It began with a trip to the Gulf Coast Exploreum, a museum dedicated to making science fun. With the only IMAX theater on the Gulf Coast, and a 3-D Virtual theater, it attracts families from all around, and hosts traveling exhibits throughout the year. There are also museums dedicated to safety and security, the Phoenix Fire Museum and the Mobile Police Department Museum. And at the Mobile Carnival Museum, Girlawhirl learned that Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States. The museum has a large collection of gowns and jewelry worn by the royal Mardi Gras court, and there's even a full size parade float.

A few blocks from the Exploreum, the A & M Peanut Shop roasts peanuts in a 90-year old roaster. The smell of the roasted legumes greeted Girlawhirl as soon as she opened the door, and the collection of odd shaped peanuts in the “goober gallery” was both ridiculous and incredible.

The peanuts piqued Girlawhirl's hunger. So for lunch, Girlawhirl grabbed a sandwich from one of the many local restaurants on Dauphin Street and found a quiet place in Bienville Square. This tree filled park was named for Mobile's founder, Jean Baptist le Moyne Sieur de Bienville, a French naval officer who became the governor of French Louisiana. In 1890, an “Acanthus Fountain” called the Bienville Square Fountain was built to honor Dr. George A. Ketchum, a prominent physician, president of the Bienville Water Works, and advocate for clean water.

And for a little more history, Girlawhirl stopped along the shores of Mobile Bay at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. She was quite impressed with the collection of aircraft along with the battleship and submarine at the park.

With so many festivals and special events happening in the Mobile area, Girlawhirl is sure she'll have another opportunity to visit.