As part of our discussion of cities and areas we've lived or worked in since August, 2004, let's take a look at Pensacola, Florida. Pensacola is the county seat of Escambia County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255. Pensacola was the capital of Florida before Tallahassee became the capital.
The Naval Air Station Pensacola is located southwest of Pensacola in the community called Warrington, which is home to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. (See http://naval.aviation.museum/intro.html )
Pensacola's location on the Florida Panhandle makes it vulnerable to hurricanes. Major hurricanes which have made landfall at or near Pensacola include Hurricane Juan (1985), Hurricane Opal (1995) [which Carol worked with our son, Maurice], and Hurricane Ivan (2004) [which is why we're still here].
The Pensacola area was devastated by Hurricane Ivan. The hurricane either damaged or destroyed a large number of homes and businesses. Particularly hard-hit were the areas around Perdido Key (see their website at http://perdidochamber.com/index.html) and Pensacola Beach (their website is at http://www.visitpensacolabeach.com.) Many of the area's bridges sustained structural damage and the hurricane disrupted public schools in Escambia County for nearly a month.
Pensacola is nicknamed "The City of Five Flags" due to the five flags that have flown over it at various times in its history: the flags of Spain, France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
Pensacola was the first settlement of Europeans in what is now the Unites States. It was founded in 1559 by Don Tristan de Luna and his party of Spanish settlers. However, the settlement was destroyed by a major hurricane shortly afterwards, and was abandoned. For this reason, many people instead regard St. Augustine, Florida as the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States. The City of Pensacola, however, still occasionally refers to the area as "America's First Settlement" in advertisements and travel brochures.
The city and its bay were named after the Panzacola indians, a tribe that lived near the bay when the Spanish arrived. The name was changed to Pensacola to make it easier to pronounce for the Spanish. Despite the original settlement's destruction, the name was preserved and used when the area was re-settled during the 17th century.
The Pensacola area is home to three historic U.S. forts, Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, and Fort McRee, as well as Barrancas National Cemetery (see http://www.cem.va.gov/nchp/barrancas.htm. For information on the forts see http://www.nps.gov/guis/extended/FLA/History/Forts.htm The city and Fort Barrancas were the site of the 1814 battle of Pensacola. Fort Pickens was completed in 1834. It holds the distinction of being the only Southern fort not to be captured by the Confederacy in the Civil War. When Florida seceded from the Union on January 10th, 1861, remaining Union forces in the city evacuated to Fort Pickens. The Confederacy then held Pensacola until abandoning the city in May of 1862.
From 1885 to 1887, the famous Apache Indian chief Geronimo was imprisoned in Fort Pickens, along with several of his warriors and their families. Fort Pickens is now a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore (see http://www.nps.gov/guis/extended/home.htm) and as such, is administered by the U.S. Park Service.
Final Note: To see more on what Hurricane Ivan did to this area, visit http://www.nps.gov/guis/FLA/Hurricane%20Ivan/Hurricane.html
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Mobile, AL - The "South's Easy Vacation Port"
It only seems fitting that we give a plug to the cities and communities we've either lived in or visited since last August. Since we're currently in Mobile, AL, we'll start here.
Mobile is a very nice city with canopies of majestic oak trees lining the streets. It's about the size of Omaha, NE, but with about half the population. Here's some comparisons of the two cities, according to http://www.idcide.com
Land Area: Omaha, 100.6 sq. mi.; Mobile, 118.0 sq. mi.
Population: Omaha, 390,007; Mobile, 198,915.
Medium household income: Omaha, $40,006; Mobile, $31,445.
Medium value of homes: Omaha, $93,300; Mobile, $80,400.
We've truly enjoyed our stay in Mobile. When we arrived we found a very nice one-bedroom furnished apartment in a gated complex. It's fairly easy to get around although major streets get clogged during rush hour, like any other city. One thing we've noticed about these southern cities is the lengthy traffic signals. When stopped at a red light you can be assured you'll be sitting there awhile. The good thing is if you're far back in a left-turn lane, chances are you'll make your turn in one light.
We'll let the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitor's Bureau do the commercial for the area. This is from their website at http://www.mobile.org
EXPERIENCE MOBILE BAY
Located on the sparkling shores of the magnificent Gulf Coast is exciting Mobile Bay, the South's Easy Vacation Port. Come enjoy a splash of Southern charm when you visit this historic and distinctive coastal city.
Mobile Bay is recognized worldwide for having many unique attractions. The legendary Bellingrath Gardens and Home and the USS ALABAMA Battleship, winner of nine World War II battle stars, are just waiting to be explored. Mobile Bay is also the birthplace of the nation's Mardi Gras, widely known as America's Family Mardi Gras.
Nestled along the banks of Mobile Bay's magnificent waterfront is America's newest cruise terminal. Book your voyage from Mobile Bay to the western Caribbean on a Carnival Cruise Line Fun Ship. Make it a true BAYcation® and combine your cruise with one of our exciting and affordable Pre and Post Cruise Packages.
Unique attractions, exciting outdoor adventures, fresh delicious seafood, Delta excursions, fascinating museums, twenty-one world-class golf courses, white sandy beaches, beautiful historic homes, the possibilities are endless. Plan the perfect Mobile BAYcation® and discover why Mobile Bay is the South's Easy Vacation Port.
Featured Events
Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition - Extended Dates
Jan 20, 2005-May 08, 2005
Delta Queen Sails Into Mobile
Feb 11, 2005-Dec 22, 2005
The Devonshire Inheritance: Five Centuries of Collecting at Chatsworth
Apr 09, 2005-Jun 19, 2005
FREE Night of Comedy sponsored by Christian Meetings and Conventions Association
Apr 23, 2005
9th Annual Mobile BayBears Celebrity Baseball Game and the Charity Beach Bowl V
Apr 29, 2005-Apr 30, 2005
56th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Bayou La Batre
Apr 30, 2005-May 01, 2005
73rd Annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
Jul 09, 2005-Jul 17, 2005
National Senior Games Championship Festival
Oct 19, 2005-Oct 28, 2005
We're not sure if the azaleas are still in bloom at Bellingrath Gardens, but we heard they were just awesome. We drove by the Gardens one day on the way to a claim but didn't have time to stop. We wanted to go a couple of weeks ago, but Mobile got 10 inches of rain and the road to the Gardens was closed. We hope to make it there before we leave.
We also want to see the USS Alabama. We see it often in the distance when we go east on I-10 to Pensacola but again just haven't had time to stop. Guess it's time to stop and smell the roses . . . or azaleas.
