Orange Beach, Alabama

Post date: Jan 17, 2015 11:44:52 PM

Arrived in Alabama to overcast, grey & wet weather,  But for the past two days it's been beautiful. We didn't plan it, but it turns out we are in Snow-Bird Haven.  Talk about being among your peers!  I haven't seen so many grey-hairs since I left Merrill Gardens.  There are people here from Minnesota, Indiana, Georgia and S. Dakota.  

The beaches are white, and the temperatures are usually in the 50s & 60s.  Our condo is facing the Gulf, but behind us, on the other side of the road is a River. (which eventually will take you to the Gulf)  Mostly Condos along the Gulf and more houses & cabins along the river.  Beautiful Marinas and amazing Pleasure boats.  Just think, you could cruise along the Gulf from Baton Rouge to Florida to the Caribbean.  The Wharf in Orange Beach is very high end, with shops, restaurants & outdoor bars.  Feels a lot like Mexico.

We went to Pensacola Florida (only 30 miles) to the Navy Air Museum (home of the Blue Angels).  The Museum is on the Pensacola Naval Air Station Base. Very impressive. Big!  You name the year & plane and they had one.  Also on the base was a Light House that was built in 1823, moved to it's present location from the mouth of the Mississippi River.  Beautifully restored.  No, we didn't climb to the top - it was over 150 feet tall.

We also explored the town of Foley.  It's on the way to Orange Beach.  There was an HO scale model train set up in the old Depot, downtown in their Centennial Park.  Great layout - While driving around the town, we stopped to look at a New Home Development and walked through a Model.  1900 sf @ 179k.  3 bedrooms/2 baths brick home. Tree lined streets.  Just lovely, but the summers are hot & full of tourists!

We needed haircuts, couldn't find a Super Cuts, so took our chances & choose a shop that said "walk-ins accepted" It wasn't Steel Magnolias, but the woman that cut Renee's hair was talking about traveling.  She said she went to Atlanta once.  Then she lowered her voice & whispered to Renee "but there are a lot of Black people there"  Quick witted as Renee is & also observing her surroundings (women standing with scissors) she just smiled. One of the other patrons asked if Renee & I were sisters.  I just answered "no" Didn't think an explanation would be prudent.  Yep, we're in the South....