2022 Oct 9-14, Carnival Ecstasy Final Voyage 5 Days Western Caribbean Cruise Cozumel, Progresso from Mobile, Al

Day 1, Sunday, October 9, 2022 

Hubby took me to my friend's house we loaded our luggage into her car and began our journey to Mobile.

We stopped at Circle K in Mount Vernon for fuel and restroom breaks.

We stopped at Jack's in Jackson for breakfast of biscuits and gravy. 

We stopped in Demopolis to take pictures of the historic markers and buildings. 

Arrived around 1:40 at Renaissance Hotel in Mobile, checked in, and took our overnight bags to our room.

Our room was facing the bay, so we could see Carnival Ecstasy when she came into port.

History Museum of Mobile 

We walked to the History Museum on the corner of Church and South Royal Street and bought tickets for the museum and for Colonial Fort Conde' which is atop the Mobile Bay Tunnel. We walked through Mardi Gras Park, stopping to take pictures of the markers and statues.

Mardi Gras Park 

We ate supper at Loda Bier Garden around 5:18 PM we both ordered a hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and Onion on a soft bun with fries located at the intersection of Dauphin and Joachim Street.

Loda Bier Garden

The restaurant was crowded, and people were waiting to be seated. On our way back to the hotel, we saw several Oyster Shell sculptures depicting famous Alabama Cultures. Mobile is called the "Big Oyster."

By this time, it was getting dark, so we walked back to the hotel.

Day 2, Monday, October 10, 2022 

We walked down the street to Chick-fil-A for breakfast. I ordered a free cookie and Lemonade. 

We walked to Coopers Riverside Park, where we saw several homeless people sleeping. We also saw our Cruise ship docked in the Bay.

Carnival Ecstasy Cruise Ship docked in Mobile Bay.

Earlier this morning, we had watched the Cruise ship come into the bay.

We walked back to the hotel to take the shuttle(that held about 10 people, including luggage) with several other people to the terminal.

We got in line to be processed with passports, tickets, and proof of vaccines for COVID-19. 

Mobile had a farewell party for the crew and captain, with Girls dressed in Antebellum gowns with music playing. Many were getting their pictures taken with the Cruise Ambassador, John Head, and ship captain Michele Coppola. 

Cruise Ambassador John Head and Ships Captain Michele Coppola. 

Around 11:00, we were boarding the ship along with many others.

State Room E155 Deck E Muster Station F.

Our first stop was Five Guys, where we ordered a Mushroom burger with fixings and fries. 

We walked around the ship until it was time for our room to be ready. Walked back to the upper deck to watch the ship leave Mobile Bay. Such a beautiful sunset watching the birds follow the ship, stirring the water up for the birds to feed on the fish.

The sun had gone down, and we were headed out to the Gulf, so we headed back to our room to dress for dinner.

Sunset Mobile Bay as we are leaving 

We had dinner in the Winstar Dining Room, where I ordered Grilled Salmon, a Caesar Salad with veggies, and a Shrimp Cocktail. 

Day 3, Tuesday, October 11, Sea Day

Ate a cinnamon roll with nuts and chocolate milk for breakfast.

We had brunch in the Winstar Dining Room. 

Skillet Cake (Ricotta, guava, preserve, marshmallows, and maple butter) with bacon. 

Late lunch of taco and slice German chocolate cake. 

Went to a show (Crimson String Trio)and relaxed on the deck. Bought Excursion Passion Island and finished reading Matthew. 

Dressed for Dinner in the Winstar Dining Room, where I ordered shrimp cocktail, Garlic Shrimp, veggies, and dessert.

 Day 4, Wednesday, October 12,

Breakfast of yogurt with nuts, raisins and pastry, chocolate milk, and apple juice. 

Docket at Cozumel waited for Catamaran to take us to Passion Island.

Took pictures in front of Statues, Jester, Zonkey, Alligator, boat,  Fat Tuesday, and Purta May Cozumel.

Cozumel & Cruise Ship 

Ticket 

Foli MS Carnival Ecstasy all-inclusive Passion Island Catamaran 

operated by Peninsula De LA Passion Folio 56900

Cabin 155 Departs End of the Pier Sign

at 10AM Excursion # 3041391001 

Carnival Adventure

About an hour's ride to Passion Island, where we enjoyed three Margaritas, avocado dip, chips, tocos, veggies, and slices of watermelon.

