Billy Goats At My Door

Billy Goats At My Door

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

January 22, 2013. Fort Pickens Natonal Park, Pensacola Beach

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


January 22, 2013.  By now, you are accustomed to our changing plans.  I told you we'd be at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores tonight.  Obviously, we aren't there.  We are in Fort Pickens National Park on Pensacola Beach.  At this point, I don't know a lot about the Fort.  I know it was built in 1834 and remained in use until 1947.  It was occupied by Union forces during the Civil War.  We'll find out more tomorrow when we tour the fort. 

So, the change of plans occurred when we realized that we wanted to see both the fort and the National Naval Aviation Museum.  We couldn't do both in one day, so we settled here tonight.  It is a bargain with our Senior Pass to National Parks.  Entry to the Park is free and the camping fees are a mere $10.00.  Next to a Walmart parking lot, it's the cheapest camping we've had in the last couple of years.  The campground is four miles from the city of Pensacola Beach.  The four-mile drive is along the beach.  It is very peaceful here. 

After touring the fort tomorrow, we will move west to Gulf Shores.  I know, you've heard that before.  You are turning into a skeptic, aren't you.  Mild skepticism is a healthy thing.

The pictures today are for the Cobbs.  Dan and the boys love the Blue Angels.  They are, of course, based here in Pensacola.  There are several iterations of aircraft flown by the Angels on display at the museum.  The museum is free to the public, including a trolley ride to the flight line with explanations of the various types of aircraft on display there.  I imagine Dan could identify and name most of them.  The helicopter in the picture with Annie is Marine One.  There is a wax figure of President Nixon visible through the window.  This is the very same helicopter which carried President Nixon away from the White House the day he resigned the Presidency.  Annie is striking the memorable pose of the former President flashing the "victory" sign as he boarded the aircraft. 

The results of the photo quiz keep trickling in.  So far, in addition to Jens and BJ, we've heard from the two T girls.  Lauren got 7 of 10 and Paige identified 6 of 10.  Lauren finally got all 10 correct with a little prodding from her parents.  She says she would have gotten all ten if they hadn't rushed her.  Tonight, the Cobbles weighed in.  Levi got 7, Elijah got 6 and Ben got 2.  Levi misidentified the palm tree as "boots made out of grass."  Elijah thought the squirrel was an alligator.  Ben thought the pine cone was "beef."  He may have his mind on barbecue.  Good boy.  Their parents thought the marshmallow cracker was a Moon Pie. 

The final results will be published when we hear from Emory and Miles. 

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