Appalchain Trail

Most summers, the girls and I sit down and write a list of things

to do and places to go.  I have wanted to walk on part of the Appalachian

Trail for a long time. We finally made it happen!

The trail is 2,190 miles long. It passes through 14 states and over 3

million people walk on it each year.

It officially reaches from Georgia to Maine.

                                                      The trail was completed in 1937.

It is marked the entire way by "white blazes" that are painted on trees.

Checking out the beautiful view.

It made for a good afternoon with the girls.

I am thankful something like this is so close to where we live.

Pensecola

On our last full day in Albama, we drove over to Pensacola Florida.

We decided to tour the light house there and then stop by the Naval Air Museum too.

It is always interesting to climb to the top of a lighthouse. Such a

beautiful view. We toured around and learned all about the history

of the lighthouse. It is 150 feet tall and was originally built in 1823.

Hey, what kind of phone is this ??

We were able to go inside the house where the care takers of the

lighthouse used to live. Rebecca thought the phone was fun.

Then we drove down the street to the Air Museum.

There were two huge buildings filled with every kind of plan you

could imagine. They gave the history of the planes, so interesting

to see how far aircraft has come.

They had a Blue Angel plane to sit in. The cockpit is so tiny.

We had lunch and headed to the beach for the last time.

The water was calm and shallow. We were in an area called,

Quiet Waters, and it was definitely calm and quiet water.

And then just some random pictures of other places on our trip.

We waited a looooong time to eat here, but it was worth it.

The food was good! And I had liver and onions. It was fun to see

them throw the dinner rolls all the way across the room.

On a rainy day we went to the Wharf Shopping area to see a movie and

look at the shops, Last time, we rode the Ferris wheel.

Rebecca's room had a trundle bed and she loved that thing!!

Souvenir shopping.

It was a wonderful trip!

The Blue Angels

This beach trip we took a day trip on a sail boat. The boat leaves from

Alabama and sails down to Pensecola Florida. The Blue Angels are

stationed on the Naval base there and a couple of days a week,

they practice. The plan was to sail down, watch them fly and

then swim and hang out for awhile in Florida. 

We checked in and ready to go.

It took about an hour and half to sail to Florida.

We anchored right outside of Pensecola and waited for

the show to start.

The Blue Angels were amazing to watch. They flew right over our

boat. They fly so close to each other, it is scary. They flew all around

for over and hour.

Then we anchored in a private lagoon area and played in the water.

Raphael and Rachel did the paddle boards.

Then it was time to go back home.

Picture with our captain!

It was a really fun day and I am glad we were able to spend the

day on the water and try something new.

Memorial Day 2017

Last time we were in Gulf Shores, we stayed at a house in Fort Morgan.  We thought it would be appropriate to go back to visit Fort Morgan on Memorial Day and remember what the day is all about.

The Fort was named after a war hero from the Revolutionary War. It

was involved in the war of 1812 and saw action through several wars.

The Fort was officially closed in 1947 and is now open for tours.

Lots of tunnels and dark places to explore.

We climbed all those stairs to check out the view.

It was good to go back and visit again. The girls learned a lot more

this time around and a good reminder of the men and women that

have defend our country.

We spent the afternoon at Fort Morgan beach.

The girls loved this big duck floatie that Raphael got for them.

Gulf Shores 2017

A few days after school was out, we drove down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We went to Gulf Shores back in 2012, so it has been a few years.

Rachel is crazy about this stuffed animal snake.

She took it with us and anytime the car slowed down in traffic,

she would stick the snake out the window.

We made it!! Have to haul all that stuff upstairs.

We went for a pizza dinner and then drove to the closest beach.

A far away picture of the condo where we stayed.

It was peaceful and pretty. Raphael and I both saw dolphins swimming

and there was a dock for your boat.

Our first full day, we drove to Orange Beach for the afternoon.

At the beach, it is usually Raphael and the girls in the water and I am

sitting with my feet in surf and reading a book.

There is always drama :)

We travel light. LOL.

Time to go home.

Our first day was a good one.

Thirteen

While we were at the beach, Rachel had a birthday. She is officially a teenager !!!

She woke up and was ready for presents.

It was a rainy kind of day, so we went to an Escape Room place to

keep us busy and to do something fun.

It was our first time, and we had a good time. It was harder than

I thought it would be, but we managed to get out in time.

We took the birthday girl shopping and then out to dinner at

the Longhorn.

Back to the house for cake and ice cream.

It is hard to believe that Rachel is growing up so fast.

A few pictures from her younger days.

We love you Rachel!!