🚙2015 ~ Jan 20-22, Road trip to Gulf Shores, AL

Early Tuesday Morning I ask hubby if he wanted to go on a road trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Day 1: January 20, 2015

We were on the road at 10:00 am.

We stopped at 10:40 am at Chick-fil-a in Athens to use the restrooms and eat an early lunch.

We both ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, diet coke, un-sweeten tea (me) and we shared a large order of waffle fries.

We both had a calendar card that we used for a free grilled chicken sandwich and a drink.

Our final cost was $1.80.

We traveled US 72 to I-65 from Athens to Birmingham where we saw signs for places like Hartselle, Vinemont, Cullman, Hanceville, Warrior, Gardendale, Fultondale, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, and Hoover.

We passed through Birmingham where we saw several very tall buildings and the Vulcan statue facing downtown Birmingham.

We stayed on I-65 passing through Pelham, Alabaster, Montevallo (home of the American Village), Jemison, Clanton, (rest area) Millbrook, and Prattville into Montgomery.

We saw as we crossed the bridge the tall downtown building of Montgomery.

We stayed on I-65 South toward Greenville, Georgina, Evergreen, (another rest stop and restroom break) and Atmore.

We turn east onto Highway 287 toward Bay Minette and then we turned onto highways 59/31 south, which took us through the town of Stapleton where highway 59 went southeast and highway 31 went southwest.

We stayed on highway 59 east, which took us through the town of Loxley.

At Loxley, we took Highway 90, which took us through the towns of Robertsdale, Summerdale, Foley, to Gulf Shores.

Our first stop was at Gulf Shores Public Beach where we walked on the sandy beach.

Gulf Shores Beach feeding birds
There were a couple of young men trying to surf but the waves were too small.

We saw a woman with birds flocking all around her; they were waiting for her to feed them. Finally, she ran out of bread and said to the birds, “I am sorry but the food is all gone as she walked away.”

We got back into the van and hubby drove us a little further down the beach.

We stopped to watch the sunset.

It was amazing watching the sun go from a bright yellow into an orange, red as it slowly disappeared into the Gulf which took just minutes.

There were many people there just to watch the sunset, some walked along the beach, others stood under the shelter while others sat in their vehicles facing the sun.

Everyone was spellbound at the sight.

Sunset at Gulf Shores

Hubby drove us to Lulu’s 200 East 25^th Avenue Gulf Shores, Ala.

We could hear music and someone singing as we approached the restaurant.

We were greeted and taken to table 43, which had a great view of BAT who was entertaining the crowd.

BAT is a singer-songwriter, heavy folk, and acoustic entertainer.

BAT sounds like The Beatles, Queen, Simon & Garfunkel, Billy Joel, and Eagles.

LULU'S 

He had the audience singing the lyrics of many different songs along with him.

He did many old television show theme songs such as Green Acres, The Brady Bunch, The Adams Family.

We ordered the Big Fry Seafood Basket (serves 2), which includes shrimp, Oysters, Crab Claws, and Fried Fish.

Big Fry Seafood Basket

The meal was served with French fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies $30.99.

After a very good meal, and awesome entertainment we left Lulu’s and Hubby drove us to Staybridge Suite.

We checked in and took our luggage to room 315 on the third floor.

Tonight at the hotel, they were having a wine tasting so we came back downstairs to sample the different wines.

On the food bar, there was Mac & cheese, & Fiesta Salad, with all the beer on tap and soda that you could drink.

There were about seven different kinds of wines and I sampled all of them but the only one that I liked was the white Zinfandel.

It was a social hour and we talked to a couple from Atlanta, GA. They were like us getting away from the cold and sickness.

Hubby talked to another man about politics.

We finished our wine went upstairs and soaked in a tub of hot water, watched some TV and went to bed.

Day 2: Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The next morning we both took a shower, dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, which was about 7AM.

I ate an omelet, two sausage links, covered in syrup, a few walnuts, and diet coke. Hubby ate an omelet, two sausage links, ham, a burrito and drank a glass of orange juice.

We went back upstairs grabbed our luggage; looking around to make sure we were not leaving anything and checked out.

We thanked the woman at the register told her how much we enjoyed our stay and would defiantly return.

Hubby drove us back to the public beach for one last walk on the sandy beach and where I could take some early morning pictures.

