By Lake Jackson...

Small cypress tree on the north shore of the lake.

We spent the Labor Day holiday weekend at Florala State Park in Florala, Ala.

Florala State Park is situated around Lake Jackson.The lake straddles the Florida-Alabama state line (Flor-Ala) in southern Covington County. The lake was named for Gen. Andrew Jackson,  who supposedly camped at the lake with his soldiers in 1818.

The campground and surrounding lakeshore are lined with stately cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss.

We pulled the fifth wheel to Andalusia, Ala., then south on Highway 55 to Florala.

The campsites are shady with hard gravel pads and full amenities.  Wifi isn't great,  but cell service is good.

Bath houses are clean with two showers and laundry facilities (two front load washers and dryers). 

Sunset across the lake.

Likes:

- Sunsets

- Good breeze off the lake.

- Nice boardwalk and trail around lake for cyclists and walkers.

- Grocery, dollar store, fast food nearby.

Dislikes:

- Road noise.

- Rangers not as present as in most parks.  Very nice people,  but seem to be stretched thin. 

- Gate not closed at night.

It was a great experience, though. My family looks forward to going back. I'd really like to camp here during the cooler months of the year. I'm sure the mix of campers would be completely different with fewer sunbathers/swimmers and more people there for the scenery, etc.

Looking west at our campsite

Campsites 1 & 2 have an adjoining drive. Perfect for our family. We camped together.

On the Road... FINALLY!

We took a quick, two-day trip to Birmingham for Spring Break/Good Friday. Craig was nice enough to go along with my desire to take the scenic route. We traveled through Monroeville to Camden and Millers' Ferry Campground on to Moundville and Tuscaloosa, before heading east to Tannehill State Historical Park and Birmingham.

It felt wonderful to see towns I'd heard about my entire life, but had never had the chance to visit.

Sydney, on the bank of the Black Warrior River at Moundville Archaelogical Park

Craig with a few feathered friends at the Birmingham Zoo

Golden tulips in a "private garden" at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Sydney with a statue of legendary UA coach, Paul "Bear" Bryant at the University of Alabama

Progress after a pause

After taking a break for about four months, we're working on the camper again. This weekend we moved it to its permanent location beside the meter base and sewer line. Craig finished the walls in the bedroom. Put down a floor in the bedroom and a large area rug. We finally put the bed back in. All we need to do now paint the primed kitchen walls and finish the floor in the main living area. We need to sand it. Then, we need to paint it. We finally feel like we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sealing the bedroom windows

Cranking up the jacks for the short move

Finishing touches on the bedroom walls

Hanging the cabinets

Walls are primed and upper cabinets are going back in.

1, 2, 3 Floor

Finished the last wall. Reconnected the stove and cabinet. Replaced the sofa bed and trim. Puttied the wall and floor seams. Tired!

After midnight

Put in more than five hours tonight. Finished three of the walls and moved the lower cabinets back into their original position. Round windows are HARD!!!

Seriously contemplating sanding and painting the floor. Then adding a good coat of polyurethane.  Buy a rug for the living area. Just don't think we're up to laminate floors or stretching vinyl. Another project for another day.

Speaking of another project,  we're checking out the bedroom next.

Floor's in!

We've been working on the camper for one solid month. Finally coming together.

Insulating the floor

We opted for foam insulation.  Installation is much easier. Doubling up to get the highest R rating possible.

Valentine's Day... Let's go away!

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? We're getting away... heading over to Tallahassee for a couple of nights to see the manatees at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. We can't wait! We've wanted to see manatees for ages and this state park is the closest site known to have a regular herd of the large, underwater mammals.

Working on the Floor

Buying supplies

So much accomplished

Almost ready for insulation

Bucket List

Plotting and scheming, trying to figure out my next destination. Sydney has made her wishes known... and they involve 1,200 pound aquatic mammals.

Craig wants to go to Hawaii. He said it sounds like a great place to go to get away from it all. Maybe he's right...

Me? I'm not so sure which place I'd go first.

Drying time

Floor's out. Now it's time to let everything dry out. Roof rack is off. Ladder will be removed next.

Floor is out. The black material you see is the camper's plastic membrane. It provides no support whatsoever. I'm standing in the doorway. Not venturing far. Don't want to fall through.

Bleak leak... Not!

This calls for a massive repair job. Never buy a camper with a roof ladder. Major project. Replacing floor and walls. We'll have this project finished soon and move on to another part of the camper that needs work. Getting our practice in on this one. Would love to rework a  retroAirstream.

First floor removed. Dinette out. Freshwater tank coming out. 

Damaged floor, with all furniture and floor covering removed. Cabinets still in place.

Cabinets removed, partial wall and floor removal.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We took a quick trip to Big Lagoon State Park near Perdido Key, Fla. for Thanksgiving. 

We had a wonderful time! The campsite we picked was awesome. 

The site was deep and had lots of privacy. 

We rode our bikes down to the beach and walked a few trails. 

Trail near the campsite.

Playground near the beach.

Lots of photo ops. 

Nearby Johnson Beach.

Johnson Beach, looking toward Big Lagoon.

Ending to a beautiful day.

Hungry? Head over to Lu Lu's at Homeport Marina. Get the Cheeseburger in Paradise!

Naval Oaks

Made a quick stop at Naval Oaks at Gulf Island National Seashore on the way to Camping World in Gulf Breeze. BTW, they should've said Navarre. I didn't think we'd ever get to the store!

Windsurfer

Looking east

Sydney, enjoying the view.

Sydney, enjoying the breeze.

Exploring Conecuh County

We wanted to get away, but couldn't go far. We rode up to Burnt Corn and over to Monroeville for supper. Sometimes a trip a few miles up the road makes you feel better!

Burnt Corn, Ala.

Brushy Creek Methodist Church, Lenox, Ala.

Burnt Corn, Ala.

Burnt Corn, Ala.