That's our condo in the center - 3 over and 3 down from the top

Dead starfish because of the cold water

Morning treat - beignets with confectioners sugar

Yesterday was a perfect day for being away from the snow - sunny but cool and a slight breeze so we had to hide behind a dune for the best seats on the beach. Talked to a couple fishermen and after all day, they had caught one drum (not so hot eating) and something else that broke off. Everyone is waiting for the water to warm up and the pompano to show up.
Still a nice day for a walk to the jetty and talk to a couple of Coast Guard guys who were doing some snorkeling - said that even with a 3 mil suit under a 5 mil suit, it was pretty cold in the water. So I guess I'll hold off swimming for another couple days.
Later today, it's going to go for a dolphin cruise - have seen a few so it will be a treat to get out on the water and see if there isn't some fun things to see.
So far we've been able to stay ahead of visiting Claire - but barely - had forgotten how much energy a teenagers can have. Great fun to have her here and see things through her eyes.

Interesting day

Yesterday started out pretty normal - that is, if you consider wondering if Terry's grand daughter was going to be able to fly out of Boston given the Nor'Easter that had blown into town. She was to arrive Mobile in the early afternoon after a stop in Houston TX. We thought we'd make a day of it so headed out to Mobile and took the scenic route which got us to Mobile with ample time and considering Claire had been fed on the plane, we stopped about a mile or 2 away from the airport. Bob has a 'thing' about using FLIGHT AWARE to see how the particular flight is going. Not only was the flight to Houston on time, it was ahead of schedule.
Foolishly, he checked the flight from Houston to Mobile and OOPS!! IT WAS CANCELLED!! After a lot of scrambling from Maine, they got her on a flight that arrived in Mobile at 10:30PM and it was now about noon.
WHAT TO DO? Hang around Mobile for 10 hours or make the 2 hour trip back to Orange Beach, catch some pool time. Considering there was another flight that would arrive about 4:30 we opted to drive back part way to our favorite town - Fair Hope. Which we did. But then when we hadn't heard about the possibility of the early flight - headed back to Orange Beach but fortunately, only got a few miles before we heard she would get a seat on the early flight and be in Mobile about 5:30 - headed back only to run into the worst traffic jam ever - but made it back with time to spare. Then waited until the personnel could figure out who could walk her from the gate to the security area. That took another hour -
Long saga but Claire is now safe and sound at the condo, bringing with her the best weather of our stay yet. Temps are forecast to be in the mid to upper 70's all week with cool night breezes for good sleeping conditions.

Let the BIKING BEGIN

Bikes are ready and so am I - here's to good weather from now on

Wet Weather and an Angry Gulf

We are at the southern side of a huge storm heading across the US and ready to dump on Georgia AGAIN!! Even a few miles north of us there is snow and black ice while we have only some light rain and some waves on the Gulf - enough so that there are a couple of surfers out there this morning.

I know that it doesn't seem like much to folks who are used to a lot bigger surf but for us southerners - it's huge. Consider I'm on the 11th floor and the waves are about 200 yards away - well figure.

The bike ride the other day didn't go as planned - ended up getting a couple flats and walking over a mile to get picked up - never did find what caused the problem but replaced the tire (it was on the last leg) as I have no intention of making that walk dragging the bike along again. And if I believe that, I'm really getting senile. It's a factor of Murphy's law that if you are going to get a flat it will be the absolute furtherest distance from the parking lot that's possible.

Here is a map of the biking trail we get to use - I was about half way across that green trail when things broke

  

Finally today, here is a picture of our condo building I took last night - there are 220 units and this is the street side view

Here is the condo building and we are up 11 floors about in the middle

Let the BIKING BEGIN

Well the weather finally cooperated and the bikes got out of the van and shined up - and off we were for some riding. Wasn't sure that it was going to happen this early given the weather here but today was a beauty - mid 60's and no wind so everyone was out - we had to sneak into a secret parking spot to get on the Back Country Trail - 20 miles of paved paths the wander through the woods and swamps. Although we didn't do all the trails today, our break in run was pretty nice and were pleased how the bikes felt after too many months sitting there.
The beach was getting it's share of strollers although like the bike ride, a fleece or windbreaker were the order of the day, Even at 65, it does get a little chilly around the edges which of course macho man me had to leave in the van - had to cut short the ride, Live and learn but it will be the first time I do - I seem prone to be stupid on stuff like that.

Great Day for a PICNIC

The weather has finally turned for the better and today was no exception - about 60 and cloudless skies meant it was time to picnic - went to Mobile Bay where the ferry docks to take you to Dauphin Island. The pictures below show how nice it was - the ferry coming in with a load about to leave with a line of cars waiting. There was a Mardi Gras parade on Dauphin so lots of people were heading across. The alternative was to drive all the way around Mobile Bay for a good 60 miles.
Watching the Olympics last night was something else - talk about a technical presentation of epic proportions! I think I spent the evening with a stupid grin being awed by the whole presentation. Russia should be really proud with what has been accomplished in only 7 years. Every venue I've seen so far has been excellent. GO USA!!!
Here are some pictures you might like.

One of the 12 oil rigs we could see in Mobile Bay

These Terns were waiting for the Ferry as they 'ride' over

Saturday night 2/8sunset on our beach

The Dauphin Island Ferry heads for the dock

One week gone already

Doesn't seem possible that a whole week has passed since we moved into the condo but sure enough, today is most certainly Saturday and that is our milestone.
So far we haven't been able to bike or fish or sit on the beach due to pretty cool (read COLD) weather. And the winds haven't helped either - 20 and 25 MPH winds that make sure we wear our fleece jackets. In the meantime, we've been able to make new friends here at Phoenix VII as well  as renew old  haunts. Been fun. Plus an introduction to Wally Ball (an extremely popular mid west work out) which I'm now hooked on MWF, Tai Chi on Tuesday/Thursday, Bingo on Tuesday evening - plus a whole lot other activities but suffice to say, there is never a dull minute if you wish to stay active.
Speaking of 'dull minutes', yesterday I was playing Wally Ball when T came down to watch. At the end of that set, she asked if I had a key to the condo - nope, how come? says I. Seems there is a setting on the front door that will lock it but when you turn the inside knob it unlocks. HOWEVER, if you turn the do-dad to lock it, you can open the door from the inside but IT STAYS LOCKED. Usually that isn't a problem but in our case, we didn't rent from the Condo Association but rather through our own rental agency, the Condo Association is not allowed to open the door (even though they have a grand master key). So we had to call our real estate office and they had to bring another key over (about 8 miles) and they were not pleased at all. Valuable lesson learned. Will have to learn to secure the door another way I guess.
Will see if I can't get some photos of the condo today so everyone can see our digs.
I do know, there is something special about Alabama this year - not exactly sure what, but it feels different. Have to watch for that to see if I know what it might be.