In what seems like a blink of an eye it’s over and we’re back.

I love the feeling of calmness that comes over me when I see the Confederation Bridge. https://www.confederationbridge.com/site/about

Grateful to live on this beautiful island.

I’m not very good at just relaxing when I get back. Right at the unpacking. Not all done but hopefully soon.

So today.

Oh my. How nice to sleep in a bit longer. Up at 6:00. Breakfast at 7:00 at The Egg And I.

First sure sign we’re further north. When I ordered tea it was automatically assumed I wanted hot. Wasn’t even asked.

This was a bit weird. The waitress brought our tea and coffee but when we said we’re ready to order she said, “I’m not ready.“ and walked away. What? How does that sound to you?

I promised you I’d show you a picture of Richard’s favourite breakfast from there. Here it is. Oops. He’d already eaten one egg and some fried potatoes before I remembered.

When the man who brought our food to us came back to see how everything was I told him how delicious the raisin bread toast was. (I think they coat the crust in brown sugar.) He laughed and replied, “We know.”

Then when I later asked him for the restroom he pointed and said, “All the way to Miami.”

Ok. I get it. This is their sense of humour. They weren’t being offensive. Just humorous. All in fun.

Great day for driving. Sunny and hardly any traffic. Sweet.

Had to show you a picture of this from one of the rest stops. Love it. How many of you remember Smokey the Bear?

In Borden at 5:15. First day to begin and stop in daylight. Grateful.

Thanks for all your wishes for us to have safe travels. So grateful.

Home – Phillip Phillips

Take care and stay healthy.

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

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That’s a good thing to remember especially when travelling. And I am grateful. And I tell Richard that. He does all the driving as I’m nervous about doing it. I’m sure I could if I HAD to but I rather not. I’m also grateful that he’s so calm when he drives. He’s super carful and so observant especially when so many cars dart in and out of lanes. Grateful.

So today.

On the road at 4:30. We gave ourselves an extra half hour of sleep. Little things can make a lot of difference. Grateful.

But unlike yesterday’s nice weather this morning gave us rain. Boo Hoo.

After three hours of driving in the rain in the dark I made the executive decision for us to stop. Now we don’t usually stop for breakfast but I felt we (esp.Richard) needed a break. It’s stressful on the eyes and head watching for trucks in the rain.

First place I spotted – McDonalds.

The strangest McDonalds I’ve ever been in. No personnel at the counter. So we ordered at the machine. What? No bacon egg McMuffins. No muffins. Limited menu. They don’t carry all products. We were disappointed as were others. The only workers we saw/heard were when our number was called. Different.

More driving.

The last two years when returning home we took a route that skirted New York City. It always made me severely stressed. Thank you Richard. I’m so grateful you chose to go the I 84 route so I’d be more relaxed. Grateful.

This year the drive down took us four days and three nights. The drive back home? It’s only going to be three days and two nights. 🤞🏼Grateful.

Made it to Ogunquit, Maine at 4:30. Then supper. Could have walked the Marginal Way but it’s been a tiring two days.

https://www.ogunquit.org/marginal-way/#:~:text=This%20famed%2C%20paved%20cliff%20walk,and%20enjoy%20the%20crashing%20surf.

A couple of things I forgot yesterday. Yes, that’s how tired I was.

The highlight of yesterday’s drive happened within the first half hour. We saw six deer munching along the side of the road. Must have been a nice breakfast as they looked up and then continued eating. No pictures as it was dark and we came upon them very quickly. Lovely to see but extremely glad they weren’t on the road. 😰

At one of the Alabama rest stops, Mr. Observant spotted a little wooden squirrel bench attached to a tree. I was sure I took a picture but I can’t find it. Sorry.

Plan to take it easier tomorrow. Breakfast. At 7:00. Yes a real breakfast at The Egg and I almost across the street from us. It’s one of Richard’s favourites. He’s been eating there since 1983. That’s a long time. He loves their corned beef hash. If I remember, and you know I’m not the greatest at that, I’ll take a picture and share it with you.

In for the night. 🥱 Had a lovely FaceTime with Jared, Katelyn, and little David. Loved it.

Grateful – David Campbell

Take care and stay healthy.

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That’s enough todaying for today.

Easter Day. On the road at 3:57 am. Great start. Took the Foley Beach Express (toll road) for the first time. Well worth the $5.

First stop—-BUC-EE’S

Then driving. And driving. And driving. Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. With it being Easter we thought the traffic would be less. Not at all. A lot of traffic.

We do make sure to stop every 2 1/2 – 3 hours for a rest stop, a drink, a snack, and a walk. Helps.

Some sights along the way. Didn’t stop. Just saw from the car.

Thought this was a cute billboard.