Mobile is a very nice city with canopies of majestic oak trees lining the streets. It's about the size of Omaha, NE, but with about half the population. Here's some comparisons of the two cities, according to http://www.idcide.com
Land Area: Omaha, 100.6 sq. mi.; Mobile, 118.0 sq. mi.
Population: Omaha, 390,007; Mobile, 198,915.
Medium household income: Omaha, $40,006; Mobile, $31,445.
Medium value of homes: Omaha, $93,300; Mobile, $80,400.
We've truly enjoyed our stay in Mobile. When we arrived we found a very nice one-bedroom furnished apartment in a gated complex. It's fairly easy to get around although major streets get clogged during rush hour, like any other city. One thing we've noticed about these southern cities is the lengthy traffic signals. When stopped at a red light you can be assured you'll be sitting there awhile. The good thing is if you're far back in a left-turn lane, chances are you'll make your turn in one light.
We'll let the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitor's Bureau do the commercial for the area. This is from their website at http://www.mobile.org
EXPERIENCE MOBILE BAY
Located on the sparkling shores of the magnificent Gulf Coast is exciting Mobile Bay, the South's Easy Vacation Port. Come enjoy a splash of Southern charm when you visit this historic and distinctive coastal city.
Mobile Bay is recognized worldwide for having many unique attractions. The legendary Bellingrath Gardens and Home and the USS ALABAMA Battleship, winner of nine World War II battle stars, are just waiting to be explored. Mobile Bay is also the birthplace of the nation's Mardi Gras, widely known as America's Family Mardi Gras.
Nestled along the banks of Mobile Bay's magnificent waterfront is America's newest cruise terminal. Book your voyage from Mobile Bay to the western Caribbean on a Carnival Cruise Line Fun Ship. Make it a true BAYcation® and combine your cruise with one of our exciting and affordable Pre and Post Cruise Packages.
Unique attractions, exciting outdoor adventures, fresh delicious seafood, Delta excursions, fascinating museums, twenty-one world-class golf courses, white sandy beaches, beautiful historic homes, the possibilities are endless. Plan the perfect Mobile BAYcation® and discover why Mobile Bay is the South's Easy Vacation Port.
Featured Events
Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition - Extended Dates
Jan 20, 2005-May 08, 2005
Delta Queen Sails Into Mobile
Feb 11, 2005-Dec 22, 2005
The Devonshire Inheritance: Five Centuries of Collecting at Chatsworth
Apr 09, 2005-Jun 19, 2005
FREE Night of Comedy sponsored by Christian Meetings and Conventions Association
Apr 23, 2005
9th Annual Mobile BayBears Celebrity Baseball Game and the Charity Beach Bowl V
Apr 29, 2005-Apr 30, 2005
56th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Bayou La Batre
Apr 30, 2005-May 01, 2005
73rd Annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo
Jul 09, 2005-Jul 17, 2005
National Senior Games Championship Festival
Oct 19, 2005-Oct 28, 2005
We're not sure if the azaleas are still in bloom at Bellingrath Gardens, but we heard they were just awesome. We drove by the Gardens one day on the way to a claim but didn't have time to stop. We wanted to go a couple of weeks ago, but Mobile got 10 inches of rain and the road to the Gardens was closed. We hope to make it there before we leave.
We also want to see the USS Alabama. We see it often in the distance when we go east on I-10 to Pensacola but again just haven't had time to stop. Guess it's time to stop and smell the roses . . . or azaleas.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Disney Builds Pirate Ship at Bayou La Batre
Although we were too busy to yesterday (16 April 2005), we wanted to return to Bayou La Batre, the little fishing village about 15 miles southwest of Mobile that we discovered a while back almost by accident. More on that in a minute. We learned last week that Disney crews had secretly built a pirate ship, The Black Pearl, at Steiner Shipyard in Bayou La Batre. The pitch-black ship is actually a huge wooden prop built on top of a modern 96-foot-long steel utility boat. Yesterday the crew was to sail it out of the Bayou and head for filming in the Caribbean. It will be seen in sequels to Disney's 2003 "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."
We knew such a project was underway somewhere around here because when we were flying home for Christmas Carol sat next to a fellow on the plane who said he was heading home for Christmas but would be returning to build a ship for a Disney movie. He didn't say where but we thought maybe in Pascagoula, MS, which is a large ship-building area.
We had noticed a new exit off I-10 west of Mobile being constructed and when it finally opened a temporary sign pointed the way, "To Bayou La Batre." We kept wondering what it was, maybe a resort, or a hotel, or new housing area. So one day we decided to take the new exit and see where it went. The road eventually led us to the village of Bayou La Batre, the "Seafood Capital of Alabama." We drove through the village and had lunch there. Quite a quaint little place.
If you happen to be in the area and are looking for ways to celebrate the Year of Alabama Food, Bayou La Batre has a suggestion: the Blessing of the Fleet, April 30 through May 1. Marilyn Jones Stamps with the Alabama State Tourism Department wrote on their website that Bayou La Batre was founded by Frenchman Joseph Bosarge in the 1780s. She continues: The area flourished as a resort destination until 1906, when a category 4 hurricane almost wrecked the industry. Ten years later, what remained of the resort business was swept away when two category 3 hurricanes slammed into the area. Having experienced the worst the Gulf of Mexico could offer, the intervening years have brought the gulf’s bounty to this small, south Alabama town. The commercial seafood industry in and around Bayou La Batre brings $90 million into Alabama’s economy each year. Ninety percent of this comes from shrimp, but oysters, crab, and fish are also part of the catch, making Bayou La Batre a natural location for a seafood festival. For more than 50 years, with its livelihood linked so inextricably to the gulf, the town has blessed its fleet each spring and celebrated the occasion with a seafood festival. The next Blessing of the Fleet/Seafood Festival will be held the last Saturday in April and the first Sunday in May.
The festival began in 1949 when a local grocer revived the Old World custom of asking God to protect the fleet and provide a bountiful harvest. Food was donated for that event, and a local resident boiled shrimp in her kitchen to feed those attending the ceremony. This year, the event is expected to draw 10,000 people. They’ll dine on traditional seafood dishes as well as Vietnamese cuisine prepared by the local Asian community. Festivities include a gumbo cook-off, two parades (one on land, one on water), arts and crafts festival, crab race, and the crowning of the Fleet Queen.
The photos of and article about The Black Pearl below were published in and copyrighted by the Mobile Register on Tuesday, 12 April 2005. The article is by staff reporter Russ Henderson. Following the article are a few photos we took of the area.
