I have spent the past three days in Alabama and crossing into Florida exploring the coast and I must admit, it is getting harder and harder to find the fun dive bars. However, not to fret, because I did.
After leaving Vicksburg, I made the ride to Ocean Springs, Alabama and then onto Fairhope, Alabama. A quick note on Ocean Springs — if you book yourself into a motel in Ocean Springs, Alabama that is listed for $59/night and when you pull in the sign says “Extended Stay for as low as $55/night,” you may have overrated the motel. I slept on top of the covers.
Leaving Ocean Springs, the options were to ride through Mobile and down the East Coast of Mobile Bay to Fairhope or to extend the ride a bit and go to Dauphin Island and then take a ferry from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan and then onto my destination of Fairhope, Alabama. I decided on the Fairy. Ocean Springs can be missed so I will focus on Dauphin Island as it was a memorable adventure and Fairhope as it is a beautiful town. It has a beautiful waterfront park and truly one of the best oyster bars I have visited. However, going to the Fairhope beach is not exactly like visiting Todd’s Point in Greenwich, CT.
Dauphin Island Pirates Bar and Grill, a great stop on the way to FairhopeOn the Pirates’ Deck overlooking the Boardwalk at the Pirates Bar and Grill, Dauphin IslandThe Beach on Dauphin Island – nicer than the picture showsDauphin Island to Fort Morgan Ferry with an Oil Rig in the backgroundFairhope Alabama Beach – Truly BeautifulHowever, Visiting the Fairhope, Alabama Beach is a little different from Todd’s Point
On the Fairhope Municipal Pier, I found an Oyster Meca called Shux
Having found Shux, I will say that in an earlier blog I sang the praise of visitor centers. Now, I will sing the praise of bartenders who are willing to give you the straight scoop. At Shux, I met Mel who was a bartender who knew her stuff and she directed me to “The Mag” – the Magnolia Bar and Grill for some Karaoke. Never one to miss an opportunity to sing, off I went.
Mel, the Bartender at Shux in the back, and another new best friend Dan. Mel directed me to the “Mag”Singing Karaoke at the Mag – Love the Easter Bunny on the Christmas tree The next morning – Thank goodness Mel was manning the bar again and making Great Bloody’s for everyone.
Before I left Fairhope, I had the privilege, thanks to my Sister Inlaw, Cynthia Bell and Brother Inlaw, Jimmy Bell to tour the Mobile–Tensaw River Delta. The Mobile–Tensaw River Delta is the largest river delta and wetland in Alabama. It encompasses approximately 260,000 acres in a 40-by-10-mile area and is the second largest delta in the Contiguous United States.
If you are interested in what a Delta is…
Not an RYC boat – But it did float and got us there and backA lot of Alligators Down here
Saying goodbye to Fairhope, I was off to Gulf Breeze, Florida. But not before I had the opportunity to make a 10AM stop at the famous Flora-Bama Bar and Oyster Bar. A bar situated directly on the Florida / Alabama state line. One can buy Florida Lottery tickets on one side of the bar and not on the other side (Alabama does not have a lottery as it would be gambling)
You have to love a bar where families are welcome until 5:30 PMBecause, after 5:30 PM, “Katy, Bar the Door” – Yes, those are bras on the lineBut, not to worry – Flora-Bama conducts Sunday Church Services to repent for Saturday transgressions – You cannot make this stuff up!Downed 24 (Two Dozen) Oysters at Flora-Bama – Anybody know the record for these gems?
Tomorrow I am off to Seaside Florida which is where they shot “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carry. It maybe a bit staid.
Paul Kramer’s award-winning and distinguished career is characterized by a long track record of building high-performance sales and marketing communication organizations.
He brings a high-energy, enthusiastic approach to marketing that is contagious and produces results. His expertise is a unique blend of creativity, technical marketing analysis, and a keen business sense for strategic positioning. He has worked with some of the world's greatest communication companies, including Grey Advertising, Bates Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi, D.L. Ryan Companies and Epsilon.
