Crossing the Gulf States

The route from Navarre, Florida crossing the gulf states of

Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana 

to Texas covers 465 miles.

Entering Mobile, Alabama, the interstate highway 

goes underground through a long tunnel 

Low Country in the state of Mississippi.

  

The 18 mile long Atchafalaya Swamp Freeway bridge 

connects Baton Rouge to Opelousas, Louisiana. 

The Louisiana Henderson Swamp is the largest 

wetlands and swamp in the United States.

Santa Rosa Island at Navarre, Florida

Across the bridge from Navarre is Santa Rosa Island which

is shared by the city of Navarre, Pensacola and Eglin Air Force base.

Fisherman Del on his paddle board.

Navarre Beach with several condos and hotels.

The quiet side of Navarre Beach.

Tropical vacation homes in bright pastel colors.

Gulf Islands National Seashore Santa Rosa area has a 7 mile drive.

Powered Parasailing is a popular sport at Pensacola Beach

The propeller motor pack worn on the back looks heavy.

Contrasting water colors.

Sugar white sand looks like snow on the road.

Hurricane in 2005 damaged this now vacant brick home.

New vacation homes are being built......but  

You will need $649,000 for a waterfront lot.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on
the Alabama Coast is about 50 miles from Navarre, Florida.

The three mile bridge leading to Pensacola was the shortest route to Alabama.

The pristine white sands and turquoise water are the attractions 
on the Gulf of Mexico Alabama shoreline.

Many high rise hotels and condos line the beachfront.

At Perdido Key, Alabama we returned to Florida.

Passing Pensacola Bay on way to Navarre.

Fort Walton Beach and Destin, Florida

A short distance east down the Emerald Coast Highway is the city
of Fort Walton Beach.

The city park is an inviting place to view Santa Rosa Sound. 

 Across the bridge from Fort Walton Beach is the city of Destin.  

Destin is a popular tourist destination with white sand beaches. 

The area was originally a barrier island but after several hurricanes and sea level changes it is now connected to the mainland.

The waterfront boardwalk is a pathway to all the tourist attractions.

Halloween fishing contest.  Judges wore old time barrister costumes complete with black robes and white wigs. 

Restaurants, open air bars, charter fishing boats 

and zip lines crowd the board walk.

Destin has the largest fishing fleet in Florida.

Across the way is Okaloose Island and Gulf of Mexico.

The shopping district with hotels, condos and specialty stores.  The carved tree
reminds us of carved oak tree near Staufen, Germany.

Navarre, Florida

Emerald Coast on the Florida Panhandle starts at the 

Suwannee River and ends at Pensacola.

From Georgia we moved south and turned west at Tallahassee.

Stopped at Navarre for a two week break from our travels.

Navarre is 24 miles east of Pensacola.

Emerald Beach RV park has beachfront property and a fishing pier for guests.

Four military bases are in the area and the Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team of jet fighters practice over the Gulf.

A few nights a week, the military has night training exercises. You might hear

bombs and automatic gun fire in the distance. This quiet noise is no match

to campgrounds near airports, traffic and trains.

The Panhandle is less crowded and not as warm in the winter season.  Sugar white sand and palm trees give the area a tropical feel.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island

a special place in the Golden Isles

National Historic Landmark District

The Old Jekyll Clubhouse was built between 1887 and 1902 as a winter hunting

retreat for wealthy businessmen such as William Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller and Marshall Field.

This renovated Victorian building is now a hotel and event center.  
An afternoon wedding party used the hotel lawn.

Cinderella carriage waiting for the newlyweds.

Next door is a special building called "The House of Power" used by J.P Morgan, James A. Scrymser, of AT&T, William Rockefeller of Standard Oil and others who wanted more privacy away from the clubhouse.

Indian Mound Cottage was owned by the Rockefeller family.

Maybe this is an early model golf cart used by the family.

Goodyear Family Cottage 1906

Moss Cottage owned by George Macy of A & P Grocery.

Horton House is one of the oldest buildings in Georgia built in 1743.

Oyster shells were burned to make lime which was combined with water, 
sand and fresh oyster shells to make tabby concrete for construction. 

The Spanish targeted this house during their conflict with England.

Clam Creek Fishing Pier.

Across the street is the Jekyll Island Campground 
with 199 sites for RV's and tents.

Great Dunes Park next to the Convention Center and hotels.

The state of Georgia is known for it's fresh sweet shrimp.  The Rah Bar provided a great view, warm breezes and ambiance for a late afternoon meal.