We knew such a project was underway somewhere around here because when we were flying home for Christmas Carol sat next to a fellow on the plane who said he was heading home for Christmas but would be returning to build a ship for a Disney movie. He didn't say where but we thought maybe in Pascagoula, MS, which is a large ship-building area.
We had noticed a new exit off I-10 west of Mobile being constructed and when it finally opened a temporary sign pointed the way, "To Bayou La Batre." We kept wondering what it was, maybe a resort, or a hotel, or new housing area. So one day we decided to take the new exit and see where it went. The road eventually led us to the village of Bayou La Batre, the "Seafood Capital of Alabama." We drove through the village and had lunch there. Quite a quaint little place.
If you happen to be in the area and are looking for ways to celebrate the Year of Alabama Food, Bayou La Batre has a suggestion: the Blessing of the Fleet, April 30 through May 1. Marilyn Jones Stamps with the Alabama State Tourism Department wrote on their website that Bayou La Batre was founded by Frenchman Joseph Bosarge in the 1780s. She continues: The area flourished as a resort destination until 1906, when a category 4 hurricane almost wrecked the industry. Ten years later, what remained of the resort business was swept away when two category 3 hurricanes slammed into the area. Having experienced the worst the Gulf of Mexico could offer, the intervening years have brought the gulf’s bounty to this small, south Alabama town. The commercial seafood industry in and around Bayou La Batre brings $90 million into Alabama’s economy each year. Ninety percent of this comes from shrimp, but oysters, crab, and fish are also part of the catch, making Bayou La Batre a natural location for a seafood festival. For more than 50 years, with its livelihood linked so inextricably to the gulf, the town has blessed its fleet each spring and celebrated the occasion with a seafood festival. The next Blessing of the Fleet/Seafood Festival will be held the last Saturday in April and the first Sunday in May.
The festival began in 1949 when a local grocer revived the Old World custom of asking God to protect the fleet and provide a bountiful harvest. Food was donated for that event, and a local resident boiled shrimp in her kitchen to feed those attending the ceremony. This year, the event is expected to draw 10,000 people. They’ll dine on traditional seafood dishes as well as Vietnamese cuisine prepared by the local Asian community. Festivities include a gumbo cook-off, two parades (one on land, one on water), arts and crafts festival, crab race, and the crowning of the Fleet Queen.
The photos of and article about The Black Pearl below were published in and copyrighted by the Mobile Register on Tuesday, 12 April 2005. The article is by staff reporter Russ Henderson. Following the article are a few photos we took of the area.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Atlanta the Busy
We left Mobile around 2 p.m. (CDT) [Sunday, 3 April 2005] and arrived in Atlanta about 9 p.m. (EDT). We knew we were going to lose an hour in the time-zone but weren't sure where. (Coming back we found the time zone is right at the Alabama/Georgia border).
Atlanta traffic is just plain ridiculous, but since it was Sunday night it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The map we had printed for our hotel (Staybridge-North Perimeter) was wrong and it took us about an hour to find it. We finally had to call them to find out how to get there. Turns out we had driven by our turn three or four times. It was hard to see the street signs in the dark.
Our meeting wasn't until the next day at 1:30 so we had a nice breakfast Monday morning at the hotel and Carol worked on some of her files as there was only one internet connection in the room. Bob was nursing a bad sneezing, coughing, runny-nose situation anyway. We took the hotel shuttle to our meeting (Monday Atlanta traffic) and brought it back to the hotel around four. We then took the shuttle to Max & Erma's for an early dinner. Carol had some kind of chicken dish and Bob had barbeque ribs. Didn't realize Max & Erma's is a chain with over 150 locations, mostly in the South and East, although it was started in Ohio and has several locations there. Pretty good food for a chain.
Bob watched the NCAA Men's Championship game and was sorry to see Illinois lose. They just didn't look as good as they had in earlier games, but North Carolina defense may have had something to do with that.
Tuesday morning we shuttled to our meeting again. This was a presentation from an insurance company that we will work for in the future. We left Atlanta at 11:30 a.m. EDT and planned to stop in Auburn, AL, for gas and some food. We both really wanted a sandwich from Chick-Fil-A and thought for sure one would be in Auburn. Not so, and the best price we could find for gas was $2.29, so we decided to go on toward Montgomery. We did however drive through town and went past Auburn University. Really a nice campus with beautiful buildings, some of which have been there a long time.
On the way up we had seen a sign advertising a casino in Shorter, AL, about 18 miles east of Montgomery. We didn't want to stop on the way to Atlanta, but decided to stop on our way home. Should have gassed up in Auburn as the gas here was $2.31. We checked out the casino, VictoryLand, for a few hours. VictoryLand is located at Exit 22 off Interstate 85 between Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama. This is a greyhound racing facility and they simulcast greyhound and horse racing from all over the country. They also have bingo and have added hundreds of slot machines. Slot machines apparently are unlawful in Alabama, but somehow the law allows bingo and these machines are considered bingo machines. We're not sure how all of this shakes out, but we enjoyed our brief stay and left with more money than what we arrived with!!
Got back to Mobile about 10 p.m. It was a good trip.
Atlanta traffic is just plain ridiculous, but since it was Sunday night it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The map we had printed for our hotel (Staybridge-North Perimeter) was wrong and it took us about an hour to find it. We finally had to call them to find out how to get there. Turns out we had driven by our turn three or four times. It was hard to see the street signs in the dark.
Our meeting wasn't until the next day at 1:30 so we had a nice breakfast Monday morning at the hotel and Carol worked on some of her files as there was only one internet connection in the room. Bob was nursing a bad sneezing, coughing, runny-nose situation anyway. We took the hotel shuttle to our meeting (Monday Atlanta traffic) and brought it back to the hotel around four. We then took the shuttle to Max & Erma's for an early dinner. Carol had some kind of chicken dish and Bob had barbeque ribs. Didn't realize Max & Erma's is a chain with over 150 locations, mostly in the South and East, although it was started in Ohio and has several locations there. Pretty good food for a chain.
Bob watched the NCAA Men's Championship game and was sorry to see Illinois lose. They just didn't look as good as they had in earlier games, but North Carolina defense may have had something to do with that.
Tuesday morning we shuttled to our meeting again. This was a presentation from an insurance company that we will work for in the future. We left Atlanta at 11:30 a.m. EDT and planned to stop in Auburn, AL, for gas and some food. We both really wanted a sandwich from Chick-Fil-A and thought for sure one would be in Auburn. Not so, and the best price we could find for gas was $2.29, so we decided to go on toward Montgomery. We did however drive through town and went past Auburn University. Really a nice campus with beautiful buildings, some of which have been there a long time.
