Weekend in Mobile Part 2

 After breakfast at the hotel we checked out and headed for Dauphin Island.  Where we thought it was and where it actually was were two completely different places so we sucked it up, followed the GPS and arrived quite nicely, thank you very much.

Unfortunately, the beautiful Alabama weather I had hoped for wasn't to be so instead of laying on the beach we strolled a bit and gathered shells for souvenirs.  Oh, and photographed each other.

blogger

 Fort Gaines was not on the agenda but you're there, and how many waterfront forts will you see in your lifetime....hence, we stopped.  The history is long so you can check out the link if you're interested.

Yes, this is a group toilet.  And yes, Jeff is acting again.  We think.

 After the drive back to Prattville we settled in with another hot dice game in pajamas and if memory serves me I'm pretty sure the females were victorious again and again.  Of course.  I also attempted to watch my first Nascar race on television (which included a two hour fire fighting marathon) but after actually sleeping through it my brother kindly suggested I go to bed since at 11 PM it was already 2 hours past my bedtime.  This was very nice of him though I think he actually just wanted the couch I was on so he could sleep through the riveting race himself.

Weekend in Mobile Part 1

After the 2 1/2 hour drive to Mobile Saturday morning we headed to the Gulf Port's Largest Flea Market.  It had all kinds of goodies from fresh farmer's market items & electronics to a guy specializing in denim shirts and then a whole section devoted to puppies, kittens and birds.  I believe the only purchase was the grey jacket Tom is sporting in this pix but it came very much in handy as it grew breezy and a tad rainy through the afternoon.

Next up was lunch at the Original Oyster House, right on the water.  Deep fried fish platter, shrimp salads and Tom's fish dish that none of us could remember how to pronounce...but they were all yummy!  Nothing like fresh fish!

Right out back of the restaurant was where we had reservations to take an airboat ride.  The driver in giving us instructions and gauging what our comfort level was asked if we wanted to go slower or fast.....of course, the boys (men) said...."yeah, we're up for fast" so once we got out of the dock area, we were off!

Um, yes we do feel compelled to catch every moment on camera.

There is something about riding on a boat that is headed directly for this grassy area at a right rate of speed that is somewhat disheartening.  I was pretty sure we were going to meet our demise out in the swamps of Alabama where our driver had already warned us there were plenty-o-alligators.

Cypress trees growing along the water's edge.  It's roots go out from the tree and then these pieces of wood grow up from the roots.  Those are the pieces our new wood carving friend uses for her carved Santas!

Ah, that pretty wind blown look!

Baby alligator nest.

So we pull up next to a pathway that is very wet and mushy

and our guide has us follow him on foot to this small little nest of baby alligators.  We have to be very quiet however because the bumpy, mushy area he is standing on is very likely where the mother alligator is, under the mound of mud.  Um.  Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure I've heard more than a million times that the last thing you want to do is mess with a mama's baby unless you want to lose a limb.  Can't think of any animal (or reptile) that principle doesn't apply to in any "how to avoid getting killed by another living thing" 101 class.  So yeah, he reaches in, takes one out and has us walk the few feet back to the boat for photos.  Even he sees the wisdom in not handling the infant in front of the mother, I suppose.

We stayed in the boat while crazy (oh by the way, this may be against the law) alligator handler took the baby back to it's nest.  I had only opted for a quick pet of it's leathery head as I was already trying to figure out if I could handle the air boat back to dock once our guide had been eaten by mama A. who I was sure was laying in wait for him back at the nest. We all returned safe and sound after an hour trip through the swamps and open water.  No other alligators to be seen but plenty of marked trails through the tall grass coming out into the water.

Obligatory tourist snapshot in front of blatant advertisement set up for just this purpose.

Next stop:  U.S.S. Alabama

Jeff doing some on board acting ala Titanic

This was just down the street from where we were so with only an hour before closing, we, in the way only Campbell's can, vowed to see the entire ship AND submarine before closing.

