Two people went searching for America, and couldn't find it anywhere

As far as we've encountered "Southern Hospitality" doesn't exist in rural Mississippi or Alabama. The countryside is great, and we've made a point to try to take back roads throughout this region, but it's becoming pretty obvious that we are not welcome here. I don't know if it's the tattoos, the out-of-state plates, or the northern accents, but folks don't seem to like us here. It's not outright hostility, mind you, but a very obvious indifference.

So we had a solution...Let's head to the beach!

We headed south through the winding roads of Mississippi, entered Alabama, and went straight to the Gulf Coast. I had no idea that anywhere in Alabama was this nice, but man, Gulf Shores, AL is beautiful. We got a nice little camp spot, and spent all day on the beach. We had no intention of having a beach leg of our trip, and it was a pleasant surprise to have some relief from the 100 weather.

Here is our AL camp spot. I woke up here in the AM with the worst hangover I've ever had. What do you get when you add several drinks, unbearable heat, and no way to escape from the sun? Misery...that's what. Taylor had to drive me to bathroom a hundred yards away. Good times.



Nice sunset in Alabama. Don't let the oncoming darkness fool you, because it was still blazing hot. In fact, we went swimming in the Gulf after dark, which was super refreshing. I did stunts in the water.



I think this was bullshit. I went gator huntin' and didn't find a thing.



Schneider! I totally got this one.



Part II: I like Pelicans

We decided to stick around the beach for an extra day, so we went down the road a stretch to Panama city Beach, FL. I was sticky, hung over, and smelly, so we got a cheap motel right across the street from an awesome, completely empty public beach.

Taylor is a complete beach babe. No big deal.



I, on the other hand, hate the sun. I wear more clothes on the beach than I do in the winter.




Super nice beach. I loved watching the pelicans dive for fish. Also, I am basically a body surfing world champion at this point. Taylor needs a few more lessons, for the record.