On the way up we had seen a sign advertising a casino in Shorter, AL, about 18 miles east of Montgomery. We didn't want to stop on the way to Atlanta, but decided to stop on our way home. Should have gassed up in Auburn as the gas here was $2.31. We checked out the casino, VictoryLand, for a few hours. VictoryLand is located at Exit 22 off Interstate 85 between Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama. This is a greyhound racing facility and they simulcast greyhound and horse racing from all over the country. They also have bingo and have added hundreds of slot machines. Slot machines apparently are unlawful in Alabama, but somehow the law allows bingo and these machines are considered bingo machines. We're not sure how all of this shakes out, but we enjoyed our brief stay and left with more money than what we arrived with!!
Got back to Mobile about 10 p.m. It was a good trip.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Off to Atlanta
We're heading to Atlanta from Moble, AL, today to attend a conference there Monday and Tuesday. We're driving up so we're looking at about 6-7 hours of windshield time. Looks like a great day, though. Rain here Friday and Saturday left about 10 inches in Mobile and 14 inches in Pensacola. Not sure if we'll be called to work on some floods or not. We're actually looking forward to finishing this gig and get back to Omaha for a while . . . probably just in time for hail season!!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Easter 2005
We flew home to Omaha on Saturday, 26 March 2005 so we could spend some time with our mothers, children and especially our five gorgeous granddaughters. (Hey, we're Grandma & Grandpa, wattaya expect?) We had a great time. we spent Easter Sunday at our son's home. He and his wife will give us GD#6 in late May. Family, Easter Egg Hunt, and great food. Life is good!!
On Tuesday, 29 March, we spent the day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, probably one of the best zoos in North America.
On Tuesday, 29 March, we spent the day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, probably one of the best zoos in North America.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Florida/Alabama Update #5
BOB & CAROL’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURES #5
February 1, 2005
Guess I haven't done an update since December 18 and now it's February. This is still coming to you from Mobile, AL. Doesn't look like we'll be finished up anytime soon.
For those of you who might not have kept track, we are now working Hurricane Ivan in the Mobile, AL / Pensacola, FL Panhandle (guess the "panhandle" is in Florida), after working Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne in the Central Florida (Orlando) area. We're now working "clean-up" which means we're coming behind some very inexperienced (or just plain bad) adjusters (who are no longer here) and the re-inspection requests keep rolling in.
Several of the condos on the beach areas are still closed to residents and many of the condo associations are "gutting" each unit, meaning they're having their contractor remove all the ceilings, walls and flooring (primarily due to the threat of mold). This means it's going to be months before these unit owners can get back in their condo, or rent it to others as that's what many of these condos are for.
Carol has a 12-story condominium which has 72 units in it. I helped her scope it with the association manager and the contractor a week or so ago. It took about 6 hours to walk through the whole place. This association has three policies from three different insurance companies: one for flood, one for wind and one for wind-driven rain.
All in all, though, we still like what we're doing and plan to stick it out a while longer. We do get to "play" once in a great while. We've been to the casinos in Biloxi, MS, a couple of times and usually have Saturday night dinner with our supervisor and a couple of other adjusters. Our main supervisor is from Arizona, another from Montana, and two of our adjuster friends are from Texas.
We did go home for Christmas for a week and had a great time, especially with 4 of our 5 granddaughters!! (Sheri & Greg didn't come back from Chicago this year, so we didn't get to see Lauren.) Got home on Dec. 23 and returned to Mobile on Dec. 30.
February 1, 2005
Guess I haven't done an update since December 18 and now it's February. This is still coming to you from Mobile, AL. Doesn't look like we'll be finished up anytime soon.
For those of you who might not have kept track, we are now working Hurricane Ivan in the Mobile, AL / Pensacola, FL Panhandle (guess the "panhandle" is in Florida), after working Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne in the Central Florida (Orlando) area. We're now working "clean-up" which means we're coming behind some very inexperienced (or just plain bad) adjusters (who are no longer here) and the re-inspection requests keep rolling in.
Several of the condos on the beach areas are still closed to residents and many of the condo associations are "gutting" each unit, meaning they're having their contractor remove all the ceilings, walls and flooring (primarily due to the threat of mold). This means it's going to be months before these unit owners can get back in their condo, or rent it to others as that's what many of these condos are for.
Carol has a 12-story condominium which has 72 units in it. I helped her scope it with the association manager and the contractor a week or so ago. It took about 6 hours to walk through the whole place. This association has three policies from three different insurance companies: one for flood, one for wind and one for wind-driven rain.
All in all, though, we still like what we're doing and plan to stick it out a while longer. We do get to "play" once in a great while. We've been to the casinos in Biloxi, MS, a couple of times and usually have Saturday night dinner with our supervisor and a couple of other adjusters. Our main supervisor is from Arizona, another from Montana, and two of our adjuster friends are from Texas.
We did go home for Christmas for a week and had a great time, especially with 4 of our 5 granddaughters!! (Sheri & Greg didn't come back from Chicago this year, so we didn't get to see Lauren.) Got home on Dec. 23 and returned to Mobile on Dec. 30.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Florida/Alabama Update #4
FLORIDA (& NOW ALABAMA) UPDATE #4
December 18, 2004
It's time for another Florida Update, but this time it's coming from Mobile, Alabama. A lot has happened since my last update. Sorry, but we were so busy in Orlando that I just didn't have the time to do another one.
I think I sent the last Update on Sept. 24 a couple of days before Hurricane Jeanne was rolling our way. We decided not to evacuate this time, but we weren't sure if our 2nd story condo would hold up, so we booked a room at a Holiday Inn near Disney World, thinking that it would be a sound structure with a back-up generator in case power went out. We were a little dismayed when we got there and found we were on the 12th floor (top). We arrived about 6 p.m. Saturday night, Sept. 25 and around midnight Jeanne arrived. The wind howled and it rained sideways for about 14 hours. All day Sunday we were reminded of a howling Midwest blizzard, but without the snow. The patio door to our balcony rattled all the time and we thought it might come down, but it didn't. We didn't have any leaks in our room, but the hallway outside our door sprang a dozen or so. You had to walk around the buckets to get to the elevator. There must have been at least 75 buckets around the main lobby. The hotel was filled with people and dogs (literally). A boxer and a poodle mixed it up in the lobby but the bout was broken up shortly and there was no blood.
