Blogs from Alabama, United States, North America - page 22

Southern Living.Thursday, June 17. I say goodbye and head out for the University of Alabama at Birmingham to snap a few pics then I’m on my way to the antebellum mansion of Arlington for a tour of the two-story home with its beautiful antique furnishings. Just before I get there, I spot a sign that makes me pull over. “Pig Lips. $2.99 a quart.” It’s just not something you see in Los Angeles. Or anywhere I’ve ever been before for that matter. Pictures? Oh yeah. At Arlington I met some darling teenage girls dressed in period costume who are volunteering their time there. Spend a few minutes talking to the girls about travel ‘cause I like to spread the word—especially amongst young women—that travel is exciting and educational and can be accomplished alone as well as ... read more

Well, I should not complain, because we have had a phenomenal trip for over 3 weeks, but last night was the first bad experience in a hotel on this trip. The Best Western in Athens Alabama is a true roach motel, with 1/3 of the shower covered in black mold and little critters crawling about. It was gross. Unfortunately, after such a long day of driving, there was absolutely no way I was going to get Brando to move out and find another hotel. Even though we have done a lot of camping in our lives, I was struggling to equate the lack of cleanliness to the great outdoors, because I would have preferred the fresh air and clean dirt over this place. Needless to say I woke up at 5:00am ready to go. Brando thought ... read more

Spanish Fort. Let the fun begin.Friday, June 11. Pack the car and hit the road early. Head for the community of Spanish Fort which is across the bay from Mobile, and joined Capt Geoff Woodliff on his Airboat Express (dot com) for a one-hour trip to explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Just before the 10 AM takeoff we get to meet and hold a baby alligator. Cute little rascal. Then four of us board the airboat along with our captain, don headphones, and cruise the river checking out flora like wild hibiscus and marsh grasses and fauna like gulls, ducks and egrets. But what I really get a kick out of is the jumping fish. Like in the song from Porgy and Bess. "Summertime. And the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin'. And the cotton is high." ... read more

Totally BusinessThursday, June 10. Devote the whole day to the Mobile 'investment' house. Various meetings. One with a stager, who, if you haven't heard about them, dress a house in furnishings to give it a warm, model-home look. Pretty popular right now when the market's so bad. Took more pictures of the house now that it's painted and boasting new window shades and a few new plants in the front. At first glance it doesn't look a lot different than it did before. It's the smell of smoke I have to get rid of. Another meeting with Realtor to sign the paperwork. A few more things to do (ducts must be cleaned and carpets scrubbed). If all goes well, house will go on the market on Monday. Well, the bad news is that after all that ... read more

A day off. Tuesday, June 8. Drive about 30 miles south of Mobile to Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Get there about 9 AM. By the time I get about two steps away from the car, I am sweating. By the time I bought my tickets, I am soaked. The 10,000 sq ft mansion was built in 1935 by one of the first US bottlers of Coca Cola. Apparently bottling was an extremely lucrative business. I stroll the gardens (there are 65 acres under cultivation out of the 900 acres that make up the property), tour the house, and take a 45-min cruise down the River of Birds, which are in short supply that day: one brown pelican, one nesting ospray, and a couple dozen gulls. The narration is interesting though. A history of the river and ... read more