Travel Interrupted

Following Blackwater River SP, we were scheduled for a two week stay at Fort Pickens Campground on the Gulf Island National Seashore near Pensacola, FL.  We have been here several time before  and always enjoy returning.  It is a pretty routine state campground as far as campsites go, but the beach is beautiful, there are a number of nice day-hike worthy walking trails, and the fort itself is always a fun place to visit, not to mention the AMAZING fresh fish available in Pensacola at Joe Patti's, which is always a treat!

Two days after we arrived, the campground was placed under mandatory evacuation due to intense, tornado-bearing storms heading this way which had already wreaked havoc in Louisiana.  We moved back inland to Black River State Park, where they thankfully had a space for us for two days, but just as we settled into the new site we saw on the local news channel that our immediate area was expected to be in the thick of that same severe storm.  Since there were no concrete or cinder block structures available at the park, we deserted poor Silver Spirit II at the campsite and went into the nearest town (Milton, FL)  to wait out the impending storms at a Red Roof Inn, where again - fortunately - they had a room available and accepted pets.  About two hours after our arrival there staff moved all occupants downstairs to the first-floor interior hallway, where adults, kids of all ages, and pets of various types hunkered down on the floor to wait out the storm.  One of multiple tornadoes that hit that county that evening leveled several townhouses a mile from the motel, but we were safe, and when we returned to Blackwater River SP the next morning we found that our camper and the entire campground had been spared any damage.  Sigh of relief!  Fortunately for us, Pickens re-opened a day later, at the same time that our spot at Black River became unavailable, so we were able to return to Fort Pickens to enjoy the remainder of our planned stay.  And it HAS been enjoyable!  Beautiful days generally in the mid-60's (lower 70's today), sunny skies, beautiful walks, pretty evenings.

Killdeer on the beach

Pelican posing on the fishing pier

Blue Heron hoping for a handout at the fishing pier

Mockingbird - one of many here

Osprey pair in their nest (the park erects such structures to encourage nesting Osprey and Great Blue Herons, although most of the birds seem to prefer to nest in the tops of large dead trees.

The more common type of Osprey or Heron nest