roadtrippin'

Saturday morning my day started off early as we pulled out for Mobile at 7:30, not before stopping at McDonalds to start my diet off right with a CinnaMelt (why didn't I know those were so amazing? There is a reason...), and then we were on our way!  

We wanted to eat some seafood if we were already going to be that close, plus Felix's is one of our favorite places, AND daddy had never eaten there, so we stopped by for lunch!

after lunch, we had to take some photos, duh.

So, enjoy these next few! 

Once we left there, we headed over to tour the battleship! 

Ya'll... I loved it. I spent most of my time just taking it in, everything daddy said, while trying to picture that point in time. 

GEEZ. I'll save my "America" spill for later....

this bird had obviously had a rough day.

I feel like him every once in awhile.

Enjoy these!

Now, this veteran, Col. Glen D. Frazier, marched the Bataan Death March & then spent time in Japanese POW camps. His pride for what he has done beams around him, and his faithfulness to our country astounds me. He has been voted one of America's best selling authors, and much of his income goes back to preserving the U.S.S Alabama and all of its features.

He is a hero, one who dug his own grave and escaped from enemy fire, and he is one we have to thank for the freedom we so often take for granted. 

I am so proud to be in this country.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

well, we drove until the map turned blue.

& even though I didn't get "knee deep in the water somewhere" (because I don't get in ocean water), I hummed Zac Brown Band while I was there anyway! 

...I apologize to all you non-listeners of ZBB because you're probably way lost on that little "joke", but you're not missing much.

We arrived at our condo around 4 on Sunday. 

We left town around 8, grabbed breakfast at our (now) LOCAL McDonalds, and headed towards the sea. I slept until we were five minutes out of Mobile, so the ride seemed to last about 10 minutes! Fine by me. 

We ate lunch at Felix's, of course, and I got shrimp & grits, of course. 

We stopped at Target in Daphne, Bass Pro in Mobile, and then we went on to the Wharf. 

After spending a little time there, we left to go check into our hotel. 

Phoenix X.

Here is your photo tour.... (this was taken on the day before we left, so we had pretty well made ourselves at home)... 

"foyer" better known as the hallway. The door you see is the entrance/exit, and the door to the left of it is mine & Mamma's room. 

Kitchen/living room area, and Mimi's room is to the left of the chair.

I didn't take a photo of our rooms/bathrooms for some reason!

oops.

I always love kitchens & bathrooms. 

photo taken and edited by ashia

Later, I met Ben, Ashia, & Austin at a public beach about 10 minutes away to take some family photos of them before dinner. It was fun to see Austin reacting to the water against her toes, and the sand under her feet. Don't ya'll love what beach wind will do to your hair? We were suffering from major hair malfunctions, clearly. Austin worked it better than I did, though ;)

On Monday, Mamma & I spent some quality time on the beach for the early part of the day, and then it started lightening. I am no joke when it comes to storms at the beach. I've watched too many storm chasing shows to risk even the slightest thunderstorm. So, we packed it up & went inside. 

Uncle Jay called a few weeks back and asked if I wanted to go deep sea fishing with he and Beau, and I have been wanting to go for quite some time, but I imagined going with Daddy. 

I like doing these types of things regardless, but I especially enjoy them with him. 

Anyway! The weather was questionable for the next hour or so, but we went to the marina anyway. 

Boats were packing up and leaving, and ours was right on schedule.

This is Curtis, our deckhand, aka - my babysitter, or so he thought! :) 

I'm kidding. He helped me get into the swing of things, and finally I started catching fish. It's just totally different than the fishing I've done in the past because of the use of different hooks, and (of course) because of the weight of the fish that are tugging on my line!

bait! 

I don't know if I had a fish or had just casted my line, but Beau kept me occupied during basically the entire trip.

Mid-day at sea.

Red Snapper was the main catch of the day, but we had one Scamp, a Black Snapper and a few King Mackerel too. The Scamp and Black Snapper are considered "bonus fish" and don't count against your limit of 10 Red Snappers.

King Mackerel.

Beau & I chatting!

Our boat was named "Chipper's Clipper" and our Captain was named "Chip". How creative!

That's our catch, too.

Mamma & I before eating at the Gulf Shores Steamer

(which wasn't all that great, but it wasn't awful either.