On board chapel

Fortunately the submarine was basically empty of tourists as this made for a quick see which our time frame and my claustrophobia were both grateful.  They let scout troops come and spend the night on the ship so there were dozens of wild boys and already stressed-looking leaders & dads waiting outside the gate for those stupid tourists (yes, we walked out right after 5 PM) to leave so they could get in and begin their all night terrorism.

Comfy.

We wrapped up the evening with a comedy of errors hunt for A) dice game called Toss Up! and B) dinner.  It started at our hotel and ended up with us leaving Jeff and Karen at Walmart, scouring the area for a pizza joint (don't make me re-tell Tom's aversion to pizza chain eateries), working that GPS like no one's business, making the rounds back to pick up J & K with no food in hand.  Re-driving the same bridge 5 times trying to find someplace that was actually open on a Saturday night and finally settling for a Jimmy John's.  Yes, I do know this is chain outfit but since we had never eaten there before, that doesn't count.  Veggie sandwich was yummy (great bread which is usually the disappointment for us at sandwich joints), then a Toss Up tournament with boxed candy to wrap up the evening!

Day 2 Historic Montgomery

Great Alabama weather not so good on this Friday!

 We started bright and early with a trip to the Alabama State Capitol in downtown Montgomery.  Lots of alabaster, portraits of governors including George Wallace, and statues of famous Alabamians like Helen Keller.  I however, love the architecture and antiques.

The looking up the staircase view

Capitol Dome

Next on the tour was Old Alabama Town.  Kind of like a Pioneer Village for you Lagoon referencers but six blocks of homes, shops, slave quarters and such to give you a feel of what a village would have been like.  The potter was out but we got to go in the wood carver's shop and met Carol Jean Boyd and all her gorgeous carvings.  The shop smelled so good and her darling Santa's made from Cypress wood were awesome.  Unfortunately they run in the $800 range for originals so I may have to opt for a resin version.

We had tour guides in some buildings and others were self guided.  After a couple of hours there, Tom called and was finished with school so we headed to the base to
pick him up for more fun!

Jeff preaching at the church.

The School House

We ran across Mrs. B's right after we moved here but hadn't eaten there (other than the collard greens she insisted we try when she found out we'd never had them before) so we decided for real Southern fare we ought to go there.  It's in a pretty run down neighborhood but full of gregarious, friendly people (including Mrs. and Mr. B)who are more than happy to tell you what's good and I can guarantee if you tell them you've never had sweet tea before (a southern staple) you WILL be trying it. Karen found THAT out!  I don't even think they have a website but this is the place that the locals don't want anyone else to know about.  Fried chicken, ribs, smothered pork chops, catfish.....yep all that yummy soul food.

After lunch we headed to the First White House of the Confederacy for some more historical grazing.  Beautiful rooms that Jefferson Davis and his family had lived in along with trinkets, clothing and lots of interesting history.

We also did a drive by of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church where Dr. King pastored for six years as well as some other downtown landmarks, then we hit the Hank Williams Museum where there are NO cameras allowed.  It's a family owned museum right downtown Montgomery that houses the car Hank died in, furniture, photos, his suits and any many other things lovingly collected. Clearly, the family had strong feelings about Hank.  I mentioned a show I'd seen recently about a contesting of Hank Williams will and the woman running the place gave us a very long and passionate explanation about what SHE thought of the whole will shenanigans!  We had a good time but it was a long day so we headed home for a home cooked meal and packing for our weekend getaway!

Little Bro Comes For Visit!

 Jeff and Karen came at the end of February for a few days to enjoy all that is Alabama.  First stop after I picked them up at the airport in Birmingham was the LDS Temple.  No visitors center so we just snapped photos of the grounds.

 Thought we should kick off their visit with some cajun food so we hit Uncle Mick's in downtown Prattville.  He lets you sample the evening's offerings before you order...things like Crab Meat Au Gratin, Crawfish Étouffée, Alligator & Sausage Piquante along with rice, beans and black-eyed peas.  AND he had the place decorated with a plethora of tasteful Mardi Gras beads and the like.

 After dinner we strolled around downtown a bit before returning home for them to relax after a long day of flying.  Lucky for them I had a full itinerary for the next day!