Day Three - Atlanta to Mobile

Welcome message in the playroom

We had originally planned to wake up before the sun and get out of the way of our hosts. Alas, their daughter needed surgery so we chose to hang with their boys and have a quiet morning before a day of travel.  Our girls would not allow us to leave without saying goodbye to their daughter after her surgery.  We made breakfast of bagels that were in desperate need of being eaten and leftover fruit.  The baby whisperer struck again after he assisted with Brogden's bath time.  I seriously need this child on the rest of this trip, if only to comfort the baby when I need a break.

Magical!

We got the word that everything went well with the surgery and they were on the way back home so we can get quick hugs and be on the way to Alabama.  Ride was nice and quiet once most of the children got to sleep so I took the time to write a bit on the different posts.  George would stop me to take pictures of sights or engage in general conversation.  This KIA plant was the longest building he had ever seen.  Guessed it was a mile long with thousands of completed cars at the end of it.  It was truly a sight to be seen. 

Longest building ever

I spent some time researching activities to break up the trip to Mobile for the girls and George jammed out to his XM radio.

We went down yonder on the Chattahoochee

The two hour timer went off during a nursing session while George took the girls to the restroom at the Alabama line.  The girls are starting to get into the habit of taking the state line pictures and are good about smiling.  Most of the time we take only two pictures just for insurance.  This one was not the case.  Four pictures in and we just called it good.

I'll take what I can get

Driving into Alabama we were treated with great skies which George got shots from the dash cam to share.  

One travel tip from George: in order to keep the car peaceful, keep the adults fed. Someone in front of me apparently kept asking for snacks and I would say, "Okay, let me get to a good stopping point," and never get him food. So he took it upon himself to find Alabama BBQ.

Hangry face

He did get me some to try so I forgave him. Not sure if he forgave me. BTW, Alabama BBQ comes with dill pickles if you order a sandwich or a plate. Not something I, nor him, are used to but it works. The stop allowed me to get out coloring for the girls. Fun for about fifteen minutes, then I was driven crazy with missing markers and having to pass around colors.

Sleeping babies are my fav

Biscuit likes to hid the red from Bubble

Very serious work going on

Two marks and she has completely finished so I took it all away

The aquarium membership saves the day again with FREE entrance to the City of Montgomery Zoo. Nice halfway activity for the children. I wasn't really sure what this stop would bring upon seeing a peacock walk around the parking lot. Not to mention that the ample parking selection screamed the zoo was desolate. We were pleasantly surprised to find a quaint little zoo. Although the desolate part was correct. We had the run of the place. Maybe because it was an hour before closing time. Tiny enthusiastically said yes to feeding giraffes and quickly rescinded when presented an actual giraffe that wanted her alfalfa hay.

Bubble and Biscuit declared it was the best part of their day. They also enjoyed running from exhibit to exhibit without us calling them back to hold hands. The NC Zoo had us spoiled for what to expect for zoo habitats.  Other than it being extremely humid to the point of hanging out in the bathroom to cool the baby, it was a fantastic place to visit.

Hot, sweaty, and exhausted people got back in the suburban to finish out the trek to Mobile. George had selected the Gumbo House from the DDD app in Fairhope for dinner. Found the establishment. It was closed. Like closed down. Posts on Facebook two weeks ago. WTF? All the other restaurants around closed at 9:00 pm. The whole city seemed to close in thirty minutes.

Now every soul in the car is still exhausted and sweaty, mix in starvation and you have a volatile combination. It blew up. Girls asked for oatmeal in the hotel room. George wasn't speaking and you know I wasn't making anything better either.

Found the hotel and checked in. George got us out of the car. Didn't lead the group to the hotel room but to a restaurant 'two blocks' away. Liar.

Nothing around us flashed family atmosphere at the time of night we ate at the restaurant but we sat on the street. Characters were seen and I had a fan blowing directly on baby and me. Food was delicious. Montego's was worth the walk, trust me. 

Steps taken: 9,489
Miles driven: 341.5