Duck's Deductions: Road Trip 2019

Well I guess it is about time to post something, so here we go....Y'all get to hear about the awesome road trip that my sister and I took recently. I'm going to break it into multiple posts like I did with my last trip for a couple reasons: 1) if it all was one post it would be EXTREMELY long 2) if I break it into multiple posts, it looks like I am a MUCH better blogger than I actually am. :) Strap yourself in and get ready for complete AWESOMENESS.

***Warning - harm may come from my horrible humor in the following posts***

Day 1 could be titled Planes, trains, and battleships...wait, what? I don't think that is how that saying goes. Though to be honest - planes, automobiles, and battleships - would actually be a more accurate description.

Technically, our story starts before Day 1 of the road trip. Natalie flew into Jacksonville Saturday night and I was meeting her after work. We had reserved a hotel in Jacksonville so we didn't have any unnecessary driving the next day. So Saturday I finished with work, got my stuff together (including a giant box of snacks...can't have a road trip without that!), and drove to the Travelodge by the airport. When I got there to check in and told them my reservation, this is the response I got, "I'm sorry, we don't have a room for you. We are all filled up." EXCUSE ME?!?!?!?!? I have a reservation. Then the lady is like, "I don't know when you made the reservation, but it depends on our occupancy" Umm, I made it a few weeks ago, which means I SHOULD HAVE A ROOM (no I didn't actually yell at her). Then it was basically "doesn't matter that you made a reservation, we have no rooms". I didn't feel like getting into it so I just shook my head and left, because that was a load of crap! What I should have done is pulled out the definition of reservation: "the act of keeping back, withholding, or setting apart" because clearly Travelodge was to dumb to know what it meant. When someone makes a reservation you are suppose to hold back a room for them! I ended getting a hotel right next store and the lady working there said she used to work for that Travelodge and they were always pulling shady crap like that. They give walk-ins rooms that people have reserved because they can get them to pay double. Turns out we aren't the only ones who have had this issue. At least two other people who flew in to Jacksonville and had reservations at that hotel were also told there were no room for them that week. So here is a tip: if you are ever in Jacksonville NEVER EVER EVER EVER stay at the Travelodge Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jacksonville Airport.

Okay, enough about that stupidity...on to the adventure. Sunday morning we got up and made our way to Mobile, AL.

READY FOR THE ROAD TRIP!

I have a weird habit of taking lots of pictures of Natalie driving so be warned.

You have to love a rest area that has a fighter jet

So beautiful!

Let the adventure begin...

The reason we chose Mobile as our first destination is because I wanted to visit the USS Alabama battleship...yeah, I know. I'm weird. But seriously, battleships are AWESOME!

WE'VE ARRIVED!!!!!!

Ain't she a beaut?

Look I found my room on the battleship!

This is what happens when you cross me...

At least we still get three squares a day in the brig

Quick sidenote: I never take selfies because I am not a fan of them. However, I wanted pics of Natalie and I together, so that meant selfies. *Sigh* But anyways, I am really bad at selfies, so enjoy! :)

Now that's what I'm talking about!

Look, I joined the Navy...

...just so I could do this. :)

Mobile skyline as seen from the USS Alabama

Our new home!

Mobile Bay

Besides the USS Alabama, there was also the USS Drum submarine, military helicopters and planes (most on loan from the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola), and tanks!

Thank you to all who have served...you will never be forgotten!

Natalie found her new vehicle. :)

SSR Blackbird

Duly noted: better read that manual real close!

B-52 bomber Stratofortress "Calamity Jane". The decals are for bombs dropped during Vietnam.

On top the USS Drum (Gato-class submarine), the oldest US sub on display. Served during WWII

After spending a few hours touring the USS Alabama, USS Drum, and surrounding grounds, we made a quick drive through downtown Mobile and then made our way to our hotel. There were still a few hours left to explore, so we decided to go check out Dauphin Island. We drove around the island, walked the beach some, found some delicious seafood, and watched the sunset.