On the island, I saw a couple of Trash Pandas and several long-tail Grackles.

After a couple of hours, everyone loaded back into the Catamaran.

We began our journey back to Cozumel, through customs and back on the ship.

The ship left port around 4:00PM.

Dressed for dinner in the Winstar Dining room, where I ordered a shrimp Cocktail, grilled Flounder, veggies, and a banana split.

Day 5, Thursday, October 13, 2022

Beautiful sunrise at 7AM

Breakfast Yogurt with raisins and nuts with pastries, chocolate milk

The ship docked around 8:30AM, and we took the bus into Progresso.

Walked through the shopping area to the beach, stopping for a full body massage on the beach.

We saw several birds, a statue, and several murals. 

We had to use the restroom, so we stopped at one of the stores they said if we bought something, we could use the restroom. I bought a pair of sunglasses. 

We walked through the flea market, where I bought a bag for $10.00.

We took the bus back to the dock, where we took pictures of Marilyn Monroe, Yucatan, Flamingos, Azul Temple, a boat, a cheetah, and a burrito.

Went to Guys for lunch with hamburgers and fries.

The ship was supposed to leave around 4PM, but several people were late, so it was more like 5PM before we left Progresso.

Progresso Yucatan 

We dressed for dinner in the Winstar Dining room, where I ordered Ribs, fries, beans, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Day 6, Friday, Oct 14, Sea Day

We had a beautiful cloudy Sunrise. 

Brunch in Winstar Dining Room of Skilled Cake with linked sausage.

Relaxed on the Lido deck, meet several ladies from Georgia, Destin and Fair Hope, Al, and one from lower California.

At 4PM, we went to the Platinum farewell Party, where we enjoyed free mixed drinks.

Recognized a father and son who had the most days traveled on Carnival Cruise Ships.

We listened to Crimson String Trio before going to dinner in the Winstar dining room.

Crimson String Trio 

I ordered grilled salmon, veggies, and Carnival Baboloo 50th Anniversary Cake. (a white frosting with three layers of cake. The cake frosting has chewy chunks throughout the frosting.)

Carnival Baboloo 50th Anniversary Cake. (a white frosting with three layers of cake. The cake frosting has chewy chunks throughout the frosting.)

Day 7, Saturday, October 15, Travel Home

At 8AM, we stopped at Jack in Jackson for breakfast sausage and gravy with strawberry pie. Filled up with gas at Texaco and bought Almond Joy and Diet Sprite. 

Carnival Ecstasy Stateroom E155 Deck E Muster Station F 

Hotel Renaissance Mobile Riverfront Plaza Hotel 64 South Water St Mobile, Al 36602

2022 April 26-29, Trip to Knoxville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN (4 days)

 Travel to Knoxville, stopping at Baxter's Botanical Gardens, which is only open to the public during April as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville. 

Baxter's Azalea Garden

In the garden, we visited The White Garden, the Maze, The Bluebird Garden, the Lotus Pond, the Dogwood Rambol, the Gazebo, the Azalea Garden, the Iris Garden, the Asian Garden, The Ellipse Garden, the Fuji Garden, the Balustiade Garden, the Hannah Garden and the Birds of Baxter's Garden. 

We spent about 30 to 45 minutes here. 

We then traveled to Pigeon Forge and checked in at Margaritaville's The Island Inn.

We walked around the Island and stopped at Mellowmushroom for dinner. 

Mellow Mushroom at the Island Pigeon Forge, TN

We ordered a Hawaiian Pizza with a drink and spent $30.57.

Day 2 Wednesday, April 27

Ate scrambled eggs, 2 slices of bacon, fried potatoes, biscuits with strawberry jelly, and cranberry juice for breakfast at the hotel.

We rode to the Trolley Center at 186 Old Mill Ave beside Patriot Park, where we bought tickets to take the trolley to Dollywood for the day. The cost for all day was $3 each.

We bought senior tickets at Dollywood, which cost $166.10 for the day. 

