Day 18

Well, it rained all night in New Orleans.  The have a problem with water there.  It tends to pool up, and since so m much of the city is below sea level, it needs to be pumped somplace else.  Someplace else tends to fill up too, so this can take a while.  Now, when I say rain, I don't mean a light shower.  We were down on Bourbon St. again last night and when it started to rain, we found a warm, dry bar and settled in.  Pretty soon the streets were running water curb to curb and it was still pouring.  When the rain paused, we waded back to the car and went headed for the hotel.  This morning, the Weather Channel's big story was the rain in New Orleans and the prospect for more to follow.  The "Red Zone" for severe weather covered New Oreans, Mississippi, Alabama and Northern Florida.  In other words, the area we planned to drive through.  We decided to just beat feet for Florida, which we did.

The storm never materialized until after we stopped for the night in Pensacola, although we did encounter some high wind gusts along the way.  This is a special challenge for the van (high profile, narrow wheel base).  But we made the trip safe and dry.

On our way into Pensacola we stopped and went through the Naval Air Museum which contains naval airplanes used in the early days of flight up through today.  Mostly military aircraft naturally, but they have all been beautifully preserved.  Mike Weakley was a naval aviator and he recommended that we see the museum on our way.  The F4 hanging in the lobby is one he flew in Viet Nam.  We also stopped to look at the Pensacola Light House right across the street.  It was built in 1858 and replaced one which originated in the 1820's.

Tomorrow, adventure continue in Florida.  We can't go much further east.