Favorite RV Road Song

It was asked by someone on RV.net, "What is your favorite song for hitting the road?"  Well, here it is:

Kickin'

Gina Got New Eyes

Dr. R. E. Hardberger completed Gina's cataract surgery on her right eye on Tuesday of this week.  This is the second of two surgeries completing the transformation to sighted once again.  Prior to the operations, Gina had blurry vision at best.  Today, she sees 20/20 with glasses only needed for up-close reading.  It's probably not a good thing, but I'll admit to being a little jealous, although very happy for her.  With the permission of doc and nurse, here's the after pic:

Dreaming Lately

It's been cold and Voyager has been winterized and parked since returning from Florida.  I have itchy feet, disappointing Sundays, and have been in fantasy land quite a bit lately.  It's probably not healthy is it?  (Rhetorical, cause I'm not going to stop!).  Anyway, RV.net is getting a lot of my business lately.  I'm even posting to elicit responses to help me dream bigger and more vividly.  So, while that may seem sad to some of you, it helps me reinforce my goals and focus to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Pensacola Beach

Went to Pensacola Beach and looked around.  It's actually an island and kinda cool.  Many properties were for sale.  For fun, we called and they run 1.4 to 4 million each and most aren't impressive at all.  It's all about location, location, location.  Still, a nice drive.  We also stopped at Wintzell's for lunch and had two dozen oysters.  Why?  Cause they were that good--best we've had on the Gulf.  Gina also thought their gumbo was better than the Back Porch although I didn't.

 We feel like this location has run it's course with us.  We've tried lots of the seafood and most of the restaurants that were suggested.  We've decided to head back early and stop by mom's on our way for a quick visit.  We leave to head back tomorrow morning.

Back Porch

Went to the Navy Exchange for some things and a cup-o-starbuck.  Then off to check out a local seafood market known as Joe Patti's.  Place was loaded with almost any seafood you can think of.  What a place.  Check it out.

Another Destin food hot-spot as recommended is a place known as The Back Porch.  After disappointment at Dewey Destin's, I was skeptical.  We arrive in Destin after dark.  This time of year, that's around 6:30.  The atmosphere of the BP was very nice and right on the gulf.  For appetizer, we ordered the crab claws steamed w/garlic butter sauce.  It was very, very good and clean.  We feel that with seafood, less is more.  A great start.  We ordered a Back Porch Punch and a Coco something or another.  Both were good and stout.  Almost every location we've been included gumbo and BP was no different.  And, it was the best we've had on the Gulf, rich and full of seafood with just the right amount of heat.  For our entrees, I had a BP special, Chargrilled Amberjack.  I thought it was fantastic, but Gina didn't like it.  Gina had one of the non-menu specials, the Grouper Destin which was Groper topped with shrimp in a lemon garlic sauce.  She really enjoyed it and after a taste, I found it really good too.  All, in all, the BP was the absolute best.  The price tag was a 100 bones, but if you can get past that, it was well worth it.  Overall, 1-10, we gave The Back Porch a 9 with staff a 9, food a 9, and atmosphere an 8.

To The End

I usually post in the morning while having coffee, but not this evening.  Today, I slept in.  Yeah.  Then we went out for a late breakfast and while eating decided to take a drive to Gulf Shores and see what that's all about.  We actually drove to the end and at the end was a circle drive you find at any neighborhood.  It was an unexpected drive full of hundreds of small rental houses on the beach and spotted groups of very small condos.  And, most seemed deserted.  Meyer and Kaiser, the two major realtors in the area it seems, have signs EVERYWHERE!  Kaiser's number is 251-968-6868.  Added this in case someone wants to rent a spot on the coast.  Not sure how much it costs.  Google Meyer if you want more options than Kaiser as they seemed to have more signs.  Anyway, back to today for us.  After leaving Gulf Shores and just inside Orange Beach, we stopped at Jake's Steak and Seafood for some gumbo (of course) and a couple margaritas.  Have to say the gumbo kicked it.  Good stuff.  Tonight, we've got veal kabobs to BBQ at "the house."  No pics today as we left the camera (our iphones) at home.

More Food and Fishin'

Heard some good reviews about a restaurant called the Shrimp Basket so we thought we'd give it a go.  Two guys own it and they have 5 or 6 stores located in most cities around this area.  We visited the closest one to us at Perdido Bay.  It's a small spot and no frills, but had really good food.  We had very good, although somewhat small, oysters (dozen) on the half shell to start.  These particular ones were from south Florida on the gulf.  Afterwards, we both had a cup of gumbo and it was really good only it lacked seafood.  I had fried fish which was "all you could eat" and Gina tried the Mahi Fish Tacos.  We both thought this was really good somewhat inexpensive seafood.

