Perdido Key Beach - May 2010

We were so blessed to be able to take our first family beach vacation a couple of weeks ago to Perdido Key, Florida. We made it before the oil and to many visitors were there. We enjoyed visiting with old friends in Pensacola, touring the Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Light House and the USS Alabama Battleship/USS Drum in Mobile on the way home. I'm always thrilled when we can add education to our outings (especially now that Kaylee is getting old enough to remember and understand).

This was a much needed trip. We had this trip planned and booked for last summer but with my Mother's passing and us in the middle of selling a house and moving the owner of the condo graciously allowed us to reschedule for this summer. Kaylee loved every part and Tyler was a daredevil. He loves being in the water but doesn't want to keep any floats on. It is exhausting keeping up with him.

Putt-Putt and Go-Karts

You can't go to the beach without putt-putt and go-karts.

USS Alabama/USS Drum

Did you know that the movie "Under Seige" was filmed on this Battleship?

Pulling in the anchor.

Kitchen and dining on the ship.

She felt the need to salute.

The submarine.

The captain's quarters on the submarine.

Naval Aviation Museum

This is a great place because it has FREE admission and lots of hands on airplanes for the kids. Lots of history as well. There are a few flight simulators you can do for a fee. This is the home of the Blue Angel jets and we missed one of their scheduled practices by a week. That would have been fun to see.

Pensacola Light House

The light at the top of the Lighthouse. It can be seen for 27 miles.

Views from the top.

Did you know that the Pensacola Light house has 177 steps and that I walked everyone of them barefoot? Coast Guard regulations state no flip-flops or opened backed shoes so my flip-flops were parked at the bottom of the steps in the "flip-flop parking" area.

Did you know you have to be 7 or older to climb it? We didn't until we were back at the condo and read the literature. Oh well Kaylee only missed it by a couple of years. She was a trooper climbing those steps through the non-ventilated tower.

Did you know that this Pensacola Lighthouse has been featured on the Travel Channel's show Haunted Lighthouses of America? You should check it out if you ever get a chance.