Thursday, August 9

Mobile Bay Boardwalk 

Home on the Boatdwalk

Confederate Rest Cemetery

Civil War cannon - Grand Hotel

Today was set aside to enjoy the Grand Hotel Resort at leisure. We indulged in the breakfast buffet, which of course was a major pig out - we will NOT be lunching by the pool! On the resort's bicycles we took off on the waterfront path that meandered first through the Grand's Formal Lawn where a reproduction of a Civil War Cannon is displayed. Each afternoon at 4:00 o'clock it is fired to salute both today's military and those who have passed through this historic hotel over the years. (During the Civil War the hotel was turned into a Confederate Hospital and during WWII it was used as a
training base for the Army Air Corps).
The adjoining neighborhood featured exquisite southern homes that had some of the finest porches we have ever seen.  Displayed prominently in the landscaping were some very old live old trees - talk about a perfect morning ride.  The only setback occurred when Charlie's bike lost its chain.  Putting the chain back on a one speed bike is an unusual (and greasy) challenge in this day and age.
En route to the Confederate Rest Cemetery we passed through the Six-acre Live Oak Grove which has trees old enough to have witnessed the Civil War.  More than three hundred Confederate soldiers died while in the hospital at the Grand Hotel and they are buried in Confederate Rest.  (We can't help but notice a reoccurring theme throughout The South - the tendency of these communities to immortalize this dark period in their history.)
Next on the agenda was a dip in the pool - of course it was turning into yet another ninety degree day - do people ever get accustomed to these temps & humidity?  A quick car tour of Fairhope ensued.  We didn't feel the need to buy anything and returned from the quaint downtown empty handed.
In the evening we were back for one more round of fine dining and good wine ............ tomorrow we need to move on before this resort lifestyle gets the most of us!