2018 Jan 31-Feb 5,🚙 Trip to Mobile, Saraland, Alabama and Carnival Fantasy Western Caribbean Cruise Cozumel, Mexico ( 6 days)

Day 1: January 31, Travel Day:

We traveled along Highway 43 passing through Russellville, Spruce Pine, Phil Campbell, Bear Creek, Brilliant, Winfield, Fayette, Tuscaloosa, Fosters, Ralph, Knoxville, Eutaw, Forkland, Demopolis, Providence, Linden, Dixons Mills, Thomasville, Fulton, Grover Hill, Jackson, Macintosh, Movico, Axis onto I-65 s to I-10 W to hwy 90, hwy 59, 188, 193 to Dauphin Island.

We stopped in Forkland to take pictures of Jim Bird's Hay Bale Art and Tin Man.  

Tin Man 

At Dolphin Island, we walked along the boardwalk, taking pictures:

Living Marsh & Boardwalk 

Marine Debris, a Silent Killer 

Marine Debris Timeline

Butterflies of Dauphin Island

Mr. Sand Part I, II, III  

A Real Partnership 

Energy from the Sands of Time 

Where am I? 

Alabama Coastal Connection 

Dune plants survive in a harsh environment

Wetland birds 

The Tidal Marshes of Alabama

Barrier Islands shaped by wind & Waters

Invertebrate Trail

Research on Marsh Restoration at Dauphin Island's Sea Lab

Whether the Weather

The Living Marsh

Dauphin Island 

Rays at Dauphin Island 

We went to the Fort at Dauphin Island, but it was closed, and so was Sea Lab.

We drove to the Audubon Sanctuary Nature Interpretive Trail, looking for the bird. We could hear them but did not see any. 

We did see several turtles. 

It was getting late, and we wanted to reach Saraland before dark. 

We arrived at Comfort Inn, 1200 SHELTON BEACH RD, SARALAND, AL, checked into our room, and walked downstairs to eat dinner at Winzell's. I ordered a fried shrimp basket with Coleslaw, water, and lemon to drink.

My friend ordered the shrimp po'boy, which was served with lettuce, tomatoes, purple onion, and pickles. Their signature bread was also served with French fries. 

It had been a long day, so we retired to our room for the night.

The Inn where we stayed was being remodeled. 

Shrimp Poboy

Fried shrimp basket with Coleslaw

Day 2: Thursday, February 1: Loaded on the ship:

We ate a continental breakfast at the Inn, packed our bags, and drove to the Port of Mobile.

We were among the first to board the Carnival Fantasy Cruise Line, so we had to wait in line with several other cars. 

We finally arrived at the parking deck, and each bag was checked and parked on deck two. We unloaded our carry-on bags, walked to the elevators, and had to pay for parking.

We went through security, and because of my total knee replacement, the alarm went off, and I had to be walked down.

We took our bags to our room on the fourth level.

We went up the elevator to the patio pool area. Behind it were the buffet, pizza, and Guy's Burgers areas.

We both ordered Guy's burger and Fries.

After we finished eating, we walked around the ship, taking it all in. That night, we attended a Hasbro Game Show and were in bed by 9 P.M.

Carnival Fantasy 

Guys, Burger, and Fries

Day 3: Friday 2, Fun Day at Sea

We were up early to see the sunrise

We both ordered a made-to-order omelet and got a couple of pastries and French toast.

For lunch, we both ordered a taco salad with Key Lime pie.

That afternoon, we attended a show about what we might see on the Island Adventures.

They gave away several prizes, but we did not win.

We are going to a formal dinner, so we are dressed. 

I ordered baked fish with rice and broccoli. 

We both bought tickets for tomorrow's adventures. 

That night, we watched a show about Soul Train with impersonators of the Temptations and the Supremes.

Fresh Rolls for dinner

Grilled fish with rice and broccoli 

Chocolate cake with ice cream 

Day 4: Saturday, February 3, Excursion to Chankanaab National Park.

Watched the sunrise and ate breakfast from the buffet.

Spent the day at Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel.

Landed in Cozumel and went ashore around 9 A.M. 

I stopped at the World Coral Exhibit to take a few pictures.

Cozumel's Coral Reef

Reef Systems

Coral & Sponges of Cozumel

Ecosystems Importance

Carnival Corp & Commitment to our Environment

Commercial Threat to Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

Life of Coral Reefs

We met up with our tour guide (Adolf) and were divided into three groups. 

Loaded into three different vans and was shuttled to Chankanaab National Park.

Several people in the group were going snorkeling.

We watched people swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Discovery

We walked through the Maya replica ruins.

We walked through the Botanical Gardens at Chankanaab Park, where we saw a variety of flowers, birds, lizards, and a coral reef. 

We joined the group for lunch and to watch the Sea Lion Show.

 Tequila tasting at 12:50 P.M.

We were shuttled back to the beach at 1:30 P.M. and loaded back onto the ship.

Once again, we had to go through security, and once again, my knee set off the alarm, and I had to be searched again.

That night, our host dressed up like Richard Simmons and did an 89's trivia show.

