Florida, Day 6

Monday morning we got up and headed to Naval Air Station Pensacola to go through the Naval Aviation Museum. This is where the Blue Angels are based and where my 2nd(?) cousin, Toby, has done some training. Thankfully they let us in after checking my uncle’s license. :-) Here’s the entrance to the base:



The first picture is at the outside entrance to the Naval Aviation Museum and the second picture is just inside the doors:





I took so many pictures, that I had a hard time narrowing it down. Sorry I don’t know the names of all of the planes, but here are some of the best ones:





While we were there, many navy guys came in, along with others. We don’t know what the service was about, but I think it was to honor the service men for their work in the community. Just don’t quote me on that.....



Above where the group was gathered, were some of the Blues:



We also saw another dress up Pelican by the cafeteria:



One of the best pictures from there is:



I have a photo of the inscription, but the writing was too small, so here is what it says: “It was customary for Japanese soldiers entering World War II to carry a flag into combat. This flag is an excellent example of those that were presented by the townspeople and co-workers bearing their signatures. It was earnestly believed, by the Japanese soldier, that the flag would protect them, and return them safely to their homes. The hand painted tiger symbolized the bravery that they should exhibit in combat, to be prepared at all times, to die gladly for the emperor. This bravery was necessary in order to not dishonor one’s ancestors.”

After the Museum, we went over to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters. Last year when Elliot went down to Mississippi to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, he went over for a very short trip to Aunt Diane and Uncle Jim’s. They took him up in the lighthouse, but since then it has been closed. It was first lit on January 1, 1859, and is 140 ft high:



Now the view from up at the lighthouse:



A water tower on base:



After the base, we headed west to go to Alabama. We stopped in the Perdido Keys area (right around the “292” on the map):



Me in more water:



We ate lunch in Perdido Keys at the Shrimp Basket (http://www.shrimpbasket.com/index.html). I did get my hamburger and I have to say that it was good and the view from our seats was good too:



Here’s three more pictures from the Perdido Keys area:







Had to get this picture:



Now for some shots in Gulf Shores, Alabama:



This was a building that was being rebuilt after Katrina:



This was a fishing pier that was damaged in Katrina:



Me and the Gulf in Alabama:





From Gulf Shores, we headed north to Foley and then east back to Pensacola.

More water towers in Foley:



Elberta:



Perdido Bay:



Back to Florida:



After we got back, we decided to take some family pictures in the backyard. I don’t have any of the formal pictures that we took, but I got some others. Uncle Jim took all of those pictures and because of many issues, I haven’t gotten those pictures yet. Here’s one of Mom and Uncle Jim talking:



This is one type of palm tree in their backyard:



Now for the front of the house:




I had been trying to get a picture of the Spanish Moss during our whole trip, but we always saw it when we were in the van. Our last night in Florida we wanted to see the sunset on the water. We drove just a few minutes away and then walked the rest of the way to the beach. On our easy walk down, we came across this moss covered tree:



When we got down to the beach, we realized we were on the wrong side of the land to see the actual sun setting and didn’t have enough time to drive to the other end. We still got to see a great sunset sky. Across from us are some buildings on Pensacola Beach:





This was our last night in Florida and the next day we headed home in the afternoon.