Gulf Shore Waves

He then drove us to Orange Beach, FL so I could purchase 10.00 worth of scratch-offs. I won eighteen dollars that were eight dollars more than I started with.

We rode back to Gulf Shores stopped at the restrooms at Gulf shore Park and then we're on our way home.

We stopped at Burris Farm Market in Loxley where we purchased a bag of Pecans/Walnuts for $10.88, boiled peanuts $2.99, Molasses $5.99 and banana blueberry bread $2.99; we spent $24.91.

We walked back to the van got inside to put our purchase in the back seat. I reached back for the banana bread for I wanted a slice but it was not in the bag.

I walked back inside and told the woman at the register she had forgotten to give us one of our bags.

She apologized and I said if I had not looked inside for the bread we would drove off without the bread and Molasses.

I got a plastic knife to cut the bread from the bakery.

We were going to stop at Peach Park for some peach ice cream and peach pie but they were closed for a private party.

We stopped at Munchies Chevron in Calera, Al to fill up with gas. Cost $35.00 price $2.13 for unleaded plus and held 16.36 gallons.

We stopped a couple times at rest stops but did not stop again until we reached Athens.

In Athens, we stopped at DQ where I ordered a chili with cheese hot dog with onion rings and diet coke.

Hubby ordered a hamburger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles with French fries and diet coke.

Our last stop was at Lucky’s car wash at 4:09PM spent $8.00.

We were home just before 5pm.

We had a wonderful trip, where we walked along the sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, watch the sun fade into the gulf, ate seafood at Lulu’s, tasted wine at Staybridge Suites, won $8 on scratch off ‘s in Orange Beach, had a restful sleep at Staybridge Suites and a safe ride home.

Who could ask for more?

BAT Entertaining 

Staybridge Suits bed

Condo's and Hotels along the beach

Letter to Washington D.C.

Washington October 23rd, 1872, East Dayton

Sir,

I am a homestead settler and am in some trouble in regard to some fine timbers that have been cut on my land 3 years ago.

I made a bargain with a man O.B. Wait for apportions of the pine on my land for so much money payable in payments once a year.

The contract that he should touch anything to interfere with the homestead rights in March 1870.

He went to cutting the timber I forbade him touching it.

He then took of what he had cut as he was not to make me any trouble.

I consider that his claim no coming into force until I prove up my claim to be void.

Wait sold the claim to J.L. Stevens of East Laginane.

In February 1871, he cut about 30 thousand feet of cork pine, I forbade them mooching it, they took it away.

I sent a complaint to Mr. Ripley then received in the land office his reply was that M.L. Stevens had been there and settled for it by having $55.00.

In March 1872, Stevens cut about 80 thousand more and drew it on to banking ground on my land.

Some of it is there yet.

Some dam the creek I made.

In March, I made a complaint by letter to Mr. Bates receiver in the land office.

I went down and made inquiries.

He said he got no letter from me and was very sorry about it.

I saw Mr. Brooks the commissioner, he and Stevens had some talk, told me I had better go home and  I could not do anything with it.

He said he could not find anything paid by Stevens in the books and Bates said the same.

Henry of Lorpeer, agent for the Marshall, went in and looked at the logs said he would come in 10 days and mark the logs, he never came.

I wrote and ask him the reason and he said had met Stevens’s Agent he said they had settled with me and I was satisfied and paid his expenses.

If there were anything he would see to it, I had never seen any of them.

I sent him 4 times, he answered that he could not do anything without Mr. Bates sent him.

I sent a paper with the affidavits of the town clerk and justice that witnessed my contract.

I sent in July to Mr. Bermet, Mr. J Marshall but got no answer.

If that paper could be found it would prove that I am not liable.

One man is in Indiana now.

 I have shown a copy of the contract to Brooks and other prominent men they say that I am not to blame, their claim is broke.

Stevens says he got permission from the land office to take the timber but sent through Brook that he would give me $150.00 for a right of my timber, I will not do it.

They would take anything they can find and be my defiance.

This letter is written to Washington concerning Walter Rumble’s land problem.

Letter from Harriet

Plymouth  May 3rd, 1874,
Dear Doc,

Your letter to Mr. Heddin was handed me to read.

I can say I sincerely feel sorry for you, but admire your courage.

Your two little boys must be a great comfort to you.

I am wondering if you can give them any schooling, also how you can get their clothes made, and how you get your work done and close washed?

Have you kind neighbors who look to your comforts when you are sick, I do hope you have?

