The Westward Trek Begins

Hot Driving-Four States, Hot Flying-With Angels, and Hot Sauce-For Flavor

On the Road Again – Crystal River, FL. to Avery Island, LA.

Our journey officially started with a three-day LTV (Leisure Travel Vans) Club rally with the Florida Flamingles in Crystal River, Florida—an unforgettable weekend gathering of over 150 enthusiastic attendees and nearly 80 rigs.

After two years at the helm, LisaMarie and I officially passed the leadership torch to a new team. And just like that, we were back to being "regular members"—and we are pretty excited about it! We're already looking forward to attending the next rally, this time with fewer responsibilities and more time for the fun stuff. Once the rally wrapped, the open road called—and we didn't hesitate to answer. Here we go!

We drove six scenic hours around Florida's Big Bend, chasing Gulf Coast sunshine to Pensacola Beach. We parked the rig and settled in for a two-night stay filled with good vibes and even better company. That first evening, we raised our glasses to toast our dear friends Mark and Rosana on their recent retirement. Sunshine, salty air, and a shared celebration were perfect for a great night.

The next morning started with a brisk walk and ended with goosebumps. Why? Two words: Blue Angels. We watched these elite pilots tear across the sky in a heart-pounding practice show that defied gravity and logic.

Our jaws were hanging open the whole time (and maybe still are). The show is at Pensacola Air Station, where we also found another treasure: the National Naval Aviation Museum, one of the largest in the world. With aircraft spanning over 100 years, this place is an aviation lover's dream—and a fascinating stop for anyone who appreciates history and heroics.

Later, we explored downtown Pensacola for lunch, where the girls ducked into a few boutiques while Mark and I scoped out the legendary Old Hickory Whiskey Bar. With over 750 whiskeys to choose from—yes, 750!—this cozy, atmospheric spot lives up to its reputation. I chose a lovely aged Irish Whiskey, (Blue Spot) tripled distilled and aged during three separate stages, in three different barrels, it was marvelous!

The bar was named after President Andrew Jackson (aka "Old Hickory"), who raised the American flag over Florida for the first time in 1821, the bar blends history and hospitality in all the best ways. Let's say we didn't leave thirsty.

From there, it was westward ho! We cruised through Alabama and Mississippi, finally rolling into Louisiana with a hot date in mind: Avery Island, also known as the Isle of Iberia—home of Tabasco. And trust us, it was anything but a gimmick.

The Tabasco factory tour was impressively immersive, with fascinating exhibits, spicy (and sweet!) tastings, and a fun luncheonette featuring tasty gumbos and chilis that made our brows sweat.

We loved our little Louisiana flavor with a "down the bayou" extra kick. The gift shop was fantastic, and had WAY too many items to choose from.

The McIlhenny family, who founded the Tabasco brand back in 1868, didn't just create a legendary hot sauce and built a legacy rooted in heritage, stewardship, and a deep respect for the land. For over 150 years, the family has produced their famous fiery condiment on the island and has been dedicated to preserving its rich ecosystem. Edward Avery McIlhenny, in particular, was a noted conservationist who helped save the snowy egret from extinction (mostly because of the fashion trend to wear feathers in hats) and cultivated thousands of exotic plants across the island, now called Jungle Gardens.

Before returning to the rig, we took some time to explore Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre semitropical paradise developed by Edward McIlhenny himself. Winding trails led us through moss-draped live oaks,

serene lily ponds, bamboo groves and camellias, and a few alligators!

We spotted a few snowy egrets gliding gracefully over "Bird City" - a rookery nick-named by Teddy Roosevelt. (Lisa reminded me how Teddy R., as president, played a vital role in growing the National Park System and strongly advocated conservation.)

Between the lush plant life and the sense of deep history rooted in every turn, it felt like driving through a living postcard.

Refreshed and inspired, we returned to our camp for a light dinner and rest before our next big drive. We've got a couple more long days ahead of us to reach our first two National Parks in New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Park. Here we come!