Wonderful Surprise Visit

Mark & Terri flew down for a few days over Easter weekend. This was a wonderful and welcomed surprise for Barb & I. You know that our event coordinator moved into action when she learned of the visit! So much to plan and only a few days to fit it all in. They arrived late Friday night after they waited out a couple of flight cancellations in Houston, TX but finally touched down around 11PM.

Saturday, we lunched at Felix’s Fish Camp and then we wanted to tour the USS Alabama sitting in Mobile Bay. We didn’t know there was a car show in the park at the same time and the line up to get in was too long to sit through so we made a plan B and toured the downtown area of Mobile. We were surprised to find it relatively quiet in the downtown, no tourist shoppers or street performers etc. We had a pleasant tour around anyway and then headed back to the Plantation and hosted a happy hour so our friends could meet our kids. Another full day and lots of laughs and fun.

 

 

On Sunday we – about 10 of us – descended on the Tin Top, our favourite brunch spots. Again, more good service, good food, champagne and caesars and great company. After, we toured around the Bon Secour area, showed Terri and Mark the Bon Secour river and fish retailers. The weather did not cooperate for us and outdoor activities were all cancelled. The 4 of us decided on a show and headed off there. Tom & Cheryl hosted happy hour but the show got out late, we made it to their rig anyway and everyone waited for us. So, about 8PM we thought dinner would be nice. It was Sunday and many Sundays through the summer, Terri & Mark will stop into see us on their way home and we go out for pizza so why should this Sunday be any different. Our favourite pizza spot is Cousin Vinnie’s in Daphne so lets go! We got a surprise – they were closed, who knew Easter Sunday was not a time to go out for dinner? Ok, so the next stop was Mexican and another good spot was sort of on the way back to the Plantation – opps, it was closed too! Ok, so one last chance or it could be peanut butter sandwiches. What do you know, McSharry’s Irish pub was open and they had live entertainment jamming in one corner of the pub. It was all we could do to keep Terri from dancing on the table! What a day!

 

Marti & Larry wanted to host a Frogmore Stew event and when she heard Terri & Mark were coming down, she decided to have it while they were here. So on Monday morning we went down to their coach to husk corn, help set up tables and anything else she needed doing. Then we were off to Barber Marina, an upscale marina that provides other attractions en route.

We first stopped at Bamahenge for some photo ops before we stopped to see the dinosaur sculptures also in the woods along the route to the marina. Our last stop was the marina with hopes of viewing the Lady in the Lake at the marina. Unfortunately, she was out of the water for repairs. We spent some time walking out on the floating concrete docks and enjoying the beautiful day. Back to the Plantation early so we could help out at the Frogmore Stew.

Marti invited all the residents on our street (total of 33 friends and neighbors including us 4). It was a beautiful day – Marti fretted for days as the weather forecast showed everything but snow. As people arrived, they sought out the shade to set up their lawn chairs. After lots of chatting and with Larry, Marti & Mark slaving over the hot kettles, the meal was ready to present. Yes, I do mean present. The traditional Frogmore Stew is drained and poured out onto the paper covered tables and everyone at the feast is to stand up to the tables and virtually dig in and enjoy. Larry & Mark drained each kettle basket and poured the contents onto the tables – oppss, some items endured the 5 second rule as we picked up some of the potatoes off the grass – and once both baskets were aligned on the tables, everyone was invited to the smorgasbord of shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob, onions, cauliflower, potatoes and did I mention shrimp?

 

Too soon, their visit is over and we are taking them back to the airport but not before another feast at Big Daddy’s for lunch. Again, all our friends joined us to say farewell to Terri & Mark. It was a whirlwind visit and we had lots of fun and enjoyed their short stay.

  

Here’s hoping this finds all well where you are and come by again…….