For dinner, we both ordered a hot chocolate cake with French sauce. 

My friend ordered a taco, and I ordered grilled salmon with carrots and broccoli served with potatoes.

Sea Lion Show.

Coral Reef

Swimming with Dolphins

Day 5: Sunday, February 4, Fun day at Sea 

We watched the sunrise, and on the track, we met a woman from Florida.

We ate brunch in the dining room.

We both ordered the huevos Rancho, delicious chicken quesadillas topped with fried eggs,

& Manchebo cheese and orange juice.

huevos Rancho

Sunrise on the Gulf of Mexico 

I wrote in my journal while my friend finished reading her book. 

For dinner, we both ordered green beans, potatoes, and steak. We ordered Cheesecake with strawberries for dessert, and I wanted to try the caramel popcorn cream custard. 

Day 6: Monday, February 5, Travel Home

We both enjoyed breakfast before embarking on the ship at 9 A.M.

We traveled through Mobile, stopping at Dollar General for Diet Coke and peanut butter crackers.

I had heartburn, and this helped settle my tummy.

We filled up with gas and stopped at Guthrie's in Haleyville for dinner.

We both ordered chicken fingers with Coleslaw.

Chicken Fingers and Coleslaw 

We arrived at my friend's house around 4 P.M.

Hubby came to pick me up.

We stopped at Lawler's to pick up a barbecue plate for dinner.

Carnival Fantasy Stateroom R18 DECK R MUSTER STATION A

Hotel Comfort Inn and Suites 1200 SHELTON BEACH RD SARALAND, AL  

2018 Feb 19-22, President's Special The Inn at Christmas Place Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Presidents' Day, Monday, February 19
For breakfast, I cooked bacon, eggs, and toast.
Hubby and I rode to Athens to leave the Chrysler Van for repairs.
Filled up with gas at Murphy's in Athens.

We rode to Madison to look at an old Fireo.
We stopped at Dollar General for snacks, meat skins, and drinks.
We rode through Jasper, South Pittsburg, Whiteside, Chattanooga, and Trenton, stopping at Richville Rest Area, where I took pictures of Pushing Forward Knoxville Union Army on the Move.

We traveled US 72 through Huntsville, crossing into Tennessee near South Pittsburg. We then took I-24 through Chattanooga to I-75 N, continuing to Knoxville. From Knoxville, we took I-40 to Kodak, then followed 66 to Sevierville and 441 into Pigeon Forge.

We went to Huck Finn's for dinner, for we had skipped lunch.
My Hubby ordered the small catfish plate with creamed potatoes and fixings.
I ordered the Cajun Grilled Trout with creamed potato and fixings. (white beans, Coleslaw, onions, pickles, and hushpuppies.

Huck Finn's 

We took several pictures at Huck Finn's.
We checked into The Inn at Christmas Place at 4:38 P.M. for two nights.
We took our luggage to the room and returned up front in time to listen to the Christmas Bells Chime.
We rode through Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, where we saw many Christmas Lights for Winterfest.
We saw Johnny Rockets, Bubba Gump's, Dicks Last Resort, Dude's Daiquiris, Texas Roadhouse, Calhoun's, Hollywood Star Cars, and Cooter's.
We returned to Pigeon Forge, where we saw a building illuminated in green light.
We saw a sign that read Dollywood loves every moment. Turn here.
We saw a storefront with alligators, sharks, and bear statues.
We rode through the archway at the Old Mill, which was covered in Christmas Lights of red and white.
Hubby took my picture in front of a picture of people skating at the Old Mill.
We bought a bag of yellow stone-ground cornmeal and apple fritter mix.
We rode to Patriot Park, stopping to take several pictures and videos. Stayed on the sidewalk because the ground in the park was still full of water from all the rain.
As we rode through Pigeon Forge, we saw Arcade lit up in neon lights and a new attraction called Alcatraz East Prison.

We rode through The Island, where we saw the carousel, fair wheel, Margaritaville, and Paula Deans's Family Kitchen.
We stopped to take several pictures of Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Adventures, which was covered in Christmas Lights; it was closed for the season.
We also saw the Magic Quest on our way back to The Inn at Christmas Place.
At 7:30 P.M., we sat on the balcony at the Inn eating oatmeal raisin, Chocolate, and Sugar cookies served with hot apple cider.
It was a clear and warm night as we watched the flow of traffic and all the Christmas lights that surrounded the Inn.
We retired for the night, for it had been a very tiring day.

February 20, Tuesday
Took showers, dressed, and walked downstairs to the dining room for breakfast.
I got three sausage links and watched the cook prepare my made-to-order omelet.
I chose mushrooms, spinach, peppers, ham, and cheese.
The cook said he loved to cook, and I told him that my middle son loved to cook.
I said you have to have a knack for flipping omelets, but he said it takes a good pan.

