As the clock hit midnight, we watched the time change and rung in the New Year with the humming of our Sonicare toothbrushes and the all too common pitter pat of rain on the roof. Yes, we made it till midnight, not without some snacking, dozing off a couple times and the dogs pacing back and forth from the sound of fireworks.
We made the most of our last day of 2013, leaving the house at 8 a.m. on December 31 to experience Pensacola, Florida. What better way to spend the last day of the year than adding two more states to the list that we’ve visited this year? Alabama -√ , Florida-√ .
Michele told us about this famous location called The Flora~Bama Bar, that would be our first destination. The writing was on the walls when we arrived. Literally, everywhere there was writing on the walls!
There was also Bra’s hanging on a wire from end to end in this bar, Victoria’s Secret could probably start a store there with how many are hanging around.
Mitch and I went and walked on the beach for a few minutes, unable to truly enjoy the white soft sandy beach because it was so windy, and cold.
Unfortunately, my theory about the south being warm for the winter has been way off. It has been rainy, cloudy and cool for 77% of the time. Yes, I calculated it with hard data, charts and graphs to get that percentage (no I didn’t! I am guessing. But it seems like it.)
Our next destination of the day was the Pensacola Lighthouse.
Who knew it was on the Pensacola Naval Base?! To our surprise they have quite a few things on the base that civilians are allowed to visit. The lighthouse history was fascinating and supposedly has its own ghost. Ghost hunters, the TV show did an episode about it.
There are 177 steep, somewhat scary stairs to go up to reach the top, and once you are outside, on the catwalk the wind is howling.
When we made it back down, we had legs of jello for the next hour.
The cost to tour the lighthouse ranges from 4-6 dollars.
To our surprise it was free to go to the National Naval Aviation Museum that was across the street. There’s so much to see and learn about at the Museum.
It was massive. I got lost twice trying to find Dad, who got lost and didn’t have his phone on him and Mitch was waiting for us both times.
We decided to have lunch at the deli they had inside. It was good food, but not enough for what it cost.
The drive took 2 ½ hours one way, so we realized we had better start heading home since we had a party to get to at 7:30. Beautiful Bay Hide Away’s New Years Eve Bash!
We had a great time getting to know some new folks, ate some yummy snacks and counted down to the New Year for other parts of the world, like Puerto Rico and San Juan.
It’s been established with years past that nobody makes it till midnight here, so the celebration and countdown is on each hour we’re all together.
We rang in the New Year at 8, 9 and 10 o’clock, and by 10:30 we were all heading home.
Our time’s up for us here at Bay Hide Away on the 3rd of January, and our plan is to head back to the desert, dryer and warmer weather. We had initially planned to go further east, but based on weather, we are going to high tale it back west. I don’t know if I can explain how wet it’s been around these parts.
Did I tell you that my Milk duds are wet from this humidity? It’s like someone took each dud, licked it and put it back in the box! Papa’s camper is leaking again, and with all this rain and cool weather patching it is a challenge. It’s so wet here; there’s seaweed in the grass.
I ‘m grateful for the rain in the aspect that it slowed us down and we really relaxed! Everyone needs nothing to do sometimes! We’re so thankful for this experience, and the wonderful people here! I feel as if we’ve made lifelong friends and are better people for having gotten to know these folks.
Joe and Michele served up a traditional southern New Year’s Day meal for everyone to enjoy today. It’s meant to bring property, health and wealth! We ate everything on our plate, no point in passing up good fortune and it was delicious fixings! Thanks so much you two, for everything!
What will this New Year bring?
Only time will tell. Our options are endless, as are yours. The beginning of last year this idea of traveling the country was just a fleeting almost impossible dream, and then we made it happen. It’s the action that’s taken to follow a dream, to make it come true. Don’t wait for it to come to you! Get out there and make it happen. We hope that whatever your dreams may be, you take yourself out of your way and seize the day, and don’t forget to pray!
Goin' Road Trippin' 