Pensacola, FL (USA)

[lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's with John, Ann and Duncan - drove home via US-45 (gas in Quitman, Mississippi, around 2000L)]

Pensacola, FL (USA)

[drove down to visit John, Ann and Duncan in Pensacola (in the afternoon ?) - dinner at Hong Kong Restaurant (finished at 2025L) - spent the night with them]

Meridian, MS (USA)

[got Carolyn on her way to the airport before 0900 and then spent the day sorting out the mess that the tornado caused yesterday...]

New Orleans, LA (USA)

[Nicky/Carolyn ate breakfast at hotel ?] I slept a little late... After we left the hotel, stopped at Denny's for [breakfast/lunch] (Baton Rouge). We arrived in New Orleans [around noon ?] and visited one of the distinctive cemeteries with the above-ground crypts. Immediately after that, we went to the River Walk Mall. We shopped around (at "The Partridge" at 1530L) and enjoyed the pleasant river air. There were lots of street performers to enjoy in Jackson Square. We ended up at the Cafe du Mond and were enjoying some baguettes when a huge storm came up. The weather flaps broke loose and the metal bars swung wildly through the room. Lots of glass broke and the kids were screaming. Everyone in the restaurant thought it was a tornado and we were all relieved that it calmed down soon. After we felt it was safe, we decided to move on. Carolyn was interested in the French Quarter, but what she really wanted to visit was the "Real World House..." After searching for awhile, we found it and she got a few pictures just as it got dark. We drove home via I-59, stopping for gas (and a tour of Nicky's college) in Hattiesburg (1900L). When we finally arrived back in Lauderdale, we were really surprised when we arrived and found that our own neighborhood had been hit by a tornado! We were fortunate to be out of town when all the damage occurred. Spent the night at Nicky's parent's house...

Natchez, MS (USA)

Carolyn was visiting Meridian, so we decided to take her on a trip to historic Natchez. Nicky and I have enjoyed this old town a few times before and we knew that Carolyn would like it. Headed west on I-20 and stopped for gas and snacks in Forest, Mississippi (1300L). We joined the Natchez Trace just west of Jackson. It was a pleasant ride - and we had nice weather to stop and walk along parts of it. Spent a few hours in the old town and took a tour of an old home (Natchez Pilgrimage Tour - 1630L). The ladies giving the tour wore period hoop skirts (like "Gone with the Wind"). Bought some souvenirs before we left (1750L). Later had dinner at Nicky's favorite restaurant, "Fat Mama's Hot Tamales." After eating, we drove towards New Orleans. Stayed overnight in a Courtyard in Baton Rouge.

Meridian, MS (USA)

[more exploring with Carolyn - took her to the Base]

Meridian, MS (USA)

[a while back, I got bumped (involuntarily) from a flight and ended up with a voucher for future airline tickets - used it to help my sister, Carolyn, come to visit us in the Magnolia State - I picked her up at the airport around noon - spent most of the day showing her around the town - she had a great time playing with the kids]

Pensacola, FL (USA)

[flew all morning in Pensacola working areas - checked out of CBQ (1245L) then flew back to Meridian (big Thunderstorm ?)]

Pensacola, FL (USA)

[flew most of the day - visited Naval Aviation Museum]

Pensacola, FL (USA)

[CQ Det in Jacksonville (last day) - checked out of Holiday Inn (Orange Park) in the morning - turned in my rental car - flew from Jax to Pensacola to start our Form Det - had dinner at the Officers' Club]

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[CQ Det in Jacksonville - worked all morning with Big E - back in my room by 1715 - staying at Holiday Inn (Orange Park)]

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[CQ Det in Jacksonville - worked all day - staying at Holiday Inn (Orange Park)]

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[flew from Meridian to Jacksonville (CQ) - late lunch at Mulligan's (done at 1515L) - picked up my Enterprise rental car and drove over to the Holiday Inn on US-17 (Orange Park) - gas fillup on Blanding Boulevard at 1850) - (dinner ?) - ATM withdrawal on Wells Road in Jacksonville (2120)]