Sometimes pictures will have to do

When words and ideas elude one, then there's the next best thing 

Next post: As yet undetermined

Merriment comes to end for 2018 Mardi Gras

Revelers wrapped up celebrating Mardi Gras as of midnight tonight (Tuesday).

There are some places throughout the US where such a celebration is held, but mostly it is along the Gulf Coast between Mobile and New Orleans.

Almost every town along the Mississippi Gulf Coast has at least one parade during the season.

Of course, New Orleans and Mobile both go big time for the annual event.

Mardi Gras is also referred to as “Fat Tuesday.” It is the day where merriment reigns up until midnight with the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday which leads to Easter.

My wife and I don't usually take part in the celebration. There are any number of reasons, but even in our younger days we didn't make that many parades.

We know when the parades are taking place and manage to not get involved in the traffic problems.

There are the other kinds of people who love the festivities and get totally involved.

And then some people don't want to even think about it and head off on a vacation far, far away.

Although New Orleans gets the most notoriety concerning the parades, Mardi Gras actually originated in Mobile AL.

For those out and about late on Tuesday, good luck and enjoy all the festivities while anticipating the Lenten season.

Next post: February 20, 2018

Beautiful day, great coffee house

My wife and I enjoy checking out new coffee houses and the Southern Grind just fit the bill on a recent trip to Orange Beach, AL.

We noticed the shop early last year on a trip to Pensacola, FL and the Gulf Shores, AL area.

The Grind is located at a commercial complex called the Wharf. Time constraints on our earlier trip didn’t allow for visiting the coffee house.

But on our recent trip over that way a couple weeks ago, we worked a visit into our schedule.

During the earlier trip we were motoring around the area at night and the complex stood out in a surreal sort of way. We just had to return.

The Wharf is located just east of where the Foley Beach Express bridge crosses the intracoastal waterway.

This visit was on a Saturday afternoon. The skies were clear, the wind cool and the day was beautiful. 

And the Southern Grind turned out to be a great stop on our day trip.

As usual my wife had hot tea and I ordered a vanilla latte, both which were very enjoyable.

The business, in addition to the coffee shop, also offers home decor, art and gifts.

There is also a second location at the Hotel Indigo on the beach highway in Gulf Shores.

Next post: Feb. 13, 2018.