rvingwithapurpose

Last Weekend In The Park

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Yesterday was a cold morning! We brought in the water hose, filter, and pressure regulator Christmas night because we had a low of 29, predicted 27. Too cold for south Alabama! There are usually two or three cold days here each year and then winter is over. We didn’t try to see eagles yesterday due to the cold. We did however snag two places in a 10 person private tour of the fishing pier yesterday. One of the naturalists led the tour and it was great to get to participate. The state park fishing pier was closed May ll of this year to have repairs due to routine deterioration of the pier deck. It was slated to reopen September 16, 2020 – the day that hurricane Sally made a direct hit on Gulf Shores as a Cat 3 hurricane. The pier which was thought to be “hurricane proof” was not. However, it did as it was supposed to do and the panels were pushed up and out of their frame and many were found washed ashore after the storm. Unfortunately, one section of the pylons also collapsed and are on the ocean floor below the pier. The sections reclaimed are in the process of being reinstalled and they hope to open that portion of the pier in February. The engineering of the repairs of the collapsed portion is ongoing. The very distant end of the pier with the new observation tower is still intact and just needs to be reconnected to the rest of the pier. No projected date for the completion of that work. The new pier, once it is completed for the second time will be beautiful.

Masks were required for the tour and we all had receivers and ear pieces so we didn’t have to stay close to the guide to hear.

Some of the recovered deck panels. Many were found on the beach miles from the pier.

We had to go through two locked gates to get on the pier

The panels have been replaced in this part of the pier, but they still have to adjust some of then to removed trip hazards before the pier can reopen.

Guide explaining the history of the pier

Our guide told us that less than 100 visitors had been allowed on the pier since Hurricane Sally. We were lucky to get reservations.

Today was a warmer although still cool day. We decided to make a road trip to just visit areas we haven’t seen in a while. We rode out to Fort Morgan to see some of the Sally damage there – a lot of damage still visible, road up to Foley and the outlets – too crowded for us to shop, and to some of the smaller communities in the area.

Debris and downed trees are still all over Baldwin County.

While at Fort Morgan we took a walk on Bon Secour NWR fishing beach

We went out to see the eagles this morning and this afternoon. Saw an osprey and eagle this morning and struck out this afternoon. Oh well, we had a good bike ride and another nice day.

Merry Christmas!!

Friday, December 25, 2020

Wednesday was another great day in Gulf Shores. After another morning of sleeping in, we went to the beach for a nice long walk. The state park beach pavilion and educational center were damaged by the hurricane but are mostly repaired and operational. There is still a good deal of visible damage, businesses still not reopened, but there are repairs being made everywhere. We also had a nice bike ride around the campground. By afternoon the clouds had moved in with storms predicted. And as so often occurs in Alabama, we were awakened at 2:00 am Thursday morning by the weather alert radio proclaiming a tornado watch and later a warning. The warning was a short distance north of us, so not a problem for us, but not much sleep for either of us. Christmas Eve was a dreary, rainy day so we stayed in, prepared for Christmas, and watched movies.

Yep, you know you’re in Alabama when you get a Tornado Watch early on Christmas Eve morning.

Today was a beautiful sunny day although a bit too cool. It was only 35 degrees when we got up this morning but the sun warmed things up quickly. We went to the beach, made our Christmas pictures, enjoyed sitting outside at the campground, had our traditional Christmas dinner of snow crab legs and went to see the eagles again. They didn’t want to be seen today so we just watched the sunset.

Some of our inside decorations this year

We realized after we left home that we had forgotten to load our traveling nativity set. So to keep this from being our first Christmas without one we made this set.

No eagles today but a beautiful Christmas sunset

We didn’t have the TV on today, so we didn’t hear of the horrible Nashville bombing until late today and we still have few facts. God be with the police and other first responders, the people of Nashville, this country, the world, and us. Remember, this was not a surprise to God. He is with us.

Volunteer Tuesday in the Park

Tuesday. December 22, 2020

Another beautiful day in Gulf Shores Alabama. This morning we met with about 15 others to volunteer to assist with further cleanup of the park from the hurricane damage. Today we were asked to work in the area of the primitive tent sites putting up a fence by a creek. We were using repurposed materials and new poles for the fencing. We didn’t get it completed so it will probably be the project for next Tuesday too. The purpose of this fence is to keep people out of the creek and away from the critters in the creek, i.e alligators. They also seem to think the fence will discourage the gators from coming into the camping area. Yep. Makes you want to rush right out and buy a tent to camp here. NOT! Santa, please do not bring us a tent!!

Ground was a little soft when the staff was bringing in the materials.

The gator fence at the end of the work day.

After working this morning we were hungry and went to a local seafood market to treat ourselves to some royal red shrimp. We had them steam them for us and then it was back to FRED for a delicious meal. It was probably the best shrimp we have ever had. There will probably be a repeat of this meal in our future. After a quick trip to the grocery store, we spent the rest of the day walking and riding our bikes. No eagle visit today but maybe tomorrow.

Beautiful Monday in the Park

Monday, December 21, 2020

It rained most of Saturday night with strong winds at times. FRED was moving around a bit so even though we knew there was no severe weather in our area we still didn’t sleep very well. We of course watched our worship service at Lester Memorial Sunday morning. The church has gone back to no in-person worship again since the COVID numbers are so bad in our area. We know too many people who are sick now. Please, everyone, wear your masks, wash your hands and keep your distance! After the long day of hiking Saturday, with the gloomy and rainy weather Sunday, we rested and watched some movies.

Today we enjoyed sleeping late and having a leisurely breakfast and then walked around the campground. We picked up the new weekly schedule of events and looked over the pool and tennis/pickle ball courts. After that we drove to the marina to see the replica of the Pinta, one of the ships that sailed with Columbus. We drove to the area of the eagles nest and walked the trail a way to take a look. Unfortunately, the eagles were not visible so we made our way back to FRED. We got our bikes out of the truck and started riding the trails – great social distancing. The trails here are so nice! This afternoon we rode back to the eagles nest and this time we were in luck. Both eagles were perched on the branches above the nest. They insisted on perching where there was a limb between us and them but we took pictures anyway. We never tire of seeing these beautiful birds. Tonight we of course made sure we saw the “Christmas Star” that has been all over the media channels for weeks. We have been watching Saturn and Jupiter getting closer and closer for at least a month. Something that comes around so rarely must be noticed. It was another wonderful day. Thank you, God.