Category Archives: On The Road

Traveling in our Coach

~ whimsical, a hint of spring~

~

in a sea of green

i notice a flash of pink

down i go to drink

~

Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
(I played around with the vibrance on this photo

 

This gorgeous Butterfly flitted around our camp site feeding on these lovely pick flowers. She didn’t stay long, perhaps a few seconds and away she flew.

I never did get a sharp photo, but that doesn’t matter. I love the beauty of this delicate butterfly, the colors of the tiny flowers and lush grasses, and the image it suggest….

Spring is on its way!

Live in the Now

~Gators, Good Eats and Good Times~

~Meaher State Park~

Spanish Fort, Alabama

http://www.alapark.com/meaher/

Big Mama
Big Mama
(This Gator was sunning herself behind Felix’s Fish Camp)

We arrived at Meaher State Park on Sunday and have eaten our way to Tuesday. It is a good thing we are leaving Wednesday morning!  However, with more southern Good Eats to look forward to, before we leave the states of Mississippi and Louisiana, I guess going on a diet will have to wait until I return home! I won’t even think about Tex-Mex as we travel across Texas!

What do all the items listed below have in common? Good Eats in Spanish Fort, Alabama!!

~Southern Pecan Beer~Soft Shell Crab~Oysters~Red Beans and Rice~Cheesy Grits~Crab Cakes~Seafood Gumbo~Green Fried Tomatoes~Seasoned Fresh Turnips~

Two places, to enjoy a fantastic meal around the Mobile area are: Felix’s Fish Camp and The Oyster House.  Both of these restaurants are located within a couple of miles from the state park.

These are the two we dined at, but there are many more to choose from. Judging by the people eating out in this area, we would say the economy is booming! 

Felix's Fish Camp
Felix’s Fish Camp
(where we enjoyed a delicious lunch)
Felix
Felix, when he is not in the kitchen cooking!
The Original Oyster House
The Original Oyster House
(our day two lunch)
A tall glass of Southern Pecan beer from the Lazy Magnolia Brewery
At The Original Oyster house we enjoyed a tall glass of Southern Pecan beer from the Lazy Magnolia Brewery
(located in Mississippi!

If you are ever driving west on 1-10 toward Mobile, Alabama, think about stopping for a day or two at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort. Ask for their senior discount!

Meaher State Park is a lovely park situated in the wetlands of Mobile Bay.  Lots of Bays in the area: Mobile Bay, Ducker Bay, Chacaloochee Bay, Justin’s Bay,  D-Olive Bay and I am sure there must be others.

The campground has 56 new campsites all with full hookups. It has a new bathhouse with a 6 machine laundry room. All sites have blacktop pads, lots of grassy area between each site and all set in among tall pines. We are in a back-in site right on the Bay. Which bay, I guess it depends in what direction you are looking!!

If you are into touring grocery stores (which I get a big kick out of) while traveling, you will have a wonderful selection to pick from here in Spanish Fort, to include Florida’s Publix and Fresh Market!

Back Yard Gator (one of two hanging out behind our coach)
Back Yard Gator (one of two hanging out behind our coach)
A Reflection of a Happy Camper
A Reflection of a Happy Camper
A Cloudy Day Swimmer
A Cloudy Day Swimmer
A Broad Walk out into the Bay
A Broadwalk out into the Bay
Do you see our camp site in the distance?
Another view of our site from the boardwalk
Another view of our site from the boardwalk
"Are you enjoying the Sunset over my Bay?"
“Are you enjoying the Sunset over my Bay?”
I feel like I should have given her a name!
Hundreds of ducks landing in the Bay for the night!
Hundreds of ducks landing in the Bay for the night!
The Bay Bridge in the distance and a Fishing Pier in the park
The Bay Bridge in the distance and a Fishing Pier in the park on the right
A Mobile Bay Sunset as taken from our backyard
A  Bay Sunset as taken from our backyard

Did you think I forgot to take any additional bird photos? Nope, just wait!

Live in the Now

~Rocky Bayou State Park~

~

The Beach
The Beach

Rocky Bayou State Park:

We spent a total of five nights at Rocky Bayou State Park, our first visit to this beautiful state park. The weather wasn’t the best, cloudy, cool and even cold at times. We did have a few hours, here and there, of sunshine!

