Alabama Visits

The day after Christmas, we began our trek back to Arizona...bittersweet, but still with some adventures along the way.  We got to Alabama, with a couple of stops in mind, along this southern route.

Gulf Shores, Alabama. We headed down to Gulf Shores Public Beach, to enjoy it a bit.

 

 It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our time there.

 

 Of course, we had to get our feet wet! 

 

 The water was so smooth and calm, it almost looked like a lake, at times. Daxton was loving it, of course. Big waves or barely any waves, he loves the water.

 
 
Sierra was quickly busy, looking for shells.

Janson inching out as far as he dare, considering he didn't have a swimsuit on!

 

 Shell finding!  

 

My own shell creation: 

 
 
Then, Jonnie made an outline of our RV, and Sierra filled in the lines with shells!
 
 
Hoppo Tabi, in shells!

That's a good looking kid!
 
 
Sierra REALLY wanted to play a game, all together. So, we did. First, we played her own game, that she invented.  It proved to be a challenge, and everyone was a good sport, playing a few rounds of it.
 
 
Then, Jonnie suggested the game "Fox and Geese". That was really fun, too!

 
 
Janson had suggested we all wear our family-adventure shirts today. I love how they turned out! 

 
 
We made a stop at the store, to cover meals for the remainder of the week. Colton and Daxton wanted to shop with us, and were ecstatic to find the BIGGEST jicama they've ever seen!
 
 
Another stop in Alabama was in Mobile, to go visit the USS Alabama! 
 
 
Being a bit of a slower work day, following Christmas, Jonnie was able to join us for a bit!
 
 
 
 
First, we toured the USS Alabama ship (BB-60), and learned about it's beginnings and it's involvement and contributions in World War II. 
 
 
Then, we got to tour inside the ship. It was amazing! It's huge, for one thing. I definitely could get lost in there....there is SO much!  
 
 
Every thing you could imagine them needing--a barbershop, the laundry room, the mail room... 
 
 
The various offices and control rooms... 
 
 


 
 
The kitchen area and mess halls--
 
 
 
 
The sleeping quarters....(I think we need these at home, the kids seemed to love them!)--
 
 
There was so much more! It was really amazing, how they design the layout and include all the details.  We climbed all the steps to go to the top of the ship--
 
 
And had quite the view--


 
 
Looking down on the deck...
 
 
These ships are amazing.
 
 

It was incredible to get to tour all throughout it.  We also got to see some planes and automobiles from that time period.  That's always fun, too.
 
 
We then went and toured the USS Drum (SS-228)--submarine!

 
 
The submarine was much smaller, of course, and it was amazing how compact they made it, and how they utilized the limited space.
Sleeping--
 
 
Living quarters--
 
 
The kitchen--
 
 
The tiny mess hall--
 
 
All the controls--

 
 
It was fascinating to explore it and learn all about it.


 
 
It was a full day, with so much to learn!  What a great experience.
I'm grateful for all the experiences we've had this year, but as time is running out....I become even more reflective and appreciative of this opportunity. I didn't know I could be, but apparently, I can!

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