More Fort Pickens (Monday, July 26, 2021)

Enslaved people spent 5 years constructing Fort Pickens.  The American commander did not turn it over to the Confederates during the Civil War (there's an oxymoron).  The fort was instrumental in helping the Union win. The fort was so well built in the 1830s that it survived Hurricane Sally's 14-foot storm surge (!) that rolled across the island in September 2020.  The nearby discovery center was washed sideways and has since been repaired.

Renee wearing her very cool COVID mask that doubles as sunglasses, I think.

Renee and Tom at the edge of the fort's parade grounds.

Papa Tom and Mia

Too small to read, but info is about converting cannons from the 1830s version to the more powerful later version.

Renee in the shade. Ferns thrive in cracks in the walls.  Yes, life will find a way.

Papa Tom.  How long has that gate been rusting there?  Faster than usual, due to salty sea air?

Cannons must have been placed between each set of arches at one time, judging by ports facing the sea.

Stalactites cling to the tops of the arches.  Formed over the years by dripping water?
 

Fort Pickens (Monday, July 26, 2021)

Tom, Renee, and I visited Fort Pickens on Monday, July 26.  Ramzi and Siobhan flew back to Los Angeles that morning.  Everyone else wanted to stay at the house, out of the sun, or take a walk at a nearby state park to possibly see birds, otters, foxes, and other animals.  We spied an osprey and his/her nest on the road to Fort Pickens.  Everyone else said the only animals they encountered on their walk were bugs, lots of bugs.

 
At the Fort Pickens discovery center we learned about how long it takes for trash to degrade in the ocean. Too long!  

A good reason to use reusable bags when shopping

450 years for regular disposable diapers v. 1 year.  Much better to use biodegradable disposal diapers.  Or cloth diapers?

 

Pensacola (Sunday, July 25, 2021)

Donna and Destry had to head back to New Orleans early Sunday.  Some hung out at the house: Fox and Otis were too sunburned from Saturday on the beach to even think about getting on the water. Amon and Micah stayed at the house with them. Renee continued working on her project. The rest of us took a pontoon out of the bay to the Gulf at Fort Pickens.  We stopped to swim a few times.

River, Brandy, and Ramzi.  Tom and I thought the bay water was too murky so stayed in the boat.

But once we turned into the Gulf, the water was swimming pool clear!  Mya and Tom found sand dollars.

Ramzi and Siobhan organized the trip.  Many thanks!

I thought I was photographing dolphins.  There was so much glare on my phone I couldn't tell that I was in selfie mode.  Darn!

Captain Ryder

Peace to Papa Tom too

River and Mya back in the bay

Piper and Brandy.  We're chugging back to the pontoon rental place.
 

Surprised and blessed (July 24, 2021)

After an afternoon at the Johnson National Seashore, and the minivan being rescued from the sand by a Good Samaritan with a Jeep and a tow strap, everyone waited for me to get in the shower so they could sign a birthday card and Brandy could set up her camera.  I was surprised and touched. I am so blessed to have all of you in my life!

Sometimes we're silly.  Fox did my braids.  Thanks, Fox!

Donna found time to make a secret run to Publix for a birthday cake.

Thanks everyone for the sweet thoughts and gift. 
 

Fajitas and karaoke (July 24, 2021)

Micah endured humidity and heat to grill chicken and steak for fajitas.

Destry, a bartender in his past life, mixed margaritas.  The habanero tequila was a hit.

Hanging out after dinner.  Amon, Ramzi, Siobhan, Fox, Piper with the Nerf gun, Mya, and River.

Fox shares iPad creations with Ramzi and Siobhan.

Surprise birthday cake for my almost 68th.  Thanks, Donna.

Karaoke!  I don't remember what this rowdy crew was performing. Tom and I sang "Big Bad John;"  Donna, Fox, and I did "Ring of Fire;" and Donna, Tom, and I did "Leader of the Pack."
 

First full day together (Saturday, July 24, 2021)

Pina coladas for Brandy, Donna, Siobhan, and me.  Thanks, Siobhan!

Donna checks out the master bathroom spa tub.

Renee working hard on the class project due Sunday.

The HomeAway came with a private beach and dock.

And our own tiki bar.

Ryder, Brandy, and Piper on the dock.

Micah set Otis up with a fishing rod.

Amon soaks up sunshine.

Almost dinner time.  Otis, Fox, and Renee on the dock.
 

Settling in at the HomeAway at 14425 Innerarity Point Road on Perdido Key (July 23, 2021)

Tom, Amon, Fox, and I arrived an hour before check-in time, and saw people in the HomeAway driveway loading trash bags into a BMW.  So we grabbed great sandwiches at Hub Stacey's down the street until we could check in.  Had to send Donna a photo of the giant Keily there.

The Asheville Lewises arrived shortly after we did.  Micah, Renee, and Otis Ubered from the airport as did Ramzi and Siobhan.  Donna and Destry arrived around 10 p.m.  Then the party started!  As did the horseplay.

After much king cake vodka (thanks, Donna) and beer, Amon and Destry decided to balance on piers on the dock behind the HomeAway to Micah's ukulele accompaniment.
 

We stayed with sweet sister Donna Thursday night. Thanks, Donna! (July 22, 2021)

When in New Orleans, one must indulge in raw oysters and charbroiled oysters too.  Drago's was the place.

Fox wasn't so sure about the alligator bites.

I LOVED the alligator tacos.
 

Finally! Long anticipated Pensacola get together is almost here (July 21-22, 2021)

Oh Zephyr!  You're so comfy.  But you'll be staying here with Uncle Roy.  He knows to give you Temptations treats.

Tom, Amon, Fox, and I loaded up the minivan and headed east.  Amon was pleasantly surprised to find the rental had a CD player for the road trip CDs he'd brought along. We of course had to stop at Buc-ee's on our way out of Texas.

Can you tell we're in Louisiana?  This gator met us at the welcome center.

Gator visited a bit then swam away (to the left).

Fox tried on my red lipstick.
 

Visiting with Sarah and Beka and their families (July 10, 2021)

Scott, Beka, Miles (4), and Sadie (9) are visiting Austin from Seattle.  

We hung out at the Howells, which meant time with Jim (8), Jake (6) and Lucy (6).

Lucy and Sadie balancing on the sofa arm. Great-uncle Tom was ready to catch a falling grand-niece.