All through the park, we saw flowers designed in character form. We saw Busy, Busy Bees, Ring-tailed Rascals(Raccoons), Family Times (bear family), Round as a Peacock, Turtle, frogs, butterflies, Coat of many colors, Colorful umbrellas, Duck days, The Dolly wood Tree, Fines Farm, Doctor I. B. Painless Dentist, and Topsy Turvy.

Wildwood Grove at Dollywood 

We rode the train and carousel. 

We bought cinnamon bread with coke at Dollywood Grist Mill and spent $15

We ate supper at Huck Finn with green beans, catfish, creamed potatoes, and shrimp.

We stopped at the Margaritaville Store, where we bought 2 tee shirts. 

Coat of Many Colors Flowers

Day 3, Thursday, April 28

Today, we ate breakfast at the hotel: Muffins, sausage, & potatoes.

We rode to Old Mill Park, where we saw pigeons, geese, and mallard ducks.

We rode to Parrot Mountain and paid $53.11 for tickets, where we saw and fed many exotic birds. 

Parrot Mountain

Some of the birds we saw were the red-billed Tucan, Swanson Tucan, Keel-Billed Tucan, Kookaburra, Scarlett McCaw, Catalina McCow, African Pied Crow, Von Der Dickens Hornbill, Green-wing McCaw, Sun Conure, Mustache Parakeet, Golden Conure, just to name a few. 

We ate lunch at Firehouse Sub, where we ordered a small Steak and Cheese meal and a Medium Italian Sub meal. $21.75

We rode back to the Trolley Center at 186 Old Mill Ave to buy tickets to ride the trolley to the Gatlinburg Trolley Center.

At the Gatlinburg Trolley Center, we rode the trolley to Gatlinburg. We had a very entertaining driver, which made the ride enjoyable. 

Ankeesta and Black Bear 

We bought tickets for Ankeesta, where we rode the sky-lift up the mountain. $58.08 We bought a lemonade and walked around, then we took the Treetop Skywalk with a beautiful view. 

We rode the sky-lift back down the mountain and walked around Gatlinburg, stopping at Bubba Gumps for supper. There, we ordered Forrest Seafood Feast, which we split. Which included shrimp, fish, fries, and Cole slaw. 

Forrest Seafood Feast at Bubba Gumps

We took the trolley back to Gatlinburg Trolley Center and from there to Pigeon Forge Trolley Center.

At the Old Mill, we bought Relish and a self-rising Corn Meal. $12.91

Day 4, Friday, April 29

We ate breakfast in the hotel: bacon, eggs, biscuits, jelly, fried potatoes, and cranberry juice.

We traveled home, stopping in Athens for Gas.

2023 Jan 7, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Event

 Yesterday, hubby and I went to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, which was an event with Joe Wheeler State Park. 

There, we meet up with a group from Oak Mountain in Birmingham. 

Groups were coming from several other places.

There were so many cars that the park ranger had to direct traffic. Many parked along the side of the road, and many parked across the highway. Next week is the big event for Wheeler Wildlife Refuge glad we went today. 

Hubby and I walked to the new observation building, which is where we saw the five Whooping Cranes with my new scope.

We also saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and geese. 

Cypress Trees 

Next, we took the Cypress Tree Trail, which is a walkway across a wooden bridge and all around is filled with Cypress Trees.

We could loudly hear Blue Jay calling out to each other. We heard White-breasted Nuthatches (what we call upside-down birds). We heard Red-winged Blackbirds, European Starlings, and Eastern Phoebe, and we saw and heard a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

We walked to another observation station and didn't see any cranes but saw several Robins hopping around looking for food.

Hubby went back to the car, and I walked to the two-story Observation building that offers a wonderful enclosed view of our winter surroundings.

View of Sandhill Cranes, Ducks, and Geese from the Observation building

That is where I met several members of a photo club from Gatlinburg. They said that they would have a booth set up at Gatlinburg's Wildlife Week and said to look for them if I went that week. 

I saw a small boy enjoying kicking and picking up gravel as his family walked to the Observation building.

Walked back to the car, and we rode across the road to see more cranes.

We only saw a few but met several women from the Birmingham Area.

They were taking pictures. We did see a couple of white egrets.

Our next stop was a target to pick up a couple boxes of Skinny Popcorn. 

