Gull Watching

WHEN? Thursday · April 30

WHERE? Orange Beach, Alabama · find us on the map

This morning we gathered up our recently-purchased beach gear and headed for Romar Beach. We have never been on the beach this early in the year, and it was absolutely wonderful! We didn't even break a sweat, and could've just as well left the little misting fan at home.

Gulf Coast seagulls evidently realize that people mean food and stay very alert to the possibility. They're excellent beggars, and we couldn't resist tossing up several bites to watch them expertly snatch up the food in midair. I suspect these birds have sharp eyesight, and perhaps a keen sense of smell as well.

Mae Dean shows off her thriftiness
by modeling the same beachwear four years later

2004

2008

Special significance:

Today's beach visit is Wendell's first since beating cancer in 2005.

See all of today's beach photos on flickr

Lunch on the pier

WHEN? Tuesday · April 29

WHERE? Fairhope, Alabama · find us on the map

Ever since last month's visit to Fairhope, we've been hungry to return to Yardarm Restaurant on the Fairhope Pier — and it was worth the wait! After chatting with one of the owners while our lunch was prepared, I enjoyed fried catfish while Wendell had a platter of fried shrimp and oysters. The service and food were both excellent.

We hung around the pier and town square park after lunch, and kept swapping the camera back and forth for snapshots. The park's roses were beautiful beyond description because there were so many of them blooming all at once. We even saw four little terriers – Andy, Mandy, Emerson and Einstein – being walked by one person. All four were trained and well behaved, and one even performed a stunt for the camera. I had to love them just because they were so cute.

Emerson's crawling-on-the-belly trick

See more Fairhope Pier & Park photos on flickr

Shortcake and Smoothies

WHEN? Sunday · April 13

WHERE? Loxley, Alabama · find us on the map

Loxley's annual Baldwin County Strawberry Festival offers live music, arts & crafts, carnival rides, the Little Miss Strawberry pageant, and (you guessed it) lots of strawberries – some to grow, some to eat – all to benefit local charities. Although we initially thought the festival was last weekend, it was worth making two trips to attend.

Sweet! As we boarded the parking shuttle, our bus driver was handed a big piece of strawberry shortcake. She'd evidently been expecting this treat all day and didn't wait to let us out before digging in.

Corny photo op:

See more Strawberry Festival photos on flickr