Bella Terra RV Resort, Gulf Shores, AL
Jan 25 -29, 2014
Trip MileMarker: 2,190
A sunny day. A short 193 mile drive and we arrive at Bella Terra RV Resort located in the flat, flat lands of south Alabama, 6 miles north of Gulf Shores, AL. A beautiful RV resort, it is continuing to expand and attract RV'ers that buy and improve their campsite with elaborate outdoor fireplaces and sometimes a guest bedroom and bath. Permanent ownership of an RV lot seems to us as a conflict with the real purpose of wheels and motor attached to your home so we have declined to be interested in purchasing a permanent RV lot. But it works for a lot of RV’ers.
Bob (my former CPA partner) and Suzanne had invited us to dinner at their home in Fairhope, AL the evening we arrived. Ed and Phylis from Mobile joined the dinner and it was a feast of too much food and fantastic conversation. Bob, turned author, is in the middle of writing a book. Suzanne is a former nutritionist that got her medical degree and is a dedicated general internist in Fairhope. Ed was a mechanical engineer, Navy mini-sub designer, former FBI agent and Phylis is a college professor. Ingredients for interesting conversation and it was most enjoyable.
On Sunday, Mary and I toured Mobile. The Mobile History Museum in the old City Hall provided a great start as it walks you through the city’s early history, its development, racial issues and current status.
As the first capital of colonial French Louisiana in 1702, Mobile was a colony of France, Britain and Spain before it locked in with the U.S. in 1813. Because of its multicultured history, massive wealth built on cotton and the absence of the devastation the Civil War, the old homes and building architecture is worth seeing. Our timing of Sunday and getting a late start didn’t allow us to take some of the home tours but we did do some neighborhood drive and walk through sightseeing. Next time – more time for Mobile.
The tires on the Honda, due to poor alignment and perhaps 11,000 miles being towed behind the bus had left us with a little remaining tread but a bumpy, noisy ride. I was willing to ignore the noise, Mary wasn’t. She won. On Monday, new tires went on the Honda. While new rubber was being installed on the Honda, Bob picked us up for lunch in Fairhope at Pinzone’s Italian Restaurant. The chef was a friend of Bob’s, the architecture could have been in Europe, the food was excellent and Pinzone’s gets 5 stars in our dining rating system.
Exploring Fairhope and its little downtown area was a treat. Ranked by Southern Living as one of the best southern small towns as a place to live, we can confirm it as a nice place to visit. Fairhope began as a utopian experiment in 1894 as a single tax colony. Its principles were to provide a place where "equality of opportunity, the full reward of individual efforts, and the benefits of co-operation in matters of general concern" were provided to all its citizens. The city has maintained some of its founding roots as it has morphed into a haven for writers and artists. The interesting downtown shops and friendly shopkeepers reflect the many talents of Fairhope’s residents. Shopping store owner conversation was good.
The Weather Channel on Monday night began pounding the panic drums for a severe winter storm that was moving into the gulf states on Tuesday evening. Having a telephonic board call in the middle of Tuesday and not wanting to experience New Orleans in the cold, we decided to stay at Bella Terra an additional night to allow the storm to pass through.
The storm did a little more than pass through. Tuesday night the temperatures dipped to the low 20’s, the motorhome was rocked with gusty winds and 3/8” of ice was deposited on most surfaces. Our water supply was frozen and the propane was running low. Wednesday morning, the Interstate bridge to Mobile was closed and nothing was moving. One more night at Bella Terra was required. As the roads began to clear late in the afternoon we did get out for a little shopping for an electric space heater (sold out) and found most stores closed. With McDonalds and Cracker Barrel closed you knew it was a bad day.
On Wednesday night the temperature went to 22, we stayed warm and sunshine early Thursday morning began to melt the ice on the motorhome. We were ready to go and departed for New Orleans late in the morning.
Overall, a great visit with friends in Fairhope, a fun time in Mobile, Bella Terra was a great place to stay, a winter storm of the decade for the Gulf Coast experienced and it was cold.
Gulf Shores Icemaker
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States
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