The morning everyone was leaving for their respective homes, the clouds were billowing up.
Goodbyes were said.
Allen took Jill and the family to the Mobile airport. Josh's family packed up and then helped me take a few things down the stairs.
They took off for Arkansas and I waited a little while for Al to come pick me up. We finished packing the car and drove to "town".
We dropped off the key at the rental agency.
There was a lady in front of Allen who was turning in her key. She had a laundry list of complaints. Not enough towels, etc. We happen to know that all you have to do is call them at any time and they take care of things for you. What was funny was that at the end of her tirade, she said "We'd like to book for next year! This is our favorite place!" ???
Often, don't we complain to God too? We might go on and on. He politely listens to our complaints as the young girl who was listening did. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry Ma'am" she quietly responded.
Give your cares to Him. Thank Him because He is working in you. If these complainers had just called the rental agency, they would have delivered more towels. God listens and He will respond to us too. He will act. He will quiet your heart as you pour out your needs. Sometimes He may answer in a way that looks different than what we are asking. He wants to perfect us and sometimes going through hardships is that way. He isn't a cosmic genie.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:18. Not necessarily "FOR all circumstances" perhaps, but IN.
Before leaving the island, we took a little tour of the island since we hadn't done any of that yet.
Fort Gaines
It had poured on this end of Dauphin.
Families were headed to the public beach on this end.
There was a huge clap of thunder when I took this picture.
If I were those people, I would have scrambled back to the car to wait it out.
I know someone back in Kansas who was struck by lightening - twice! Luckily, he survived! People here didn't seem to be worried, at any rate. They looked at the clouds and kept walking with their chairs and picnic baskets.
Lots of boaters were already out on the Gulf.
We drove through some of the neighborhoods before crossing the bridge to the mainland. Good-bye Dauphin Island!!
We took a different road back - got lost a little bit when we took a wrong turn too. But that's ok. Part of the adventure!
We came across this train. Miles and miles of this stopped train. Have no idea why. It looked like it had been there for months. Weeds even growing underneath the cars.
At least they separated the cars so people could cross the road!
Did you know there really is such a place?
Going off the road to see what was on the other side.
Stretching our legs
We do not have trees like this in Kansas that I know about.
After stopping for the night, we continued the journey home.
We saw a sign for a scenic overlook.
We really couldn't see much. Lots of trees in the way.
Perhaps they should have had a look-out tower a few feet higher.
A Little Debbie truck
The first oatmeal creme cake was made back in the days of the depression.
The Little Debbie brand was named after the creator's granddaughter in 1960.
You can find the history for Little Debbie's here.
Debbie was a COMMON name back then.
I know lots of Debbie's (otherwise spelled Debi, Debby, Debbe)
my age and there were usually more than one of us in my class!
Josh called and asked if we wouldn't want to stop by. Although it would take longer, we decided that would be fun and we chose a scenic route, old 71 to go there. A twisty road!
Staci told us that before 540 was built, they took this 71 to visit her aunt and uncle in Little Rock often. She said she puked much on that road!
It was pretty, although often covered by trees.
to be continued...
