January 20 - Drew and Erin leave early because of weather

We had the day planned, then Mother Nature took over and changed those plans. Meteorologists are calling for very cold temperatures with snow and ice. Definitely not what we expected when we decided to come south. 😫

The kids changed their flight plans so they could leave a day earlier because southern airports were closing and canceling flights as of midnight tonight. 

So we drove east to Pensacola to drop off their rental car, then west to Mobile to catch their flight. From there, they flew to Dulles, DC, and finally home to Sacramento. So glad they made that decision. They are safe on the west coast with 60 degree weather!!

We are hunkered down in the RV to wait and see what happens. The campground told us to let water drip from our faucets because of the cold temperatures. 

More tomorrow on this historic time. 

January 19 - Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Today in Gulf Shores it’s blue skies and sunny but windy which makes it seem colder than 50 degrees. Colder than I wanted! 

Today was Drew’s day to pick where he wanted to go. So away we go to Ocean Springs, Mississippi so he can check another state off his list. 

Drew chose the place for lunch …The Shed. Great BBQ  probably the best we’ve eaten. BUT the place really was just a shed. There’s no way to describe it. You have to go. Yes, it has chandeliers, but it’s still a shed with a gravel floor. 

Lots of interesting things to look at 

Next was a walk around the town of Ocean Springs to walk off some of the BBQ. 

Of course there just happened to be a brewery in the town so we had to have a taste and some King Cake that Erin picked up at the local bakery. The town was getting ready for Mardi Gras and so were we. 

Another great day

January 18 - Drew and Erin arrive

Bill, Lenny, Banjo, and I were able to get a short walk in before Erin and Drew picked me up. Since it was going to be a rainy day, we drove to Pensacola to see the Naval Air Museum. 

Erin’s grandfather attended the Naval Academy and then joined the Air Force. He flew in this plane, the M3N Yellow Peril. 

The next Blue Angels pilots!




It was fun crawling into the cockpit of one of the Blue Angel planes. Not much room in there and soooo many buttons to push. 

After the museum we went to visit the cemetery where Erin’s grandparents were interred. 

On the way back to Gulf Shores, we stopped for some sustenance at Emerald Brewery before meeting Bill at Lulu’s, a restaurant Erin used to go to when she visited her grandparents. 

We topped off the night with dinner at Lulu’s, Jimmy Buffet’s sister. Fun place, good food and music. 

January 16-17 - Gulf Shores State Park

Since we left a day earlier than we expected, we arrived a day earlier. Blue skies and sun, 60 degrees. Alabama is in the Central time zone which has Lenny all messed up for feeding times and bedtimes. 

Lew and Denise came over to greet us as we were setting up. Huge campground with 500 sites. 

We bought the “Clam” easy up to keep our bikes in when it rains. 

Friday, our first full day here dawned sunny and in the 60s so Lew took us on a walk on one of the many trails that are in our campground. 

Love the Palmetto trees 

Some of the longer term residents had trees decorated. 

This one has Mardi Gras beads hanging from it. 

It’s so nice that Bill and I decided to take the bike ride around and through the park. We wanted to see where Drew a d Erin will be staying- the Hilton Lodge, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. 

Still too nice of a day to stay inside so Lew took us on another bike ride to see if we would see an alligator. Yep, he found one for us. Hard to see but he or she is laying in the bushes. 


Back home at the RV so Bill can make smash burgers. 

Tomorrow we’ll spend some time with Drew and Erin. It’s supposed to rain so we are going to Pensacola to see where Erin’s grandparents lived. 

Night. 

January 15 - Alabaster, AL

We’ve been so fortunate with weather. Even though it’s still unusually cold, we had dry roads, blue skies and sunshine. 

When we reached Oak mountain Campground, it was about 50 degrees. After setting up, we decided to take a hike on the light trail. Lenny was excited. Banjo said he’d ride in the pet bag. 

Very nice campground. Would definitely stay here again. Several lakes we could kayak. 

After the hike, we drove into the town of Pelham to pick up a few items and to check out the Beer hog. Lots of craft beers to choose from, at least 20-30. 

Tomorrow we hope to be at Gulf  Shores where we will spend 12 days. 

January 14 - Lenoir City, TN

Today our trip took us to Lenoir City, TN. Still cold but blue skies and sunshine. 

Uneventful trip which we are thankful. Stayed in another hotel for the night. Should be our last hotel for now. 

Picture of the sun from our hotel as we arrived. 

Plan to be in Alabaster, AL Wednesday night. Left early as the sun was rising. 

January 13, 2025 - Alabama Here We Come

Since we aren’t going to any Lehigh matches while Nate rehabs from his surgery, we decided (well maybe just me decided) it would be a good time to visit Lew and Denise at Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

As we were getting the RV ready, the weather turned VERY cold, in the teens. So we decided to leave a day earlier than we had planned. Other than being windy and snow in the fields, we had a nice drive with dry roads. 

We decided since it was going to be cold even in Virginia that we would stay in a hotel. So for the first time, we have the RV parked outside of a Best Western in Lexington VA. As we drove, the sun was shining so brightly with blue skies. Too bad it’s so cold. 

Tomorrow we should make it to the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.