We packed our bags and consulted our maps. After a lovely time in Louisiana and Mississippi, we were excited to head to Alabama. These road trips have become a modified version of our walkabouts, as the only thing we know for sure is our general direction: now it would be east toward Alabama.
Despite both of us starting to feel under the weather, we were resolute in our decision not to let it dampen our spirits. Little did we know that Alabama would bring relief to our weary bodies.
Our decision to avoid the main roads and instead leisurely explore the small towns along the country roads was a choice we didn’t regret. It led us to some truly unforgettable moments!
We often overlook the geography of this area, as we’re accustomed to the vast California landscape, which stretches nine hundred miles from one end to the other. We left Louisiana, drove through the southern parts of Mississippi and Alabama, and spent the night in Pensacola, Florida. Four states before the sun went down! We even stopped for a leisurely lunch and visited Andalusia, Alabama.
We chose to stay at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola because it is where I completed my Naval Officer training course in 1996, and it is a base that Tom had not yet visited. While we were there, we attended the graduation ceremony for the officers from flight school and celebrated at the Mustin Beach Club on the base. This area is just as lovely as I remember it.
Tomorrow, we will head back to Alabama—just like that!
Tom and Nancy’s Journeys 