Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Bama photo journal




We spent the weekend on the Alabama coast to celebrate our anniversary. We searched and searched for a cool place to go and nothing really stood out to us. In Portland we always had so many options for places to getaway i.e. the coast and the mountains but around here there are no mountains and the coast is a bit different. At the last minute we came across a little island south of Mobile called Dauphin Island. We headed south not really knowing what to expect. We were very pleased upon arrival. It was un-crowded and really mellow with lots of beach to walk. The island was hit pretty hard by the hurricane. On one side over 300 homes were swept away but the town seemed to be rebuilding. We stayed three nights at the islands only hotel. It ended up being a very quiet and relaxing 4 days, which is just what we needed.
Some highlights:
Watching 2 amazing sunsets on the beach over the Gulf of Mexico. Visiting and exploring the islands bird sanctuary (and being really afraid of water moccasins). Golfing on the ocean front golf coarse, half of which was closed because the hurricane covered the coarse with sand making it one giant sand trap. Getting coffee and rolls at the islands family owned bakery every morning. Meeting a guy from Michigan who is a Christmas tree farmer and talking for a good hour about the industry and profitability of bringing trees to south Alabama to sell. Emily ordered a crab po’ boy sandwich which she thought would be fresh crab pieces but instead was a whole crab, deep fried and served on a bun.( she couldn’t eat it)
Jumping off stuff. Climbing a tree.




This week we are back in swing of things. Yesterday Emily was a judge for her schools annual spelling bee. I found out that I will be traveling John Perkins to Seattle for a week at the end of the month. I will be his assistant / guy who makes sure that he doesn’t get overworked, he is 75 after all. Check it out at: http://www.spu.edu/depts/jperkins/

Yesterday we also started our reading club in the after school program. Our first book is “ The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” and the kids seem to be enjoying it so far. Our main goals are to get the kids using their imaginations and to instill a love for reading. We are enjoying cool sunny days and dreading the heat and humidity of the fast approaching summer.

Johnny

Em bonds with a pelican while Johnny uses his wife as a shield, Allie you would have been freaked out!

"Yeah, Im 98% sure that's the sun"

3 comments:

Matt Basinger said...

Wow - that looks like such a wonderful time! I love the pictures!

Anonymous said...

water mocs!!! What are you thinking?? I hope you didn't really see any. I'm so glad you had a good time, but still appreciate the ease of getting away in PDX, minus the snakes, blown down homes, etc. Just wait for tornado season. JB coming to Seattle. That's great. Maybe we can figure out a way to see you. Miss & love you so much.

Anonymous said...

Happy Late Anniversary! Wow! What beautiful pictures. Somehow, I always feel like I live a little vicariously through you. I miss and love you both. I can't find you on my space. :(