Day 10 - Montgomery, AL to Mobile, AL

After yesterday we were very curious what Mobile had in store for us.  We weren't able to find any attractions for Mobile online, so we were prepared to head to Mississippi in search of something interesting.  Fortunately, that wasn't necessary.  Mobile may end up being the biggest surprise of the trip.

We started out with a real breakfast since the Courtyard wanted to charge us a bit too much.

It used to be a strange version of eggs benedict and grits.

Erin had a pancake.  It was quick and easy, although I was offered a military discount again.  This is a recurring theme in my life.  After I declined the discount, the cashier told me I have a military look to me.  My guess is the sunglasses, but I guess it's a positive thing.  This happens every time I am in an airport.

We drove to Mobile without stopping because there is really nothing to stop at.  I was surprised at how much open space exists in southern Alabama.  When we arrived, we went to the visitor's center, which is located in Fort Conde, a replica of the original Fort Charlotte.

The outside of the fort.

The visitor's center.

Some really old bottles recovered from the site.

Erin in a fancy corner.

Skyline and cannons.  Interesting contrast.

So far so good.  The Fort was actually very well-done and a great museum.  We weren't expecting much.  Next we wandered into downtown, also fearing the worst.

Instead we found some charming houses.

A view down the main street.

French-style architecture.

Multiple old buildings were being renovated.

Gut the building, keep the facade.

Spanish-style architecture.

Monument in one of many parks downtown.

Squirrel-infested park.

Old department store still being used for retail.

Peanut store.

Tons of nutty treats in here.

Beautiful building.  Questionable tenant.

This picture features the trumpet player in the background.  Street music!

Yet another park.

We were really surprised by the vibrancy of downtown and the mix of different architectures.  Still, there was even more eye-candy.  We found the oldest church in Alabama next.

Part of the outside.  It was too big for one photo.

Inside is impressive.

A little different than our cavern organ.

Lots of stained glass too.

Mobile had even more to offer us on our walking tour.  We left the commercial area and headed into a more residential area to see some homes.

Sorry, not residential.  But palm trees!

Purple house is festive.

More purple!

Mobile just kept giving.

Fun names.

Exciting bench designs.

Finally, there were a few oddities.

Look closely on the right side and see all the beads in the tree.  Mardi gras?

The Holiday Inn looks like air traffic control.

The priest became a general?  That seems unusual.

OK, enough pictures from downtown.  Lunch was a little different today.  Erin specifically wanted a sandwich, so we went to a place called 219.

Crawfish pie and mushroom soup.

Custom veggie wrap with fruit.

I can't say I have ever had crawfish pie before.  I have no idea what was in it other than crawfish.  That was the main flavor.  I'm glad I tried it, but I think I prefer apple.

After lunch I got to have a history adventure.

USS Alabama!

We took over a hundred pictures, so I will try to be very selective, but there are so many great things to show!

Erin descends into the bowels of the ship.

Chapel on board.

Piano for music.

Cereal selection during WW2.

Enlisted mess hall.

Erin didn't like this bathroom concept.

Views from the deck.

After the Alabama, we went to a submarine, the USS Drum!

Torpedoes away!

Conning tower.

Engine room.

And now for Erin's fun photos.

Playing with valves.

Eating an invisible meal.

Steering the ship!

Navigating the submarine.

In the brig.

Trying out a bunk.

Emerging from below.

 I wish I could post them all, but you should just visit the Alabama for yourself.  $15/person is worth it for such an extensive tour of the ship, submarine, and more.  We didn't have time before closing to view the airplane hangar, the tanks, or memorials.

After the Alabama, we drove to see the bay, but realized Katrina had blown away most of the piers.

Sad pier remnants.

The last item on the agenda was dinner.  Erin wanted to go to the hotel, so I took advantage of the opportunity to give non-Texas barbecue one last shot.

Best barbecue in Alabama?

Pulled pork, beans, and potato salad.

The "atmosphere" I "enjoyed".

Ugh.  Where do I start?  The potato salad was sugary and had an overwhelming dill flavor.  Not delicious and quite strange really.  The beans could have been out of a can (and probably were.)  The pork was swimming in a ketchup-based sauce.  Only a tiny portion of the pork avoided the bath.

The pork was good, but not spectacular.  The sauce was overwhelming and didn't improve it any.  I really wish they had put it on the side.  The interior of the building was probably supposed to show off local charm, but it just came off as dirty.

Sadly, I will have to return to Texas to enjoy real barbecue, although I did find an acceptable place in Brooklyn called Hometown Bar-B-Que that does a solid job.

I'm looking forward to seafood now that we've reached the coast.

Tomorrow we head to Orlando, so it will be the last of our short Phase Two.  Luckily, Mobile was way better than expected!