For lunch, we stopped at Whataburger, where I ordered a #1 Hamburger with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, mustard, and pickles with fries.

It was an overcast day with rain hanging in the air.

Later that night, hubby and I enjoyed dinner with my sisters and brother-in-law. After the meal, we girls played UNO and dominoes.

Had a wonderful day.

2022 April 23, Madison Walking Tour lead by Gerald Clark

 We started the tour at the Roundhouse near the railroad tracks. Before Mr. Clark began his speech, a train roared past. 

A War Memorial displayed in Madison's Park 

We walked across the railroad tracks and began our tour of Historic downtown Madison.

A little history about Madison:

The town began about 1856 when tracks were laid by Memphis and Charleston Railroad. In 1858, Judge Clemons planned the town's lots fronting the railroad.

One of the first businesses was a Grist Mill Mill operated by J.J. Akers, S.D. Doolittle opened a Blacksmith Shop, and other merchants included Walter and Thomas Hopkins and James Bib. 

Humphrey and Hughes Drug Co.
The Rexall Store 

Historic Madison homes and stores that we saw:

The History of Madison

Madison Station Hertzler Vaughn 1905 

Madison Station Apperson Brown ca 1900

Madison Station Cain Steadman ca 1880

Madison Station Farley Thorton Goodson 1911 

Madison Station Clay Sensenberger 1853

Madison Station Shelton Balch 1928

Madison Station Pride Drake 1910 

Madison Station Thomas Vaughn ca 1910 

Madison Station Burton Balch Willis 1885

Madison Station Farley Sturdivant 1910 

Madison Station Gillespie McDermott 1897

Madison Station Riddle W. Hughes Sampieri 1920

Madison Station Riddle C.P. Hughes 1910

Madison Station Sullivan Wellborn 1889

The Methodist Church 

War Memorials 

Colonel Cecil Hamilton Bolton LT US ARMY

Leo K Thorsness COL US AIR FORCE

Paul L. Bolden SSG US ARMY 

CITY OF MADISON WALL OF HEROES

Madison Roundhouse

Storefront 16 Main (Yellow House)

Humphrey Bros. was Built by D.S. Brandon 

Robert P. Cain Mercantile 

Humphrey-Hughes Drug Co Store 

The Rexall Store 

Established 1869 City of Madison

J.H. Cain General Merchandise 

We learned about Buttermilk Alley Buttermilk Alley is a narrow lane running between Front and Arnett streets. Circa 1900, the alley gave a safe haven for sweethearts to take a walk at dusk and hold hands. Mrs. Katie, an African-American woman who worked for Dr. Kyser on Front Street, sat on her porch and kept a watchful eye on the youth’s safety. 

Longtime residents also credit Buttermilk Alley’s name to food handouts from Front Street residents to hungry hobos riding on the train. 

Buttermilk Aly

Madison is a historic small town rich in history and now growing in leaps and bounds. 

2022 April 16, Walking tour Decatur Cemetery Decatur, AL with Phil Wirey

Today, I attended the walking tour of Decatur Cemetery, organized by Decatur Morgan County Tourism and Morgan County Historical Society.

Our guide talks about James & Ellen Hildreth.

The cemetery is located at Highway 20, west Decatur. Coordinates: 34.61690, -87.00110

The first burial was recorded in 1855. The cemetery is divided into 7 sections, the Original, Brown Circle, Cantwell, Cowan, Decatur Land Company, Humes, and Sterrs. 

Two famous people are buried here. 

Christopher Columbus Harris, a US Congressman, also served as a Lieutenant in the Civil War.  He is buried in the Cantwell Section of the cemetery.

Seybourn Harris Lynne Jurist, a civil Rights Figure who served as US Federal District Judge from 1946 to 1973.

