We enjoyed breakfast at this peaceful campsite. There were lots of neighbors for Saturday
– Sunday in our end of the campground but the families with children left and
those of us left were pretty quiet. With 400 campsites this place runs like a large hotel. We
drank our coffee and watched as a few clouds began to blow in…nothing stormy
just the only clouds we have seen in our 4 days on the coast.
We did finally pack up and leave camp about
10 driving the 20+ miles to the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola. The road along the Alabama – Florida Gulf is
pretty much built up with high rise and other beach properties. There are a few open beachfront lots but not
many. The white sand beaches go on for
miles.
We arrived a little before 11 and got our bearings to view
the new exhibits – Hanger One focuses on the Vietnam era to current day. There was an excellent display on the role of
the Coast Guard. A Marine One Helicopter from the Nixon days, and numerous
other planes and exhibits. After about
an hour we headed into the Cubi Point Bar/Cafe to have lunch. This bar was originally located at Cubi Point
on Subic Bay Naval Air Station in the Philippines. When the base reverted to the Philippines
the Cubi Point Bar was removed – packed into many boxes and sent to the Museum
here in Pensacola to be reconstructed…brought back memories to be sure. Each command that passed through Subic always
had a shield or some sort of display made and hung in the Cubi Point Bar – they
decorate the Bar/Café. Ben spoke with
one of the guides about it and he said when they unpacked the boxes all the
shields and other materials were covered in volcanic ash from the eruption of
Mt. Pinatubo. We of course again
searched for the OICC Shield – did not take as long as on our last visit as Ben
remembered about where it was!
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| Type plane Ben learned to fly while in the Philippines |
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| Marine One during Nixon Era |
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| Ben deplanes from Marine One |
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| Reconstructed Cubi Point Bar |
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| OICC Shield from when Ben was at Subic |
We viewed more exhibits and ended our visit with the IMAX
show on D-Day – the Battle of Normandie. As with most IMAX productions this was
very well done. It had lots of action
but was also very informative.
We then headed north to find our Main Stay Extended Stay Hotel – nice place
– never stayed in one of these before.
Ben finds interesting “free” hotel rooms with our CHOICE points! Jane searched for our dinner choice on Trip
Advisor. Our # 1 pick also the #1
seafood restaurant in Pensacola was where we were planning to buy seafood to
take home – Joe Patties. It closed at
6:00 – WHAT! Our number 2 choice was
closed on Monday….so we made a 3rd selection Nick’s Boathouse. Ben wanted grilled seafood. It was located in downtown Pensacola on the
bay – beautiful location. The food was
just so-so. Certainly did not rate 4
stars as Trip Advisor indicated. We had
shrimp and grits (Jane) and stuffed grilled shrimp (Ben). Both were ok but certainly nothing to write a
good review about.
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| Nick's Boathouse |
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| Shrimp and Grits |
As we headed back to the hotel we passed two venues with
huge lines waiting to enter for musical events – did not recognize the names of
any of the performers on the signage - guess we are too old. Tomorrow we start heading north.
.
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