The damage from Jeanne was minimal compared to Charley and Frances, but it aggravated the whole situation as many of the tarps blew off allowing more rain to enter houses and more trees came down. There's a lot of confusion as to the number of deductibles these people had. Some companies said they were only applying one while others said each hurricane was a separate event so the deductible would apply for each claim, even though most people hadn't had a chance to have repairs made from the first one or two.
We finished up in Orlando the end of November and thought we might do some tourist things for a few days and then head home. But the folks we work for called and said they needed help in the Mobile, AL/Pensacola, FL panhandle for the damage they had from Hurricane Ivan (which missed Central Florida) so we headed there (here). We checked in at the storm office in Mobile on Friday, Dec. 3 and began work the next day. The hours were 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week!! We are file examiners, reviewing the work of other adjusters, doing re-inspections, and handling supplements. I said the hours "were" 7am to 7p.m because the other day they assigned both of us files to re-inspect, so we no longer go to the office everyday and can set our own hours. We both have files in the Mobile area and the Pensacola, FL area (about 70 miles east of here). These are mostly files where the first adjuster either missed something or the policyholder isn't happy with the first adjuster's estimate. Carol also has some big assignments including an 80-room Ramada and a 5-building golf course. She also has some non-hurricane related files, including a three-unit apartment fire. I've got several high-rise condominiums on the beaches in Pensacola Beach and Destin.
Because of the massive damage in Central Florida from Charley and Frances, all the well-trained adjusters were elsewhere and when Ivan hit the Panhandle, this area had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for adjusters and ended up with lots of rookies and (we're finding) incompetent adjusters who are no longer here. So we're doing what's referred to as "clean-up." We're flying home for Christmas on Dec. 23 and will return here on the 30th. It appears we'll be here for at least a few months and maybe most of next year. Our supervisor told us we can be the last to leave if we want to. We found a very nice furnished one-bedroom apartment in a gated community in a nice area of Mobile, so guess we'll stay with it for a while longer. Won't mind missing the snow and cold for one winter, although it got to 29 here the other night. Our blood has thinned out from being in the heat in Orlando.
We did have a great Thanksgiving. We flew to Columbia, SC, and visited my aunt & uncle, Norma & Tom Thompson and their family. Norma is my dad's sister, the daughter of my grandparents, Robert & Anna Anderson, Anna being the daughter of Han L. & Christine Andersen.
Guess I'd better wrap this up for now. Just wanted to give you all (notice "you'all?) an update of Bob & Carol's Excellent Adventures and of course wish all of you a most happy and blessed Holiday Season. Drop us a note when you get a chance.
December 18, 2004
It's time for another Florida Update, but this time it's coming from Mobile, Alabama. A lot has happened since my last update. Sorry, but we were so busy in Orlando that I just didn't have the time to do another one.
I think I sent the last Update on Sept. 24 a couple of days before Hurricane Jeanne was rolling our way. We decided not to evacuate this time, but we weren't sure if our 2nd story condo would hold up, so we booked a room at a Holiday Inn near Disney World, thinking that it would be a sound structure with a back-up generator in case power went out. We were a little dismayed when we got there and found we were on the 12th floor (top). We arrived about 6 p.m. Saturday night, Sept. 25 and around midnight Jeanne arrived. The wind howled and it rained sideways for about 14 hours. All day Sunday we were reminded of a howling Midwest blizzard, but without the snow. The patio door to our balcony rattled all the time and we thought it might come down, but it didn't. We didn't have any leaks in our room, but the hallway outside our door sprang a dozen or so. You had to walk around the buckets to get to the elevator. There must have been at least 75 buckets around the main lobby. The hotel was filled with people and dogs (literally). A boxer and a poodle mixed it up in the lobby but the bout was broken up shortly and there was no blood.
The damage from Jeanne was minimal compared to Charley and Frances, but it aggravated the whole situation as many of the tarps blew off allowing more rain to enter houses and more trees came down. There's a lot of confusion as to the number of deductibles these people had. Some companies said they were only applying one while others said each hurricane was a separate event so the deductible would apply for each claim, even though most people hadn't had a chance to have repairs made from the first one or two.
We finished up in Orlando the end of November and thought we might do some tourist things for a few days and then head home. But the folks we work for called and said they needed help in the Mobile, AL/Pensacola, FL panhandle for the damage they had from Hurricane Ivan (which missed Central Florida) so we headed there (here). We checked in at the storm office in Mobile on Friday, Dec. 3 and began work the next day. The hours were 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week!! We are file examiners, reviewing the work of other adjusters, doing re-inspections, and handling supplements. I said the hours "were" 7am to 7p.m because the other day they assigned both of us files to re-inspect, so we no longer go to the office everyday and can set our own hours. We both have files in the Mobile area and the Pensacola, FL area (about 70 miles east of here). These are mostly files where the first adjuster either missed something or the policyholder isn't happy with the first adjuster's estimate. Carol also has some big assignments including an 80-room Ramada and a 5-building golf course. She also has some non-hurricane related files, including a three-unit apartment fire. I've got several high-rise condominiums on the beaches in Pensacola Beach and Destin.
Because of the massive damage in Central Florida from Charley and Frances, all the well-trained adjusters were elsewhere and when Ivan hit the Panhandle, this area had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for adjusters and ended up with lots of rookies and (we're finding) incompetent adjusters who are no longer here. So we're doing what's referred to as "clean-up." We're flying home for Christmas on Dec. 23 and will return here on the 30th. It appears we'll be here for at least a few months and maybe most of next year. Our supervisor told us we can be the last to leave if we want to. We found a very nice furnished one-bedroom apartment in a gated community in a nice area of Mobile, so guess we'll stay with it for a while longer. Won't mind missing the snow and cold for one winter, although it got to 29 here the other night. Our blood has thinned out from being in the heat in Orlando.
We did have a great Thanksgiving. We flew to Columbia, SC, and visited my aunt & uncle, Norma & Tom Thompson and their family. Norma is my dad's sister, the daughter of my grandparents, Robert & Anna Anderson, Anna being the daughter of Han L. & Christine Andersen.