It was still a little foggy outside, and too early for stores to open, so we went back to our room. Hubby watched TV, and I wrote in my journal.
Last night, before we went out, we talked to the bellman of the Inn. He said his daughter was the manager at the front desk, and he was a retired Sheriff of 25 years. He still worked part-time to get his 30 years of service. He said that he loved working at the INN.
At 10 A.M., we rode to Gloria Vanderbilt and Lee's, where we bought Hubby a shirt.
We went to the Tanger outlet, where I bought a shirt from Under Armor and a black and white shirt from Nike. (I had only brought long-sleeved tops, and it was 77 degrees outside) It is too hot for long sleeves.
We rode to Bass Pro in Kodak, where we bought my husband a couple of shirts.
We ate dinner at Uncle Buck's, located inside Bass Pro Shops. We had all-you-can-eat shrimp for $9.99.

Uncle Buck's All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp.

We rode to the Douglas Dam and park, stopping to take several pictures.
We filled up with gas at Murphy's.
We rode by the Apple Bar, where we saw two geese waddling near the Little Pigeon River.
We stopped at the Upside-Down Museum, the Hatfield & McCoys, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the Titanic to take pictures.
We stopped at Dixie Stampede to take pictures of the horses.
We parked at The Island, walked around, stopped for Ice Cream, and finally sat down to watch the fountain dance to music.

Hatfield & McCoys 

The Island 

Watching Fountains Dance with the Sunset

Margaretville

We walked to the Margaretville Hotel, a gift shop, and a restaurant to take pictures.
We rode back to the Inn around 7 P.M.
From 8–9 P.M., we listened to Santa sing Christmas Carols and religious and Country Songs.
After the performance, we enjoyed milk, cider, and cookies.

Wednesday, February 21
My husband and I enjoyed a nice hot breakfast, packed, and checked out of the Inn, and started for home.
We stopped at the Rest Area in Jasper, TN, and Richville.
Hubby dropped me off in Athens to pick up the van.
Hubby rode to Madison to buy that Fireo we had looked at before we went on our trip. It had to be towed home. Hubby bought the Fireo parts for his Fireo.
Today is my grandson's twenty-seventh birthday, so we are meeting him, his wife, dad, and sister at Logan's Roadhouse for dinner.
Hubby and I ate hot rolls and fried mushrooms.
I gave my grandson a birthday card with money inside for his birthday. He said they were taking their camper to Fort Wilderness Campground and going to Universal Studios Theme Park for the weekend.

2018 Feb 24-25, Focused on Nature Photography Weekend Saturday

I checked into Joe Wheeler State Park Lodge for a fun-filled weekend.

Joe Wheeler State Park Lodge

The day began around 8 A.M. with Nature Photography, taught by Rocky from Athens.

The next speaker was Joe from Tuscumbia, who discussed photo editing using Lightroom & Photoshop. He also encouraged everyone to take photos in Raw format.

We broke for lunch.

Sharon joined me for lunch at the lodge, and we both enjoyed a baked potato.

We had a guided field trip to take pictures of Waterfowl at Wheeler and Wilson Dam, with Guntersville's park rangers Mike and Sharon riding with me.

Waterfowl at Wilson Dam 

I also took Sharon to River Heritage Park behind the Marriott Hotel. 

We rode back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner.

Hubby joined us for dinner in the Cypress Room at 7 P.M.

For dinner, I enjoyed fried catfish, salad, Coleslaw, and cheesecake covered with blueberries.

After dinner, a Wildlife show (Birds of Prey) was presented in the Cypress Room by David, the park ranger from Reelfoot Lake.

For show and tell, David brought a Red Tail Hawk, an Eagle, a Horned Owl, and a Barn Owl.

These are animals that have been rescued and cannot be released back into the wild because of a handicap.

Sunday 

Hubby stayed for the breakfast buffet in the dining room. We enjoyed crisp bacon, eggs, waffles, and Coke. 

Hubby left for work after breakfast. I joined the rest of the group outside for more of the wildlife show. 

Barn Owl and Great Horned Owl 

Red Tail Hawk 

Our last adventure was a Pontoon boat excursion on Wheeler Lake to look for wildlife and Waterfowl.

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, but today was cloudy and cold, so I had to add several layers of clothing for the water adventure. 

We saw a pair of Red-tailed Hawks sitting on top of a tree. 

We had about 12 people on the boat excursion.

A couple from Tuscumbia, a couple from Trenton, Mississippi, a couple from Guntersville, a couple who enjoys taking pictures of old barns, a couple from Olive Branch, Mississippi, and Captain Steve, our boat guide.

The wind was around 12 mph and a bit cold, so we traveled near the shoreline up to Wheeler Dam.

Captain Steve showed us the lock water discharge.

Hundreds of birds are sitting around waiting for fresh fish 

It is the process of draining the lock, and the circular wall serves as the "discharge barrier," but locals call it the "blow hole."

I joined my sister, great-niece, and dad for lunch at Bojangles. 

2018 Feb, Swimming with Dolphins and Sea Lion Show Chankanaab National Park Cozumel, Mexico

Sea Lion Show 

Dolphin's Names:

Aitana, Amadeus, Anaeli, Apolo, Da Vinci, Diego, Gandhi, Jupiter, Kathy, Krista, Leia, Louis, Frida, Marina, Miracle, Noel, Olympia, Rames, Scarlett, Thor, Zuman

Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with Dolphins

Kissing the Sea Lion