We were back on the road Wednesday and heading to our next stop - Meaher State Park outside of Mobile, Alabama. RDB and I were both shocked at the news of the insurrection and storming of the Capitol taking place in DC that morning. One of the reasons we love camping is that it gets us away from crowds and political conversations; we're in our own safe bubble - even when news from the world intrudes. I posted on Facebook that evening that I was watching the sky, drink in hand, not even trying to make sense of it all; the world was on fire.
We were settled into a lovely on the water spot at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort, AL. The park has recently been renovated and it shows - the spacing between the sites was sufficient, the roads were paved and level; we didn't go over to the bath house, but I'd expect it was in good shape to.
Thursday morning we took the short trip over to the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park (and by short trip, I mean, less than two miles - we practically could have walked it!) It was a really neat experience - on a weekday, and in the middle of pandemic, there wasn't much of a crowd at all and we were left to explore the ship on our own (with a written tour booklet and numbers posted in various parts of the ship to guide our way).
And explore we did!
The armament up top was impressively large. You know these guns are huge, but to be so close to them really drives the fact home. This ship had one mission - protect and destroy.
On the bridge high above the decks below, I discovered something about these guns ships I would never have considered before: that armament, those giant weapons of destruction? Well, the enemy ships in battle likely would have had the same cannons pointing back at ours, and as such, it was critical to protect the captain and other officers directing the fight. So, the bridge was actually massively protected. So much so, that there's a room directly behind the navigational bridge called the Conning Station or Battle Bridge - encased behind 16 inches of hardened steel with only tiny slits to see out by.
The experience wasn't all about war, though, there were moments of levity even in the hard times these crews lived thru. One of my favorites displays was the ship's ceremonial sterling.
I once asked my Big Bro M, who was in the navy for 20 years, what his favorite color was. "Gray," he replied. After spending a few hours above, below, and on deck of the USS Alabama, I think I can understand why.
The next morning we were back on the road again, heading towards home with one last stop along the way. We drove back past the memorial park on the way out, and I could help but think, especially with all the turmoil that was going on in our nation's capitol, how grateful I am for those who choose to serve to protect us from threats, both foreign and domestic.
Oh beautiful for heroes proved - in liberating strife -
Who, more than self, their country loved,
and mercy more than life.
America, America, God shed his grace on thee.....
We were in site #21 at Meaher State Park - right on the water (maybe 50' away) and incredible views of sunset over the bay. Mobile is just a few minutes west, so lets to play around a do there, along with the USS ALABAMA Memorial Park, and honestly - just hanging out at the campground enjoying the views.
For more camping pics, go here.
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