Mon., 11 Feb 13

A little relaxation after our travel and set-up. Tornadoes touched down last night about 80 miles north of here. Building were destroyed; however, there was plenty of TV warnings and I haven`t heard of casualties. We slept in a bit (9 a.m.). Charlotte spent the morning watching TV and crocheting. I tried to get on-line to find more things to do in the area. With the heavy rain and thunderstorms I don`t think they will be installing the new Wi-Fi for a few days. (Pictures will be added when the Wi-Fi improves - I'll be lucky to just get the blog out.)

A neighbour came over this morning to let us know when (6:45 p.m.) the Mardi Gras parade would start in Fairhope, AL (just 15 minutes down the road) today. He also told us where (downtown) and how to get there. He warned us to be careful! Nothing dangerous - it is just that this is the last parade and there will be a lot of  ``throws`` from the floats. We will have to watch to not be hit. He also said the parade sometimes goes around the route 2 or 3 times. This will probably depend on the weather this evening.

The next few days weather reports are showing 80% change of rain. So far today it has been continuous and heavy with occasional thunderstorms.

We packed our rain suits (jacket and pants) and headed off to Fairhope, AL for the day sometime around noon.  The reason I say sometime is because we are not sure of the time.  We set the clocks a few times; however, we were still  unsure.  The confusion is because some of the TV stations we receive are from Florida which means they are showing a different time zone (EST).

Our main purpose was to attend the Fairhope Mardi (actually, Lundi) Gras parade. Unlike New Orleans, Mardi Gras here (greater Mobile, AL area) is more of a family event. We did not see anyone drinking anything other than coffee.

Our outing today includes two restaurants featured on Food Networks’ Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. Our first stop would be for lunch at Panini Pete’s in the “French Quarter” which, like several restaurants in the downtown area, closes around 2:30 p.m.  Supper is planned for the Gumbo Shack (also featured on Triple D) which is open late.

We clicked “Panini Pete’s” on the GPS and headed out.  About 15 minutes later we arrived in downtown Fairhope.  “No Parking  after 5 PM” signs along all of the downtown streets marked the parade route.  We parked the car and then tried to find Panini Pete’s. Finally, down the street, we saw the sign on the sidewalk. 

In the south the early homes were described as “Shotgun” houses meaning if you fired a shotgun at the front the blast would go through the whole house without hitting a thing. In other words, they were long and narrow. This is like many of the stores here – long and narrow with other shops or restaurants way back down the alley.

We sat in the Victorian style “Garden Gazebo” section of Panini Pete’s Café and Bakeshoppe. Although it was packed we did find a table available. Usually (we were told) there is a line-up to get in all day long.  Charlotte ordered a Turkey Panini and I ordered the Triple D featured "Panini Pete’s Muffaletta Panino". As usual, we share good food. Both were well worth the trip – Thank You Guy! (Fieri).

Alabama has good food! Several restaurants nearby have been featured on TV food programs. Fairhope, AL has two that were featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Even more are nearby.

Not only was this cafe and bakery featured on Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) on the Food Network - Pete was lucky enough to have been chosen to join the Krewe for the Guy Fieri Food Tour! Along with Gorilla, Stretch and Guido he hit the road for a 14 city tour of live shows. A Foodapalooza as they call it. He described it as "Rock meets The Kitchen with a circus thrown in!" The crew met in Charleston, SC for a day of rehearsal. The first day 2 of the 3 menu items changed so they had to do a little scrambling and shopping to get the right products. All worked out and they got settled in for the opening show the next night. The energy of the crowd was  phenomenal! Things went off very well. "Working those induction burners is always a challenge"; he said, "but when Guy is off from cooking to “story time” you really have to work those pan to keep things rolling; but, not burning!"

As for the food, Pete`s Muffaletta Panino (Italian meats and cheeses with olive salad on rustic Italian) is listed in Alabama Tourism`s "100 Things to eat before you die".

Before leaving we asked for the correct time and headed out after lunch with an extra hour in our day. Our  first shopping stop occurred as soon as we reached the sidewalk. The “4 Bags Boutique” was a delightful little shop filled with designer handbags and accessories.  Although Charlotte was not looking for a bag or anything else for that matter she did find something with her name on it. Sharon, like all folks we have met so far, was very warm and friendly. After several try-ons, with Sharon’s help, Charlotte made a decision - a unique and colourful jacket.

