It's Raining, It's Pouring

We have encountered some very wet weather lately in lower Alabama!!  I believe it has rained HARD for the past three days and according to reports almost 6 inches in those 3 days!!
Rain doesn't stop the fun and festivities of Mardi Gras at Rainbow Plantation or the gulf area!!  

During the ice cream social at the clubhouse on Sunday Mike and I were eagerly persuaded to dress up for the costume parade on Sunday evening.  The theme this year centered around "occupations of the world" and Mike and I were going to be an elephant and an elephant trainer.  Our good friends, Mike and Peggy Evringham, were going to be a bee and a bee keeper.         

So the push was on for a costume for an elephant trainer.  After much thinking, looking and wrestling with what I should wear we unanimously decided to approach this as a safari type look.  Since I normally don't wear safari clothing we went on search for something to fit that look.  I found a shirt and hat at Academy Sports so I felt a little better about the costume part.  Mike had it made in that Norm and Linda Payne just happened to have an adorable elephant costume and offered to loan it to Mike for the event.  Now to just have fun and not make a total fool out of ourselves!!                

Things went well last night (Sunday) with many of the couples dressed up and just plain having tons of fun!!  We were unable to get any pictures since our hands were full (and the elephant had no hands at all) but we did get this cute picture at the end of our time parading around!!

The Judge charging the king and queen with their duties

One of 2 skits

The second skit

Thursday found us reunited with our friends Gene and Judi Curp.  We first met Gene and Judi at Rainbow Plantation during our stay there the winter of 2010.  We have remained friends but unfortunately haven't been able to see them in several years....7 to be exact.  They no longer full-time but still love RVing and are avid backpackers and hikers.  We met them as well as Mike and Peggy Evringham, Norm and Linda Payne and Don and Gloria Martin at Big Daddy's Grill for a delicious lunch and wonderful conversation!! 

Gene and Judi are the last 2 on the right side

 Lots of catching up, reminiscing and laughter!! All too soon it was time for them to head further north so we said our "see ya laters" and off they went.  Mike and I do hope to make a trip up toward the Smokey Mountains and see them very soon.  

We managed to make a drive to Perdido Key Beach later on Thursday.  The weather had a brief break and there were moments of sunshine....not much though.  Perdido Key Beach is east of Gulf Shores.  We had a very nice drive through Orange Beach as we headed toward Florida and Perdido Key Beach.  
We found a nice pull over and walked on the beach and just enjoyed the time watching the waves come in, the birds playing and a group of guys boogie boarding.  A very nice afternoon!!
              

That same evening we almost made it to the pier at Fairhope in time for the sunset.  We did manage to get a few nice shots of post sunset.  It is always nice to be on the pier and just enjoy the people and water.  I also like looking at the boats docked there as well.  It was a beautiful evening, still no rain, and the temperatures were pleasant.               

      

Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday and the fun and festivities of Mardi Gras will end for this year!!  It has been lots of fun being at Rainbow Plantation for this fun celebration!!  We will have dinner at the clubhouse and the king and queen will bid their adieus and then the announcement of next years theme will be made.  

Stay tuned for Fat Tuesday!!!