Then an hour away from our night’s destination. This.

An hour and a half of crawling to get maybe three miles. Ugh. Although this was due to an accident (hope all were ok) it somehow made me think of a convoy.

Finally at Lexington, Virginia. In for the night. Didn’t even eat out. Accommodations? I can’t even go there. Ahhhh. Not even a coffee maker or cups. It’s true. You get what you pay for. Thank goodness we travel with an electric kettle. Made tea and used my travel mug (thanks Lynn). We had protein bars and shared an apple.

Exhausted. Going to bed.

Convoy – C.W. McCall

Take care and stay healthy.

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Yup. Last day of winter vacay. All packed and ready to roll out of here at 4:00 am tomorrow morning.

And it will be a very long day. Our goal is to make it to Lexington, Virginia. 🙏🏼

So today a few odds and ends that I forgot to post.

This last month we’ve been in a condo in Orange Beach. We’ve seen a lot of these but never saw them in Gulf Shores. Some people own them but they are also available to rent. We’ve seen two seaters up to seven seaters.

Richard is always on the lookout for these. It’s been warm this week so they’re appearing.

I love this poster that’s on the bullion board outside the gym’s exercise rooms.

Yesterday at the Wharf when we had our flats ice cream we saw this.

A March sunset.

And as sad as it is to leave I’ll be happy to get back home and see family and friends again especially little David, although I imagine he’s grown a lot since I’ve been down south so probably not so little.

After all our eating out this week this may put a smile on your face. Tonight was clean out the fridge supper. Could have been worse. Leftover casserole, peas, and toast with peanut butter. Actually tasted good.

I’ll let you know tomorrow night how the day of driving went.

Going Home – Sissel

Take care and stay healthy.

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 “In order to write about life first you must live it.”

Ernest Hemingway

And that’s what we’ve been doing. Lots of living.

Now lots of lasts.

First- last eating out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (over the last few days- not all at once. Not that piggy.)

We returned to Another Broken Egg for breakfast. I was more prepared and made a better choice. Richard enjoyed his new choice too.

Lunch at Happy Pappys Cafe. I just had a latte but Richard had his absolute favourite, Chicken Salad Croissant. He loves this sandwich. He once thought it was bits of red potatoes in it but, oops, nope. It’s red onion.

Beautiful sunny day yesterday so we went to Cobalt for dinner. We asked to sit outside but once there we quickly changed our minds and asked to sit inside. Way too windy.

I forgot to take entree pics but remembered the most important one. Richard’s favourite dessert here. Crème Brûlée. Again. He loves it.

Today? Last ice cream from Kilwins. I’ll miss their Chocolate Peanut Butter. My favourite. Sooooo good. Forgot to take a pic so here’s a stock photo.

Today was our last gym day. I’ll miss it. There are so many classes offered and at a very reasonable monthly rate. $47.50 each. Decent right?

We completed the gym’s Walk The Line challenge and we’re so surprised and excited to get our t shirts today. Yay.

I’ll tell you what blew my mind today. We’re right in the Bible Belt. Residents are very religious and there are many churches. Yet today, Good Friday, everything was open. The gym, the library, grocery stores, department stores, etc. Everything open. Yes it blew my mind.

And of course there’s been lots of packing. Wish I could say that one of our lasts is packing but sadly we’ve got more to do tomorrow. I like to do a bit each day. Richard? The last day. That’s not for me. I’d be too stressed.

Although this winters weather has been cooler than past years we have had great weather this week. A nice way to end.

And talking about lasts this could be our last winter down here. 😭😭

One – rental prices are getting so extremely high it’s difficult to justify the cost.

Two – a lot of people don’t want to rent March to Snowbirds as they prefer to rent that month to Spring breakers. More money for them. (The beach house we rent won’t rent to us in March.)

Three – we moved to a condo for March this year and it wasn’t for us. Didn’t like having to switch mid holiday and didn’t like sitting on the balcony smelling other’s cigarette smoke.

This Could Be The Last Time – The Rolling Stones

Take care and stay healthy.

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

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“There’s a sense of freedom that comes with walking barefoot on the beach.” “Walking by the beach, I feel a sense of connection to nature and everything around me.”

https://lineupmedia.fm/walk-by-the-beach-quotes/

Started the day by going out to breakfast. Usually thats our Sunday ritual but today we were rebels. 😉

Trying to get in all our new spots. Today was Another Broken Egg. https://www.anotherbrokenegg.com/

What a great menu. So many options. Too many options. I ended up just ordering a cheese omelette as I couldn’t make up my mind. I know. Boring. That’s me in a nutshell. Unbelievable choices and that’s what I ordered. Richard couldn’t believe it. What can I say. At least he made up for my lack of adventure. His choice? The Hash Brown Benedict. In case, like me, you’re never heard of it I’ll explain what it was.