He is skilled in all areas of marketing from both the agency and client side of the business. He is especially strong in strategic planning, global marketing, national brand & account management, marketing communications, licensing and business development. In addition, he has a solid thirty plus year management foundation with accomplishments in P&L management, intellectual property, forming and maintaining strategic alliances and building business.
Mr. Kramer has documented successes in companies from $10 Million to $100 Million in size, with industries ranging from automotive, restaurant to consumer packaged goods and durable goods. He brings an unusually strong multi-product, multi-market background. The beneficiaries of his marketing acumen include Johnson & Johnson, M&M Mars, Cadbury, Toyota, The Stanley Works, Timex, Wal*Mart, Alcoa, Novartis and more.
Mr. Kramer has received awards for his career accomplishments, including a Promotional Marketing Association Reggie for Global Marketing and a Promotional Marketing Association Reggie for Account Specific Marketing. Mr. Kramer is married to Catherine and has two beautiful daughters, Emma and Sarah, and his hobbies include tennis, motorcycling, and boating.
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9 thoughts on “Flora-Bama”
Another great tale. Paul, if you want to drive down the Florida left coast we’re on an island on the Gulf. We’d love seeing you. Tom
Tom, thanks for the invite. However, I am heading over to the east coast to visit with John and Denise Kuendig and leave my bike there for 3 weeks. Catherine and I are going to Costa Rica and then I am coming back to John’s to pick-up the bike and finish my ride up the east coast. Actually, I am heading in land a bit as well to visit the Tail of the Dragon and ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. But next winter Catherine and I are looking at places to rent in Naples and that may work or let me know when you are passing through Greenwich
Paul, Naples is nice. If you need info we have some friends in Naples. I knew you were heading to Kuendigs. By the way, you still owe me lunch from the Kuendig bet.
Love the trip story. Not sure about your itinerary, but you may want to check out Dothan AL. I went there during the Michelin days and was surprised to find out that apparently some of the most prominent citizens had German accents. Turns out that Dothan had a Luftwaffe POW prison. After the war, the prisoners decided to stay ( things were kinda grim in the Fatherland). And became the political elite. Oh yeah, the BBQ is really good there too. And given they are Germans, beer is really good too.
Cruising with Kramer 
Another great tale. Paul, if you want to drive down the Florida left coast we’re on an island on the Gulf. We’d love seeing you. Tom
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Tom, thanks for the invite. However, I am heading over to the east coast to visit with John and Denise Kuendig and leave my bike there for 3 weeks. Catherine and I are going to Costa Rica and then I am coming back to John’s to pick-up the bike and finish my ride up the east coast. Actually, I am heading in land a bit as well to visit the Tail of the Dragon and ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. But next winter Catherine and I are looking at places to rent in Naples and that may work or let me know when you are passing through Greenwich
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Paul, Naples is nice. If you need info we have some friends in Naples. I knew you were heading to Kuendigs. By the way, you still owe me lunch from the Kuendig bet.
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That is so funny. You are absolutely correct. I will repay one day soon.
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Man Paul!!! I love this latest post. I actually have a rental car with Alabama plates. People in Fairfield County give me strange looks!
If they only knew that there’s a gay guy driving a car with Alabama plates, I’d just need one more thing for a trifecta !!! Enjoy the ride
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A little slice of Bama / Fla heaven. Love the 24 oysters. You’re 1 dozen ahead of my own record. Nice.
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They were the best oysters ever. Never seen or had better. Large and tasty.
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Love the way you are capturing this adventure in words and photos .
you are having the adventure of a lifetime !!
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Love the trip story. Not sure about your itinerary, but you may want to check out Dothan AL. I went there during the Michelin days and was surprised to find out that apparently some of the most prominent citizens had German accents. Turns out that Dothan had a Luftwaffe POW prison. After the war, the prisoners decided to stay ( things were kinda grim in the Fatherland). And became the political elite. Oh yeah, the BBQ is really good there too. And given they are Germans, beer is really good too.
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