My trip back from the “’71 turns 61” event was designed to
be more leisurely, with more stops. I started with Gulf Islands National
seashore near Pensacola.
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| Gulf Islands National Seashore |
I have been to GINS before near Fort Walton Beach (the
Okaloosa area), but not as far up the panhandle as this section, which ends
with Fort Pickens. I still haven’t been to the Mississippi area, which must be
reached by boat
Even though I had been driving in and out of rain all day,
the weather cleared as I arrived, to reveal gorgeous beachfront, super clear
water, dramatic clouds and dunes -- even a very diffuse rainbow mixed in with the clouds.
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| Cloud Luminescence |
This is Florida beach at its best …
unspoiled, uncrowded and protected from building (except the picturesque ones in the park).
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| A beachy scene |
The fort is quite interesting, as well.
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| Fort Pickens |
The largest of four
built to defend Pensacola Bay and its navy yard, it was built between 1829 and
1834 and was one of only four forts in the South never occupied by Confederate
forces during the Civil War. It squared off against Confederate Fort McRee
across the bay, leading to Confederate withdrawal from Pensacola Bay in
May1862.
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| Signs of age |
Built in the age of wooden warships and cannons, the fort
changed in response to advances in weapon technology following the Civil War.
Ten concrete gun batteries were built from the 1890s through the 1940s, each a
response to a particular threat. Atomic bombs, guided missiles and long-range
bombers made such forts obsolete by the end of World War II and the Army
abandoned it.
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| Abandoned |
Among the unique things about it – including its inhabitants
…
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| Nine-banded Armadillo |
… are the arches (both above and below ground) that support
it ...
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| Interesting design |
I do wish I had planned a little better so that I could have visited with Bobbi Henson. Next time!
Trip date: September 24-October 7, 2014
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