1/25/2015

Weekly Update 1/25/2015

Although I got up early (for me) on Monday, I got a later start on the drive to Alabama than I had hoped to have. Not being exactly sure where I was going, I didn't want to have to try to find Jan and Fred's place in the dark. I was on track right up until I was almost there. As I closed in Gulf Shores, I knew that I couldn't go too far south or else I'd end up in the Gulf of Mexico, and I couldn't go too far west or I'd be in Mobile Bay. When I came to a major crossroads near where I suspected they were, I happened to look over at the strip plaza, and I noticed a pastry shop! Well, I remember that shop from my last visit, and I remembered it was near where they lived. I got out the phone, set up the GPS location services, and found I was indeed quite close. I guess it pays to remember major landmarks like pastry shops! I made it to their driveway before dark and without too much trouble. We visited that evening and went out for supper. Jan and I stayed up until long after midnight talking and visiting and getting caught up. 

Jan & Fred

 

Tuesday, Jan took me to some great places to eat and drink. We went to restaurant called the Brick and Spoon. They have made-to-order Bloody Marys, complete with an order form. You fill out the form with what vodka you want (12 choices), five veggies (18 choices), two meat & cheese (7 choices), eggs are optional, temperature of mild, medium and atomic, and the glass could be rimmed with salt, pepper, or nothing. Really cool! The Bloody Mary was good, but the crab meat crepes I had were to die for. In the afternoon, we went to a beach along the Gulf at Perdido Bay. We had a relaxing time, sitting in the sun, sipping drinks, watching boats go in and out, and talking. It was wonderful. Jan made a delicious shrimp dinner that evening, supplemented with beans & rice and bread pudding from her church (they were having a fund raiser). I think we were all tired from the long day of sitting and drinking and eating, so we went to bed early.

at the Brick & spoon with our Bloody Mariys

view of Perdido Bay and the Gulf of Mexico

 

Wednesday found me back on the road. I didn't get as early a start as I wanted to, again, but it was ok. In mid-afternoon, because the sun was warm, the book-on-tape I was listening to was boring, and I was tired, I needed to pull into a rest stop and nap for an hour or so. Better safe than sorry, I guess, but that made it dark for the last 3 or 4 hours of my drive. Again, I surprised myself by finding the right exits and routes I needed for get back to Savannah. It's not that difficult, but with my history of getting lost and lack of innate direction sense, I was nervous. I got back to my condo just after 9 pm. I was glad to be home - glad I was able to drive that far without incident, glad my car didn't give me any problems (let's face it - she never goes more than 20 miles anyplace, so to ask her to drive 1,150 in three days is taxing for her, but she's a trooper!), glad to be in my own bed again.

(interesting tip: after a driving trip, to remove bugs from the car windshield and front panel, use a dryer sheet. The gunk comes right off!)

Thursday, I was very much back into my routine - at the Rail with Lisa and Dave. It seems like a long time since I've seen them, and it was nice. I wasn't there long, but I bored them with stories of my trip.

Friday was a busy day. DH is back to giving tours, although the new wallpaper hasn't been hung yet. It was a raining, yucky day, and few tourists are in town in January. So instead of four tours, I only had to give two. Then I met Donna and friend of hers who's visiting from Maine at 17 Hundred 90 for a glass of wine. And after that, there was a wine tasting and the condo clubhouse. I had bought a bottle of Mardi Gras Cabernet in AL, but it wasn't opened, so I can enjoy that myself another day.

the wine tasting at the club house

Saturday night, I had a ticket to a DooWop concert at the fabulous Lucas Theatre. The concert featured Dennis Tufano of the Buckinghams, The Crystals, the Tokens and the Drifters. It was ok, but I'd hoped it might be better. They sang the oldies that I remembered, but not too many, and it didn't seem as if the performers engaged the audience much. But, whatever. When I bought my ticket a couple of weeks ago, I asked for a seat in the last row of the balcony, in case I had to get up and dance, no one would see me. I did get up (this is the most I’ve moved in more than a year!) but I don't think I embarrassed myself too badly.

going out the door to my concert, pretending I'm 16