Day 40 - Alabama

Day 40

Nov. 20

Gulf State Park, AL

Dear Miss Smith,

It was so much fun being able to go to the beach right after breakfast.

It was so beautiful with the white sand and all. It was the first time I remember looking out to the seeming endless ocean. Susanna and I went immediately to collecting shells. We found two conch shells almost exactly alike and we are going to make matching necklaces.

After spending a short time at the beach, we visited Historic Fort Gaines.

In 1821 construction of the fort on land began. But the Engineers sighted construction too close to Mobile Bay and at high tide, water would enter the works. So after fixing that problem (and many others) the fort wasn't completed until around 1861 after it had been named by Congress in 1853 for General Edmund Pendleton Gaines who won lasting fame for his defense of Fort Erie. After the outbreak of the Civil War, the Confederates finished the final touches.

After visiting Fort Gaines we took the ferry across Mobile Bay to Fort Morgan and then drove to Gulf State Park. Once we got settled we headed over to the "Bird of Paradise" biplane rides.

Oh, it was so much fun! We got to wear leather jackets, helmets and goggles.

Susanna and I loved it while Amy found better joy on ground. She got sick on the ride and says she'll never ride a biplane again! But Priscilla says it was almost as comforting as the train.

Well, I better go since everyone is tired. I hope you are having as much fun as us. See you soon.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth