December 23rd and 24th

Monday, December 23rd was a day of resting and shopping.  We were pleasantly surprised by dolphins in the water in front of our condo.     It was a pleasant surprise that we had not been able to enjoy the year before!




Tuesday, December 24th greeted us with sunshine and dolphins.  We started our morning watching the dolphins playing in the water in front of us.

We decided that it would be a great day to go to Gulf Islands National Seashore.  Having run out of time the year before, it was still on my list from the year before.  To get to it we needed to go through Pensacola and take two long bridges across to the Island.  




Funny thing about the "G" on Dave's shirt.  He kept getting asked about the "Bulldogs".  Down South the "G" is for Georgia.  Luckily at our condo we met several Wisconsinnites who knew what the "G" stood for!



At some points as we drove we could see the water on both sides of us.  It was easy to understand how parts of the road was out during hurricanes.  The sand was so white that it looked like snow piled up along the road.  I was thankful that it was not snow.  


The road ended at Fort Pickens.  We spent awhile exploring the fort, which was originally built before the civil war and then a second fort was built during WWII.   Ryan was our tour guide and read for us. 



Let us out!

Flowers in December!
















We learned that the most damage to the fort was actually caused by the army themselves.  In the early 1900's when they were bringing in a new gun, they stored it by the powder room.  The gun accidentally fired causing the powder to explode and actually blew out the corner of the civil war fort.  The corner is still missing today.

After the fort we went out on the dock.  A lady showed the boys the skates she had caught.  The look like stingrays but do not have the stinger.  The boys watch a crane come and steal her bait.  Finally, we enjoyed the hands on museum that talked about the fort and the Gulf Island Seashore.





The boys built a fort at the museum. 
We stopped to climb the tower, but learned at the top it was closed.  I was nervous as they climbed.


But we did find a gunnery installment that did not say to stay off.

Ryan climbed up after asking if it was okay.

Papa helped Josh get up!



Berries growing in December! 





We headed back across the bridges and through Pensacola.  It was Christmas Eve so we wanted to get home and changed to make it to the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Genesis CMA Church.  We arrived in time to see the sun set with beautiful colors.  After a quick dinner it was off to a very nice service.  Just before bed the boys headed to the pool for a quick swim.
 

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