#73 Mar 2015 Florida Panhandle

Everywhere we travel we have to decide what to see and do and there is always more points of interest than there is time to see them. In Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama we just touched the southernmost part of each state. We hope to return but who knows what the future will hold?

We have been to Florida previously but primarily to the tourist hot spots – Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and briefly Key West. There is so much more to the state and we started in the Panhandle. Until Florida we generally followed Interstate 10 but that skims the top of Florida. We turned to follow the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

As we planned our trip we didn’t realize that March is Spring Break all over Canada and the US and that hot weather cities would be hot destinations for students. Panama City is a prime Spring Break city and beach. We don’t feel like students any more so drove right past Panama City.

Our first stop was Mexico Beach, which is a small community south of Panama City. All of the parks are friendly and sometimes we are lucky enough to enjoy local talent. This park has a clubhouse with an indoor bar and an outside tiki bar beside a huge fire pit. The local entertainers were familiar with many of the snowbirds at the park and knew how to play the crowd. The sax player was particularly good with the crowd and dancers. He was out on the floor on bended knee playing to the ladies. The food was good and we had a great evening.

It’s difficult to explain our locations along the Panhandle as there are not many major cities. The pen is pointing to Keaton Beach, our next stop.

What an amazing opportunity to park 15 feet from the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. This is the view from our back bedroom window. I could spend hours watching the water and the birds.

We have seen hundreds of pelicans in the last few weeks and I never tire of watching them fly so awkwardly and land with such a splash. We have seen them just coming up from the water with a fish and have to laugh at all the angles and bends as they get airborne. One time I hope to photograph one instead of laughing.

There is great fishing for everyone.

And there is always the search for a better spot.

There are great egrets everywhere along the waterways.

We have seen a few eagles along the way.

There are so many birds that we can’t identify but we certainly enjoy watching them.

Our next destination was Zephyrhills just east of Tampa. This stop was to catch up with friends and take a break from being busy.

In Edmonton, in 1982, Neil and Nancy’s daughter Laurie started grade 1 with our daughter Kari. We have been close family friends ever since. Nancy started a tradition exchanging a Santa Sack, which has travelled from Alberta to Ontario and British Columbia. Some years have been missed but it's always exciting to receive it whatever time of year.

#72 Mar 2015 Mobile, Alabama

Near Mobile we stayed in a park that is also a small farm. It was very peaceful until the sun rose. Then the rooster crowed, the geese honked and hundreds of birds greeted the new day. It was wonderful.

These domestic ducks as well as chickens wandered around the RVs quite oblivious to the people.

These two Canada Geese and one Snow Goose were together constantly. Apparently the different breeds mingle in their wintering grounds then go to their separate breeding grounds when they head north.

We explored Bellingrath Gardens and Home. In 1903 Walter Bellingrath purchased a franchise to bottle Coca-Cola in southern Alabama. The Mobile Coca-Cola Bottling Company became one of the most successful in the United States. Ralph only drinks Coke so this story is dear to his heart.

Walter and his wife Bessie created beautiful gardens around their home. In 1934 they opened the gardens to the public and since their deaths a foundation has continued to maintain the gardens and opened their home to public tours.

In this climate gardens always have a pop of colour just around the corner.

The magnolias were at their peak.

Walter and Bessie were from humble families and they enjoyed sharing their success. They supported local businesses and families in many subtle ways, especially during the Depression Years. They entertained local people and were very down to earth, however, Bessie liked a beautiful home. The dining room was formal.

This silver and crystal room shows the extent of the table settings. Every day Bessie selected a different china pattern for each meal of the day.

This family dining room was their favorite with a view of the gardens and the river. It is so inviting and peaceful.

Looking into or from the courtyard is lovely.

The Asian Garden is a mix of Chinese and Japanese styles.

This sign says Coco-Cola in Japanese.

A garden always provides surprises and is a lovely way to brighten an otherwise dull, cloudy day.

We only saw a very small part of Alabama but enough to remember an important family in the Mobile area and sense their contribution to the community.

#71 Feb 2015 Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi

Who remembers how to spell MISSISSIPPI? That rhyme was going through my head for days.

Gulfport and Biloxi are side by side on the Gulf of Mexico with incredibly white beaches.

All along the Gulf Coast many buildings are on stilts.

The marinas are full and waiting for warm weather and March spring break. The hordes are coming.

In August 2005 Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast of the US. The media coverage was most dramatic in New Orleans because of the loss of life due to the catastrophic failure of the levee system. Other coastal cities received less attention and assistance but more property damage.

As in New Orleans most of the damage has been demolished or repaired. The tourist information centre in Biloxi is a beautiful southern mansion but is only three years old. The original building was completely destroyed by the Hurricane but has been meticulously recreated from photos and local recollections.

This lighthouse has stood tall for over 160 years of hurricanes. Now it's in the middle of a highway and still sends its beacon out to the Gulf of Mexico.

There was a great deal of criticism about the response from various government agencies at the time of the crisis. Many new laws have been implemented and hopefully coastal communities will be better prepared when, not if, another hurricane strikes.

As we drove along Highway 90 in Gulfport and Biloxi we admired the white sand beach and the inviting water. Initially we did not pay attention to the other side of the road because there is very little to notice. After visiting the information centre we realized why. The beautiful beachfront homes were destroyed or severely damaged by Katrina.

Now beautiful old trees have recovered but no buildings surround them.

New building codes discourage rebuilding on the waterfront and insurance coverage is not available. For sales signs dot the streets.

For Rent? Only the foundations remain.

No buildings attract customers to this parking lot.

The citizens of Biloxi and Gulfport have survived and recovered from many storms and Hurricane Katrina’s damage is no exception. Biloxi is a gambling destination and the tourists are back for the entertainment and beaches.

Ralph and I are not water people. We enjoy being near and on the water but not in it, however, we had to put our feet into the Gulf of Mexico while we were there.

The sand really is as white as this photo.

#70 Feb 2015 New Orleans, Louisiana

As we planned our trip around the US we wanted to remember each state individually. New Orleans is such a familiar name that I didn’t even think about the fact that it's in Louisiana. Now I have the connection.

We took a city tour of New Orleans and glimpsed a few facets of the city through the eyes of a retired teacher who knows and loves his city.

Much of the damage from Hurricane Katrina has been demolished or repaired. This home is one of a few where, just below the mailbox, the marks from the rescue team still show.

This magnolia provides a sense of hope for the future. Life prevails.

A shotgun house is typically 12 feet wide with rooms arranged behind each other and doors at each end of the house. There are archways between rooms which allows the breeze to flow through when the doors are open. Both of these are under repair from the Hurricane damage.

This Greek Revival Home has been renovated and cherished by its owners.

The French, Spanish and English have influenced New Orleans architecture for more than 300 years. The homes of the slaves were also distinctive. This photo through the bus window shows the slave quarters where the roofline always sloped towards the slave owner’s house.

Cemeteries in New Orleans are a popular tourist destination but many of them are crowded and it is difficult to get a sense of them. Our tour stopped at St Roch’s and we were able to respectfully understand the different styles of burial. The tombs may be used for many generations of a family.

The family has not maintained this tomb.

This sign explains the maintenance of the plots and tombs.

Originally all graves were above ground due to the ground water level. Now they may be buried underground such as this row with a new mound which has not yet settled.

The French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans.

The balconies with flower boxes

The music legends

The street musicians

Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral

The street art

Bourbon Street

You don’t see these scenes anywhere else. Everyone needs to experience New Orleans at least once.