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

Early Tuesday Morning, I asked 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 A.M.

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

We both ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, a Diet Coke, unsweetened tea (me), and we shared a large order of waffle fries.

We both had a calendar card that got us 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.

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 restaurant break), and Atmore.

We turned east onto Highway 287 toward Bay Minette, then south onto Highway 59/31, 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 Loxley.

At Loxley, we took Highway 90, which took us through Robertsdale, Summerdale, Foley, and Gulf Shores.

Our first stop was Gulf Shores Public Beach, where we walked along the sandy shore.

Gulf Shores Beach feeding birds
A couple of young men were 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 to orange and red as it slowly disappeared into the Gulf, which took just minutes.

There were Gulf 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 along to many different songs with him.

He did many old television show theme songs, such as Green Acres, The Brady Bunch, and The Addams 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 delicious meal and fantastic entertainment, we left. Lulu and Hubby drove us to Staybridge Suites.

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 wine, and I sampled all of them, but the only one 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 win, went upstairs, 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 showered, dressed, and went downstairs for breakfast around 7 A.M.

I ate an omelet, two sausage links, covered in syrup, a few walnuts, and a 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, looked around to make sure we were not leaving anything behind, and checked out.

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

Hubby drove us back to the public beach for one last walk on the sand and for me to 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, which was eight dollars more than I started with.

We rode back to Gulf Shore, res stopped at the restrooms at Gulf Shore P, 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 for $2.99, Molasses for $5.99, and banana blueberry bread for $2.99; we spent $24.91.

We walked back to the van,n inside, and put our purchase in the back seat. I reached back for the banana B, read, wanting 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 that if I had not looked inside for the bread, we would have driven 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.p Cos:t $35.0;, pric:e $2.13 for unleaded plu;d held 16.36 gallons.

We stopped a couple of 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 a Diet Coke.

Hubby ordered a hamburger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickle, fries, and a Diet Coke.

Our last stop was at Lucky's car wash at 4:09 P.M., where we spent $8.00.

We were home just before 5 P.M.

We had a wonderful trip, where we walked along the Gulf's sandy beaches in Gulf Shores, watched the sun fade into the Gulf, ate seafood at Lulu's, tasted wine at Gulf Tasting Bridge, won $8 on scratch-offs in Orange Beach, had a restful sleep at Staybridge Suites, and had a safe ride home.

Who could ask for more?

BAT Entertaining 

Staybridge Suites bed

Condos 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 to me to read.

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

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

Can you give them any schooling? Also, how can you get their clothes made, and how do you get your work done and your clothes washed?

Do you have kind neighbors who look after your comfort when you are sick? I do hope you have.

Although your children must be a great care and expense to you, 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 that you are treated 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 Louis. She is just as jolly as ever when she can hold up her head, which is not always the case

She has not been able to work for 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 Cure for 10 days, 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 named 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 back.

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

We think she is dead.

Her health was feeble.

Rosa Passage was married last Thursday to Will Olderdge.

They had a large wedding with over fifty guests.

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

Roult's wife is an invalid.

Their daughter is dead.

Jack is married and lives near the Waterfront, and David lives in the region.        

Harriet

Smith has sold his place to one of the Willets.

Taylor is trying to sell his place, which 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 rights,

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