Florida

After Urgent Care and dinner we continued our journey east.  It was dark but Brad felt comfortable driving on the bit I-10 freeway.   We drove another hour and parked in a Walmart parking lot in Pensacola.  

We like to take pictures of the signs of each state but this one of Florida didn’t work out so well.  

Head injury

After our tour of the USS Alabama we were heading out of the building.  Brody & Colt were behind us and as Brad would describe it "clowning" around.   I asked Brad if we should wait for them and he assured me they would catch up with us.   

We were outside when Colt came running up behind us and told us Brody was hurt.  I actually didn't believe him and thought it was a joke.  Once we realized it was true we headed back to check on Brody's status.  

Brad walked into the bathroom and Brody was holding a paper towel to his head with blood all down his arm.   He had hit his head on a stanchion.  

After consulting with our friend we decided to take him to Urgent Care.   Brad could have possibly used some skin glue to fix it but he was too worried about creating a scar. 

The Urgent Care in Mobile, AL was great!   Brad & Brody were in and out in less than 20 minutes and they were so kind and caring.   Other than his injury, Brody didn't have much pain. 

Oh and this happened on his birthday. 

USS Alabama

We continued our tour onto the USS Alabama.  

But first some pictures of the airplanes outside.  

Walking up to the battleship 

This door is to the bridge and is very thick. 

Brody & Colt in the silver room. 

Ollie is trying to order some food in the mess hall but no one is answering him.  

Brad wanted a picture of the entire ship.  As we were leaving we stopped to get one.  Notice Brody's injury....this was before Urgent Care.  Obviously we weren't urgent enough to stop us from taking a picture.  

USS Drum Submarine

As we continued our drive to Florida we heard from a friend that we should check out the USS Alabama.   We didn't realize it was right on our path.   It was a tour and a very interesting tour and all the kids enjoyed their time exploring the USS Drum submarine and the USS Alabama.  

There were also a lot of impressive planes and helicopters outside, including this stealth bomber. 

We started off by touring the USS Drum Submarine.  

The rooms inside were so small and at one point I started to get claustrophobic. 

 I honestly can't imagine being in these cramped quarters....especially underwater. 

This is a submarine that would hold 8 people.   There is NO way I could go in here. 

After the USS Drum we went over to explore the USS Alabama, a World War 2 battleship.  

Giant Chess

We arrived back at our RV park around 5:30.  Since they didn’t have a pool we weren’t sure how we were going to stay entertained.   Thankfully the giant chess game was fun for Ollie, Darby, Bo and Brad.  

Weavin Cleveland

As we were walking back along the waterfront of New Orleans one of the kids spotted these bracelets for sale.   

After checking them out we bought them from this artist named Cleveland. It was interesting to hear his story and passion for creativity and felt good supporting his pursuits.   

Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

We had been told by a few different people that we had to try Beignets when we were in New Orleans.   Brad wanted to go to the original Cafe du Monde where beignets are infamous.   (This is similar to going to the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market)   We stood in line for about 20 minutes and then enjoyed the beignets.     So much powdered sugar! 

 

Ollie LOVED them and thought they were "real nice".  

Bourbon Street

After lunch we headed over to Bourbon Street.  We were there in the middle of the day so it was pretty tame.  But it didn’t take long for the kids to feel a bit out of place.  They were ready to leave.  It was also hot and humid so all the walking we were doing wasn't all that enjoyable. 

Brad has been to New Orleans a few different times for races and training.   He has also been on Bourbon street and seen some of the craziness.  I was asking him questions about all of it.  I saw this sign and thought it said "Balcony Diving".  I asked Brad if people really chose a restaurant if they had access to balcony diving.  Brad thought this was hilarious. 

New Orleans

We weren't sure what this day would bring but we decided to explore New Orleans.   

There is a barge across the way called Miss Darby.  

Photo op at a statue

Brad wanted to go on one of these boats but the tickets were sold out and one of the boats was in repair so it would have been hard to get them anyways. 

A random horse that Brad decided to take a picture with. 

Waiting for lunch

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Brad ordered Creole.  I ordered a Po boy sandwich.  Everyone else had hamburgers....you know classic New Orleans food.  :)