Marker and Civil War Graves 

Known buried within this cemetery
Isaac L. Beard 6th Ark Co B Dod April 1, 1862
John R. Hopkins Sgf. 12th LA. Inf. Co. A. KIA Oct. 28, 1864
Jacob Hubbard PVT 12th LA. INF. CO. H. KIA Oct. 28, 1864
John R. Palmer DOD Feb. 16, 1862
James E. Patrick CPL 12 LA. INF. CO. G. KIA Oct. 28, 1864

Beneath this hallowed ground lay the remains of fifty-five Confederate soldiers. They gave their lives to establish southern independence, protect their homes, and preserve state rights. These original headstones were placed in May 1903 by the Joe Wheeler Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy. On June 3, 1903, a dedication service was held by the Daughters of the Confederacy and veterans of the Horace King Camp, United Confederate Veterans. This site was rededicated on April 26, 2005, by the Joe Wheeler Chapter No. 291, United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Liberty Camp 580, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Decatur, Alabama.

Confederate States of America
1861-1865

2022 April 9, Walking Tour Moulton, AL

Moulton's Head Start, former Rosenwald School

 Everyone meets at Moulton's Head Start, the former Rosenwald School, with speaker Nita Marlborough. 

After the speech, we all walked through the building.

History of Moulton (not quite finished), painted by Monica Hooper 

I parked near the Mural of Moulton and walked to the School. 

Next, I walked to the nearby Freeman Tabernacle, where we listened to Leela Reeves talk about the church. (We all went inside)

Freeman Tabernacle Church (located on Byler Road and Rosenwald Street 

On January 3, 1874, former slaves and Deacons King Crayton, George Pruitt, Tandy Crayton, and Ben Warren paid fifty dollars for land to construct the Colored Baptist Church, which was one of the earliest in the Muscle Shoals Colored Baptist Association. This organization helped black communities build churches and schools. After he died in 1933, the congregation renamed the church to honor longtime pastor John Harrison Freeman.

Our next stop was Bayler Road Church of Christ to listen to Lewis Jackson.

Smith Chapel C.M.E Church 
On this site, in 1871, former slaves constructed one of the first churches and schools for African Americans in Moulton. The Colored Methodist purchased most of the materials used for the building. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Nabors Owen gave land for the Colored Baptist and Colored Methodist Church and School Moulton. The congregations worshipped together until 1874. The church is named in honor of Rev. Andrew Smith, a former pastor.

Our next stop was a guided tour of Smith Chapel led by Caroline Fletcher.

At the Moulton Cemetery,  Cindy Praetor, Alicia Carpenter, and Beth Garner (who were dressed in the period) gave a talk about the tombstone they were standing next to)

Mollie, James & Lucy Downing

Elaine Jackson led us on a tour of the Hot Spot. 

the Hot Spot 
c.1945
Alabama Register of 
Landmarks and Heritage
by Alabama 
Historical Commission 
June 27, 2019 

Guides

(Marvin Jackson,  Nita Marlboro led the discussion at Rosenwald School, Lela Reeves at Freeman Tabernacle, Louise Jackson at Byler Road Church of Christ, and Carolyn Fletcher guided the tour to Smith Chapel)

 

  

2022 April 30, Walking Tour Town Creek, AL

The Walking tour took place in Town Creek, and everyone was to meet at the Farmers Market on Main  Street.

I was early, so I looked around and talked to the vendors. I bought two tomato plants.

At 1:00PM, the van arrived, driven by Pastor Steve Agee, provided by Victory Baptist Church.

The former mayor of Town Creek (Linda Peebles) rode with us.

Everyone loaded into the van, and we headed to the public library. 

We were met by the librarian she gave us some material, which included:

Welcome to Town Creek, which included stories about Saunders Hall Good Mansion 

The Town Creek Hotel, Town Creek City Hall, Veterans Memorial & 

The new Story Walk is a learning trail behind the library. It is designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the environment of the area.

The librarian told us about the Story Walk Trail and gave us all the pamphlets. 

Our next stop was the Town Creek Depot, where dignitaries made speeches they were Mayor Mike Park, Proncey Roberson(State Representative), Loretta Gillespie, & Robert Sheffield (Former Hazelwood coach). 

The Town Creek Train Depot was built in the early 1800s, and the first run of engines took place on February 1, 1835.

Also attending were former NFL football players from Town Creek.  

Chris & Kerry Goode (brothers) and DJ Jones.

After a meet-and-greet session, we headed to our next stop, Posey Farms.

We were greeted by the Posey Family with refreshments.

Mr. Posey said it all began in 1953 when we leased 7 acres of land and planted our first cotton crop. 

Posey's first home is now surrounded by farmland.