On the Road to Texas and Back

We've been back from Texas for four days, but it's been a little more difficult to recover because we set off foggers right before we left to rid the place of pests. Even though it was an excellent time to do this, making sure things are safe to use -- like washing all the dishes, in addition to washing a week's worth of laundry has kept us from telling you about our fun-packed trip.

Rather than a blog post that really covers it, we're resorting to showing you photos we took, like we did on our trip away from Alabama last spring. You can see them on Flickr at:

On the Road - Sept. 21, 2011
On the Road ~ Sept. 22, 2011

On the Road ~ Sept. 24, 2011

On the Road ~ Sept. 26, 2011
On the Road ~ Sept. 27, 2011

You may have noticed there are no pictures for Sept. 25th. We are saving perhaps the best for last. That afternoon we went to see a live musical at Theatre Arlington entitled "FOREVER PLAID." The four men performing had done this musical many years ago and said they wanted to do it again before they were in wheel chairs. What a treat it was. This YouTube video gives you a good example of what variety this show contained, but you would have had to be in the audience to have the full benefit.

Weather Report on TS Lee

WHEN? Monday · September 5

WHERE? Gulf Shores, Alabama · find us on the map

WHY? Winds and rain from Tropical Storm Lee

Tropical Storm Lee has definitely made itself know in the panhandle area and beyond with strong winds and lots of rain. We mainly checked out this on the line at Alabama and Florida.

Yes, we're fully aware we are idiot storm chasers, and we're old enough to know better.

Our sense of adventure and goofiness have shown their face before. We thought we could get some videos and photos to show what TS Lee caused, so we kept driving eastward on the beach road, even when there were times when it was partially covered with sand. We went beyond Gulf State Park and stopped to go out on a boardwalk we had gone to the end of during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Were we surprised to find it was not something we could do when we came to a wall of sand.

If you have never been out on the beach when winds are this high, let us tell you it hurts everywhere your skin is exposed. We were very thankful we both had on eye glasses to protect our eyes. The sand made it's way into our pockets and just about everywhere else. Maybe it was worth it to catch the photos and videos we took on Labor Day of 2011.

The show was actually viewable from the road because the waves were so high.

I have already looked at the videos we took, and I'm not sure they show what we saw.

We actually went inside of the Flora-Bama, and they have made lots of progress in their building since we were there last. The upper level is set up so people there can look down on the stage from three sides, where it used to be a very short balcony on the south side.

It would only be a guess if I tried to tell you about the erosion caused by this storm. Buildings probably made it okay, but I was feeling sorry for anyone who reserved a condo or beach house for the Labor Day Weekend. Their vacation was pretty much shot.

See our photos on flickr:
Wind and Waves from Tropical Storm Lee.

We took several videos to try to let you know what the experience of the winds and rains were like as Tropical Storm Lee came through Lower Alabama.



This video probably best shows particularly how big the waves were:

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We spent the rest of our Labor Day at Magnolia River Bar & Grill in Magnolia Springs, Alabama, inside out of the rain and wind and enjoying good friends, music and spirits.

rain, Rain, RAIN!

This not a normal or usual blog post for THE PERPETUAL VACATIONERS, but it's just noteworthy enough that we are making an exception. It has rained several times today already, which is not normally newsworthy for Lower Alabama, but this summer has been an exception.

Most days recently, either one or both of us were doing some watering detail of grass, shrubs, or flowers. Even after today's rain, if we don't receive anymore for several days, that will not be necessary more than likely.

It looks like weather forecasts are for more because of a tropical depression.

A video was recorded today just so we can look at it if we wonder what it's like for it to rain.


♫ ♪ The sound of rain is music to our ears!♫ ♪