Vacation?

This past weekend our team here in Montgomery had Saturday and Sunday off. Since going back to St. Louis didn't make much sense, Emily and I decided to head down to the coast for some time at the beach. Jim was more interested in some downtime so he opted not to come along. On Saturday we went to Pensacola Beach and sat out in the sun for a few hours before driving over to Mobile to meet up with the AmeriCorps team that's been working down there. I don't think we could've dreamed of better weather; high 80s, nice breeze and not a cloud in the sky.

I had stopped through Mobile a few weeks back, but it was in the area right off the highway. We headed downtown this time, and I found out it's beautiful city. I haven't been to New Orleans, but from what I've heard Mobile is a smaller, cleaner version of New Orleans. The downtown area is filled with older buildings and small square parks every couple of blocks. The city sits right on the Mobile Bay. The best thing of all was that there were restaurants in downtown Mobile that weren't chains. I think all of Montgomery has 4 restaurants that aren't franchises (almost like Green Bay).

After stopping by a sports bar and catching the end of the Cards, Notre Dame, Michigan and LSU games we headed over to a woman's house who has adopted our Members in Mobile over the last two years (Ivan and Katrina). She and her husband live in a beautiful old house a few blocks from downtown. We were treated to some homecooking and wonderful Southern Hospitality. Not only did we have someone make us dinner, we stayed with another family who has opened up their home to the 3 guys who have been staying in Mobile. Other than when I was in St. Louis last weekend, I slept better than any other night I've had while on disaster. I don't even know the last time I woke up in the morning and felt so refreshed.

Sunday we headed down to Gulf Shores in Alabama where there was a Shrimp Festival. We hung out at the beach for a couple of hours (enough time for me to get slightly burnt, but not to the point where it hurts) before grabbing some food at the festival. The shrimp I had was incredible. With the weather being a little warmer than the day before, I got to the point where I had to jump into the water for a quick dip. I had been hesitant earlier because the water doesn't have it's usual blue-green color due to the hurricane, and locals are saying it's probably not the cleanest water to swim in right now.

As we were driving back to Montgomery (I almost typed home.......that's scary) we made one last stop to a farmer's market that was selling pecan pie. I will go on record as saying this is not only the best pecan pie I've ever had, it may be the best pie I've ever had. It's incredible and there's still plenty in the fridge so I can enjoy for the next few days.

So while everyone back in the North has been experiencing the changing leaves and temperatures, I was sitting on the beach soaking up the sun, eating shrimp and pecan pie and wondering when I'm going back home. At this point, I'm thinking it should be this coming weekend, but with Wilma down in the Caribbean that might be put on a hold until after the weekend. Either way, I should be coming home with a small tan.

Still in Montgomery

Today is day 39 of my time down in the South. This past weekend, I got a much-needed last minute trip home to St. Louis (those days in St. Louis still go towards the total on disaster). Friday afternoon, Jim and I (Jim is another Outreach Member, who just got to Montgomery last week after spending time in Jackson, MS and Baton Rouge, LA) found out that we would be getting the weekend off plus Monday off for Columbus Day (not a real holiday, but I'll take it). I started thinking about it, and decided it made sense for us to go home since we wouldn't be missing any work time, the Corps was already looking into getting us time off soon, and Emily, who had been down in Montgomery and was in St. Louis for a wedding, would have a way to get back to Montgomery. After making a few calls and waiting anxiously for the green light, Jim and I were in the van on our way back to St. Louis.

The time back in St. Louis was great. I didn't do anything that was incredibly fun, but just to be back and see some of the people I've grown close to in the last year and to meet some of the newbies was just what I needed. As is typical when your working a ton and then get some time off, I didn't really catch up on sleep, but at least I got to sleep in my own bed for a few nights. It also was a chance to enjoy the fall weather, although after getting used to being in 80 degree temperatures everyday, the seasonal temperatures were difficult to adjust to in a short time.

By Monday, it was time to make the trip back to Montgomery. Leaving was not easy at all. It felt like the first day of school after Christmas Break, minus the excitement of sharing what presents you got. The drive seemed to go pretty quickly, too quickly if you ask me. Walking into the apartment we live in was one of the more depressing moments I've been through in a while. I think that quick taste of being back in St. Louis made realize how much I missed being there.

The good news is that we seem to be approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. Jim, Emily and I have been working this week to try and close things up in Montgomery. The call center is nearly dormant and with so few donations and volunteers coming in, we have plenty of time to close out some of things we've been working on. I hate to speculate on when we'll be out of here, but unless we are given an expanded role, I can't imagine us being here much beyond next weekend (Oct. 21st.) There's a chance that when we leave, we may still be coming back for a couple of days in the coming weeks to transition the VISTAs who will be taking over the Volunteer and Donations Operation for the next year. If that's the case it would be a quick stint with a defined timeline of when we would be returning to St. Louis.

I'm still not ruling out that I won't be back down here again for a extended period at some point during my term. I'm not opposed to deploying to Mississippi in the coming months if that's where the Corps most needs me. I still have high expecations for my role as a recruiter for AmeriCorps St. Louis, but I signed on for a second year not just to recruit, but to continue my service to others. In the meantime, I'll keep on plugging away and not worrying about what the future holds.