BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND PENSACOLA HISTORIC DISTRICT

Magnificent old Live Oak trees provide deep shade in the park square for those sultry Southern summer days.

We celebrated Walter's birthday by having lunch at Jamie's, a famous French restaurant, and then meandered over to Dhrama Blue's for the best cheesecake we have ever eaten.

Fragrant Jasmin was everywhere in downtown Pensacola.
This was considered a middle class home in the 1800s. A tug boat captain and his family were the owners of this home. Guests were not allowed in the private spaces of the home--the upstairs, kitchen and "family room". These curtain would be closed to prevent guests from entering the family room or kitchen. Guests were only permitted in the dinning room and living room.

One of the earliest sewing machines with foot pedal action. Below, the stove is used to heat two irons that share one handle so that ironing became "easier" from earlier when only one iron could be heated over the fire to heat and reheat to continue ironing.

The above is a glass model of the Maine US Steamship with the inscription "Remember the Maine" because citizens were told by the warmongering media and the government that the death of its sailors in an explosion while anchored off Havana was the result of a Spanish attack on the ship - this was the "Gulf of Tonkin (in Vietnam)" - like trigger the US used to justify war on Spain. It has now come to light that the ship was not attacked by Spain, but equipment in the engine room blew up and caused the sinking.

The techniklavier above is a silent piano; so called, because it has a very quiet sound for practicing and not disturbing others. It has removable legs and closes-up into a box so the pianist could take it with her while traveling. A grand piano was in another part of the house.

Above is the dressing table for the lady of the house. Below, in the 1800s, is when the first in-house kitchens became popular with safer stoves and the availability of an ice box.

PENSACOLA - HISTORIC DISTRICT

One of the streets in the Historic District.

Above is a grill for fish and meats. The coals on the bottom and grill above. Below are a sample of cooking pots used in the 1700s.

This was the typical bed of the 1700s. The base is a rope grid and every so often it was necessary to tighten these ropes to keep the sleeping surface tight. This is were the phrase "sleep tight" comes from.
An outdoor bread and pie oven was also used for other baked goods. The oven was heated to baking temperature by making a wood fire in it. The coals and most of the ashes were removed just before baking. The loaves were baked on the floor of the oven, so, the wealthiest and most privileged would always demand the part without ashes and coal dust which was the "upper crust", and that is where that saying comes from.

Above a keeper for breads and other foods. This was hung up high to keep mice and rats away. It was also locked and the key kept by mom as food was scarce and other family members were not to eat any of the food for snacks. Below is a waffle iron that was held over the fire while the waffle cooked. Our guide, a college student, did an excellent job of recreating that time for us.

Passing Pensacola Bay as we leave the Historic District. You can see where balast stones were placed as a breakwater.

NAVARRE AND DESTIN BEACH - FLORIDA'S PANHANDLE

Destin Beach has the softest white sand and beautiful water color and clarity. On this day, the red flags were up warning folks of heavy surf.

Destin Beach did not seem very damaged by hurricanes; however, the yellow building is still being renovated.

One of the many canals on the sound-side of Navarre Beach and one of many homes rebuilt since Hurricane Ivan. To the right and across the pond (made by Ivan) are where other homes used to be. Many homes standing still have deep sand on their driveway and even the roads that are off the main thoroughfare.

This is one of many For Sale signs. It looked like up to 40% of houses and lots were for sale.

Navarre Beach between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach in the panhandle of Florida was devastated by Hurricane Ivan. Three years later much of the damage can still be seen. 7 miles of beach road between Fort Pickens in Pensacola to Navarre Beach is closed with areas of up to 3 feet of sand on the road and an area where the ocean broke through the road leaving a large gap in the road that is still filled with water. The house behind me, while still standing, is seriously leaning to the right. Below, another beach house in ruins.