Stormy but Fun Finish to Florida

We said goodbye to the piney woods of Otter Springs and traveled across the panhandle of Florida for an exploration of the Pensacola area. There were no problems on the drive and we comfortably settled into the Pensacola KOA. While most KOA's are a safe bet for parking space and amenities, this one was very nice. Everything was first class, with a big heated pool, large playground and free on site miniature golf, the boys classified it as "cool".

As confident as I am about this adventure being God's plan for our family, I sometimes wonder if I am in the right place at the right time. While staying in this great location, we watched as the weather turned stormy on three consecutive nights. These were wicked storms with tornado warnings, damaging winds and large hail heading straight toward us. We huddled in our camper with our slides pulled in, weather alert radio on (this salvaged from our Corpus Christi hurricane kit) and our eyes affixed to the weather channel. Each night we watched as the worst of the storms would turn, just before getting to the camp ground, and move north or south of us pummeling areas just a few miles away. Each morning we would get out and find that almost all of the other campers were sitting axle deep in water and our site was high and dry. It strikes me that God speaks, (and assures us), in strange ways.

The Pensacola area had many interesting things to offer us. Cory was just finishing a history study of World War I and we were here in a huge military area. We first traveled over to Fort Walton Beach and visited the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base. This wonderful exhibition presented a rich history of our country's leadership in developing air weapons and delivery systems. Of course the boy were intrigued with the planes, bombs and missiles, but Linda and I were taken by the effort and dedication of our military in their work of protecting our country while focusing on weapons that will minimize the collateral damage to the innocent. The more we study, the more proud we become of our country.

Next day, we went to the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Station Pensacola. It was Huge! There was aircraft from all periods and of all types with historical information that was wonderful to enhance Cory's study of W W I and W W II as well as the more later challenges we have faced as the benevolent superpower for modern world. This museum is a jewel for home education and fills a huge void in history left by most of the mainstream texts. As with the Air Force Armament Museum, we all came away with a swelling pride in our nation and the wonderful men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our country.

Of course we could not pass through the Florida panhandle without enjoying the snow white sand and blue-green water of this area of the Gulf of Mexico. It was cool after all the storm fronts coming through and very windy, giving rise to goosebumps on the skin outside the swimsuit. They were flying two warning flags on the beach as well. One flag was for dangerous undertow and the other was for hazardous sea life (Portuguese Man-of-War). Undaunted, we marched forward onto the beach determined to experience this wonderful seascape. We wet our feet (but not too deep), and kept a close eye on the water for sea creatures. The boys buried each other in the sand and worked hard on a sand castle. In spite of the challenges presented, we really enjoyed the experience as well as the drive around the sound to get there and back.

All things considered, we considered this a great closing to our Florida adventure and a true blessing to our family.