Into The Wild Blue Yonder

  With Ben and Sandi's arrival a week ago it was time for us to resume our explorations around Mobile. Unfortunately, the day after they arrived the weather went into the shitter with temps hovering in the low teens for three days. I know those of you in cooler climes are thinking that's not much of a hardship but, when you've become accustomed to 30ish and hot sun, 12 feels like mid-winter. Enough whining.

  The first order of business, of course, was food. I decided to cook up some seafood gumbo, y'know, deep south fare. That required us to head off to the local branch of a Nawlins-based supermarket for the fixin's. Now, this place is called Rouses but I like to refer to it as ROUSes... see The Princess Bride if you're not clued in. With ingredients in hand the gumbo was successfully prepared and enjoyed by all. Paul Prudhomme, watch out!

  The weather continued to be uncooperative until Friday so we did a lot of nothing, other than freeze. On Thursday night we went out for the first of our two food tours in downtown Mobile. We started at a restaurant on the top floor of one of the three tall buildings. Mobile is no Metropolis. Here's the view from the restaurant:

  The evening took us to four other establishments where we were treated to some local culinary treats, some more treat-like than others. There was drinking as well.

  'Nuff said about that. Our guide was not very impressive and didn't impart too much of the local lore but it was a fairly entertaining evening just the same. We'll be doing it again, in daylight, on Friday.

  Friday's warmer temps meant Ben and I could head off to Florida, a one hour trip east, for a round of golf while Penny and Sandi engaged in some bird watching around Dauphin Island. Ben and I hoped to engage in birdie watching also but I think the ladies were more successful.

  With the weather steadily improving we decided to head off to Pensacola Naval Air Station first thing Saturday morning to catch the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show. And what a show it was! With everything from biplanes to an F-35 we were treated to an amazing display of aerobatics and sheer brute power.

  Since it took place on a military base it was obligatory to play the Star Spangled Banner... but not just any old rendition:

  Then we saw a formation of Stearman trainers. If you remember, Penny flew in one of these six weeks ago:

  One of the more impressive displays was wing-walking:

  After five hours in the sun it was finally time for the Blue Angels (crank up the sound on these 😉)

  It was all very impressive. And loud. Although I didn't manage to get any video of it, there was a pass by a new F-35 that just about blew my eardrums out. The Blue Angels also managed to scare the crap out of everyone by "sneaking" one of the F-18s past us at about 500 mph while we were looking the other way. Funny guys.

  Sunday took us in the opposite direction, heading to Ocean Springs, MS for a giant craft show featuring over four hundred vendors. Because our bit of Alabama is tucked into this little notch between Florida and Mississippi it makes it easy to take these little jaunts into the neighbouring states.

  There's a wooden carving of Crooked Feather's head here. He's not on a stick so I have no idea why we took a picture of him, but here it is:

  In my last report I mentioned we were trying to figure out our plans for next year. Well, things just fell into place. We're booked into a house sit with two cats in the southwestern part of Cyprus from the end of January until early March. Problem solved!

  This week promises to be loaded with Mobile-y things with golf on Monday, a trip to see the USS Alabama, some strolling through old Mobile, another food tour and maybe some beach time before we head out next weekend. Ben and Sandi will leave Saturday and Penny and I will head to Florida Sunday. Stay tuned!