Layover in Gulf Breeze - 10/5 to 11/7

When in Gulf Breeze we park the motorhome in Ashley and Michael’s driveway. Their home has more than adequate shade cover with mature pine trees on their property as well as the corner lot that is owned by the local municipality. Being here for the nearly five weeks has allowed us to help with day-to-day tasks of caring for a new baby, a two-year-old, a four-year-old, and an 11-year-old. Grannie did get to have plenty of time with the grandchildren. Grandpa Byron did, too.

On our first Sunday in Gulf Breeze we attended Life Church with with Ashley, Michael and family. The church meets in the Gulf Breeze community center which houses meeting rooms and two gymnasiums.

On Sunday afternoon the church had a picnic on the the beach

which included the baptism of a new believer.

While in Gulf Breeze we had some work done on the motorhome at the Freightliner service facility on the north side of Pensacola. We were treated well though the service work took a few days. We stayed in the motorhome each night.

Since Jody’s father died during this time, Byron made a quick trip back to Kentucky to attend the visitation and sing at the funeral mass. It’s about a ten-hour trip but was worth it. Supporting family at times like that is essential to us.

We made an outing to the Naval Air Station Pensacola to see the lighthouse. Martha, Byron and Jada made the climb up the 177 steps after going through the museum in the old light-keeper’s house.

The historic Pensacola Lighthouse. It is still putting in active use with

the light being easily seen to the edge of the horizon.

This view is of the main runways (n the distance) of Naval Air Station

Pensacola. Note that the water tower, which seems high from the ground,

is actually below the viewing walk atop the lighthouse.

From the distance, we could see a ship moving on the horizon with

a large plume of water spray. By the time we climbed down and

walked to the beach, we saw this catamaran Navy vessel turn

and come into Pensacola Bay. The Joint High Speed Vessel is

built by Austal in the Mobile facility. It was on a sea test.

Often we’re asked how our English cockers, Redford and Julie, get along in the motorhome. They are good travelers. Julie usually sleeps on the couch and Redford usually sleeps on the floor between the captain’s chairs. When parked, they just act like they would in any place else. Sometimes they get next to each other and sometimes they’re on opposite ends, one in the living area and one in the bedroom.

Redford and Julie are half-siblings. Still, they don’t mind being

next to each other, especially on cool mornings.

Chapel and Ben enjoy looking at the iPad with Grammy. Martha is

wearing the head decoration she made for the Oktoberfest.

Time on the beach is always nice, even when it’s bright and windy.

Dressed and ready for Halloween.

While in the area we also attended Gulf Breeze Presbyterian Church as well as First Baptist Church in Pensacola. We especially appreciated the service at Pensacola complete with a great message by the pastor, vocal solo by a choir member, choir anthem, handbell offertory, and the singing of hymns to organ and orchestra accompaniment.

The steeple and main edifice of First Baptist Church in Pensacola is easily

spotted on the skyline of the city since it sits on a bit of a hill near downtown.

Our last day with family in Gulf Breeze was on Thursday, November 6. Of course, we enjoyed our stay which included some time at the nice farmer’s market held each Saturday on Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola.