Early Christmas in Pensacola

 

The Colonel and I recently visited Spud in Pensacola (Dec 3-6). We had not seen him for some time and decided to make the trip north while we could (who knows with this pandemic, how long domestic travel will be allowed...especially if the Illegitimate-"President-Elect" Biden steals his way into the White House?).

Spud is awaiting orders soon that will entail a move. Not knowing when or where he will move to, The Colonel and I told Spud to not use/waste any leave time in coming down for Christmas. It was easier and better for us to drive north to see him (plus we wanted to see his new apartment...he was flooded out of his old one after a hurricane...and we wanted to meet his cats, Doc and Zella).

Spud's new apartment was very nice and the cats were friendly (they slept with The Colonel and I most nights) and playful. 

We arrived around supper time. Spud had made a very delicious creamy chicken and mushroom dish along with an excellent salad, all accompanied by a nice, Greek, red wine. We had a lovely evening with Spud before it was time to "hit the sack". It had been a long drive that day (8.5 hours). Spud had some dark chocolates and a little welcome note awaiting us in our bedroom (the chocolates were originally on the pillows).

The next day, Spud gave us a driving tour around Pensacola and the naval bases in the surrounding area. We ate some delicious arepas from a food truck on one of the bases...very delicious and messy. 

The Pensacola lighthouse (1859) is on Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Colonel and I had not been to the lighthouse in over 14 years. We took Yam and Spud when they were younger, when we were stationed in the Panhandle of Florida. This time, Spud drove and took us to the lighthouse.

The maritime museum section of the lighthouse complex was closed but you could still walk up the 177 steps to the top of the lighthouse. 

We walked up the lighthouse (we...I... had to take a couple of short rest-stops along the way) and stepped onto the observation deck. The views of the gulf were beautiful.

Walking down the 177 steps was easier and faster. My thigh muscles (especially the left one) were sore for the next three days!

Spud also took us to the remnants of Ft. George in the North Hill Preservation District of Pensacola (ritzy, historic, fancy homes...photos to follow later).

During the Seven Years War (1756-63. In America known as the French and Indian War), France and Spain battled the British and when the fighting was over and Treaty of Paris was signed, Spain ceded Florida to Britain so that they could regain Cuba.

In 1763, the British arrived in Pensacola. The British constructed Fort George in 1778.

The fort does not exist today and what is seen at Fort George Memorial Park is a partial reconstruction at its original location. Who ever controlled Pensacola had control over the lower Mississippi River Valley and the Gulf of Mexico.

Spain was still unhappy about having to cede Florida to Britain and on May 9, 1781, the Battle of Pensacola began. 

The 30 year old Governor of Spanish Louisiana, General Bernardo de Galvez, with a fleet of 32 ships (3,000 men), arrived opposite of Pensacola Bay and within a day, took Santa Rosa Island. On March 18, Galvez, in his ship, sailed under the cannon of the Royal Navy Redoubt, into the harbor, inspiring the rest of his fleet to follow him. The British abandoned Pensacola to take position in the fortified hills north of town. After more than a month of siege and skirmishing (Galvez gained 7,000 more men in reinforcements), a shell from a Spanish howitzer destroyed most of the Queen's Redoubt and resulted in General John Campbell's capitulation and surrender of British West Florida. Although Spain was not a formal ally of the United States of America, her victory at Pensacola made a significant contribution to the success of the American Revolution. 

There is a bust of General Galvez in the park. It is entitled, "Yo Solo". Translated into English as, "Only Me".

Lo siento General Galvez, but I seem to remember reading that you also had 32 ships and eventually 10,000 men under your command as you battled the British in Pensacola. So, no yo solo, General.

Spud, The Colonel and I walked around the North Hill Preservation District and saw many beautiful, old homes. Here are just a few.

We even saw the house where Jim Morrison of the Doors used to live when he was young.

We also walked around Old Pensacola Village. The Julee Cottage (1805) is there. It is named for one of its earliest owners, Julee Panton, a free woman of color.

We saw the Old Christ Church (1832). It is one of the oldest surviving church buildings in Florida.

Here are a couple of the other little buildings in the village. So cute!

The morning of the day before we left, Spud took us to the Famer's Market in downtown Pensacola. We were able to walk there from his apartment. I failed to take any photographs but it was a nice market full of arts, crafts and food for sale. For lunch that day, we ate take-out from a place called Taste of Jerusalem. The food was all middle eastern and very delicious.

It was time to leave Spud and even though the time with him was way too short, it was filled with many good things in which to make great memories.

Let me backtrack a bit on our trip up to see Spud.

The Colonel and I had wanted to take a self-guided, historical walking tour in Marianna, Florida and to visit the Bellamy Bridge (supposed to be haunted) on our way back home from seeing Spud. We stopped in Marianna on our way up, in hopes of getting the tour guide information and more information on the Bellamy Bridge.

The Historic Russ House/Visitors Center in Marianna was closed and we were unable to get any information. I did take some photos of the Russ House. It is a unique looking house. It too is said to be haunted by several ghosts.

The Russ House was built in the 1890's and remolded in 1910. It is a Classical Revival/Queen Anne home.

I just ordered online, a visitor's guide for Marianna (since I could not get one while in Marianna). Perhaps The Colonel and I will make it back up there one day soon and take the historical walking tour (a Civil War battle occurred very near the Russ House. There are also other historical homes on the tour). We would also like to visit the caverns in Marianna. Last time I was there, was when Spud was in the fourth grade and I was a chaperone for his class trip there. I Cannot wait to get my visitor's guide in the mail.