In our last post I detailed the attack of the killer flies. (probably a good B movie title). Not to be deterred we tried later only to be set upon, by the mongrel hordes once again. A lady we had passed, once if not current local, told us watch the wind. If out of the south beach OK. This morning winds were light at best and maybe favoring north.
Well while on trash detail, taking garbage to dumpster, I felt the wind in my face. Came back and got the boss and we headed to beach. Flags were flying briskly showing wind out of south.
Ah! pure nirvana! The beast of the morning were no where to be found. Clear sky, pleasant temp, nice breeze, sugar sand for miles. Now that is what we came for.
Lesson we learned, and you should remember if ever this way this time of year, watch the wind. South breeze life is good, light or northerly breeze you are whats for dinner.
This public safety warning brought to you free of charge...
"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us"
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
True confession...
Confession is good for the soul, correct? This will require true confession on your part, and ours.
Picture posted yesterday made you a little jealous,or at least envious correct? And it should, a beautiful beach missing only one thing: your butt parked on it with a drink in your hand.
A friendly reminder of that view:
And so it was with a little "eat your heart out" that we posted that picture...
Cue the music, there is trouble in paradise!
Yesterday on our stroll, something nibbled on me. No surprise, we are in nature and are not alone. No big deal.
Weekend visitors cleared out so my bride and I went to the beach to enjoy it all to ourselves...
Little did we know we were on the menu and our beach walk lasted 5 minutes, tops. Here they are called dog flies. My name for them can not be said/typed in mixed company. Let me say this, they will eat you alive. Mary went yelling from the beach covered in the heathens. No, I did not laugh as I was too busy slapping and cussing. Not a big problem at the campsite, but around. Traveling is about learning and boy did we learn something that I never dreamed of. A little more about these fine friends can be found here: http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/ugh-the-dog-flies-have-arrived-in-the-florida-panhandle/
or HERE
Picture posted yesterday made you a little jealous,or at least envious correct? And it should, a beautiful beach missing only one thing: your butt parked on it with a drink in your hand.
A friendly reminder of that view:
And so it was with a little "eat your heart out" that we posted that picture...
Cue the music, there is trouble in paradise!
Yesterday on our stroll, something nibbled on me. No surprise, we are in nature and are not alone. No big deal.
Weekend visitors cleared out so my bride and I went to the beach to enjoy it all to ourselves...
Little did we know we were on the menu and our beach walk lasted 5 minutes, tops. Here they are called dog flies. My name for them can not be said/typed in mixed company. Let me say this, they will eat you alive. Mary went yelling from the beach covered in the heathens. No, I did not laugh as I was too busy slapping and cussing. Not a big problem at the campsite, but around. Traveling is about learning and boy did we learn something that I never dreamed of. A little more about these fine friends can be found here: http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/ugh-the-dog-flies-have-arrived-in-the-florida-panhandle/
or HERE
Monday, September 7, 2015
Promise fulfilled
Back in June of 2013 we were passing thru this area during a car trip. Being a big fan of state parks we pulled in to check it out. Mary said then, "let's come back with our rv". I said we will dear. Considering we did not OWN and rv then it was possibly a hollow promise. Fast forward to September 7th, 2015, promise delivered. Here for 4 nights so will post more stuff later.
Enjoy the sand, sun, and surf vicariously thru these photos.
Enjoy the sand, sun, and surf vicariously thru these photos.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
A little this, a little that
Let us begin with history, then move forward to current time.
Just south of Wetumpka is this historical site
If you look at this time line you will notice the earliest known inhabitants
If not familiar I suggest you Google "mounds Indians" Fascinating story of people from long ago. While this location only has a single mound, their story is impressive. We have visited mounds at Caddo mounds in Texas, Poverty Point in Louisiana (highly recommend a visit if in northeast LA), along the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. There is a large group in Ohio that we hope to visit one day.
We then move along the timeline to the 1700's. The time of the French and Indian wars.
Then it became fort Jackson, named after Andrew Jackson
Between now and the time we return to Teaxs we will see a lot of moss. Still impresses me
Final thoughts on Alabama. We arrived here back on August 18 and are more than ready to leave. Could not get into our desired location till Monday, thus our extended stay. Some random facts we learned.
Alabama is open carry state. Having said that have yet to see a weapon
Alabama has 10% sales tax on everything
Alabama has state income tax
Alabama has high unemployment rate, above national average. (why was casino full everyday?)