Ham and cheese stuffed crispy hash brown croquettes, topped with poached eggs, mushroom herbed hollandaise and red peppers. Served with grits or fresh country potatoes. He chose the potatoes.

Our orders arrived. Hmmmm. Look a little bare? Missing something?

She had to wait for the potatoes to cook.

Cute coffee mug. So cute that Richard bought two to go with the new Keurig he bought a few months ago.

From our booth we spotted this art work. Who am I kidding. Of course Richard spotted them. I am so unobservant. Thought they were so cool.

I may try to recreate something like them this summer to accompany the fish I made during the pandemic.

Finished the morning with a beautiful barefoot beach walk.

An added bonus: there was beach volleyball. So many courts I lost count. I searched online and this is all I could find so I’m assuming this is what we watched.

March 22-24, 2024- SHAKA BEACH BASH in Gulf Shores, AL

Friday- Coed Doubles

Saturday-M/W Doubles & AVP Big Money 

Sunday- Coed Quads

Shaka Beach volleyball was founded in 2021 in Gulf Shores, Alabama by two sisters looking for a community to call home. Shaka beach embodies a laid- back lifestyle and conveys the spirit of friendship and camaraderie.

We were surprised to see people in the water as a red flag was flying. Then we realized it was lifeguard training.

And further along our walk. Windy but loved the waves.

Hurricane Sally wiped out a 200-foot (61-meter) section of the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier on the Alabama coast in September 2020 just as it was about to reopen. The pier is anticipated to reopen in the summer of 2024. 

What a wonderful walk. Sad that it’s the last one for this winter but feeling extremely blessed that we’re able to come here and be enwrapped by sun, the wind, and the soothing music of the crashing waves.

Walkin’ on the Beach – Courtney Mondragon

Take care and stay healthy.

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Everything you see, you might be seeing for the last time.

Isaac Marion

Ah yes. Another last. My fav shopping spot down here.

First we went to Marshall’s. Like Winner’s it can be hit or miss. This time it was in between. We both got a few things.

Then off to the Mall. Can’t have a visit here without going to Starbucks. Yay. Love their lattes.

Out shopping we usually do T.J. Maxx together and then go our separate ways to visit our fav stores. Again this store can be hit or miss but today we did find a few items.

Funny story. I went to a shoe store looking for a new pair of Birkenstocks as the toe strap on mine broke the other day. I told the clerk what I was looking for: leather Birkenstocks. He tried very hard to convince me that what he was showing me were leather. Nope. They were not. And the price confirmed that. Then his last stab at a sale was telling me his mother loves leather and these were her favourite. Not buying it. My current ones are leather. The ones he tried to sell me were made of Birko-Flor. Birko-Flor® is a high-quality synthetic material. The upper layer is made of easy-to-care-for PVC, which has been lined on the inside with a soft, breathable layer of fleece. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and imagine he really thought they were leather. Who knows.

Then browsing. Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Coach, OshKosh, Gap, Nike. I was very good. No purchases. No room to pack anything else. Haha.

Baumhowers Victory Grille for lunch. https://www.baumhowers.com/about-us

It all started in 1981, when Bob Baumhower, the All-American from the University of Alabama and six time All-Pro for the Miami Dolphins, decided to share his foodie passion with the world and introduce Buffalo-style chicken wings to the state of Alabama. 

Fast forward to 2018. Following a name change to Baumhower’s Victory Grille in order to embrace the comprehensive and expansive menu featured at each restaurant, there are now ten total locations throughout the state of Alabama. 

His name means nothing to me. Don’t really follow sports.

Restaurant has a lot of TVs there.

We like it there. Great burgers. Definitely had to have them. They have a special burger if the day. At a lesser price. Well to be totally honest this was our fourth time here. Guess we do like it.

Two of their burgers.

DA BOSS

1/2 pound grind, applewood-smoked bacon, smoked cheddar cheese, LTOP, onion bun.

HANGOVER

1/2 pound grind, fried egg, American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and onion bun. LTOP available upon request.

Although we don’t often have dessert today we did. We shared an order of Beignets. Beignets are thought to have migrated with French settlers and were introduced to Louisiana when settlers made their home there. They were brought to New Orleans in the 18th century by French colonists, from “the old mother country”, also brought by Acadians, and became a large part of home-style Creole cooking. They are square shaped pieces of dough that are deep fried and generously sprinkled with confectioners sugar. They’re best served hot. And ours were. Very hot. And tasty.

And that’s that for this years shopping.

Fat Boys – Burger Pattern

Take care and stay healthy.

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We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

Jawaharlal Nehru

No matter how big or small, adventures are still adventures.

