Large Scale Central

Gone Fishin......AGAIN!

General Discussion
#1

Ok folks…Saturday I set sail for Gulf Shores, AL. I’m doing chauffer/body guard duties for my Mother and daughter, everyone else that was going backed out and Dad doesn’t want them going by themselves (West Virgina to Alabama…bout 12 hours) Dad shares my disdain of beachyness but he has the bucks to convince me to go…sigh…I feel so used…

Anyways, anyone got any ideas for interesting things to do/see there and along the way? Any must see Hobby shops? (The PAssengers are already aware that we will be stopping at every HobyLobby and Hobby Town I see…I’m driving after all…)

The USS Alabama is already on the ticket…other suggestions appreciated!

#2

Going east - good “Watering Hole” on the beach border called the “Florabama Lounge”, may have been closed for awhile because of the hurricane action, but not that hard to replace beach debris, concrete blocks and canvas. There is some great history around St. Mark’s, first settlement on the Gulf side of Florida. Wakalla Springs for lunch, glass bottom boats and swimming with alligators, if you are in to that type of thing. Panacea, Florida has a place called the Gulf Speciman Company. They are the suppliers of shark’s blood, pregnant brine shrimp and other odd things to University Labs. They give tours and a book was written about the place, called “The Living Dock”, real interesting. Panama City, Pensacola, Perdido Bay and Apalachicola have the shrimp docks and there are old lighthouses and pre WWI gun implacements all along the coast.

Going west - Dauphin Island, Ft. Morgan and Ft. Gaines State Park, nice areas.

Jimmy Buffett has a song called “Pascagoula Run”, probably not a thing for daughters and moms, however. :wink:

Lots of “Coasties” in that part of the World.

Pay attention to the weather, low pressure systems are taken quite seriously.

#3

Watch for alligators! :lol: :lol:

#4

Check out the USS North Carolina in Wilmington. Take a look at Beaufort, SC, where the articles that formed the Confederacy and Succession were signed. The house in which they were signed still stands on Front Street. You might even be able to get a tour of Parris Island.

I’d like to go back there some day. It has been over 25 years since I was last there. Many changes, I am sure.

#5

Perhaps I should rephrase…I’m going to Gulf Shores, AL…not THE Gulf Shore…Pennsacola is a couple hours away, I might talk 'em into that…(The JRVP REALLY wants to see a Hellcat in person!!) …but mostly I’m prolly gonna be restricted to whats right around Mobile Bay and that general vicinity…

I’ve crawled all over the North Carolina!!! She’s awsome…a few years ago I was sent on a work related trip…saw her radar sticking up while corossing a bridge…just totally awesome…

I’m thinking I’ll take the Battle Box…and mebbe work on some 1:20.3 loco parts (compressors, generators) and mebbe a scifi kit…

#6

ITs Saturday morning…I’m, slurpin down coffee (at 0430, whats the 0 stand for? OH MY GOD ITS EARLY ON A SATURDAY!) getting ready for my 13 hour drive!

I call it the Great Southern Search for a Well Stocked Hobby Shop…

The Battlebox (you who have seen it, know its power) is secured and ready to be deployed on foreign shores…Projects are selected…See y’all on the 17th…

#7

Long distance driving can be very intoxicating in a great car and a good road.
Don’t quite know how intoxicating it will be with family.

Have a safe trip and enjoy yourself immensely.

Bon Voyage.