What can I say my friends- we made it to the Flora-Bama border and restaurant! If you have never been you are missing a piece of coastal history! Our grilled shrimp po’ boys were cooked to perfection! I have never had better french fries- nothing says awesome Americana like a great french fry, admit it! An ice cold red stripe for me and Tina and Curt drank cans of frosty Corona- Cans? Yup and take out boxes so you enjoy you day in the place or on the beach! We ate in the Flo-Ba but enjoyed our 2nd beer at the surf! Yup- no tar balls and no people
I will never forget the day that I stood in the ruins of the Flora-Bama after hurricane Ivan- What remained of the structure was a half a shell like a huge hole was ripped in the gut of it…. yet bottles stood untouched- and the Bud paper banners fluttered mysteriously… (-which reminds me to download photos from the old old old laptop or find floppies).
I’ve never been to the Flora-Bama during the crazy “mullet toss festival” . Not tossing hair but chucking fish! Add to it drinking beer and romping on the beach- eye-ing all the hotties! sizzle sizzle-
The beach was so quiet- too quiet- spooky quiet- where are the tourists?
This trip for Curt and I is very special. Our together lives were spent on the coast. We met in Tunica, Mississippi. He freshly divorced and I on a divorce and rebound break up with a live-in. We moved to Biloxi as friends planning on both sharing a house for expenses, but living separate lives. And then 3 words happened- Sand Dollar Motel- twelve years ago-sometimes I side track the story for you and other times for me- you figure it out!
We had a condo in Gulf Shores- a teeny, tiny place that was supposed to be our vacation nest- but always seemed to be rented. WE ADORE GULF SHORES- heck- we love the Gulf!
To be completely candid with you- Our friends on the Gulf need our love and support right now. The bartenders and workers on the coast are lonely. These people need a wonderful diversion while their world are torn apart. The uncertainty they face is overwhelming… their news fades in and out while the distractions of our own lives are center stage.
But our own lives need them too- To admire the beauty that God bestowed on our country is a gift never to be taken for granted. No art, building or man made thing can compare to the awe inspiring miracles of nature…
and NOTHING in our lives can compare to the joy felt by making someone’s day especially if that friend is hurting. Our coastal friends want to serve you a could beer- the easiest thing you can do is bring some suntan lotion, some money and a big smile to any community on the coast- tell them that they are not alone. Ask them “Hey, what’s going on here?’ listen and be a witness to history! History is unfolding in front of our very eyes- see for yourself- Go to the coast, make new friends and enjoy the beauty-
I brought back an envelope full of colorful shells that I picked up on the beach- yup an envelope because I never expected to pick up anything but tar on my feet- and that my friends didn’t happen.
Cheers to new friends, cold beer and all our clocks that read
“It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere”- Thanks Jimmy Buffett, his friendsand CMT for a kick ass concert-
