Gulf shores

Swinging Bridge- Florida State Park- somewhere.

Drip Sand Castles

Fort Pickens - Gulf Shores

   It was sad to leave Vero Beach. Good people, beautiful beach, excellent quality manatees. We head north next to miles and miles of orange groves. Our first stop brings mass quantities of oranges, grapefruit and orange juice. I am sure that I am forever spoiled for anything but fresh squeezed juice. The moment the juice touches your tongue you feel the live food. The taste dances and wakes you up. Who needs coffee?

    We stayed the first night at a Florida State park, must have been incredible, I cant remember its name. As soon as we set up, it started to rain. It rained hard and constant until the morning. We wanted to make the gulf islands the next day, but I found a Camping World and changed out 2 skylight covers, (in high winds I might add). We were close, but hey we’re on vacation, so we pulled into a rest area. There were only 2 semis and so we pulled to the end of the line and settled in for the night. A good movie and we hit the hay. A long sleep later, wait, its only 1am, and there feels like a semi is inside the bedroom with us. We pull around and find a less noisy spot and kind of sleep the rest of the night. So much for the joys of frugal camping.

    I sit now in one of the last sites left in Fort Pickens National Seashore. The ride over was amazing. Miles long bridge to a long thin island, built up, but wonderful beaches, then off the end of that island to another long bridge to Gulf Breeze, Florida. Half way down this new island, civilization ends and we drive on a thin road with endless bright white sand beaches on both sides. The campsite is open, but palm trees abound. 

       The beach here is remarkable. Miles of bright white sandy beach. Small waves lap at our feet, where thousands of shells abound. It is true paradise, but alas, not for us anymore. The campground is full; we just snuck to one of the last sites yesterday. We head soon for Mississippi, just 2 ½ hours to another national seashore, close to Biloxi. I am ready for Cajun food!

Magnolia Tree

The Bayou

Traveling with Mom

The Mississippi federal seashore is wonderful. Huge Live oaks and giant 65-foot high Magnolia trees are everywhere. The bayou is very cool, whatever a bayou is. We can’t figure if it is the little channels or the larger bays. But both are beautiful. Here we can bike to the open water, not quite Gulf of Mexico, too many islands. We biked 3 miles, Dusty went too. She, running by my bike, on the leash. Running, running, running, for the whole 3 miles. When we returned, even before I got off my bike she was laid down on the cool grass. I think I finally tired her out.