I will say that it was my least favorite, though.)

We usually see dolphins in the early morning, but this was after lunch sometime, and there was probably 5 or 6 swimming up near the first sandbar. 

There were ALSO two sharks swimming around near the shore. You obviously can't see them, but that's what those people were pointing at. 

Coast guards, lifeguards, four-wheelers, and rangers were everywhere. People were ordered to stay out of the water (which was clearly inforced...), but it didn't last too long.

SN: this is my new best friend. "Yes to Carrots" Coral tinted lip balm. 

I love it. 

That is all.

Runnin' on Empty!

Thursday night we sailed into Jackson around 8? (I can't remember, it was a long day.) After we went through baggage claim, we headed out to our car & over to Dick's Sporting Goods. Once we left there, I decided I wanted some pizza. For some reason, I had truly missed pizza! Ha! So, we went to Pizza Hut, ordered to go, and headed home.

Friday I woke up & unpacked everything and cleaned my room. After lunch I went & took my Midterm for Algebra and swung by the bank to see Megan on my way home. I showered quickly & dressed for dinner with the family (including Mimi) and Clint. 

We ate at Trailboss, everyone getting their usual meal, (steaks) and I got grilled chicken while Clint ate a steak, too, of course. 

Nat & SG were there with Michael and Tracy, and I was SO unbelievably happy to see them! I missed them so much, and it seemed like SG had grown into a different child after being away from her for a week. 

We rode around for a bit & came back home to watch True Grit. 

I hadn't gotten a chance to go see it in theatres, so I bought it for Daddy for Father's Day! Ha! He had seen it & loved it, though, so it was a win-win situation.

I loved it! The girl (her name has slipped my mind) is such an amazing character, and she plays her part well. I am now being told to watch the original, though. 

*********

Saturday I can't remember what I did, other than sleep. I was extremely sleepy! Hannah came over so we could fix a CD of photos for the slideshow at church on Sunday, and Hollie came to visit too. 

I edited photos until my eyes bled.... 

Okay, they didn't bleed, but it sure felt like they would at any moment. 

**********

Sunday we presented our slideshow at church and talked about our trip. It was good to reminisce, even if it had only been a few short days that we had been home. 

It is so unreal how quickly your joy can be stolen once you're back in the swing of American lifestyle. Anyway, another story for another day. 

I had to finish up classwork due for the week, so I couldn't go out to Clint's for their 4th of July gathering, although he had asked & I had wanted to - I decided it'd be best if I stayed home and did school work. What a nerd! 

BUT by staying home I got to go over to Nannie's and spend an early 4th with them, and I was glad I did. 

These are photos from the afternoon: 

Daddy & I.

Nason & I.

The Redheads!

Nason, Sugar, Me, Noah.

Adding Nannie in there.

Gunner.

Gunner & I with the windblown hair!

My Sister Nannie.

The guhs!

Robs & Nannie.

Their Familia!

Daddy reppin' the Honduras shark shirt, ha!

My beautiful Mimi.

Sugar & I. 

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Monday, the actual 4th of July, Clint picked me up around 11:30, and we left for Starkville. This year is the second year that he & I have been able to hang out on the 4th!

We had talked & decided on eating at Abners, which was lovely for me because I'm going to eat chicken regardless of where we go, but they were closed! So, we went to Zaxby's, and they were closed. This was a trend throughout the Mexican restaurant & Oby's as well, so we settled for Applebee's because we had noticed that they were opened when we went by earlier. 

After lunch we went to the theatre (at around 1:15) and sat down to wait for X-Men at 2. I was fine with waiting for awhile since we had a chance to visit, and the movie was amazing too - even though I haven't seen the others - I want to see them soon! 

I love the 4th of July. I don't know if I've mentioned to you that it's my second favorite holiday. I sincerely LOVE it. I am so beyond blessed and thankful to be an American. We really have NO idea how well we have it here. Other places long to be as free as we are. I'm just grateful for the people who got us where we are today, and for the Awesome God we have watching over us. 

Thank you, Veterans & current Active Military.

You are not unnoticed or unappreciated in my eyes.

I guess I should spend my free time now catching up on movies I've been instructed to watch, as well as watching the ones I want to watch, but that will have to wait! 

Beach tomorrow! 

See you soon!