Montgomery has high crime
Alabama uses inmate trustees to do road work and maintenance work (all for it)
Part of our goals in traveling is finding our next home. Pretty darn sure it will not be Alabama. Has some scenic areas but other things out weigh the good. Monday we lift our jacks, hook up the Jeep and head to Grayton beach, midway between Destin and Panama City. Rain in forcast but we will deal with it to sit in that sugar sand.
Just south of Wetumpka is this historical site
If you look at this time line you will notice the earliest known inhabitants
If not familiar I suggest you Google "mounds Indians" Fascinating story of people from long ago. While this location only has a single mound, their story is impressive. We have visited mounds at Caddo mounds in Texas, Poverty Point in Louisiana (highly recommend a visit if in northeast LA), along the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. There is a large group in Ohio that we hope to visit one day.
We then move along the timeline to the 1700's. The time of the French and Indian wars.
Then it became fort Jackson, named after Andrew Jackson
Between now and the time we return to Teaxs we will see a lot of moss. Still impresses me
Final thoughts on Alabama. We arrived here back on August 18 and are more than ready to leave. Could not get into our desired location till Monday, thus our extended stay. Some random facts we learned.
Alabama is open carry state. Having said that have yet to see a weapon
Alabama has 10% sales tax on everything
Alabama has state income tax
Alabama has high unemployment rate, above national average. (why was casino full everyday?)
Montgomery has high crime
Alabama uses inmate trustees to do road work and maintenance work (all for it)
Part of our goals in traveling is finding our next home. Pretty darn sure it will not be Alabama. Has some scenic areas but other things out weigh the good. Monday we lift our jacks, hook up the Jeep and head to Grayton beach, midway between Destin and Panama City. Rain in forcast but we will deal with it to sit in that sugar sand.
Wetumpka (we-tum-ca)
When we moved we ended up close to this town. Did not know it when made reservations but it turns out we are 5 miles from a very nice casino. Yes, Mary was dancing and spinning around singing "I'm in heaven...". Four trips in 5 days. Even managed to come out ahead a little. If we use Hoelscher math, we hit the jackpot! (inside joke with some dear long time friends)
Wetumpka is the location of one of very few concrete suspension bridges in the south. It spans the Coosa river which divides the town.
Mary and I have always enjoyed looking at old churches during our travels. Found a picturesque one in Wetumpka.
They have a nice park alongside the river.
These park residents were so still we thought at first that they were fake.
This fella was not impressed at all with us...
Wetumpka is the location of one of very few concrete suspension bridges in the south. It spans the Coosa river which divides the town.
Mary and I have always enjoyed looking at old churches during our travels. Found a picturesque one in Wetumpka.
They have a nice park alongside the river.
These park residents were so still we thought at first that they were fake.
This fella was not impressed at all with us...
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Prattville (Pratt-vull)
About 10 miles north, and a world apart, from Montgomery is the town of Prattville. In it's essence it is a bedroom community to Montgomery. Entering the town from I-65 you come to a "master planned" area. What this means is that you can see the stores but damned if you can pull into them. Nice area but street layout designer was high on something. They are a golf destination and hosted an LPGA event last weekend.
But the history goes back much further and you find that out by visiting the old downtown area. It looks like you expect a small, rural town to look like.
The main part of old downtown borders a creek that was the basis of it's birth and existence in years gone by.
I read this sign..
and looked at this fountain...
And chuckled. Growing up there was an artesian well/fountain in downtown Humble that shot feet into the air. Oh well, one persons fountain is another's damp spot.
Not a bad place, beats the hell out of Montgomery.
But the history goes back much further and you find that out by visiting the old downtown area. It looks like you expect a small, rural town to look like.
The main part of old downtown borders a creek that was the basis of it's birth and existence in years gone by.
I read this sign..
and looked at this fountain...
And chuckled. Growing up there was an artesian well/fountain in downtown Humble that shot feet into the air. Oh well, one persons fountain is another's damp spot.
Not a bad place, beats the hell out of Montgomery.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Restart on retirement
We closed the store at noon yesterday and boxed remaining books. Because there is no loading dock today we go back in and load them on pallets outside. Then it is sit and wait for Conway to come pick them up. Not a bad rush volume wise, it is just the system used is slow and cumbersome. After getting up at 5am and putting in 13 hour days, retirement sounds good. This little job has convinced Mary she can no longer do what she loves. While her back is pain free, repetitive motion really gets to her. We may continue these small 2 week assigments where it benefits us. Weather permitting, some history of a different sort this weekend.
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