10.31.2020

Although our town didn't have "official" trick or treat hours this year, it was endearing to see so many people putting in the effort for a safe, clean and socially distanced holiday in surrounding neighborhoods.  The girls were excited to hear that Halloween was going to happen in some shape or form and they had a great time celebrating.  Isabelle got together with some friends the night before with a outdoor get together, bonfire and food.  Allie met up with some of her friends to trick or treat and had a bonfire after at  a friend's house.  Juliette and Isabelle took Eve trick or treating in a neighborhood and got loads of candy! It was a great evening, and the weather was great too!

 

10.30.2020

 

10.16.2020

 We decided to stay another day in Orange Beach and soak up some sun.  It was a really windy day but we  had a nice one relaxing before our long drive home.  We saw schools of fish come to shore and a shark too!  

Although Florida has coined the term, "The Emerald Coast", we have heard this area of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach use this term as well.  This is just 10 miles west of Pensacola, Florida. 

We saw many tarps, broken fences and damage from Hurricane Sally.  The hurricane that went though this area days before we left went farther west and effected Louisiana.  They have been ravaged from tropical storms this late summer and fall.  The beaches were practically deserted and restaurants either closed or half full.  We had difficultly getting a room on this day and we were unsure why since it seemed so empty but a local told us that many hurricane relief workers were still in town and locals that were displaced were using many of the condos and rooms in the area.  

This is the fence at our hotel.  You can see the palm leaves and fronds shredded from the storm.

10.15.2020 Orange Beach, Alabama

We got to our hotel yesterday evening and were excited to see the view the next day!

Here are a few cell phone pictures from the day...the girls got some boogie boards and had a blast in the ocean.  

Although we took off our masks at the beach, we made sure and wore them at all times otherwise as we did notice many people weren't.  

She would barely get out of the water!  The water was warm and very clear.

All showered and ready to watch the sunset and then go out for some pizza.  Our hotel was very conveniently located across the street from restaurants, a Publix, CVS and Walmart.  

We also bought a volleyball on a whim and enjoyed playing on the beach!

Some golden hour pics...

more volleyball...

What a view!  

 

10.14.2020 Natchez and Emerald Mound

We had a nice stay at the Riverboat Bed & Breakfast and had a delicious homemade breakfast of muffins, bacon and eggs.  

She also had the most awesome dachshund named "Stink Pot Alice" who was seriously adorable and of course the girls loved her too!

The owner of the Riverboat gave us history of the place and it had been in her family for generations.  There were pictures all around of her ancestors too. 

We got a great and informative history tour of Natchez on a carriage ride.  We learned a lot about the town and some of the people that lived there.  

A look down the street with businesses

William Johnson House

Mr Johnson kept a diary of life in Natchez from 1836-1851 and was a free black man.

Magnolias everywhere!

Many of these homes are now private residences.  

There are several homes open for tours or are operating bed and breakfast. They have many festivals and pilgrimages to see the antebellum homes.  Due to Covid and the hurricane Delta, the tours we planned on attending were closed.  It was still very interesting to walk around the town and see the homes.  Many of corners had informational signs about the buildings.

The following weekend of our visit was their annual balloon glow! 

Treating our sweet horse after a ride around the town.

Rosalie Mansion built in 1820-1822

This property overlooks the Mississippi River.

Coffee for the road!

We got back on the Natchez Trace road to visit Emerald Mound.  

It is the second largest mound north of Mexico.