We spent a nice morning with Francis - walked and visited Fairhope.
We loved the "traditional" hardware store in Fairhope. You might never find what you need there, but the people who work there can. Plus, there were the "pre LED" Christmas lights on sale for half price. We took two!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
On to Mobile Bay, Alabama
We packed our little toyota camry with 5 people and suitcases and dropped 3 at the New Orleans airport. Plus, we couldn't use the trunk since we had two bicycles in it.
Then we drove on to Point Clear near Fairhope, Alabama. Our Tampa neighbors, Francis and George, have a family beach cottage there. I should be more specific. George grew up in Spanish Fort. Francis spent the summers in the cottage that her grandfather had the foresight to buy many years ago. Now she and her three sisters own the cottage but she let's George go too - after a huge rebuild based upon the wrath of Katrina.
It's a beautiful place right on the bay. Thanks for the hospitality, Francis!
Then we drove on to Point Clear near Fairhope, Alabama. Our Tampa neighbors, Francis and George, have a family beach cottage there. I should be more specific. George grew up in Spanish Fort. Francis spent the summers in the cottage that her grandfather had the foresight to buy many years ago. Now she and her three sisters own the cottage but she let's George go too - after a huge rebuild based upon the wrath of Katrina.
It's a beautiful place right on the bay. Thanks for the hospitality, Francis!
Monday, March 12, 2012
New Orleans Music and classic Bourbon
Another thing I like about New Orleans, maybe specifically the French Quarter, is the music - particularly the "street" music which I define as people playing for tips.
Oh man, she could not only play the clarinet but was a great singer too.
Hillbilly bands (I'm sure it's the not right name) seem to be "in" right now. These guys were great, although I missed the "bassist" on the washtub who was to the right. The dog wasn't impressed.
Another band. I liked the bass drum suitcase.
A closeup of the bass drum suitcase and a nice pair of authentic stockings on the left.
You can't miss Bourbon St. But it doesn't take long.
Oh man, she could not only play the clarinet but was a great singer too.
Hillbilly bands (I'm sure it's the not right name) seem to be "in" right now. These guys were great, although I missed the "bassist" on the washtub who was to the right. The dog wasn't impressed.
Another band. I liked the bass drum suitcase.
A closeup of the bass drum suitcase and a nice pair of authentic stockings on the left.
You can't miss Bourbon St. But it doesn't take long.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
New Orleans "Architecture" and iJesus iPhone
We enjoy looking at houses and neighborhoods in most of the places we go. New Orleans has some of the most fun looking places.
Colors and patterns are so vibrant.
Some of the houses aren't very big!
I thought this was an interesting night shot, but I would have like to have gotten more definition on the statue.
Colors and patterns are so vibrant.
Some of the houses aren't very big!
I thought this was an interesting night shot, but I would have like to have gotten more definition on the statue.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans is fun.
Glenda found a great place to stay just on the edge of the French Quarter, the Lion's Inn. Floyd, the proprietor, is a real character. The action of the Quarter close to walk and the neighborhood is pleasantly funky.
This is one of Floyd's primary rules.
Imagine yourself sitting here.
Rule #2 at the Lion's Inn - or come to think of it, maybe it's Rule #1.
This picture looks into our "Garden Room" with windows all across looking into the garden. The hot tub is just visible on the left and then the pool!
Glenda found a great place to stay just on the edge of the French Quarter, the Lion's Inn. Floyd, the proprietor, is a real character. The action of the Quarter close to walk and the neighborhood is pleasantly funky.
This is one of Floyd's primary rules.
Imagine yourself sitting here.
Rule #2 at the Lion's Inn - or come to think of it, maybe it's Rule #1.
This picture looks into our "Garden Room" with windows all across looking into the garden. The hot tub is just visible on the left and then the pool!
Friday, March 9, 2012
NEW ORLEANS and Bob's 60th!
Birthdays are interesting things - especially as one grows older, they seem to morph into something that I never anticipated. As our friend Velma states, "I feel just the same age as I ever did - mostly, anyway." It might not have been those exact words, but you get the idea. After all, she ran the New York City marathon on her 70th birthday and we were there to see it - but that's another story to tell.
This event was my brother Bob's 15th and 60th birthday. I'm sure you can figure out exactly what date he was born. Glenda organized the celebration event for New Orleans. Bob and Glenda flew from Hoonah, Alaska. Sister Jane flew from Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, and Mary Louise and I drove from Tampa.
Let me tell you, it is a LONG WAY out of Florida going north and west from Tampa. I thought Alaska was big.
I imagine one of the reasons Glenda chose it was because our family had lived there for two years in the middle 1950's. The engineering firm our father worked for, Modjeski and Masters, asked him to go to New Orleans to oversee the construction of the bridge over the Mississippi you see below.
This event was my brother Bob's 15th and 60th birthday. I'm sure you can figure out exactly what date he was born. Glenda organized the celebration event for New Orleans. Bob and Glenda flew from Hoonah, Alaska. Sister Jane flew from Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, and Mary Louise and I drove from Tampa.
Let me tell you, it is a LONG WAY out of Florida going north and west from Tampa. I thought Alaska was big.
I imagine one of the reasons Glenda chose it was because our family had lived there for two years in the middle 1950's. The engineering firm our father worked for, Modjeski and Masters, asked him to go to New Orleans to oversee the construction of the bridge over the Mississippi you see below.
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Sailing Life
About a year ago, I went sailing on a a little boat that Hannah started to help me build many years ago. I beat into the wind for a couple hours all the way to an island aptly named "Beer Can Island." It got a bit exciting on the way back. You can see the city of Tampa in the background.
If you watched the video clip above, it seems pretty tame. The one below is a bit more illustrative of my sailing ability. I was mostly scared of capsizing with my camera doomed for a watery grave.
The funniest part is that a "controlled jibe" became an "uncontrolled jibe" and I capsized as quick as a wink - right in front of a big fancy yacht club. I'll be they were impressed. At least my camera was put away.
If you watched the video clip above, it seems pretty tame. The one below is a bit more illustrative of my sailing ability. I was mostly scared of capsizing with my camera doomed for a watery grave.
The funniest part is that a "controlled jibe" became an "uncontrolled jibe" and I capsized as quick as a wink - right in front of a big fancy yacht club. I'll be they were impressed. At least my camera was put away.
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