Early evening, Gina and I headed to the beach behind Voyager here at the NAS.  Grabbed my fishing pole and decided to try a little bit of fishing and enjoy the cooler weather that blew in today.  It was fun, and we caught 4 sea catfish.  Called my step-dad who lives in Pascagoula and he informed me that the fish were edible, but not one of the better fish with the flesh being mushy.  When I got back, Internet confirmed exactly that.  We'd already let them go.

A Visit With Mom

Today, we went to see my mother who lives in Pascagoula, MS.  We went via Orange Beach to stop and have lunch at Cosmo's.  I'd read that the restaurant has really good food that was reasonably priced and it turned out to be true overall.  We started with Crawfish tails in a light, buttery sauce with sesame bread.  Wonderful dish and the tails were sweet and perfectly cooked.  Next, we decided to try the duck and andouille sausage gumbo.  Gina didn't care for it much and I thought it was ok.  The spice tends to get to Gina's palette.  For the main course, we split an order of seafood pasta.  It was very rich and tasty, but the only seafood noticed was shrimp and some little chunks of crab.  The dun dried tomatoes and snow pea pods enhanced the dish to above average.  We also shared an extraordinary slice of key lime pie.  So far, this has been my favorite restaurant.  In MS, Mom and Miles met us at the door.  Mom had made lunch which I hadn't expected.  I should have called to let her know the approximate time we'd be there.  Anyway, we had some good conversation and Miles cooked Ribeye steaks smothered with ports and onions with salad.  Good stuff.  For desert, Red Velvet cake.    As we were leaving, they agreed to come and see us here in Pensacola before we head back to Arkansas.

Pensacola NAS, Day 3

Today, we decided to stay on the base and check out the Naval Air Museum and the Light House.  So, after a purposely slow morning enjoying coffee, convo, and such, we headed off to the museum.  Not much commentary needed for the museum.  It was a very neat place to see.  It's worth doing for sure.  We picked up the kids' some t-shirts as well.  I'll let the pics speak for themselves.

After the museum, we headed across the street to the lighthouse.  This lighthouse was quite a sight.  I'm not fond at all of heights, but I paid the $5 to climb the thing.  Just one of things ya gotta do.  So, they tell me the thing is 179 steps I think to the top and I'm thinkin' that not that many.  Whew, between the workout with the stairs and my body tensing/shaking as I forced myself to the top, I was whipped by the time it was over and drenched in sweat.  It was worth it.  Ok, I have to admit one thing.  There was a curator at the top who tried to insist that I just had to walk around the outside balcony after all, I'd gotten this far.  Well, it wasn't very big around the balcony and I thought I could hug the wall and side step so I put one foot out and glanced downward.  No freakin' way.  Instantly lightheaded.  He tried not to laugh, but couldn't hold back the big smiles I guess.  I did climb up to the area with mirrors and that was all I needed.

Florida, Day 2

Slept in!  Love it.  Voyager is empty so we're going to stock it today as well as venture out and about a little.  We're getting to know the Oak Grove CG which is located on Pensacola NAS between Gulf Shores and Ft. Walton Beach/Destin.  We thought it would be a good base for exploring the Florida/Alabama coastline.  While Gina was getting ready, I explored the beach access of the CG.  Wasn't as bad as I'd thought with the vegetation right behind us.  Two sites over, about 100 ft., is a path leading to the beach.  BP cleanup crews were out and about doing their due diligence.  I walked the beach a little and snapped some pics.  No oil noticed in water or on beach, but the crews were picking up containers and you could see rake-type scrapes in the sand from combing the beaches.  Enjoy the pics.

Corry Station is a separate Navy training center and is located about 5 miles from Pensacola NAS.  It is also where the Commissary and Naval Exchange are located.  This is our destination to stock up.

After unloading the groceries and resting a bit, we decided to honor a highly suggested establishment with our presence.  It was THE top suggestion to try so look out Destin, here we come.  We drove hwy 98 the entire trip and it took just over an hour to get there right at dusk.  After entering, we requested a seat outside facing the harbor.  It was a nice little place and unlike what I'd expected.  With it's reputation preceding it, I was expecting a huge improvement to Perdido Bay Oyster Bar from yesterday.  The staff were really nice, the ambiance was nice, and the food was good, but not awesome as we'd expected.  We started off with a "Dock Rocker" drink that we shared.  It had everything in it you can think of or so it seemed.  A good drink that Gina thought was a little strong.  Gina had gumbo as an appetizer (a favorite seafood of ours), Mediterranean Mahi meal w/steamed potatoes and coleslaw, and finished off with a Dos Equis beer.  I had the shrimp and crab chowder for an appetizer, Stuffed and Wrapped Shrimp (specialty of theirs) with potatoes/coleslaw as well, and also a beer.  Now the critique.  Gina thought the gumbo was a touch spicy and by the time she hit the bottom, had enough of it.  I tasted it and liked it better than Perdido Bay's version.  My chowder was really chunky and quite good although I've had richer versions at other locations.  The seafood was kind of lost in the stock base--a tad floury.  Still very good.  Gina's dish was a bit surprising and encased in green olives and capers that drowned the tasted of the overcooked fish.  I tasted the fish by itself and it was ok.  We both thought that the chain, Bonefish Grill, had MUCH better Mahi.  My stuffed shrimp was bacon-wrapped and the subtleties of the shrimp and it's stuffing, whatever it was, was lost in the taste bacon.  It was good as well, but not up to expectation.  If you take the bacon off and dip the shrimp in butter, it was a tasty dish, but still not great.  The steamed potatoes were perfect although spiceless.  The coleslaw was a very good sweet preparation that I enjoyed.  Overall, 1-10, we gave Dewey Destins a 6 with staff a 7, food a 5, and atmosphere a 6.  I have to caveat this rating with the fact that Gina and I LOVE New England seafood.  That might have colored our expectations along with not having oysters on the half shell.  Here are some photos with the bottom being the crew of Dewey Destins.  It was a good time and a nice drive.

