From Slidell, LA to Summerdale, AL., Mobile Battleship Alabama, Ft. Morgan, Pensacola Naval Air Muse
After 8 days in Slidell, I drove over to the Escapees park in Summerdale Alabama. this park is very large with parking spots that are huge so you are not on top of your neighbor. The folks here are very friendly with pot luck dinners and afternoon socials and made me feel welcome. Activities going on most of the time. The park is 30 miles east of Mobile on the other side of Mobile bay and only 17 miles to Gulf Shores and the beautiful beaches there.
Visited Fort Morgan which was constructed to protect Mobile after the war of 1812. the big battle here was when Admiral Farragut in 1864 beat the Confederate forces at the fort while only losing one ship. The fort was constructed out of brick and had outdated guns which were no match for Farragut and he steamed right into Mobile.
The beaches along the Gulf Coast are beautiful and clean. The white sand squeeks when you walk on them. Much of the beach area is protected by state and federal parks and the balance of the beachs ate loaded with high rise condo's, apartments and a few hotels.
I went over to Mobile and spent a day exploring the Battleship Alabama. They have set up self guided tours of the ship and nothing was missed. From the top to way down in the engine rooms. Great tour. Next to the ship, they have an airplane pavilion with 10 or more WW 2 and later planes on display including a B 52 and a SR 71.
Thirty miles east of Summerdale is Pensacola, FL., where I visited the Naval Air Museum. What a beautiful presentation of naval aviation from the beginning to present. A great place to visit and see some of the best preserved planes of any museum in the country. This is also the home base of the Blue Angels and you can see them practice during the air show season.
Summary:
Elks Lodges - 5 Escapee Parks - 4 Public Rv Parks - 4 National Parks - 4
Forts - 2 Battleships - 1
