spring break 2009 part one

Once again the Cooper family loaded up the family van and headed south to Gulf Shores, AL for a week-long vacation at the beach. Our journey began at noon on Friday and after a full 23 hours of driving [with a short nap in Huntsville] we finally arrived at our destination at 10 am on Saturday. This trip was filled with potty stops. [We have a three year old with bladder the size of a walnut.] Every 45 minutes or so, we'd cringe when we'd hear, "Mommy! Daddy! I have to go peeeeeee!" Then one of us would say, "You have to hold it son." He would respond, "I caaaaan't!" Even on one occasion literally five minutes after he went he had to go again. [Thanks to all those who have shared ideas on how to speed up our travel time with out slowing down for potty breaks - some were good ideas and others were just plain weird.] We joined my wife's parents, who arrived a week earlier, and we stayed in a lovely five bedroom house right on the Gulf appropriately called Yellow Bird Too. [Yellow Bird One was destroyed by Katrina.]



On our fourth day, we drove to Mobile, AL to tour the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship. I've never been on a battleship before and this was a really neat experience for us all.


Once inside the "bowels" of the ship, we toured the sleeping quarters, the mess hall, the barbershop, the rec room, the brig [see below], officer's quarters, the laundry room. This battleship provides all kinds of "services" for the sailors. Here is a picture of the sleeping quarters. Looks comfy doesn't it?




The latrine - 'nough said.


Here's a revolutionary idea - toilets with adjustable seating! Notice there's no internal plumbing or flushing handle. Kinda gross when you think about it.


The kitchen.


Ah, the brig. Can I get one of these installed in my basement? Just kidding...not really.


I took this picture from the bow of the boat - simply amazing!


After we toured the U.S.S. Alabama, we went through a submarine. I don't recall the name of this particular sub, but this one held about 50 crew members and we walked through pretty much in a single file line from aft to bow. Subs have a very cramped feeling. There's not much wiggle room or free space, so I could see why crew members had to maintain a certain weight in order to be on a sub.






We just "had" to take a picture of the shark souvenir shop in Gulf Shores. The kids were just itching to go! BTW, this place has the best cappucino and peanut butter fudge I've ever had! Excellent fudge!