Guess I'd better wrap this up for now. Just wanted to give you all (notice "you'all?) an update of Bob & Carol's Excellent Adventures and of course wish all of you a most happy and blessed Holiday Season. Drop us a note when you get a chance.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Florida Update #3
FLORIDA UPDATE #3
Sept. 24, 2004
Things have been such a blur since we’ve been in Florida I just haven’t had time to send off another update. There are so many hurricanes this year we’re having a hard time keeping them straight! We arrived in Orlando on 21 August to work Hurricane Charley and were given about 150 houses to look at between us. We’d looked at about 30 when Hurricane Frances threatened. So we packed our computers and files and took off for Georgia, not knowing how far up we’d have to go. When we crossed the FL/GA border we stopped at the GA Tourist Info Center and they said the only place up I-75 that had rooms available was in Macon (Atlanta was completely sold out) and only two hotels had rooms. So we called the Wingate in Macon and drove on up. The total trip (about 325 miles) took 11 hours. Our car computer said we averaged 32 mph, but that was only because there were a few stretches where we could go 70. The rest of the trip was 12-25 mph. We couldn’t get gas in Orlando before we left but were able to get some at an Oasis on the way. We had to wait in line about 45 minutes.
Once in Macon we set up our “office” in our room and were able to complete a few reports on houses we’d seen, but Frances soon visited Macon and knocked out the power in our hotel, so we didn’t get much accomplished.
We returned to Orlando on 8 Sept and the trip took only about 8 hours this time. Once back we had to re-schedule all the appointments we had made before we left. We decided to stay put for Hurricane Ivan. Got a lot of rain and some wind but of course Ivan went on to the panhandle and destroyed Pensacola and parts of Alabama. Many of the Florida and Alabama adjusters here bailed out and went home, so we took over a lot of their files. We have about 15 houses left to see in our initial Charley bunch, but the other day they gave us 78 more files . . . many are still claims from Charley but a lot are Frances claims and they’re north of Apopka. So we’re now covering about a 100 square mile area.
Now we’re keeping an eye on Hurricane Jeane and thinking we may have to vamoose again for a while. A writer in the Orlando newspaper said the Atlantic is hurling hurricanes at us like bowling balls. Guess we picked the right time to go back on the road, but we sure didn’t expect anything like this. The Orlando metro area is beginning to look more cleaned up but there are still many large trees still down and piles of debris all over. Roofers and contractors are so backed up people are being told they can’t get repairs done for 3-6 months. So as you drive through neighborhoods you see all sorts of blue or white tarps on the roofs to cover the missing shingles and exposed decking. The tarps became scarce so people got very creative. We got on one roof and found Sponge Bob and Nemo looking at us. The homeowner had used shower curtains to cover his roof. We drove by another house where the front slope of the roof said in huge letters: BUDWEISER. They had apparently "procured" a Tyvek billboard which had presumably come off a billboard and used it for their roof cover. We can tell that it’s pushing October as the humidity is not so high and the afternoon rains have decreased. We can actually feel a cool breeze in the evenings.
Looks like we’ll be here through October and probably into November and maybe even beyond. There are so many catastrophes around the country that there are just not enough adjusters. We’ve been contacted by many other companies begging us to go here or there and they’re offering $5,000 signing bonuses. We heard on the news that FEMA (which only goes into areas that have been declared catastrophes) are now in 35 states. But we feel we’ve committed ourselves to the company we’re with and they’ve been good to us. We finally know our way around and can remain in our condo at least through November. So we’re going to continue to dodge incoming hurricanes and ride it out here.
We celebrated our 31st anniversary on 17 Sept by looking at only 8 houses that day and we actually stopped for dinner before coming back to the condo.
Better get back to work before another hurricane comes rolling through. Hope all
is well with you. Let us hear from you when you get the time.
Sept. 24, 2004
Things have been such a blur since we’ve been in Florida I just haven’t had time to send off another update. There are so many hurricanes this year we’re having a hard time keeping them straight! We arrived in Orlando on 21 August to work Hurricane Charley and were given about 150 houses to look at between us. We’d looked at about 30 when Hurricane Frances threatened. So we packed our computers and files and took off for Georgia, not knowing how far up we’d have to go. When we crossed the FL/GA border we stopped at the GA Tourist Info Center and they said the only place up I-75 that had rooms available was in Macon (Atlanta was completely sold out) and only two hotels had rooms. So we called the Wingate in Macon and drove on up. The total trip (about 325 miles) took 11 hours. Our car computer said we averaged 32 mph, but that was only because there were a few stretches where we could go 70. The rest of the trip was 12-25 mph. We couldn’t get gas in Orlando before we left but were able to get some at an Oasis on the way. We had to wait in line about 45 minutes.
Once in Macon we set up our “office” in our room and were able to complete a few reports on houses we’d seen, but Frances soon visited Macon and knocked out the power in our hotel, so we didn’t get much accomplished.
We returned to Orlando on 8 Sept and the trip took only about 8 hours this time. Once back we had to re-schedule all the appointments we had made before we left. We decided to stay put for Hurricane Ivan. Got a lot of rain and some wind but of course Ivan went on to the panhandle and destroyed Pensacola and parts of Alabama. Many of the Florida and Alabama adjusters here bailed out and went home, so we took over a lot of their files. We have about 15 houses left to see in our initial Charley bunch, but the other day they gave us 78 more files . . . many are still claims from Charley but a lot are Frances claims and they’re north of Apopka. So we’re now covering about a 100 square mile area.
Now we’re keeping an eye on Hurricane Jeane and thinking we may have to vamoose again for a while. A writer in the Orlando newspaper said the Atlantic is hurling hurricanes at us like bowling balls. Guess we picked the right time to go back on the road, but we sure didn’t expect anything like this. The Orlando metro area is beginning to look more cleaned up but there are still many large trees still down and piles of debris all over. Roofers and contractors are so backed up people are being told they can’t get repairs done for 3-6 months. So as you drive through neighborhoods you see all sorts of blue or white tarps on the roofs to cover the missing shingles and exposed decking. The tarps became scarce so people got very creative. We got on one roof and found Sponge Bob and Nemo looking at us. The homeowner had used shower curtains to cover his roof. We drove by another house where the front slope of the roof said in huge letters: BUDWEISER. They had apparently "procured" a Tyvek billboard which had presumably come off a billboard and used it for their roof cover. We can tell that it’s pushing October as the humidity is not so high and the afternoon rains have decreased. We can actually feel a cool breeze in the evenings.
Looks like we’ll be here through October and probably into November and maybe even beyond. There are so many catastrophes around the country that there are just not enough adjusters. We’ve been contacted by many other companies begging us to go here or there and they’re offering $5,000 signing bonuses. We heard on the news that FEMA (which only goes into areas that have been declared catastrophes) are now in 35 states. But we feel we’ve committed ourselves to the company we’re with and they’ve been good to us. We finally know our way around and can remain in our condo at least through November. So we’re going to continue to dodge incoming hurricanes and ride it out here.
