The Coast

It is amazing to watch the sun rise above the ocean, no matter where you are. Biloxi is one of those places where you can sit back and relax. It makes all the stress leave you. You walk down to the beach and take an early morning stroll. The beach is golden under the sun's rays. The waves crash against the shore and shore birds cry in the early morning hunt for food. A warm ocean breeze blows your hair. The sand grinds beneath your feet. A tiny blue crab scurries after the retreating tide before a seagull spots it. Another wave reaches the shore and drags the little crab back into the sea. Looking out at the horizon you can see sailboats anchored to their own spots on the water. You drift back to your parent's vehicle with the wind.

After you leave Biloxi you only have to travel 35 miles to reach the Alabama state line. Before you cross over the border you pass over multiple bayous and rivers. The bayous stretch out to both sides of you. They are like giant lakes filled with floating islands or a field of grass with wide paths carved by the artistic hand of water. When you aren't traveling over the bayous the roadway is lined with swamp trees and grass.

After you cross into Alabama you travel down the tree lined road. There is lush green grass on both sides of the interstate. On your right you can see spots where wild pigs have rooted. About half an hour later you reach Mobile. As you travel through town most of the areas buildings you see are industrial. You pass the USS Alabama. It is a battleship that was in commission during WWII. The giant gray metal ship looks like a giant armored tank with giant guns forcing their way into the sky. The guns bores are more than 2 feet in diameter. The artillery shells stand almost 5 feet tall and could obviously do damage. The powerful ship is tied to the shore with ropes as round as a plate. As you cross a bridge you are able to see a 270-degree view of the ship.

You enter the sunshine state a short time later. You drive past one of the best beaches in the United States, Pensacola Beach. It has powder white sand beaches. And the water is unbelievably warm. Most of the year the beach is swamped with people. So many memories are made every year on that beach. A little further down the road you pass Navarre. Navarre is quieter than Pensacola, without the rowdy partying crowds. It is much more surrene and relaxing. Sadly, you must watch the beach pass by. If only you had the time. The waves retreat to the sea as they disappear behind you.

The number of waterways you pass over seem to be infinite. Some are small streams others are rivers. Whichever waterway it is it has turtles. And we aren't talking two here and one there. We are talking on every log and rock. They pile on top of each other like football players on the ball. Eventually, you pass through the capital, Tallahassee, and then head south. Tallahassee is not a very famous city compared to others in the state. It is similar to Sacramento in California. A big city, yes, but not talked about.

Before you get to Orlando it is dark. The moon beats down sending a soft glow to the tall palm trees around you. It is a soothing glow that sends you into a sleepy trance. Before you know it your parents have stopped in town for the night. Not caring where you're at you climb into bed and every care leaves you as you drift into a very deep sleep.