We’re back from our usually-annual junket to the Alabama Gulf Coast, with suitably recharged wills and souls. A few highlights (click images for larger):
The Hole
I always wanted to dig a hole up on the dry part of the sand, and go deeply enough to hit water. My boys and their friend Jake actually did that on this trip. This is right in front of our rented chairs and umbrellas. It’s about seven feet all the way to the bottom.
The Food
Bates going and coming. We decided to go back to Mikee’s right when we got to town, and it was the same polished dive we remember. (And we were assured we could order barbecue shrimp even if it wasn’t on the menu anymore. Knowledge put in our pocket for next time.) Another night, my grilled cobia at The Original Oyster House was sublime.
And, a late afternoon visit to Lulu’s was satisfactory, with fantastic sit-outside weather and excellent service.
The headliner restaurant visit this time was Sassy Bass. Most of the way to the end of Fort Morgan Rd., Sassy Bass was pitched liberally around our condo. Never heard of it before, though it’s apparently been here since 2012. We took it in for dinner.
It’s a bit of an esoteric menu, and maybe a third of the entrees feature something called “street corn.” Turns out street corn is the signature side, at 1:00 below.
This is easily the most heavily spiced item I’ve ever been served in a restaurant. It’s not particularly hot; it’s just SPICED, man. Mustard, chili, and garlic are prominent, but the cocktail is very complex. I told our server what I’d figured out, and she confirmed all three, but the only additional ingredient she’d allow was butter. I ate most of it, finding its way-out quality more inviting than not.
Despite the considerable brownness and consequently meager curb appeal of the plate in general, it was a good piece of snapper, and the accompanying potatoes and deep-fried plantain were good too. We did start to laugh with our dining companions about whether we’d be allowed to leave, as we jokingly built a From Dusk Till Dawn-esque vibe about the place.
The Miscellaneous
I bought what was a pretty nice 10″ Windows tablet most of four years ago, but I really don’t do much with it anymore except mess with it in the recliner when I’m watching TV. (Football scores, live IndyCar scoring, and so forth.) I decided to take my ultra-cheapie 7″ Windows tablet on vacation this time, and you know what? I prefer it for this purpose. The portability appeals to the minimalist packer in me, and I like Microsoft’s latest portable wireless keyboard very much.
Seemed like a good opportunity to leave a card here and there, in a place where it looked like it belonged. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be there a year.
After many years of steady performance, I must say I-65 was a most unreliable travel partner this time. We actually dropped back to U.S. 31 at exit 308 on the way down, getting back on at exit 287. Even so, we still had two more significant stop-and-go sections. Then, this morning, right after we got on, we were taken off at exit 45 because of an overturned tractor trailer. After a fascinating two-hour tour of Perdido and Atmore at 5 mph—this is us amongst all of the northbound I-65 traffic, mind—we got back on at exit 54.
Fairly smooth from there, though I must say that despite media reports, I noted no increased emphasis on ticketing left lane abusers. (I am delighted to report, however, that Lea’s Mobil-1-from-birth minivan is still eminently capable of a brief trip to 105 mph to recast lane indiscipline and dumbassery.)
It was a good trip. And, it’s good to be home.
You might also like:
- Review: Sassy Bass Market Place Chunky Five Pepper Super Hot Sauce
We took a lovely spring break trip to Fort Morgan, and decided to give Sassy Bass another try after … - Gulf Shores, Alabama
Lea and I (mostly Lea; thank you, dear) planned our annual trip to Gulf Shores today. We like to go … - Gulf Shores 2008
As I publish this, we’re headed home from three nights in Gulf Shores. It’s been a good trip. The we… - Gulf Shores 2013
Lea, the boys, and I got back from a fall break trip to Gulf Shores this afternoon. We were blessed … - Back to Bridge Street
Well, I’m going back to our latest Peoplequarium today. Julie, a bud who shows up in six-month stint…