Looking Back at my 2018 Travels and Recommendations

01/07/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t just looked back at my calendar and all of the photos I took. During 2018, I visited 23 destinations, finished construction/decisions/moving involved with our new house and hosted the 11th Annual Cousins Camp. You might think I’d be ready to stay home for awhile, and yes. I truly do savor days for writing, thinking and “just being.” But, those of you who know me best, know that I always LOVE planning. So, happily my calendar is filling up with more amazing places to explore in 2019.

A few of the trips I made in 2018 were purely for fun, but 100% have or will end up as blog posts or articles in other publications. And, 100% of the places I visited can be wholeheartedly recommended for you. The vast majority were in my heartland, a.k.a. The Deep South, but I also got on a few airplanes along the way.

I began the year with Steve on Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL, and we ended our travel year seeing New York City at Christmas time. In between, there were fabulous restaurants, hotels, museums, attractions of all kinds and stunning displays of nature. Here are some highlights, pretty much in order as I saw them through the year. Maybe one or more of them will capture your attention and draw you in for a closer look. Please stick with me as we explore more hidden, and not-so-hidden, gems in 2019.

Shellhunting with the shorebirds on tranquil Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL in January of 2018.

The iconic tree in Rockefeller Center, New York City, December 2018.

February is a wonderful time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. There are many activities and advantage for snowbirds, and of course, the seafood is always fresh and delicious.

A search for the many painted mules in Jasper, AL is a fun pursuit. While there, the shopping and dining options are plentiful.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum is an important destination. While in town, try some of the great restaurants — Highlands Bar and Grill, Galley and Garden, Chez Fonfon, etc. — and take the elevator to the top of the Vulcan.

It was so much fun to share a “Gone with the Girls” tour with my daughter and granddaughter. Clay and Henry Counties and their towns of Jonesboro, Locust Grove and McDonough (just a few miles south of Atlanta) are full of great eateries. shops and attractions, among them is the Road to Tara Museum.

Oxford, Mississippi is home to the University of Mississippi, 4 restaurants owned by John Currence and Rowan Oak, home of novelist William Faulkner. What a great town!

In addition to famous recording studios, boutique hotels, the University of North Alabama and good Southern eats, be sure to visit the store and workshop of Natalie Chanin and get a close look at her fabulous textile artistry.

The historic and beautiful Dunhill is a great place to stay in downtown Charlotte. The rooms are comfortable, the location is great, and The Asbury, adjoining restaurant, has award-winning chefs.

Biltmore House and Gardens is a MUST when visiting Asheville, N.C. Also, consider one of the delightful B & Bs in the area.

While visiting the Old 96 District of South Carolina, I highly recommend staying at The Inn on the Square in Greenwood, S.C.

Historic Brattonsville is an informative attraction in the Olde English District of South Carolina, between Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC.

Canton OH is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and SO MUCH MORE!!

Downtown Cleveland is filled with sports venues, hotels and restaurants. A little further out are attractions for history, art and music lovers, and don’t forget the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Columbia, TN has a great historic downtown, the James K. Polk Home and the Blythewood Inn Bed and Breakfast. Be sure to plan a stop when you’re in the Nashville area.

Gadsden, AL has Noccalula Falls within its city limits, plus a wonderful Main Street with shops, restaurants and a very active cultural center.

Corinth, Mississippi is the site of important Civil War history. Here is a poignant fountain outside the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

The Palm Court, ornate restaurant inside the Plaza Hotel in New York City, is where one of America’s most famous Afternoon Tea parties takes place.

Go. See. Eat. Experience. There’s a great, big, fascinating world out there.

(Just scroll back through my blog posts to read about these places in greater detail).

3 Alabama Gulf Coast Restaurants I Highly Recommend (Revisited)

07/02/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

I am declaring a one-month sabbatical from blogging for July. The two reasons? 1) We’re FINALLY moving into our new house, and I desperately need to “make it into a home,” with all of the organizing, picture-hanging, accessorizing that entails. 2) The 11th Annual Pearson Cousins Camp will be held July 22-28. That week requires complete focus, attention and meticulous planning. So, for this month, we will revisit some of my favorite posts from the past three years that I have been blogging here at ThereGoesConnie.com.

Today, since many of you will be headed to the beach, let me remind you of 3 restaurants I’d love to suggest.

3 Restaurants in/near the Alabama Gulf Coast that I Recommend “Hungrily” 🙂

03/21/2016 BY: CCPEARSON2 COMMENTS

My Silver Fox and I found three WONDERFUL restaurants on a recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Two are relatively new, and one goes all the way back to 1958. They are not really in competition with each other. One is in Spanish Fort, one in Gulf Shores, and one in Orange Beach. Two are completely casual. One has a casual downstairs and a “dressy” upstairs. All three serve great seafood, but they each put their own spins on it and serve original recipes.

BLUEGILL is located on the Mobile Causeway within just a few miles of USS Alabama and the Battleship Memorial Park. The same owners also have nearby Felix’s Fish Camp. Both serve seafood, but they also have unique menus. BLUEGILL is famous for its Flaming Oysters. It has a capacity for 500 diners and offers nightly musical entertainment. By all means, go when you can take advantage of the gorgeous sunsets. Great food. Wonderful setting. Efficient staff. BLUEGILL was opened in 1958. Check out the website and read my fuller article here. Even Elvis liked it.

