January 10, 2016. A Walk on the Pier with Pelicans.

January 10, 2016.  A Walk on the Pier with Pelicans.  We went out and about today.  That is to say that we left the park for the first time since Tuesday.  Annie wanted to locate the Curves for Women facilities (there are two listed on the Internet) and we needed to pick up a few provisions.  We drove to the first address for Curves only to find that it had closed.  Unfazed, we drove to the second address.  There, we found another vacant building.  I guess the women in southern Alabama don't want to be fit like my Annie.  Who would travel 900 miles from home then look for a place to continue her fitness routine.  Only Annie.  I am so proud of her. 

After lunch at Doc's Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar, we drove to the State Park Pier.  There were a dozen or so pelicans soaring around and resting on the pier.  They were fearless.  They allowed us to walk up within a few feet of them without flying off.  There was one fisherman on the pier and there was a pelican waiting patiently for him to catch a fish he didn't want.  That didn't happen while we watched.  I hope it happened later.  A pelican with that much patience ought to be rewarded. 

It has been cool here today with the temperature in the upper 40s.  There was also a brisk wind which made it feel cooler than it was.  As we returned to the campground, one of the volunteers handed me a slip of paper.  That slip of paper is the note Annie is hiding behind in the final picture.  As instructed, I have disconnected the water to T-Harvey.  Fortunately, T-Harvey has a furnace.  In fact, the furnace is on as I type this.  I take solace in knowing that the overnight temperature at home is slightly above zero.  It could be worse.

We are wrapping up our first week here.  It has been uneventful.  But, then, that's why we come.  It is nice not to have commitments and deadlines controlling us.  You should try it.  Not now though.  Wait until you get old. 

That's it for tonight.  For those of you braving the cold back home, take cheer.  The earth will continue its orbit around the sun and, soon, it will be spring.  The trees will leaf out, the grass will turn green and the geese will fly north.  The sun will rise earlier and set later.  Flowers will bloom and the Royals will try to repeat as World Champions.  And, to paraphrase a line form A Christmas Story, all will be right with the world. 

Goodnight.