Rocky Bayou State Park is located in Niceville, Florida, just over the Mid Bay Bridge from Destin and a few miles from Fort Walton Beach. Most of the RV sites, in the park, are either sand or gravel. The sites facing Rocky Bayou are the largest. We stayed in site 33, which was huge and from our front window we could see the Bayou. The park offers something for everyone: there are several very nice nature trails, birding and butterfly watching and you can rent kayaks to paddle around in the bayou. Lots to do in the park!

The only negative aspect of staying at Rocky, for some  people, might be the training flights from Eglin Air Force Base and ammunition detonation, which are very loud and can be heard and felt within the park. I don’t think they train everyday, perhaps every other day!

It did take “the girls” a day or two of adjustment ! It really didn’t bother us too much. We tried not to react to the loud noise so they would stay calm. On one occasion, the noise was tremendous and unexpected and I did react with a few choice words; well that set the girls off – barking their heads off. They really don’t bark or react to things, but they reacted to my outburst this time!!

We did travel a few times over the Mid Bay Bridge to Destin, which by the way cost $3.00 each way. I have to say the beaches in Destin are beautiful. The sand is white and the landscape pristine.

I really enjoyed our walks on the beach; however, I didn’t enjoy the commercialization of the area. Way too crowded for us! Returning to the park, after being in the congestion, was truly appreciated and brought back a sense of peace.

On one of our outings over the Mid Bay Bridge we drove through Henderson State Park, which was beautiful; a must stay on a return trip. We also drove through Top Sail Preserve State Park/Gregory E, Moore RV Resort, which was in a very nice location, but we felt was too crowded for us. The cost to stay at this park is $47.00 a night plus tax!!

We enjoyed a couple of nice lunches at local restaurants, some grocery shopping at Fresh Market (what a selection of fresh fish and seafood they have) and our visit to the Air Force Museum was fabulous! Four days probably wasn’t enough time to get a feel for the area.

A few additional photos from our visit.

~

The Gulf Beaches

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Sunlight on the Water
Sunlight on the Water
Sand Dunes
Sand Dunes
Pristine sand
Pristine sand
Gulf Waves
Gulf Waves
Here come the Lifeguards!
Here come the Lifeguards!
All decked out!
All decked out!
Pelicans in Flight
Pelicans in Flight
A Pier
A Pier
Wildlife Protection
Wildlife and Habitat protection area
The Bay Side
The Bay Side

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The Woods

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A hiking path at Rocky Bayou State Park
A hiking path at Rocky Bayou State Park
This stuff covers the forest floor.
This stuff covers the forest floor.
Moss and Ferns
Moss and Ferns

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The  Park

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Boat Ramp and Pier
Boat Ramp and Pier

We enjoyed our first visit to Rocky Bayou State Park and will return! We are currently staying, a few nights, at a state park in Alabama (yes, we have finally traveled out of the state of Florida!) called Meaher State Park, which is located in Spanish Fort (near Mobile). This is our first time to stay at this state park and our first day has been wonderful!

Live in the Now

~Early morning walk~

A few scenes from our walk this morning in Rocky Bayou State Park near Niceville, Florida. The weather here has been cold, but the expected rain has been delayed! 

Reflection
Reflection
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Stream Restoration A habitat once destroyed is coming back to life!
Stream Restoration
A habitat once destroyed is coming back to life!
This is what the stream currently looks like
This is what the stream currently looks like
Another view
Another view
Sheila and Howard being goofy. Standing on the bridge crossing the stream. Looking straight down into the water.
Sheila and Howard being goofy. Standing on the bridge crossing the stream. Looking straight down into the water
Great Egret fishing in the stream
Great Egret fishing in the stream
Great Egret
Great Egret
See ya!
See ya!
A colorful mushroom growing on the forrest floor.
A colorful mushroom growing on the forrest floor
Moss covered fallen tree
Moss covered fallen tree
Blooming Water Lily
Blooming Water Lily
Beginning to bloom
Beginning to bloom
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Our front yard for a few days!
Our front yard for a few days!
Our back yard
Our back yard
Our Side View
Our Side View

We enjoyed our day today: an early morning walk through a beautiful forrest; a wonderful lunch at a family restaurant, which opened in 1954; and a visit to the Air Force Armament Museum.

Fighter pilots, flying overhead near the museum, truly entertained me this afternoon during their practice runs. They were flying the new F35 fighter jets! Take off, landing, take off – over and over again! Hopefully my photos came out and I will be able to share with you what they look like!

Have a great day tomorrow!

IMG_6503

Live in the Now