Return from the coast

Yes, I'm still alive. I just returned from a 7 day adventure of my own making. I took a road trip with my cousin, Daniel. We went on a photography excursion. Part of our trip landed us on 6 different beaches along the Gulf. We also visited some of Forest Gump's old stomping grounds in Bayou La Batre. We wandered around the ship yards taking pictures of shrimp boats and other things.

In case you are wondering, there is only one hotel on Dauphin Island, and they have no ice, soap or shampoo. There is, however, one place on the entire island that stays open past 8pm, and that is the Circle K c-store. Drop by and give Mary a visit. She will hook you up with whatever you need. Everyone else will be down at the pier doing some night fishing.

I met a guy on the ferry between Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores. No thanks to him, I now have camera envy and the itch to expand my photog equipment collection... When he handed me his camera to take a few shots, the thought did cross my mind to jump overboard and try to swim ashore without getting it wet. But alas, I had to give it back. You can check out his work at www.pbase.com/smms. He is a great photographer.

OK, Atchison - this one is for you. Here is the pinnacle highlight of my trip. Those of you who've never heard of my "stories" please turn away. I don't want you to see me like this. Here goes. We were driving along some nice little highway, right along the coast. I decided we needed to head over to Perdido Beach and proceeded to give directions to Daniel. I was using a real bonafide map... After several long moments had passed and we had seen our 27th pale pink high-rise condo, Daniel began to protest that we were not going to Perdido, but instead had entered Florida. I confidently objected that the road we were on would be turning soon and we would indeed find ourselves in Perdido. After all, my map showed the road as plain as day snaking its way around, right into Perdido. After several intense moments of bantering about our location, I finally had to concede that we were, in fact, in Florida. I was baffled. How could we have so clearly missed this major road that was so prominently displayed on my map? Uhh - I am amazed that I am about to admit this...my "road" was actually the state line dividing Alabama and Florida. Yes, sad but true. I am officially retarded. Thanks to my wiggyjack map reading skills, I am no longer allowed to be in charge of trip navigation.

To make matters worse, I enjoyed the sun so much that I refused to ride with my window rolled up. Therefore, I spent the entire trip with half of my body hanging out the window - soaking up the sun and breeze. Consequently, I am now two-toned and striped. Call me the anti-redneck. Due to the camera being hung around my neck, I also have a white stripe back there. One arm is bright red. Oh, who cares. I enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait to go back.

I actually have some more serious posts coming, but need more time to gather my thoughts. I'll update in a few days. Meanwhile, aloha. Gee, I wish I were on "island time" again...