We celebrated our 31st anniversary on 17 Sept by looking at only 8 houses that day and we actually stopped for dinner before coming back to the condo.
Better get back to work before another hurricane comes rolling through. Hope all
is well with you. Let us hear from you when you get the time.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Florida Update #2
FLORIDA UPDATE #2
September 2, 2004
Thanks so much for the nice emails you've sent. Sorry we can't respond personally but it's been pretty chaotic around here lately. Carol and I have decided to head north today as they are predicting sustained winds of over 100 mph here in Orlando, maybe beginning Saturday afternoon. It's still a little early to know the track Frances will take, but we're concerned that if we wait another day we'll get caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Obviously we want our bodies to be safe, but we're also worried about our van and equipment. We've seen over 30 houses so far but have not finished their estimates. If something should happen to our computers, camera or files, all our work so far would "go with the wind." We live in an area that has large palm and oak trees that might smash our van. And, although the cities and counties have been picking up the debris along the curbs, there's still plenty around that could become shooting projectiles.
As they're saying Frances will affect the whole state of Florida, we're heading for Georgia, although she could follow us up there. We just want to find a place that has power and air conditioning so we can work on our files while we're waiting things out.
They say it's been about 44 years since a hurricane hit Orlando, and now we're looking at two in less than a month. Having witnessed the damage that Charley did and seeing how much bigger Frances is, we can't imagine what things will be like when we return. We sure did pick a fine time to visit Florida, huh?
September 2, 2004
Thanks so much for the nice emails you've sent. Sorry we can't respond personally but it's been pretty chaotic around here lately. Carol and I have decided to head north today as they are predicting sustained winds of over 100 mph here in Orlando, maybe beginning Saturday afternoon. It's still a little early to know the track Frances will take, but we're concerned that if we wait another day we'll get caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Obviously we want our bodies to be safe, but we're also worried about our van and equipment. We've seen over 30 houses so far but have not finished their estimates. If something should happen to our computers, camera or files, all our work so far would "go with the wind." We live in an area that has large palm and oak trees that might smash our van. And, although the cities and counties have been picking up the debris along the curbs, there's still plenty around that could become shooting projectiles.
As they're saying Frances will affect the whole state of Florida, we're heading for Georgia, although she could follow us up there. We just want to find a place that has power and air conditioning so we can work on our files while we're waiting things out.
They say it's been about 44 years since a hurricane hit Orlando, and now we're looking at two in less than a month. Having witnessed the damage that Charley did and seeing how much bigger Frances is, we can't imagine what things will be like when we return. We sure did pick a fine time to visit Florida, huh?
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Florida Update #1
FLORIDA UPDATE #1
August 27, 2004
Carol and I arrived in Orlando on Saturday, 21 August 2004. We left Omaha Thursday the 19th and drove through rain from St. Louis almost all the way to Orlando. At times we had to pull over as the rain was so heavy we couldn't see. Stayed in Paducah, KY Thursday night and Tifton, GA on Friday night.
We arrived in Orlando around 1 p.m. on Saturday, stopped at our storm office, got our assignments, talked to another adjuster who gave us the name of a broker through whom he had rented a furnished condo, called the broker, met him at the condo and moved in . . . again all in a driving rainstorm. But it was great to find this place right away so we could get settled in.
We have about 150 files between us, a combination of homes and small businesses. We are just amazed at the damage here in Orlando in the middle of central Florida. Charley was still a Cat 2 when it hit and as we drive around we see thousands of oak and palm trees uprooted, huge piles of debris along the curb, and shingles missing from almost every structure. We've only seen about a dozen houses so far but the first one we visited had a flat roof and the rolled roofing was completely gone as well as several sheets of decking. When we went inside there was still an inch or so of standing water in every room. All of his furniture and personal possessions are saturated with water. We've estimated the damage to his home around $100,000.00 and his possessions around $45,000.00. The county has condemned his house so he's been staying with friends and family until his adjuster arrived. We've requested a $5,000 advance for him so he can find an apartment as he will be out of his house for at least 6 months
We're learning to live with the 90+% humidity and you can set your watch to the afternoon rains and storms. We can only see properties in the a.m. as the afternoons are just too hot and humid to work, plus we can't be on roofs in the rain.
All things considered, all is going well. We do have language problems as many of our claims only speak Spanish and some Oriental, so we have to wait to talk with them until they have a friend or family member who can interpret.
Time to get back to work. Will try to do additional updates as time permits. Drop us a line.
Bob & Carol
August 27, 2004
Carol and I arrived in Orlando on Saturday, 21 August 2004. We left Omaha Thursday the 19th and drove through rain from St. Louis almost all the way to Orlando. At times we had to pull over as the rain was so heavy we couldn't see. Stayed in Paducah, KY Thursday night and Tifton, GA on Friday night.
We arrived in Orlando around 1 p.m. on Saturday, stopped at our storm office, got our assignments, talked to another adjuster who gave us the name of a broker through whom he had rented a furnished condo, called the broker, met him at the condo and moved in . . . again all in a driving rainstorm. But it was great to find this place right away so we could get settled in.
We have about 150 files between us, a combination of homes and small businesses. We are just amazed at the damage here in Orlando in the middle of central Florida. Charley was still a Cat 2 when it hit and as we drive around we see thousands of oak and palm trees uprooted, huge piles of debris along the curb, and shingles missing from almost every structure. We've only seen about a dozen houses so far but the first one we visited had a flat roof and the rolled roofing was completely gone as well as several sheets of decking. When we went inside there was still an inch or so of standing water in every room. All of his furniture and personal possessions are saturated with water. We've estimated the damage to his home around $100,000.00 and his possessions around $45,000.00. The county has condemned his house so he's been staying with friends and family until his adjuster arrived. We've requested a $5,000 advance for him so he can find an apartment as he will be out of his house for at least 6 months
We're learning to live with the 90+% humidity and you can set your watch to the afternoon rains and storms. We can only see properties in the a.m. as the afternoons are just too hot and humid to work, plus we can't be on roofs in the rain.
All things considered, all is going well. We do have language problems as many of our claims only speak Spanish and some Oriental, so we have to wait to talk with them until they have a friend or family member who can interpret.
Time to get back to work. Will try to do additional updates as time permits. Drop us a line.
Bob & Carol
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Hello World!
This is the beginning of our blog. We are catastrophe insurance adjusters from Omaha, Nebraska, and travel around the U.S. helping people recover after a major disaster. Last August (2004) we arrived in Orlando, FL, to "work" Hurricane Charley which came ashore in the Gulf near Punta Gorda on August 13. Little did we know when we arrived that we would greet Hurricane Frances about three weeks later (it came ashore on the ocean side of Florida near Fort St. Lucie on Sept. 5) and then Hurricane Jeanne about three weeks later (this one came in about where Frances did, on Sept. 25).
We were in the Orlando area until the end of November when we were asked to go to the Florida Panhandle to "work" Hurricane Ivan which came ashore at Gulf Shores, AL, on September 16, 2004 (between Frances and Jeanne).
We arrived in Mobile, AL, the first of December and have been working claims in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Looks like we will be finished up soon, probably the middle of April. Who would have thunk that FOUR hurricanes would hit Florida in a span of six weeks??
But this blog is more about our travels than it is about claims adjusting. We have been to so many places around this great country of ours and have had so many great experiences and found so many wonderful places that we want to share with anyone who cares. Although this is our first post, as we build this blog with reports of our previous adventures we will post them chronologically to maintain some semblance of order. So you will find many articles and photos appearing on dates BEFORE this first post. Just check the index on the left for items in which you might be interested. An exception: occasionally we sent family members what we called "Florida Updates" to let them know where we were and what we were doing. In order to keep these updates together we have inserted them above this post, showing the dates they were actually written and sent.
You are invited to leave comments on any of our posts. Just click on the word "comments" under any post and a window will appear allowing you to post your comment.
We were in the Orlando area until the end of November when we were asked to go to the Florida Panhandle to "work" Hurricane Ivan which came ashore at Gulf Shores, AL, on September 16, 2004 (between Frances and Jeanne).
We arrived in Mobile, AL, the first of December and have been working claims in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Looks like we will be finished up soon, probably the middle of April. Who would have thunk that FOUR hurricanes would hit Florida in a span of six weeks??
But this blog is more about our travels than it is about claims adjusting. We have been to so many places around this great country of ours and have had so many great experiences and found so many wonderful places that we want to share with anyone who cares. Although this is our first post, as we build this blog with reports of our previous adventures we will post them chronologically to maintain some semblance of order. So you will find many articles and photos appearing on dates BEFORE this first post. Just check the index on the left for items in which you might be interested. An exception: occasionally we sent family members what we called "Florida Updates" to let them know where we were and what we were doing. In order to keep these updates together we have inserted them above this post, showing the dates they were actually written and sent.
You are invited to leave comments on any of our posts. Just click on the word "comments" under any post and a window will appear allowing you to post your comment.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Mardi Gras in Mobile--Where It Really Began
It didn't take long after we first arrived in Mobile, Alabama, to learn that Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile. Mobilians are particularly proud of that fact, even though New Orleans gets all the publicity.
Here's what the Mobile Chamber of Commerce has to say about it on their website:
General madness overtakes Mobile annually in the months, weeks and days preceding Ash Wednesday as chants of "Moon Pie! Moon Pie!" and "Throw me something Mister!" fills the air in historic Mobile. The rules governing civilized behavior are temporarily suspended...it's Mardi Gras in "Mobile, the Mother of Mystics."
New Orleans may have the better known celebration, but Mobile's was the first and arguably the best. Legend tells us that Mobile's earliest settlers apparently couldn't wait to get started. Mobile's first Mardi Gras celebration dates back to 1703, only one year after the city's founding. Historians disagree on who was responsible for organizing the celebration. Originally called Boeuf Gras (Fatted Ox), the celebration was one of feasting and revelry on the day preceding Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season which leads to Easter. The celebration, now called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras Day.
It was in 1857 that the Mobile members of Cowbellian de Rakin Society, formed in 1830 traveled to New Orleans and assisted with the formation of the Crewe of Comus, considered New Orleans' most prestigious Mardi Gras society. Dozens of mystic societies build colorful Mardi Gras floats and parade through downtown Mobile during the weeks preceding Mardi Gras Day. Masked society members throw doubloons, candies, beads and moon pies to excited crowds that scamper about for the Mardi Gras memorabilia. And Mobile's celebration is good, safe fun the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy Mardi Gras where it all began, in "Mobile, Mother of Mystics."
So, on Thursday, 3 February 2005, a group of us went to downtown Mobile and watched the "Striper's Parade." We counted at least 15 floats and probably as many or more marching bands throughout the evening. This parade was one of a countless number of them during the weeks preceding Fat Tuesday but it was the only one we had time to attend. It was great fun and we caught hundreds of beads, moon pies and other Mardi Gras goodies thrown from the floats.
For more on the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, go to http://www.loc.gov/bicentennial/propage/AL/al_s_sessions3.html
Here's what the Mobile Chamber of Commerce has to say about it on their website:
General madness overtakes Mobile annually in the months, weeks and days preceding Ash Wednesday as chants of "Moon Pie! Moon Pie!" and "Throw me something Mister!" fills the air in historic Mobile. The rules governing civilized behavior are temporarily suspended...it's Mardi Gras in "Mobile, the Mother of Mystics."
New Orleans may have the better known celebration, but Mobile's was the first and arguably the best. Legend tells us that Mobile's earliest settlers apparently couldn't wait to get started. Mobile's first Mardi Gras celebration dates back to 1703, only one year after the city's founding. Historians disagree on who was responsible for organizing the celebration. Originally called Boeuf Gras (Fatted Ox), the celebration was one of feasting and revelry on the day preceding Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season which leads to Easter. The celebration, now called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras Day.
It was in 1857 that the Mobile members of Cowbellian de Rakin Society, formed in 1830 traveled to New Orleans and assisted with the formation of the Crewe of Comus, considered New Orleans' most prestigious Mardi Gras society. Dozens of mystic societies build colorful Mardi Gras floats and parade through downtown Mobile during the weeks preceding Mardi Gras Day. Masked society members throw doubloons, candies, beads and moon pies to excited crowds that scamper about for the Mardi Gras memorabilia. And Mobile's celebration is good, safe fun the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy Mardi Gras where it all began, in "Mobile, Mother of Mystics."
So, on Thursday, 3 February 2005, a group of us went to downtown Mobile and watched the "Striper's Parade." We counted at least 15 floats and probably as many or more marching bands throughout the evening. This parade was one of a countless number of them during the weeks preceding Fat Tuesday but it was the only one we had time to attend. It was great fun and we caught hundreds of beads, moon pies and other Mardi Gras goodies thrown from the floats.
For more on the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, go to http://www.loc.gov/bicentennial/propage/AL/al_s_sessions3.html
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