On the Road to Bon Secour

Several weeks ago my friend and me found ourselves in Bon Secour, Alabama close by the beach in Gulf Shores! It is a lovely area full of history and known for its fishing and shrimping!

View of the Bon Secour River...

We've always wanted to visit the historic home of Swift-Coles but never arrived in time for the tours. And again we did not arrive promptly for a guided tour of the inside. However I did get beautiful photos of the outside and the grounds...

As with all older historic homes, this one has its fair share of stories...ghosts, hurricanes, and all!! Oh the stories, If These Walls Could Talk!!

The Tidewater Mansion was first built as a four-room house in 1882.  In 1908 all wings had been added completing the 16-room home we see today.  I love the Spanish moss draping from the trees...

The story goes that during a hurricane each adult tied themselves to one child, climbed the chinaberry tree located in the L-section of the home, and survived the raging storm and water that poured through the home!

The Swift descendants lived in the mansion until 1976 when Gulf Shores businessman Nick Coles bought and restored the home. Today visitors  can see his vast collection of antiques!

The grounds are being restored. You can view the gardens with the heritage plants and follow along the walkways that were once "swept walks"!   Before lawn mowers and hedge trimmers?!!
("I remember my grandmother telling as a young child sweeping the yard to keep out the grass blades", says my friend.)

The picket fence has been around for as long as the home.  Originally, it surrounded the house to keep grazing cattle out!

The live oaks lining the driveway ...

A beautiful home and next time I will arrive early to tour the inside!!

Where have you traveled lately?  I love my travels down the junkin' road!!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Jan


Partying with...
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2011/07/seasonal-sundays-59quantico.html

DebbieDoos

My Own Kind Of Paradise!

The junkin' road carried my friend and me to the sugar, white, sandy beaches of south Alabama!
And yes, to me it is paradise!!

So peaceful, so relaxing, so perfect...

I'm not "sitting on the dock of the bay... but I am "watching the TIDE rrrrooooolllllllll away...

And as the sun sets over the water...

It makes you want to say....Uh Huh, Life is Good!!


Nighttime at the beach means more fun...
Time to chow down on some good old southern fried seafood (or grilled!!LOL) at the new location of...

TACKY JACK'S! Right on the inter-coastal waterway (across from Lulu's)

Come by car, by boat...

My friend and me listened to some great music in the outdoor bar...

while waiting on our table...

Oh yes, I have to say that The Zac Brown Band with Jimmy Buffet have it correct...

"KNEE DEEP IN THE WATER SOMEWHERE...
...ONLY WORRY THAT THE TIDE MAY TAKE MY CHAIR..."

Paradise with a capital P, my kind!!

Have a Blessed Day!! And see ya down the junkin' road!!

Jan


Partying with...
Outdoor Wednesday

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ 

 

Down the Road to Lulu's Homeport

Oh yes, the junkin' road carried my friend and me to Gulf Shores, Alabama and to Lulu's Homeport! Now most of you will remember that Lulu is the sister of a well known singer/songwriter...Jimmy Buffet!!

Lulu's is famous! It is known for its great atmosphere, good food, good music, and good times! The location is perfect...right on the inter-coastal waterway...

Did I mention the view? Super!!

Lulu's caters to the family...

Outdoor gigantic gym for the kids to enjoy! (The children wore safety harnesses for their protection.)

Beach volleyball for all ages!

Dining outdoors...

(Thank goodness for the outdoor fans and cooling stations as it was hot, hot, HOT!!)

Musicians from all over come to play and sing on Lulu's stage. Even her famous brother, Jimmy, graciously appears in concert! (but never under his own name)

(This singer traveled from Louisiana to appear on stage)


Ahh, Lulu's Homeport...a destination!

The atmosphere is festive and fun! It's a party, happening now!

And speaking of a party I'm partying with...

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/01/introducing-outdoor-wednesday.html

Have a Blessed Day!! And see ya down the junkin' road!!

Jan

Baseballs, Gloves, Bats, Oh My!

My friend and me enjoyed the Gulf Coast of Alabama soooooo much!! Of course it was extremely hot but the water, the beaches, the food, the people were absolutely "fAbUloUS!!"

If you have not made plans to visit the beach this year then what are you waiting for?!!Haha! Seriously, the beach is sugar white sand! We saw no traces of the "evil, last season oil slick, tar balls" that so interrupted our fun due to the BP Oil blunder!

Today, on the  junkin' road, I want to share with you the antique mall of...

Alice & Wonderland, 7245 N. Hickory St., Loxley, Al  36551
Catchy name, huh?!!