This morning we had small adventures.

Since moving to the condo for March we’ve been trying out some new to us eateries. Some successes. Some not.

Today’s was mostly a success. http://ducksdiner.com/

Lovely looking building. From the outside. Little rough on the inside. Must be a popular spot. Lots of customers. Great server. Friendly. Prompt. Can’t ask for more than that. I had a bacon/cheese omelette with fresh fruit and a homemade biscuit. Richard had corn beef hash (a favourite of his) with eggs, hash browns, and sourdough toast. Both meals were very good. No complaints at all.

But the funniest thing I’ve ever seen was in the bathroom. The two bathroom stalls had louvred doors with horizontal slats that are angled to admit light and air. Hmm. If they let in light doesn’t that mean you can see through the doors?

Not these and this is why.

On the inside of the doors they hung shower curtains. What? A first for me. Super funny and a bit bizarre but it worked.

After breakfast a walk was in order.

A few sights on the walk.

Back to the condo.

Now this shows how intelligent we are.

The condo complex has an indoor pool and a clubhouse. The clubhouse has a gym, small library, sauna, steam room, and washrooms with showers.

We’ve walked by them everyday. Never went in as you have to put in an entry code. We assumed only the permanent residents could use them.

Wrong.

This morning I was looking through the information paper they gave us and sure enough, there were the entry codes. Duh! I had previously read the paper but never turned it over. Isn’t that what we always told students? Read both sides of the paper? Lesson learned. From now on I’ll look at both sides.

Instead of being upset that we lost two weeks of its use I’m choosing to look at the positive and that we still have two weeks to use it.

And the rest was a relax day.

Adventure Of A Lifetime – Coldplay

Take care and stay healthy.

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“Last days are always the same. One part sadness, two parts excitement.” 

A.D. Aliwat, In Limbo

Although there’s still 21/2 weeks left down here the counting of the lasts has begun.

Today was our last visit to Fairhope. https://www.southernliving.com/travel/what-to-do-fairhope-alabama

First

B&B Pecan Company. https://pecangifts.com/ We made our annual stop.

B & B Pecan sits on 120 acres just south of downtown Fairhope. The pecan orchard is a mix of tall pecan trees over 70 years old and others that were planted just after the wreckage was cleared from Hurricane Sally. For more info on the many steps it takes for that pecan to reach your pie or Fairhope Chocolate turtle. https://gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/fairhopes-b-b-pecan-in-4th-generation-of-family-business-looks-ahead-to-serving-generations,192320

Sweet little shop with such friendly people. So many choices. Wouldn’t you just love to try one of each. Or maybe two?

And who knew there were so many varieties of pecans.

I told the lady there that I loved her sign. She said it’s how she informs people the correct way to say pecans. She said, “When people come in and ask where are the pecans (and they pronounce it Pee’ cans) she says, Right there at that sign.” That leads to her telling them the correct way to say it. She pronounces them Pe cahns’ ’’. Me too. Glad I said it the correct way.

Second

Richard to his favourite store. Dr. Music https://drmusic123.com/

Dr. Music opened in 1996. In 2022, owner Wade Wellborn opened a companion business, Dr. Music Audio, which focuses on selling equipment and repairs. Besides buying, selling, and trading new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and equipment, the shop sells unique gear.

Me to mine. Back on the Rack https://www.facebook.com/BackontheRackFairhope

Back on the Rack is an upscale women’s consignment shop in downtown Fairhope, Alabama. The store features an array of designer brand handbags, clothing, shoes, and formal gowns. Along with clothing, there is also a lovely selection of jewelry, wallets, and accessories. Some of the brands carried include Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dolce and Gabbana, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Coach, UGG Boots, Tom’s shoes, Kendra Scott jewelry, and more.

Richard bought a bit and I bought a bit. Success.

Third

We walked around the French Quarter, took less than five minutes, looking for a place to eat lunch. There was only Panini Pete’s, enormous line just waiting to get in and order. We had eaten there last year so we took a pass. https://paninipetes.com/

Fourth

We found a lovely spot, Thyme on Section. https://thymebythebay.com/

Here’s what we ordered. Guess who had which?

Normally I don’t have sandwiches but down here they talk a lot about pimento cheese so I just had to try it. Pimento cheese with roasted apples and smoked bacon on sourdough bread. Oh my word. Delicious. I could never have imagined it would be so yummy. Richard’s was good too.

Fifth

A walk about.

A few things we spotted. But this city has a great deal of art on display so I couldn’t post all of it.

And that was our day. It was warm, 24C, but not sunny. A wonderful day to walk around a favourite place.

My Favourite Things (The Sound of Music) – Julie Andrews

Take care and stay healthy.

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