Heeding the parking warnings we decided to move the Del Sol to a safe parking before all the closest spots where taken. We then returned to shop the streets. Ironically, the closest parking spot was near our supper destination – the Gumbo Shack (again, with signs on the sidewalk).

We spent the next few hours enjoying the lovely landscaped downtown area. Fairhope really is a gem. We were surprised to learn this area really did not develop until recently. We passed a store with a plaque denoting it as the location of the first hospital (1901). Across the road was Julwin’s, Baldwin county’s oldest restaurant (1945), which also closed early (2 p.m.)

Behind the public library there were a number of parked RVs. We walked over to see if this was a city RV park. It was not. They were parked there with special permission from the city. These RVs were part of the staging area for tonight’s parade.  Presumably, many of the participants would get into costume here.

We crossed the street to the Fairhope Museum; however, it was closed (due to Mardi Gras?). We then walked the path beside the museum to the main street. It came out at the Tourism Welcome Center which we entered. We remained here (comfortable seats) and people watched. Occasionally we had conversations with those that entered (many) as there were public washrooms in the building. This was a good spot as it was raining heavily again.

A little more than an hour before parade time crews arrived to prepare the parade route. A Police car accompanied by a number of tow trucks passed first. Hopefully, no vehicles would need to be towed.  A few moments later workers arrived to remove holder covers along the curb and inserted metal posts through which steel cable was strung. This would keep the crowds off the street during the parade. Obviously, this was a procedure that they were well used to doing being the parade follows the same route year after year.

The downtown trees lit up at dusk and were very pretty. We left the Welcome Center about 15 minutes before parade time. Thankfully, the rain had stopped and things were drying up quickly. We managed to find a spot to watch the parade. There was now a continuous line of spectators along the cable on both sides of the street.

This parade was sponsored by the Order Of Mystic Magnolias (OOMM). There have been dozens of parades throughout the area in the last few days. There will be several more parades tomorrow for Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) especially in Mobile, AL which will have six parades scheduled throughout the day.

To our surprise the Grand Marshal of the parade was Minnie Mouse! Along with the floats there were costumed riders on horseback, in autos (vintage to hot rods, a double-decker (London) bus, comically decorated vehicles and drill team mini-cars. Everyone was tossing “Throws” as they passed by. Spaced between the floats were bands of all kinds – school bands, country bands, rock bands and even bagpipers.

Folks who had used their umbrellas to protected themselves from the rain now turned them upside-down to catch the throws. Most folks just used their hands to catch throws or step on the ones that hit the road.

Charlotte was doing quite well – perhaps it was her previous practice on Bourbon St in New Orleans, LA.

The parade was well staged with a band (marching or otherwise) between the floats. This gave spectators a chance to pick up the items that had landed on the road near them.  Apparently, there is a large fine for crossing the line and entering the parade route although they don’t seem to mind if you just reach past the line.

Each float was constructed with vantage points at least three to four levels high. This allows the few dozen folks on board to toss their throws without hitting each other.  Each float was preceded by flag bearers carrying the name of the “OOMM” Krewe or the float's theme.

The parade route followed a path that ran in and out of the streets which were only one block apart. After the parade passed everyone moved to the nearby street that ran in the opposite direction and got to see it all over again. In our move we found a spot halfway between the street lights. We had learned this from our previous position. We often lost the path of the throws when the street light was directly across the street.

We changed positions a third time with the final move bringing us closer to where the car was parked . As we walked back to the car after the final pass the street cleaning workers and machines were already out. The barriers were left up to allow the workers a clear shot at cleaning up without traffic. A number of folks were also on the streets picking up the throws that had been missed or left behind. Some had “pickers” so they did not have to bend over.

On reaching the car it took us ten minutes just to unload our “throws” into the trunk.  A few steps down the street and down the alley (way down) we arrived at the Gumbo Shack. Again, like Pete’s, this place was packed with only one or two tables left.

We sat and were soon served. We ordered our meal which (again) we shared. The Gumbo (for which the place is named) and the Jambalaya (featured on Triple D) were both excellent.  Again – thank you Guy! 

We enjoying the food while listening to the music of “Rhythm Intervention”. Loved their sound – a little R and B, a little Reggae, a little Rock ‘n Roll, a little of everything – all well done. The small dance floor was always packed.

We topped the meal off with a little decadent dessert that was a great way to end a fun day. After finding our way around the blocked off streets we got on the main road heading back to the RV campground. 

After unloading our booty we watched Jay’s monologue on the Tonight Show (at 10:35 p.m. here) then turned off the TV and were asleep in moments.