It is hot and humid in Mobile, Alabama. I remember coming to the south when I was a kid and visiting my Aunt Carol and Uncle Gary in Beaumont, Texas. Living in Minnesota at the time I had no idea what humidity was like, it engulfs you and suffocates the breath out of you. This morning was the same. The RV is cold enough to hang meat and I stepped outdoors into the equivalent of a Swedish Sauna. With that said, it is still pretty here. Last night the kids and I found a pier in the campground and we were able to see alligators lingering in the water, waiting for one of us to fall in. Of course, we are the strangers in their habitat, not the other way around. More entertaining were jack rabbits on the trail to the pier, the size of small dogs these rabbits were not shy and remained close to us – within 10 feet. There are also giant grasshoppers here, about 3 inches long and black.
James awoke at 6:05 today so we got an early start. I washed dishes and cleaned up. I have had a chance to write some code, write some book chapters, and reboot my POS (piece of sh*t) computer about four times as it does a blue screen of death every time I insert the wireless card. Jack is eating cheerios and James has inhaled a cup of Ovaltine and a granola bar. Marcella is in her usual sleeping state.
We headed out of Meaher State Park after breakfast and went to the USS Alabama Memorial Park. I have been to many museums, but honestly nothing nearly as impressive as this. We toured the battleship, seeing things just as they looked in 1942. Truly this is one of the best “frozen in time” museum displays I have seen in my life. The ship was put in condition just like it was in WWII. After the tour of the Alabama we saw aircraft preserved, my favorite an SR-71 Blackbird (always wanted to fly one) and then headed to see the USS Drum Submarine. I have never been aboard a submarine and this was impressive. There is something seemingly odd about these WWII vessels – it seems like we took a sudden leap in technology, almost alien in some aspects. Aboard the Alabama there was a “Degaussing” room – a generator feeding copper coils strung about the ship to prevent a magnetic field from forming. I have a degree in Chemical Engineering and understand physics concepts, but who would think of that?
After the USS Alabama we headed across the bay on I-10 and down to Gulf Shores. We are staying at Gulf States Park. Again, another amazing Alabama State Park. I just wish there were more trees here. We went to the beach and then came back for dinner: Steak (soaked in Whiskey), green beans, and macaroni and cheese. After dinner we went to check out the pool; Alabama spared no money on their investment here (other than trees) and the pool is amazing. We are now back at the RV and the kids are watching a movie. I have an early morning phone call and need 
to call it a night.
Two last things: My kids asked me why I blog our vacation details. I explained to them what seems obvious now is erased by the sands of time. I have blogged my trips to Israel and Oshkosh thinking I would never forget. I blogged the death of my dog Shadow and see the hurt I felt. Blogging creates a diary and Marcella and Jack both decided to start their own. Second, RVing. It is easy to mock people in the South, combine that with RVing and we are easy targets. There is probably nothing more family oriented than hitting the road and traveling in an RV. I cannot imagine people I would rather spend time with than my kids. Today they proved themselves once again my helping me this morning; while I went to shower they dried and put away the breakfast dishes, disconnected the water and power, and brought in the slide. They understand responsibility and I put it out there for them to take. Too many parents my age (43) expect far less of their kids and baby them. I live life like a 1950’s Dad and expect them to step up and help. My kids have life skills and always amaze me.
PS – I guess we are hungry. James and Marcella got cookies and Jack is making popcorn. I just made taco dip:
1/2 brick cream cheese softened and spread on the bottom of a 5×5 dish
Add about 1/2 jar salsa over the top
shred 1/2 brick Monterey Jack cheese over the top
Nuke for 1-1 1/2 minutes.
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