19 Dec 2018 - Truck Service, Cleaning, NEX/Commissary

19 Dec 2018
Utility day here.  I had an 0830 hrs appointment for the pickup oil change and troubleshoot/reflash the software for a recall.  A shout out to Hill Kelly Dodge garage in Pensacola (will be repeated in more detail in the appropriate online review).  Super friendly and helpful folks, probably one of the best dealerships I have every visited.  I finished up there about 1100 hrs and returned to the RV for lunch.

While I was gone and things were quiet Doreen cleaned the RV, vacuumed, Swiffered the floors, etc.  She was entertained by some of the Naval Air Station aircraft out flying around.  They were not the Blue Angels but still enjoyable.

Later we headed into town before the rains came and visited the ITT office (Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation) for brochures to local attractions, possibly tickets to local events, etc.  We thought maybe there would be some Christmas events, but nothing there so she gathered a bunch of brochures and state maps and we headed for the liquor store next door.  Prices were good and the selection was "best seen to date", but the only thing we bought was a bottle of wine for Christmas.  Next was the NEX (Naval Exchange).  The NEX here is in a couple buildings.  One is appliances, electronics, outdoor items, etc.  The other is primarily clothing, jewelry, perfumes, etc.  We cruised through both but did not need anything so we headed to the commissary (grocery store) to restock and buy our Christmas dinner fixings,  After deliberation we decided on barbecued ribs as the main course.  The rain is impending so back to the RV.

We stayed put the rest of the evening as it started to rain and continued off and on all night.  As I write this (Thursday morning, 0930 hrs) the rain continues.  Many ponds appeared between camp sites, but I assume they will dissipate within reason. 

We are supposed to have rain all day off and on Thursday until about 0300 hrs Friday morning.  Then we are supposed to see the rain stop, it get cooler, and then sunny and warm with temps in the mid to upper 60's.  We are tweaking our "things we want to see" list so our time does not get away from us.  Some of the main sites yet to see/do:

FL and Pensacola area:
- Naval Museum & Cemetery Pensacola
- Fort Barrancas Pensacola
- Pensacola Beach
- Hurricane damage
- Pensacola historic district
- Navarre beach

Alabama area:
- Gulf Shores / Orange Beach area
- Fort Morgan
- Gulf Island National Seashore
- Mobile / USS Alabama
- Gulf State Park Pier

Restaurants/pubs:
- Lamberts in Foley AL (throwed rolls)
- FloraBama oyster bar AL
- Joe Patti's Seafood FL
- Cobalt (under remodel until 26 Dec) AL
- Lulu's in Gulf Shores AL (Jimmy Buffet sister)