Dec 17th - Pensacola

We unhooked our utilities, packed up the motorhome and headed up to B&D for routine maintenance on our motorhome. Engine oil change, transmission fluid change, drain and replace anti-freeze, generator oil change, fuel filters and a few other miscellaneous items. I was hoping the guy at the shop would tell me that we had another year left on our front tires. Instead he said, "I was almost afraid to take it out for a test drive when we done with the work. I thought one of the front tires might blow out before I got back." I don't think they look quite that bad but they aren't great. There is all kinds of tread left but there is some sidewall cracking due to age. He gave me a good price on a new pair of Michelins. We go back in a couple of days and have them installed. Truck tires are EXPENSIVE, over $1,100 for the pair. A little more than today's work. We probably still need an alignment, he recommended a place in Pensacola; then we should be good.

After dropping off the motorhome we had breakfast as the Foley Coffee Shop.

Not a fancy place but good food at reasonable prices. The mural was a nice touch.

After breakfast we headed to Pensacola. First stop was Joe Patti's seafood place. Note the little black building with the white sign, between the orange cones. More about it later.

It is right on the Gulf. Fishing boats are docked along side the store.

Inside this is just one of the rows of counters with seafood. The also have a deli and small gourmet food shop inside.

Walking around inside the store is interesting but the real reason we stopped was so that Kathy could buy some beignets (I think it is pronounced "ben yahs") from the little black building that is outside the store.

We drove out to one of the piers and walked around for awhile. I'd never seen sea gulls this close before.

This was one honking crane on this ship. I wonder if it might be used at oil rigs.

We drove around downtown Pensacola for awhile. We saw some beautiful old homes, many of them are huge. Then it was back to the Summerdale area. We a late lunch, or early supper, at GooRoo's. I had a great half pound hamburger with onion rings. Kathy had a fish sandwich and potato salad. She said both were outstanding.

After that we picked up the motorhome, drove back to the campground (no blown tires) and got things set back up.

I forgot to mention that it got COLD last night. I think the official low was 35, the coldest since we have been here. The dew on the car windshield was actually ice and had to be scraped off. The day was sunny but cool enough that a light jacket felt good. No more lows are forecast to be in the 30's.

Good night to all. May God bless you and yours.