Although your children must be great care and expense to you, I think you must be far happier with them than you would be without them.

It is such a pleasure to toil for those we love.

I hope their affection for you repays you for all your care.

I am so glad you have a home of your own and treat you well.

Be successful in getting a team this summer.

We live just as we did when you were here only my children are all gone except Louise, she is just as jolly as ever when she is able to hold up her head which is not all the time.

She has not been able to any work in 3 years.

Exhausted my skill in treating her to no lengths.

Then I tried the first thing I could find.

Last summer I sent her to a Water cures the 10th for a week and she came home no better.

I am trying to have her try another treatment but she says it would be only money thrown away.

I must try something.
Six years ago Pat Pussitt came here on a visit and stayed three weeks.

She was married to a man by the name of Crandal.

She was just the same old fun-loving Pat.

We did enjoy her company so much.

When she went away she agreed to write to us immediately on her arrival home but did not.

We wrote to her but got nothing.

Then we wrote to her husband, then to the postmaster but have not heard from her since.

We think she is dead.

Her health was very poor.

Rosa Passage was married last Thursday, to Will Olderdge.

They made a large wedding had over fifty guests.

John Beaduse has sold his farm and lives here in the village.

Roult his wife is an invalid.

Their daughter is dead.

Jack is married and lives near Waterfront and David lives in the regions.        

Harriet

Smith has sold his place to one of the Willets.

Taylor is trying to sell his place it is heavily mortgaged.

Letter to George

Sent Dayton September 16th, 1888, -  Returned Nov 25th 1888My dear boy, 

Excuse my negligence in not writing before I have lots of work but not much pay.

I was very glad to hear from you.

I am well at present.

It is raining today.

It has been as dry as ever.

The fire has done some damage not close by.

It is hard times wheat is out and hay was poor and everything is low except hay.

Green had 60 bushels wheat of 13 acres; mine was the best around here.

I have got a yoke of cattle; I broke myself the best there is around here.

I sold the old mule to Pringles he has just traded her.

Since commencing this answer to your letter.

I have been so busy with politics that I have not done any more writing than I was obliged to and I worked hard in the election and then we got beat.

McKay got elected representative here.

Nell is at home, Min died, Oscar is home the same as ever.

Oscar Meyers is married got, 2 children.

Violet works out but is very lonely.

The others and Clint are at home.

Cunningham feels bigger than a Prairie shit house.

Frank Wait is in California.

G Carter runs away his wife broke her ankle and sold everything and went to the cold water to live.

Johnny Myers up north went to the woods last winter got homesick was back in 3 weeks.

The girl is an amazing woman and smarts one.

Since the election, I have been in Detroit at the lawsuit.

I beat them very easy but it cost lots of money.

There will be one more suit at Caro if I had about one hundred dollars should get along all right. Cannot you lend me 3 days work until I can pay it back, is hard times here a dollar is larger than a wagon wheel?

Giblet has been to Port Huron and John went to Detroit they have seen it all and they know more than the rest of the world.

Jane took in two rotten eggs and that takes care of all the projects.

 Hoping this will find you well and hope to hear from you soon.

What is the name of the mine you work in?
From your well-wishing father, W. G. R
East Dayton, Tuscola Co. Michigan

Poem- THE COUNTRY NEWS

A summary of the week's news in Tuscola County.

A Democrat Farmer in McKay’s District.

Come all my friends and neighbors

I won't detain you long,

It’s of the Republican platform

I will sing you a little song.

They tell us of protection,

And give us Whiskey free,

And tax us high on coffee, sugar, and tea;

And other items the poor man must buy,

Put the luxuries of the rich they pass by,

They say they gave us homesteads,

Where the “musketeers “sing.

But the riches of the prairie was for the railroad kings.

They import pauper labor to cheat us of our right,

And over-tax us millions to get a higher title.

They are the authors of protections, monopolies, and trusts,

If you can’t pay your mortgages then you’ll surely bust.

They are trying to fluff Cleveland.

But they cannot make him bend,

For he has proven himself a poor man’s friend.

They are the fathers of monopoly

And the mothers of trusts,

If they get back in power,

The farmers they will bust.

Chorus:

Hurrah, for Harrison

A little fun won't hurt,

And it will make Mckay rejoice.

But at the next election, you bet,

We’ll vote for Grover and or bust.

Written by:

W. G. R, East Dayton

Fairgrove