Ball of Confusion

"Ball of Confusion... that's what the world is today"

-- The Temptations

Today was the beginning of daylight savings time (DST). Last week, I traveled from Florida to Alabama, crossing from the Eastern Time Zone to the Central Time Zone. I knew the switch to DST was coming, so I didn't change my watch or car clock to match my new time zone. Now that DST has arrived, my watch and car clock are again correct with no action on my part. My computer, which I also did not change, was wrong -- it needed to have the time zone updated. When the first weekend of April comes, things that think DST still starts then will "spring ahead," and I'll have to change them back. Unless, of course, I've moved another time zone. In that case, maybe I'll be an hour ahead, maybe I'll be an hour behind, or maybe it will all be a draw -- I'll figure it out then, because now it just makes my head hurt thinking about it. Good thing I don't have too many things to do that require being on time!

Two Friends, Two Toads, Too Totalled

Here are a few miscellaneous images from Florida:

I met two RV friends, Valerie and Allaine, and we lunched at Disney where they both work -- and had a marvelous and fun afternoon. This photo was taken by one of the Disney photographers. Valerie is on my right, and Allaine on my left:

In the RV world, cars that are towed behind another vehicle are often called "toads." Here are two toads and the signs their owners put on their spare tire covers:

  

And finally, this truck hauling totalled vehicles pulled up at a truck stop where I had stopped for the night. There was a car on a carrier the cab, one in back on a dolly, and this truck on the flatbed. If you can't read the logo on the door, it says, "Highway Safety Devices." I hope they worked!

Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay

Location: Summerdale, Alabama

I have stopped for a few days in southern Alabama, partly to see the Gulf Coast and partly to break up the long trip between Florida and Texas. I am now in Summerdale, which is about 15 miles north of Gulf Shores, and 15 miles west of Mobile Bay. I drove over to Mobile Bay yesterday -- good timing, because our weather turned rainy and cold today. Snow is even forecast for more northern parts of Alabama!

Mobile Bay is a tidal estuary, where the fresh water from the rivers that drain into the Gulf mingles with salt water. The fresh water brings nutrients, and the tidal action mixes them, creating a rich environment for the entire food chain. The dock in the town Fairhope was damaged in both Hurricane Ivan (2004) and Hurricane Katrina (2006), but has now been repaired and is open for fishing, boating or strolling. The fisherman in the picture above told me he hadn't caught anything yet today, but didn't really care -- he was just in love with the Bay and enjoyed being on the dock, breathing the sea air, and watching the gulls. Laughing Gulls were everywhere. Every so often another type of gull would fly by or an occasional pelican could be seen perched on a piling, but the Laughing Gulls were dominant. The city had erected several purple martin houses on poles in the water, but they appeared to be empty.

And then there was the crane. He had staked out his territory at the very end of the pier, hoping for a fish hand out. The Human wasn't paying him any attention, so he took the opportunity to check out the gear stashed against the wall. He'd move a little closer, and wait until he was sure the Human wasn't looking. Then a little closer. Another wait. A little closer. Drat. No fish in the cart! All that stealth wasted! But maybe if he hung around a little longer the Human might catch a fish and share...

Laughing Gull:One Second of Flight

Spring is Coming!

I know a lot of you are still shivering and shoveling, and it must seem like this winter will never end. But Spring is coming! Here are some photos from Florida to get you in the mood:

Zebra Swallowtail

Violet Wood Sorrel


Giant Swallowtail