Showing posts with label Old South. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Old South. Show all posts
6.25.2012
Rambling Along Mobile Bay
New Post on Back Porch
Uncle an' me went off to a weddin' over the weekend....but relax, I ain't gonna ply y'all wif endless bride pics. 'Tis 'nough to say the weddin' be lovely, the couple fair as ya' could want, an' the weather spared the pair until the next mornin' when Tropical Storm Debbie came a'callin'.
Heah be the drenched hibiscus at mah own gate this mornin';
We's desperate fer the water, so y'ain't gonna have no complaint from me.
Anyhoo, afore that storm got good an' all wound up, we had a best time ramblin' along in the Mobile area. First we tarried in the East Bay village of Fairhope, Alabama.
This little hamlet were settled in 1894 --though some ole homesteads wuz already thar'. It be the Bright Idea of an economist whose stated purpose were:
“to establish and conduct a model community or colony, free from all forms of private monopoly, and to secure to its members therein equality of opportunity, the full reward of individual efforts, and the benefits of co-operation in matters of general concern.”
Well. I cain't say iffin' that purpose has stood up to modern economic woes, but I can say ramblin' around in this place is jes' a charmin' way to spend an' afternoon.
But first, Uncle had to sample the local gumbo--this one came from a menu that offered "Naked gumbo"
( chicken an' sausage only) or ya' can add yore choice of "fixin's": shrimp, crab, crawfish tails or oysters.
Wisely, Uncle pronounced it "not too bad, but not good as yores, Belle." 'Course not.
Thus fortified, we strolled along shady roads, admired the cool (white an' green) landscaping, an' generally sighed wif' happy nostalgia over these picture book homes that fill our memories of the "ole South."
Thar' wuz a time when these ole screen door designs could be had fer a few dollars at any scrap yard--no longer. As wif' many such treasures, today, they be coveted an' pricey.
Natcherly, a PORCH is essential--oriented to catch the bay breeze what slips in under the pines an' oak branches.
Uncle got hisself a hankerin' fer this round porch....
But Aunty had more modest hopes--lemme take this garden shed home to mah back forty.
We remarked on the advantageous settin'--how so many ole timey places seemed untouched by a hunnert years an' more of hurricanes churnin' up the Gulf...thang is, this Eastern Shore sits on a bluff overlookin' Mobile Bay--wind surely whips thangs around, but most of these ole places ain't subject to floods or storm surges.
This Eastern Shore area is home to sleepy marinas, shady waterfront parks, birds an' roses....a laid back vibe even for the laid back South.
I'll be checkin' in again --a few days-- wif' some rambles through Mobile itself. 'Til then, thas' Aunty y'all see on the news, wadin' in the waters of TS Debbie.
Uncle an' me went off to a weddin' over the weekend....but relax, I ain't gonna ply y'all wif endless bride pics. 'Tis 'nough to say the weddin' be lovely, the couple fair as ya' could want, an' the weather spared the pair until the next mornin' when Tropical Storm Debbie came a'callin'.
Heah be the drenched hibiscus at mah own gate this mornin';
We's desperate fer the water, so y'ain't gonna have no complaint from me.
Anyhoo, afore that storm got good an' all wound up, we had a best time ramblin' along in the Mobile area. First we tarried in the East Bay village of Fairhope, Alabama.
This little hamlet were settled in 1894 --though some ole homesteads wuz already thar'. It be the Bright Idea of an economist whose stated purpose were:
“to establish and conduct a model community or colony, free from all forms of private monopoly, and to secure to its members therein equality of opportunity, the full reward of individual efforts, and the benefits of co-operation in matters of general concern.”
Well. I cain't say iffin' that purpose has stood up to modern economic woes, but I can say ramblin' around in this place is jes' a charmin' way to spend an' afternoon.
But first, Uncle had to sample the local gumbo--this one came from a menu that offered "Naked gumbo"
( chicken an' sausage only) or ya' can add yore choice of "fixin's": shrimp, crab, crawfish tails or oysters.
Wisely, Uncle pronounced it "not too bad, but not good as yores, Belle." 'Course not.
Thus fortified, we strolled along shady roads, admired the cool (white an' green) landscaping, an' generally sighed wif' happy nostalgia over these picture book homes that fill our memories of the "ole South."
Thar' wuz a time when these ole screen door designs could be had fer a few dollars at any scrap yard--no longer. As wif' many such treasures, today, they be coveted an' pricey.
Uncle got hisself a hankerin' fer this round porch....
But Aunty had more modest hopes--lemme take this garden shed home to mah back forty.
We remarked on the advantageous settin'--how so many ole timey places seemed untouched by a hunnert years an' more of hurricanes churnin' up the Gulf...thang is, this Eastern Shore sits on a bluff overlookin' Mobile Bay--wind surely whips thangs around, but most of these ole places ain't subject to floods or storm surges.
This Eastern Shore area is home to sleepy marinas, shady waterfront parks, birds an' roses....a laid back vibe even for the laid back South.
I'll be checkin' in again --a few days-- wif' some rambles through Mobile itself. 'Til then, thas' Aunty y'all see on the news, wadin' in the waters of TS Debbie.
9.05.2008
Savanah Saturday Stroll (+ a wreck)
On the Way up to the Birthday Bash me and Uncle stopped the night in Savannah Georgia. Ya'll this is a lovely old colonial city, laid out by Englishmen to be folks-friendly.
Georgia is one of the first 13 Colonies--a proud history. English "second sons" is the founders of this gracious moss draped reverie.
It done had its share of modern malaise but its bones is still good. The city is arranged around 28 squares as hubs fer lovely old homes and churches, an' ya enjoy a sense of gentle discourse between city and nature.
Me an Uncle strolled the streets en route to a tucked away paper gallery I knows of--needin' to find some birthday treasures fer my Sister. We poked our nose through gates of tiny alleys and courtyards.
Savannah is justly proud of its history. There is a Revolutionary War battleground heah, some nifty old forts on the River.
..theah's an amazin' suspension bridge I shoulda photographed better..
An'some river traffic today is of the touristy paddle boat variety.
Ya' cain't hep but admire these old buildin's that was made of the stone that served as ballast in the first ships that brought settlers...
Along the riverfront we had a mediocre tourist version of crab Benedict fer a late breakfast, then strolled up to street level past ancient bays of the factor walk (factors is middlemen--they give ya cash fer 70 % of your transported goods so ya can turn yore boat around and head home...then they make the spread when yore stuff is sold locally)
.
Ten at street level, Mercy! Seems a girl was still in her cups and drove down the main river road doin' 70 mph! Well...ya know where that landed her? In the front of th Cotton Exchange after goin' airborne fer 100 ft!
Yes, she survived....must a been a very fortuitous weekend folks--drunks and plunging balloonists survived.
reckon somethin' had to be sacrificed, though. The ancient lion fountain in front of the Cotton Exchange is now decapitated.
What I 'specially appreciated about this Old Lady is that it is a city that ain't over gussied up. Livin' near to Disney, I reckon I'se mighty tired of the "Disney effect", that pat, canned look of storybook perfection. Nope, Savannah has a torn petticoat or two, but she looks real, not like a museum set piece of a long ago city.
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