Redneck Riviera Knows How To Celebrate

WHEN? Wednesday & Saturday · March 17 & 20

WHERE? South Baldwin County, Alabama · find us on the map

The Redneck Riviera is like nowhere else we have ever been. For outsiders, it takes a period of adjustment to get into the partying and celebration at the drop of a hat.

To clue you in on the tag that has been put on this area, we refer you to this Wikipedia entry on the area: Emerald Coast

Not sure why, but the above article seems to forget a part of the Gulf Coast definitely included in the special area referred to as the Redneck Riviera.

Wise words from Tom T. Hall:

Gulf Shores up through Apalachicola
They got beaches of the whitest sand
Nobody cares if gramma's got a tattoo
Or Bubba's got a hot wing in his hand

Redneck Riviera
1996

On the Redneck Riviera, almost anything is a cause for celebration, so St. Patrick's Day certainly does not get by without some celebrations. There's even something called the Pub Crawl. Pub Crawls, in general, did not originate on the Redneck Riviera of Lower Alabama, but this video proves they thought it was a good idea.



This certainly wasn't our first time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. The first time I recall hadn't been planned – I left work in downtown Jackson, Mississippi to discover that the first Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade was in progress in 1982.

The theme for yesterday's 2010 St. Paddy's Parade in Jackson was from Kermit the Frog and Jim Henson. Henson was born in Leland, Mississippi. It took place on Saturday, March 20. The parade features the Sweet Potato Queens and their annual ball. Here are parade clips from several Jackson TV stations.

• WAPT
• WJTV
• WLBT's History of the Sweet Potato Queens with Walt Grayson

Back to Lower Alabama, our version of the pub crawl was two bars – one in Foley and one in Magnolia Springs. You can see our photos and video on Flickr at Watering Holes.

Waterfalls

WHEN? Anytime

WHERE? Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Over the years we have enjoyed searching for waterfalls while on vacation. This photo is one located in Australia, and we found on Webshots:


by surfthenet on Webshots

Photographer's comments:

"These beautiful falls are not named, or signed. Was an accident that I even found them, getting lost is a wonderful way to find somewhere you haven't been. At the base of Mount Wellington, Hobart, I'm sure someone knows where these are. I think the stream came from the mountain, snow melt or rain. Beautiful and fresh, and quite cool. — Hobart, Tasmania, Australia"

We particularly had a good time searching for waterfalls in Georgia a number of years ago (possibly 15 or more) along with two other couples who were great company. We miss 'em terribly, but still stay in touch.

Although I haven't been to Australia, I know several people who have, and even have a souvenir from there:

Koala Book Marker on flickr

Second Anniversary

WHEN? Thursday · March 11

WHERE? Foley, Alabama · find us on the map

Let's have a drum roll and a marching band! Today marks two years we've been living in Alabama.


If you've got a young child, you can rip out today's post and let 'em color it! I double dog dare you to. Make a contest outa it and see if they can finish coloring it before the video below finishes.

This Kool & The Gang music video performing Celebration (C) 1980 The Island Def Jam Music Group is exactly what popped in my head when I realized this was the two year mark.

Ah ~ Hawaii

WHEN? Anytime

WHERE? Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

We have not visited Hawaii, but we'd like to help you enjoy armchair travel to Hawaii via this blog post. Probably some of my preconceived ideas about what the islands are like came from a book I read a long time ago — Hawaii, a novel by James Michener.

This humorous video was provided by YouTube user jacksonescapee and appears to be taken at the same location as his photo above:

The longer jacksonescapee stays in Hawaii, the more eye-opening videos he's posted. He has a couple of videos by a Blue Grass group. I recommend visiting both of his YouTube Channels:

• jacksonescapee
• arwoody100

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The following video possibly shows you a view of Hawaii many of its visitors don't see:

Here's another number by the same group:

The Shadow of Your Smile at Casablanca

What a neat way to armchair travel!