  

On Our Way

Sitting here at our campsite and catching up with the Blog as we had no service last night.  Packed up and on our way!  This is our first major trip across state lines with Voyager.  Gina and I have been looking forward to this for a long time.  You could say this is our test to see if it's something we'd like to do more often in retirement.  I've always thought so, but one never knows until "you're in it" ya know.

This significance of this picture is that it's our first time to fill up WITH Voyager attached.  The pic was taken from inside a KFC/Taco Bell combo in Brinkley, Arkansas.  When you're rig is as big as ours, it limits what where you can go.  We took advantage of the fast food.

 
Right around six hours later we stopped and a very unique campground called Pickensville Campground, a Corps of Engineers CG, in--you guessed it--Pickensville (Alabama).  Ah, let me tell you the story of Pickensville.  First off, getting there involved MANY-a-mile of beautiful MS roads with hardly any traffic.  Kind of freaks you out when you run into things like that.  Most of that mileage was on hwy 45.  For this trip to Flordia, I thought I'd camp midway down in Alabama and midway back in Mississippi.  This way, I could tag both states as "having camped overnight" in Voyager and vary the trip route.  Voyager, of course, is our cutesy name for the Fifth Wheel.

We arrived close to dark, rough parked Voyager (no slides out), and asked the CG manager, Wayne, where a good place to eat would be.  He recommended "Down Yonder".  Of course, I looked at him expecting, oddly, for him to point to something down yonder.  He didn't so I asked, "That's the name of the place?"  He gave directions which turned out to be super simple--just up the road and turn left at stop sign for 1/2 mile.  What he didn't say was that that's about all there is to the town of Pickensville.  We spoke with the waitress at Down Yonder and she said that there's no schools, no post office, etc.  The attraction to the town/area must obviously be the fishing/boating on the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway known as the Tenn-Tom.  It was steak night so Gina and I ordered the 12-oz Ribeye, loaded tater, salad, and tea.  For desert, apple pie for me, NY-style cheesecake with strawberry topping for her.  We agreed that the folks at Down Yonder do not know what 12-oz looks like.  These two steaks were HUGE and although pan-fried, very good and tender.  Props to Down Yonder for this unexpectedly good meal in the middle of nowhere!  Enjoy the pics.

I didn't sleep well at PCG.  Electricity went off and we lost the white noise of the fan in the bedroom at roughly 5am.  It never came back on and as we rolled out, the CG manager wasn't in to ask why.  The CG seemed pleasant enough.  We could have stayed another day, maybe two if this wasn't an overnighter.  On the road to Pensacola NAS, our final destination, we had a scare in Mobile.  An RV.net poster warned us of a tunnel that was too small for an RV.  We had an "oh shit" moment in the tunnel you see below.  You see, we rounded a tight corner to find the thing right in front of us.  Gina was visibly shaking for a while afterwords.  Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the tunnel??  Got a shot of the Mobile Bay Causeway, then on down to Pensacola NAS.  Our site was site 51 and upon arriving, met with Paul and Debbie who invited us over for chili.  "Just park and come on over.  Starts at 5."  Paul helped me park Voyager even though I didn't want help.  He seems a little gruff so it was an adventure trying to follow his directions to park vs. what I would have done.  It was, never-the-less, a nice thing to do for us.  Was a little disappointed at the vegetation between us and the Gulf.  The park could be outstanding if they'd clear it out and bring in sand or something else for easy access to beach.  Anyway, the breeze is awesome.  Gina didn't want chili so after trying to find Paul or Debbie in a crowded room of retired chili-goers, we drove on to find Perdido Bay's Oyster Bar.

We were pretty disappointed to learn that the BP Gulf Oil spill killed the raw oyster option for us.  Instead, we had blackened oysters, oyster Rockefeller, BBQ shrimp, sauteed scallops, and gumbo.  Overall, Gina like it pretty good, but not so much for me especially for the steep price.  It's not New England seafood that's for sure.  Had an out of the box feel to it for me.