Finally Able to Follow Willy - On the Road Again

Shaking Off the Rust

First Long Trip in 21 Months

So The Black Pearl (a name created by Forest River for our Berkshire) was ready to roll by 9:30, June 2nd, but it took the human team 20 minutes to get the Ford Edge hooked up and ready to roll! Our muscle memory for locking pins and stone guard install took a few more minutes than it will after a few more stops (we hope)! Reporting to follow!

Bye to our pandemic neighbors The MacKays

Our First Harvest Host Experience

In 2020, before we knew we would be tied to Fisherman's Cove RV Resort for 21 months, we signed up for Harvest Host. This RV group provides website access to a list of farms, wineries, distilleries, and assorted attractions which offer free rv or minimal cost parking reservations. Generally, folks who use these RV sites buy products offered by the Hosts.

For our first Harvest Host experience we stopped at Southern Grace Lavender Farm in Southport, FL. We paid $15 for a site with 50 amp electric service. (It was too humid to do without air conditioning. We don't rough it, that's why we love the RV lifestyle.) In addition to electricity, we had a cement patio and a dedicated fire pit and picnic table! 

Southern Grace has soaps, essential oils, and sachets, among their products for sale. Free range chickens, a potbelly pig with its personal guard dog, and a rooster are also part of the farm. 

The owners, Kari and Jason are most welcoming and have provided a dog park for guests and the lavender plantings for an evening stroll. 

We also learned that each morning free farm fresh eggs are available at the Welcome Center, but when you snooze you lose! All the eggs were gone by the time we went to check!

Sweet Home - Now in Alabama

Many years ago we spent a number of weeks near the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Summerdale, Foley, Gulf Shores and Mobile have experienced a number of devastating hurricanes since we were last in this area. Isolated parts show the effects with a number of huge trees toppled, but the extensive building of new housing has brought an influx of new businesses, restaurants, farmers markets, museums, and inner city development.

The area now has 2 WalMart SuperCenters, so of course we visited! And we were rewarded by finding that our favorite "large bottle" house wine - Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Noir - is once again available! Hurrah!

Exploring Provides So Many Memories

Because Mobile is so close, we took a trip to the city. We had only been to the Mobile airport never to downtown. Road construction seems as common in Alabama as it is in Florida, a good sign. 

We found the Mobile Welcome Center which houses a wonderful History Museum of Mobile. Horse drawn carriages, Egyptian mummies, the history of Mobile: Civil Rights, WWII Liberty ships, doll houses, the history of Mardi Gras, are what I remember.  The building itself was the original open air town market and city hall. There was no time to visit the nearby Colonial Fort Conde and historic Dauphin Street.

Hard to imagine the hours this gentleman devoted to his children and grandchildren

Mardi Gras originated in Mobile

Such a span of time -
Colonial Fort Conde -
Spire of Christ Church Cathedral -
City of Mobile Municipal Court

June Brings Fresh Corn

The best piece of information we got at the Foley Tourist Center was that Krupinski's corn was ready. We had always enjoyed our fresh corn in North Carolina and Florida, but Silver Corn from Krupinski's can't be beat! 

Folks from far and wide were happy to see this sign!

Each bag is a half bushel-wonderful to use paper

This giant survived all the hurricanes- its diameter rivals the Sequoias

Although it was the smallest farmers market we visited on a rainy Saturday, it was the best purchase of the day, topping the mini succulent, blueberry lemon muffin, chorizo and chicken empanadas, candied jalapeĩĩos, red onion and red potatoes.

So many places to visit that we won't get to on this visit, but new adventures await!