Our adventure started when we put in the address to the GPS. No problems and off we went. Of course we also had a so-so paper map, no details. We arrived at a used car lot that had the correct address. We couldn't be too far off, we were on Blue Angel Parkway. Stopped at the next wide spot and plugged the address into Google Maps, we were 15 minutes away and had to turn around.
We finally arrived and what a great place. We took a very interesting guided tour of the restored planes outside and then wandered around inside. There was so much to see. After a while though it became a muddle of planes and decided we had had enough for the day. We also saw a great IMAX movie on air craft carrier operation. I highly recommend to anyone in the area to go visit this museum.
Since we weren't too sure where we were we set the GPS and allowed it to lead us home. Our plans were to stop for ice cream along the way but the GPS took us on a lot of interesting backroads where all we saw were gas stations every once in a while.
We are staying in Alabama and love the area, the shore has plenty of parking on the beach and views of the gulf. I was very surprised that the gulf doesn't have waves like the ocean. The Naval Air Station is in Florida and there is a night and day difference. The shore in FL had wall to wall hotels and no views of the gulf. No access the the beaches etc. All very commercial. If you want a great place to go, with little traffic at this time of year, come to Alabama.
Monday we headed to Mobile to go to the Carnival Museum(Mardi Gras). This proved to be very difficult as I10 West was closed for 15 miles or so. We had no idea why but Goggle maps was black, not red but black. The sign said to follow the alternate route. We would have been happy to if we were told where the route was. We finally muddled our way to Mobile, the 40 minute drive took 1.5 hours.
We asked at the museum gift shop about I10. A timber truck had overturned and it would take most of the day to clean up. We found out on our drive home that a lumber truck and a timber truck had turned over. Looked like a major mess. There was actually a chipping machine(maybe more than 1) chipping the lumber that was on the highway. For the next 10 miles all we saw were 18 wheelers parked on the side of the road, no cars. We believe the police turned the cars around and sent them back a few exits to get them off the road but the trucks were too big to turn around and were stuck.
The Carnival Museum was very different. We learned about the history of the Mardi Gras in Mobile, longest running in the US, 350 years except for wars. Impressive. The Museum was primarily about the numerous organizations in Mobile that support the Mardi Gras and their participation. How the Kings and Queens(there are 2 sets) are selected and their role in the Mardi Gras. We also learned all the participation of the Kings and Queens and their Courts need to buy all their own gowns, the cost is into 6 figures. We also learned the items thrown to the crowds are paid for by the people on the floats. This is not a inexpensive endeavor to partiipate in the Mardi Gras.
Here are pictures of some of the Kings and Queens trains. Look at them carefully. Each one tells a story of the King/Queen. If there a many crowns this shows the family has a history of being Kings and Queens over the years.
 |
| Carpet in the Museum |
 |
| A Queen's Train |
 |
| A King's Train |
 |
 |
| Walls of the Elevator |
 |
| Outfits of the some of the 100+ particiapting Organizations |
After visiting the museum we went to the Foley Train Museum. We had a big disappointment. The model train exhibit is only open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday . Only the Depot was open today. I didn't see anything on the website about this and we have plans for Tuesday and are leaving on Thursday.
No comments:
Post a Comment