before closing, we, in the way only Campbell's can, vowed to see the entire ship AND submarine before closing.
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| On board chapel |
Fortunately the submarine was basically empty of tourists as this made for a quick see which our time frame and my claustrophobia were both grateful. They let scout troops come and spend the night on the ship so there were dozens of wild boys and already stressed-looking leaders & dads waiting outside the gate for those stupid tourists (yes, we walked out right after 5 PM) to leave so they could get in and begin their all night terrorism.
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| Comfy. |
We wrapped up the evening with a comedy of errors hunt for A) dice game called Toss Up! and B) dinner. It started at our hotel and ended up with us leaving Jeff and Karen at Walmart, scouring the area for a pizza joint (don't make me re-tell Tom's aversion to pizza chain eateries), working that GPS like no one's business, making the rounds back to pick up J & K with no food in hand. Re-driving the same bridge 5 times trying to find someplace that was actually open on a Saturday night and finally settling for a Jimmy John's. Yes, I do know this is chain outfit but since we had never eaten there before, that doesn't count. Veggie sandwich was yummy (great bread which is usually the disappointment for us at sandwich joints), then a Toss Up tournament with boxed candy to wrap up the evening!
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