The distance through Alabama along the coastal road is only just over 80 miles, so we did not get to see much of Alabama, but just on the eastern side of Mobile is a naval museum, where the USS Alabama is moored (actually stored, as it is no longer in service), as well as naval aircraft and landing craft. When I saw this from the highway, we immediately did a U-turn and headed back to the museum.

It was very well worth the detour and stop. We went aboard the USS Alabama, a WWII, steam-powered battleship. I could just not believe how large the gun barrels are and how high the ship is.

When we arrived I noticed a few of the aircraft on display were quite badly damaged and thought it strange the displays were not in good nick - however later we found out why. In the information centre there were photos and videos of Hurricane Katrina, taken from the battleship which showed how the aircraft were tossed about by the wind like little Dinky toys, hence the damage.

By now we had had our fill of hurricane damaged buildings, transportation and landscape so we decided to head for sunny Florida as quickly as possible.