Inside, were two floors packed with wonderful merchandise! You could tell the dealers were diligent in finding different and unusual wares. I could have shopped for hours but my friend said we were on a schedule! A schedule? Whoever heard of a schedule when you are out junkin'!! But, back to the mall...

In a tribute to the "boys of summer" and my all-time favorite sport, baseball, (yep, I was my daddy's girl!!) I want to share this booth...

All items relating to baseball and vintage sports!! Baseballs, gloves, bats, oh my!!
I do not know the age of these baseball catchers' chest protectors and shin guards but I'm pretty sure all would not pass inspection in today's equipment lineup!

(Did you notice the old window painted out in a sports' theme? Roll Tide Roll!!  It's a great use for an old discarded window!)

I stopped by this booth more than once and each time saw items I had not seen before! I'm telling ya, the owner had merchandised the space well!

Isn't this a great old stove? Notice the wooden baseball bats displayed in the old milk can! If you look closely you will find vintage wooden water skis!

Photos, prints, souvenir programs... AND GLOVES!!

It was a sports related themed booth! Just look at this old tricycle and peddle tractor!  And for the quilters out there notice the quilt displayed on the twin sized iron bed! Very pretty!!

As I've told y'all before I come from a long line of savers!! I actually rode a tricycle just like this one when I was a little child. It had been handed down to me...my aunt, then my mother, both rode it before me!!

As you can tell I really enjoyed shopping this mall! It was a little treasure my friend and me found on our trip!  What treasures have you found lately? A new mall, auction, piece of pottery, glassware, china, what-not!! I love to hear from you!

Have a Blessed Day!! And see ya down the junkin' road!!

Jan

In the village of Historic Magnolia Springs

Come on along, come on along...

This time my friend and me are off to Magnolia Springs, AL.  I want to share a few of the sights in this little village. 
Beautiful view of the Magnolia River! So peaceful...

Shhh, listen! Do you hear the stories these majestic live oaks can tell?

Ahhh, imagine driving through a tunnel. The trees are meeting in the middle! So pretty!

Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast...("There was a write-up a few years ago in Southern Living about this B&B," says my friend.)

That swing on the porch has a reserved sign for me! I love to swing and this looks to be a perfect!

Historic Church

("Is this turning into a history lesson, teacher?" asks my friend? 'Okay, okay, just one more!!')

Local general store, Moore Brothers, refurbished into a dining destination...

And the main reason we are in Magnolia Springs...

Jesse's Restaurant

As you can see quite charming...divided into dining rooms...

But now the dilemma...what to eat tonight! So many choices! Shrimp, oysters, crab cake, shrimp scampi, brown sugar glazed salmon, Louisiana BBQ shrimp, pork chop, filet mignon, shrimp and grits, scallops... (Are you hungry yet? Do you see my problem?)

Bingo,  I have a winner!  Jesse's Whiskey Steak, 16oz. Jack Daniels Marinated Ribeye! WaaaaHoooo! And it has been voted one of the 100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die!!

Sooooo good!! AND it is served with fresh bread, choice of starch and mixed veggies!!

Sweet potato with just butter!! Yummmy!!

Now it is DESSERT TIME...Key Lime Parfait...

A perfect ending to a great day along Alabama's gulf coast...

Sunset over the water!!

Don't you just love finding great places to explore and foods to eat? My friend and me leave the interstates to travel the out-of-the-way roadways! How about you?

Have a Blessed Day!! And see ya down the junkin' road!!

 

Jan

And the Road Goes South!

Yep, that's right! The junkin' road has taken my friend and me south, ummm humm,  like to the Gulf of Mexico, The Alabama Gulf Coast that is!! There is so much to see, to do, to eat!! And today I want to share with you one (just one of our most favorite, the best, fantabulous,( no that's not a word!!) places to eat in the area!

Location:  Tin Top, Bon Secour

Small, local establishment serving excellent food...

Yum, salad wedge...

Main course...

Crab Cakes and Fried Green Tomatoes! Gooooood!

Fried Shrimp! I know, I know, all those fried foods for the southern folks! But the batter was very light and with a touch of spice that was wonderful!

Oh the desserts... bread pudding, key lime pie, double chocolate pie...yummy goodness! But we saved those for another time and day!!

Night time along the gulf coast...

Not bad for the first few hours on the Gulf for my friend and me!

What's up? Are you having fun today?  Please share!!

Have a Blessed Day!! And see ya down the junkin' road!!

Jan

Linking with Debbiedoos