Vacation To Gulf Shore

Every year, since I can remember, I would go down to Gulf Shores, Alabama to see my Grandma Betty Mussatt.  There were a few years I wasn't able to make it, but it is a memory I have from my child-hood years.  I think Grandma has been a Gulf Shores Snowbird for at least 32 years.  Now, I hope it is a lasting memory for MY children.  I am so glad that they get to see and spend time with their Great Grandma Mussatt.  Sage even got to go - she has a new BFF since Grandma feeds her table scraps!

We left Thursday shortly after Lilah got off the school bus.  It was a 6 hour drive and we gained an hour going there!  The drive THERE was much easier than coming BACK!  Wyatt was a fussy-gussy!  We came back the following Monday morning.  Li didn't miss any school because of the small break the children had.

We had a great time and look forward to going back next year...if the kids can handle being in the car!

We had a BUSY weekend.  We went to the Naval Museum, Pensacola Light House, U.S.S. Alabama (submarine, too), TWO Mardi Gras Parades and hunted for seashells on the beach.  

Wyatt LOVED the suitcase and played in it while I began to pack.

FRIDAY!  Lilah and Daddy walked on the chilly beach looking for special seashells.  I took pictures from Grandma's condo. 

Friday night: Mardi Gras Parade at Orange Beach. 

Waiting for the parade to begin!  We actually got a great parking spot, on the "shoulder of the street,  and hung out.  Lilah met a "friend" in the truck parked in front of us.

Grandma waiting

Matt did a coffee run - what a sweetie.  

Wyatt is waiting, too.  He played with the glow sticks I brought.

Best view of the street...on top of Dad's shoulders!

Grandma, me, Lilah and her "Friend"

Grandma is a smart cookie.  She brought bags so we could put all our goodies in it...ALL of that stuff gets HEAVY!  We filled 3 bags worth of "booty"!  Li got 2 hoola hoops and gave one to her "friend".  Moon pies were thrown out like they were going out of style!  Same thing with the beads!  Stuffed animals even came flying!  It was great fun!  Folks on the float would point at either Lilah or Wyatt and make sure the items were thrown and received by us for them.  By the end of the parade, we had a few people gathering around us trying to catch what we didn't get from all the generous folks.

Here Grandma, hold this!

I was trying to find the best setting for picture taking.  I've put up the best ones I got.

Hanging out on Grandma's couch.

Morning 

SATURDAY: We drove an hour to the Naval Air Museum.  We 'rented' a stroller...it ended up holding my purse.

Amazing sights all around us!

 

"Across" the street from the Museum is this haunted lighthouse.  Wyatt was too small to go, so I stayed in the van with him.  Li and Dad went up it, but had no idea it was haunted.  The climb and height alone scared them.  Matt got back to the van in a cold sweat and sick feeling.  I wonder if a ghost messed with him...?

On the way IN to the light house.  An actual house was built "with" the lighthouse.

Li up top

Looking out

Another view looking out

Beautiful

Getting back down as quickly and safely as they could.  Matt told me he was only outside long enough to snap a few pictures, didn't even go all the way around it and ran back inside right away.

On they way back from the lighthouse, we had to stop for some official SEA FOOD!  We saw this little place and went in.  They gave each kid their own bucket and shovel.

Sunday morning, after some severe storms barely missed us.  It stayed north of us, but were were in a tornado watch for most of the evening.  The next morning, I saw some remnants from the storm.

Then, all of a sudden, the sun peaked thru and I grabbed my camera to snap a few pictures.

Then sun went away, but it didn't keep Daddy and the kids from feeding the birds!  (It's a NO NO to feed off of a balcony)

About to head out to see the U.S.S. Alabama!

We drove an hour in the other direction to go visit another tourist attraction

LOUD!  BONNNNNG!

In the gift shop!  CHEEEEESE!

Wo-MANNING the guns!

Lilah got to climb in here...it was such a TIGHT fit and you'll see that in a later picture.

Hi Li!

Tight fit

Captains

Peek-a-boo

  

A story of a man rescued after being a POW for a very long time.  (I cannot remember if it was 7 or 8 years, but that is a picture of him being reunited with his wife.)  There is a book about his capture and captivity.  

The picture caption reads:

"(THEN) Capt. Jeremiah Denton and Jane Maury Denton embrace after his release from captivity"

A working water fountain

Lilah wished it were real food

Mommy pretending to eat the food

Okay, so Li didn't want to pretend.

Where the uniforms were pressed before the men would go ashore.

Bed

Jail

"Act like you're sad because you're in jail." - Daddy

"OKAY!" - Lilah (she pouts and looks upset)

The bathrooms offered SOOOO much privacy...NOT!  

Walking over to the submarine

It was confined, we didn't stay in there long.  We took a couple of pictures and got out.  It was "tight" to me! I couldn't imagine someone much bigger than me being able to man this sub - or even go in and look around! There is NO WAY I'd be able to be on something this small for 6 months!

Matt and Wyatt going through a "doorway"

Ship's Propeller

We made it back in time for another Mardi Gras Parade!

  

Here they come!

  

   

Walking on the beach one last time

 

Finally the sun came out, but BOY!  It was so cold and windy!

See ya next year GS!