Backcountry Trails Day Two
Another beautiful fall day on the gulf and another adventure into the back country. It is hard to imagine that a gulf coast island has forested areas and even varying heights, but it does. It is like a secret waiting to be discovered. Continue reading
In the south when the weather begins to cool and the mornings are brisk turning into warm afternoons, biking becomes addictive. So it was the morning we set out for the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails in the Alabama Gulf State Park in Orange Beach, AL. Continue reading
County Road 2 or Catman Road as it was known to locals began as a farm to market road in the 1950s. As the area grew and the Beach Road was developed the County Road was abandoned. The Gulf State Park used part of the road within the campground area but the remaining road was unattended. Continue reading
Sometimes inspiration is where you least expect to find it. Blue sky, warm Fall sun, light breeze, the smell of salt in the air and the scenic beauty of the Gulf of Mexico along the serenity of the Gulf Islands National Seashore all come together for a great bike ride. With anticipation of catching a practice session of the Blue Angles mid-way through our ride, what could be better? Continue reading
Elberta, AL’s claim to fame is their German heritage and their Sausage Festival. In this town of less than 2,000 residents their twice yearly Sausage Festival draws an estimated 30,000 visitors to each fest with about 7,000 pounds of German sausage being sold. Continue reading
Sometimes you expect the same, only things are different. Our first experience with The Tammany Trace began from Fontainebleau State Park through wooded areas, quiet and relaxing. Today, beginning at the Covington trailhead was totally different. Hustle and bustle, traffic, workers, stores, and a mid-day market with people purchasing lunch. But with another perfect south Louisiana day and the trails calling, we began our second biking experience of the Trace by trucking our bikes to the Covington Trailhead and rode toward Abita Springs. Continue reading
“I hear the train a comin’, it’s rollin’ round the bend…”, we could image the chugging of the engine as it slowly moved along the tracks…the sound of the horn as the train approached an intersection… Continue reading
Saturday morning and we are off to a farmers market in Hammond, LA. The market is in the historic area of town alongside the railroad tracks, which are still used. Luckily for us no trains passed while we were shopping. The market offered the usual items – vegetables, eggs, honey, jams, and crafts. What set this market apart was their frequent shopper card. These cards are popular with coffeehouses and eateries but we have never seen one at a farmers market. Continue reading
The architecture is Spanish in white stucco, arches, large entrance doors, high ceilings, stone floors, and stories held within these walls. You know there is a presence here but the stately old buildings, while in need of attention, are welcoming. Although these buildings have many stories from the past to tell, they are now housing new stories and a place of courage where the past forms the future. This is Café Hope. Continue reading
Google had assured us that we could find fresh local bread at Southern Sweet Potato Pie Company. We were not sure we really believed Google but the name was inviting and we were interested. The non-descript building set back off Lapalco Boulevard was nothing special yet walking in all our senses were on alert, the cases were full of sweet pies, cakes and cookies of all shapes, sizes and colors. But no bread could be found. Continue reading
