Sweet Home Alabama

I apologize for my long absence... first there was the lost camera, then our computer actually died and we had to get a new one (thanks to my genius brother in law who built us one from scratch!) Things are up and running now so hopefully I can stay in better touch. In other news, the rumors are true... I'm 30! Just typing it makes me cringe... yes, of course I'm grateful to be alive and healthy and happy etc, etc. But I still just can't wrap my head around 30! It feels like I got here waaaaay too quickly, which means that 40 is looming large and right around the corner - aaah! I feel like I'm mentally stuck at 25, though my body is already feeling the effects of gradual, but steady aging. *sigh* I suppose we all wrestle with one aspect or another of the human condition.

One fabulous thing about this birthday though, and the entire reason for this post, was the trip we took to celebrate! If you recall, we visited New York City for Brad's 30th a year and a half ago. Although we only lived 3 hours from the Big Apple and were able to stay with friends, the fact that HIS 30th was spent somewhere awesome gave me leverage for a special 30th trip of my own... even if it was a 15 hour drive this time! If you haven't already guessed from the post title, we ventured into previously unexplored territory for us - the South. Why, you ask, would anyone want to go to Alabama for their birthday??? If you are like me, you might not initially think about the fact that Alabama is on the GULF COAST, right next to Florida! That's right! We hit the beach for a few days in Gulf Shores, Alabama... and let me tell you, in spite of the disastrous oil spill and the ongoing clean up efforts, it was HEAVEN on earth for us! The road trip itself was exciting because we were able to see a lot of country we've never seen before.

We drove south through Memphis, TN and made a stop at Graceland - home of Elvis! We really didn't have time to spend on a tour of his home, so we settled for a stop at a gift shop just outside the gates, and I scored a cute Elvis shirt. I can't say I'm his biggest fan, but my Grandma Maxine has always had a crush on him, so I think of her when I wear the shirt! From there we went through the entire state of Mississippi, passing through towns such as Jackson, then crossing into Alabama via Mobile, and then into Gulf Shores. On our way home, we drove through Alabama instead, passing through Montgomery and Birmingham. Being the start of Autumn, it was really a beautiful drive!

In Gulf Shores, we were able to stay in a condo right ON THE BEACH - something neither of us have ever done before, and we are now officially addicted to! And as always, a travelogue is best told through pictures (of which there will be many, possibly requiring a second post!), so here we go....

Day 1

Sunrise and view from our Window/Balcony

Inside the Condo

We arrived after 11pm, and the kids were so excited to see/hear the ocean that we had to sit out on the balcony and watch it until after midnight! In spite of the late night, Eli's eyes cracked open as soon as the sun peeped in our window, and he immediately flew out of bed and said "it's daytime we can go to the beach!" I asked him to show me how happy he was to be there, and this is the face I got. I've never seen a more excited child!

Owen checked out the view for us as we ate breakfast.

Our short little walk to the beach. Of course we got out there as soon as we could eat our breakfast and get our suits on!

Both kids enjoyed the sand and water, but Eli really surprised me this trip. He LOVES the idea of the ocean and all the creatures in it, but has always been afraid of swimming and water in general. When we've gone to the beach before he was always terrified of the waves... it's amazing what a year of growing up can do! He was running in and out of the water and chasing waves like he was a born surfer! He had the wind blown white blonde look to go with his new beach bum identity!


We had an oil spill clean-up crew on our beach that first morning. It was interesting to watch them, and really drove home how wide spread the effects of a catastrophe like that can be... and just how sad too that a human caused accident could wreak such havoc on the beauty of the world. Anyway, no one could tell me WHY they were digging there, just that they are told each day where to go dig. They would stand with a partner and one would dig and put it in a sifting net for the other person to sift and pull out any oil balls. The bulldozer is full of some of the larger ones... it reminds me of dipping a giant catbox! The oil turns into hard balls with sand all rolled up in it, looking like cat turds. Kinda gross! Luckily we didn't see them laying around everywhere, though I did find a few in the surf when grabbing for sea shells.


After a lovely morning on the beach, we took the kids back to the condo for lunch... and let me tell you, it was like dragging a couple of rabid, wild animals off that beach! They were both kicking and screeching like mad cats! The combo of hunger and the late night was a lethal one... by the time we got them inside and rinsed off, Brad and I both were wondering if this getaway was going to be worth it! They wouldn't settle down for a nap, so we just strapped them in the car and went for a drive on over into Perdido Key, Florida. Of course they both sacked out in the car, and we got to sight see in silence... a win-win if you ask me! When they woke up, they were at least pleasant enough to take into a restaurant for Pizza... The Mellow Mushroom has the BEST pizza ever, if you happen to be down that way!

A beach and boardwalk on Perdido Key, Fla

Trying to get a cute picture of ourselves =)

Shrimp Pizza!

There was a big storm with some groovy winds that night, so we opted to sleep with our sliding glass doors shut! The next morning was sunny and beautiful, with lots of interesting things washed up on the beach from the storm.