Pensacola, Fl - Luck of the Irish!

     Wednesday in St. Andrews State Park, was not the nicest of days.  It poured rain most of the day. Utilizing some old Adirondack camping tricks developed by Uncle Jimmy, Debbie deployed our table cloth from our awning, and we were able to block the wind and rain enough to successfully cook up some Oscar's bacon and eggs.  We try to cook as much as we can outside to keep the moisture out of Weezy.  The park has been getting some heavy rains the past week, and there were several campsites flooded from the runoff. We took a drive into town to see the sights, as a nice easy drizzle seemed to keep most people at home. We thought this time of year would be a little busier, but Panama City was nice and quiet.  To the north we found a good size shopping area with lots of little shops.  We checked the movie theater but we had missed the movie we were interested in seeing.  We thought Monument Men would be an enjoyable film to see on a rainy day.  Down the street Debbie spotted a German Beer Garden!  Can't go wrong there.  So we parked the jeep and headed in for a cool one.  It reminded us of our visit to Germany years ago visiting Ben and Joanne. On our way out Debbie popped in to a Kilmans Chocolate Store just to finish off the day.  They were selling chocolate for $29 / pound!!  No sale today!

  Thursday morning we awoke to a chilly 38 degrees.  Something has gone terribly wrong!  Only a week or so ago we were basking in the mid 80's.  So a command decision was made to move westward.  There were still plenty of beautiful Florida beaches to see.  The panhandle has beautiful white sandy beaches, although the water is cooler than down south.  I understand why they call this the Forgotten Coast.

     St Andrews had plenty of open camping spots, and a check on the parks to the west showed a few sites available.  I figured with the cold weather, local Floridians would rather stay home.  We were checked out and on the road by 10:30 CST, having crossed into a new time zone a day earlier.  As we approached Destin, Fl, Debbie started calling parks, and all were booked solid.  Nothing available!  Not good!  What we had failed to realize was this weekend is Mardi Gras weekend, and I guess it is celebrated in more places than New Orleans.  Evidently, Pensacola is a big party town, with a huge Mardi Gras parade on Sunday Well we had one last chance.  A National Parks campsite located out on Gulf Islands National Seashore. Their website said they had 4 walk-ins available.  Debbie called and spoke to the Ranger at Fort Pickens Campground who said he had 3 left, but they were going fast.  We were 60 miles away, but a decision was made to go for it.  Arriving at the Ranger Station to pay the entry fee, the Ranger asked if we had reservations.  "No" I said, "but we were told there were some walk-ins available."  The Ranger replied, "Must be, they haven't told us to turn people around yet."  We're in!  Three miles further to the campground registration office, and on to the site.  Amazing!  We have water and electricity, and we're surrounded by water.  The Gulf of Mexico on one side and Pensacola Bay on the other.  Beautiful white sandy beach all around us.  And very few people out here.  Debbie and I walked over to the beach, and we were the only ones out there.  We sat for a while, soaking up the warmth from the sun, enjoying the tranquility of the waves.  A little cool, but not bad.    

     Again, I forgot my camera when we went out to the beach, but I'll get some pics today and include them next time.  And probably the best part of getting to Pensacola, was getting the opportunity to visit with my cousin Annette.  She's been telling us for years to get over here, every time we stop and visit in Gainesville, but we have never been over here.  We left her a text telling her we were over here, and she called as we were out visiting the fort.  Arrangements were made to meet for dinner at McGuires Irish Pub, so we hustled home to clean up.  We met Annette, and had a great dinner.  Debbie had fish and chips, and I had their pork chops with Jameson's sauce.  Way more than we could eat, and very tasty.  The place was packed, but we met Annette at the bar. (The last place I'd look for her!!!)  We were soon seated and had a great meal and conversation, and made arrangements to get together again this evening.

     Tonight will be an early night though.  Tomorrow we head over to Smiths Station, Al. for a visit with our friends from BP Campo days, Ted and Maryanne.  We've been looking forward to seeing them for a long time.