Change of Plans – Mobile, Alabama

Weather can get in the way of any trip planning, but one of my most vivid experiences with that came a few years ago in October 2017 when we were on the way to Mobile, Alabama, with one of the teenagers heading to a soccer tournament.  The drive wasn’t an easy one, but the weather was clear despite the threat of bad weather and hurricane warnings nearer to Pensacola.  But along the way, the coach made the call to withdraw from the tournament due to weather threats, and so we proceeded on to Mobile without any plans but a couple nights of non-refundable hotel rooms booked in our names.

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade, and it turned out to be a sunny, beautiful weekend free of any bad weather.  Our favorite part of the trip was touring the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, which features not only the warship but also many aircraft and even a submarine  The USS Alabama was an active battleship in the Pacific from 1943-1945, winning nine battle stars for meritorious service.  It was a great place to spend an afternoon with teenagers, who also enjoyed the submarine tour, and the aircraft and motor pool displays elsewhere in the park – with military history including not only WWII vehicles, air and sea craft, but also plenty from the Korean and Vietnam wars. For me, the USS Drum was probably the most interesting part of the day – it is the oldest US submarine on public display, and was on active duty throughout WWII, until it was decommissioned in 1946.  I can’t say I’d be able to live on a submarine, with 70+ other crew members, as those are close quarters.  But it makes it all the more amazing to see, and squeeze through the various tiny portals between compartments, and marvel at the men who served on that vessel.

For more information, check out the official website of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park at https://www.ussalabama.com

And if you’re in Mobile, our favorite restaurant there is The Noble South. Don’t pass up the pickled shrimp and deviled eggs. https://thenoblesouthrestaurant.com