Gulf Coast

We skipped breakfast this morning at the hotel.  It's been hard to go back to the typical continental after being spoiled with fresh fruits platters and made to order omelets at Disney!  Traveling on down the road...surrounded on both sides with water...we have driven across many bridges!  Leaving Panama City we continued on down the Gulf Coast.  Next came Panama City Beach...amazing!  Wish we would have stayed here....so many new things being built here.  Lovely hotels, beaches and restaurants...much be a vacation destination for many folks.  Stopped at a brand new McDonald's for a smoothie and then took a drive along the lovely beach.  Lots of vacation rentals, cute little shops, etc.  Heading back to the highway...the beaches, hotels, and restaurants continued for miles and miles across the bays, causeways, etc.  We even happened upon a Starbucks.  We have been so impressed by each states Visitor and Welcome Centers along the major highways.  We visited three yesterday as we traveled from Florida, to Alabama, to Mississippi, and finally to Louisanna.  We made a stop in Alabama for a little walking tour.  After visiting a fort we walked awhile, took a trolley and found a great lunch spot.  Wintzell's Oyster House has been a fixture in Mobile for over 75 years.  Tables are covered with paper and walls are covered with all sorts of signs and sayings.  They make their own sauce which they sell of course.  We started by sharing a bowl of Gumbo...it was very good!  After lunch we walked back to the car and headed west once again.  Down the road as well drove through Mississippi we both noticed a large billboard advertising a quilt shop...so Steve very kindly made a quick detour.  The small town of Gautier, MS was deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina.  The owner is actually originally from Maple Valley, WA.  She and her husband went down to help and ended up staying!  After working for 6 years for Home Depot, she opened a very beautiful quilt shop 3 years ago.  It was so nice to visit with her.  We arrived in Abbeville, LS late last night.  Steve headed out for a Po Boy but I opted to stay in...I was more tired than hungry!