Grilled mahi mahi topped with crabmeat and cheese.

Sunset over the Mobile Delta at the back of BLUEGILL on the Mobile Causeway.

BLUEGILL Home of Famous Flaming Oysters, Spanish Fort, AL

2. BEACH HOUSE KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS is 1/2 block off of West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL. You will love the fresh ingredients and housemade juices, dressings, and sauces. Owner Brent Sexton opened in November of 2014, and he is growing a very enthusiastic following. Indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of flatscreen TVs are available. Mike will hook you up with one of his special dessert creations. Key lime pie or red velvet cheesecake, anyone? Beach House was so clean. Everything gleamed. We were there for an early lunch. I’m sure it “hops” at night. Check out the website and read my article here.

Mahi mahi grilled tacos on pineapple slaw with fresh green beans and sauteed onions and black beans with spices and lime juice.

Beach House front sign — 1154 West Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores, AL.

Interior of Beach House Kitchen.

3. FISHER’S AT ORANGE BEACH MARINA has a great location in a quiet cove. Chef Bill Briand is a recent nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award. He oversees both the downstairs DOCKSIDE location and the more formal UPSTAIRS dining room. The food has a cajun influence because of Chef Bill’s background, and it is delicious. Owner Johnny Fisher opened in 2013 and by 2014 and 2015, Fisher’s was already recognized by Southern Living as being one of the Best Restaurants in the South. If you are very lucky, you might be seated at a table served by Elena. She is a delightful girl from Moldova. I had never met anyone from Moldova before. Fascinating. Check out the website and read my article here.

The serene marina beside Fisher’s in Orange Beach.

Hummus with garlic and onions served with freshly baked pita wedges. Yum!!

Fisher’s server Elena from Moldova

A VIP Experience at Lulu’s in Gulf Shores, AL

12/11/2017 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Many of us who live in Alabama have spent a vacation or two on the Alabama Gulf Coast in either Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island or Fort Morgan. And, during those days, we make it a point to eat at Lulu’s at least once while we are in the area. After all, Lulu’s is practically a destination in itself with frequent live musicians scheduled, a large gift shop, snow cones, a beach, a Mountain of Youth ropes course, frequent dolphin sightings and a dock full of gorgeous boats to admire. Steve and I have eaten there as a couple and with friends on several occasions, but when we were in Orange Beach while I was covering the World Food Championships, we were invited to visit with other members of the media group. What a treat!!

A lovely representative of the Gulf Shores Tourism staff greeted us and showed us to a table — with NO WAITING! There was a full, lively crowd because of the presence of a popular music group playing that night as a part of the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival. The atmosphere was fun and celebratory — in NOVEMBER!!! You expect it from Spring Break through Labor Day and during Shrimp Fest, but we were way past that, and Lulu’s was still attracting great crowds. Lulu and her team are obviously doing things right. So right, in fact, that 700,000 people a year eat at Lulu’s.

Normally, when Steve and I go out for dinner, we each get an entree and we occasionally share an appetizer or a dessert — but not both. This is both a budget and a weight/health habit of ours. But, when you are a part of a group of food/travel writers, the restaurant wants you to sample lots of its specialties. We were HAPPY to oblige. 🙂

First came three different appetizers: Smoked Tuna Dip, L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar and Lulu’s “Holy Guacamole!” My goodness. We could have stopped after this course. So much flavor! The tuna dip is NOT made from canned tuna. Oh no, this tuna comes right out of the water. The guacamole was very fresh and delicious. And we loved the caviar made of black-eyed peas in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Of course, there are plenty of others to choose from, such as quesadillas, fried green tomatoes, crab claws, onion rings, boiled shrimp and gumbo, but we were trying to pace ourselves.

Smoked Tuna Dip

“Holy Guacamole!”

L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar — a.k.a.blackeyed pea dip.

For entrees, our group chose an oyster basket, a salad topped with popcorn shrimp, a salad topped with grilled fish, and grilled red snapper. It is important to note that Lulu’s is a prime supporter of the Fish Trax Marketplace. Read about it here. But, basically it means that you can track the QR code that comes with your plate of fish on your phone to find out when it was caught, where it was caught, and who caught it.

Red Snapper via the Fish Trax Marketplace.

Oyster basket.

Even though we were all thoroughly full and satisfied, there was the tiny matter of dessert. “Just a bite,” we all said. Well, we didn’t get just one bite, but three!! One was Key Lime Pie, one was Brownie in Paradise, and the last was Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. Can you imagine the decadence?

Everything was wonderful. Our server was so helpful and lively, and the evening was a complete delight. I hope you’ll be able to try it for yourself soon.

Lulu’s also has locations in Destin, FL and in Myrtle Beach, SC.

One more thing. If you can’t visit soon, you might just want to order Lucy Buffett’s latest cookbook, Gumbo Love. Order it here from Amazon.

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