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

Alabama Gulf Coast Discoveries: Part 3 – Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach

03/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

It has been a long time since a place impressed me as much as the Coastal Arts Center did during a recent visit. I had no idea what to expect but drove up to an absolutely beautiful setting and a building bustling with activity on a Monday morning.

On the grounds of the Coastal Arts Center.

View from the back porch of the gallery.

Rear veranda of the gallery, overlooking Wolf Bay.

The actual Arts Center Gallery overlooks Wolf Bay and sits on the spot where the first hotel in Orange Beach once stood. Some of the elements of that 1923 building are still visible today. Former bedroom doors are now bathroom vanities, octagonal columns have become display pedestals, heart pine flooring is glimpsed in the Conference Room, and the original front door and some of the windows are now in the Gift Shop. The rest had to be torn down because of severe structural damage. The present structure is Southern to its core and perfect for extending Southern hospitality for weddings, concerts and corporate, public and private events of all kinds. What is even more remarkable is the fact that the facility is run completely by the City of Orange Beach (with the generous help of the Friends of the Arts non-profit group), and staff members, as well as teachers for various classes, are employees of the city. What a commitment the City of Orange Beach has made to its permanent residents, property owners, snowbirds who spend a few months each year AND the thousands of vacationers who flock to the Gulf coast for a week every summer.

Inside the gallery looking toward the entrance.

Chandelier inside the gallery.

Looking out the back windows of the gallery.

On the day I toured, the gallery, gift shop and offices were open and greeting guests, while classes in glass, ceramics and painting were in full swing in separate buildings on the grounds.

Gift shop in the Coastal Arts Center.

Pot of glass flowers created in The Hot Shop.

The Hot Shop offers Hot Glass Blowing under the expert instructions of Kerry Parks and Dan Rush, Glass Artists in Residence. The student in my photos was Jean Kocher.

Glass-blown ornaments in The Hot Shop.

Artists-in-residence with their student.

Student trying a new skill.

The Clay Studio is overseen by Maya Blume-Cantrell, Ceramics Artist in Residence. She offers students instruction in wheel-throwing or hand-building, or visitors may choose pieces that have already been created and paint them to their liking — called “pick-n-paint.”

Maya Blume-Cantrell in The Clay Studio.

Jane Sellier and other talented colleagues teach classes in acrylic, watercolor and oil painting.

Art Education Cottage where painting classes are held.

Students gathered around Jane Sellier during an acrylics painting class.

I urge you to visit the gallery and maybe schedule a class during your next trip to Orange Beach. This would make a great Girls’ Getaway while the men are off playing golf. How about a gorgeous new ornament for your Christmas tree that you made yourself?? And, by the way, I have my eyes on a lovely piece of art that I hope will find its home in my new house before long. I promise you’ll find temptations of your own.

More art works for sale in the gallery.

Art pieces for sale inside the gallery.

The Center is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you hurry, you can make it for the Festival of Art to be held on the grounds this coming Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11.

Learning from Passionate People — Soap Makers in Orange Beach

02/16/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

I love meeting people who are passionate about what they do, the business they own, the products they create. There’s a sparkle in their eyes and a contagious enthusiasm in their voices and personalities. During the next several weeks, I want to introduce you to some of the people I’ve recently observed.

ALI AND RUTA QURESHI

Owners, Harmony Creek Farm, San Roc Cay in Orange Beach, AL

Harmony Creek Farm, San Roc Cay in Orange Beach, AL

Their motto is “Life Is Short! Use Good Soap!” And the Qureshis make really good soap.

Ali and Ruta Qureshi enjoying their soapmaking business together.

Ali and Ruta had their farm and business in the D.C. and Virginia area until about a year ago when they decided to relocate to Orange Beach. Generally, Ali takes care of the front of the store, helping customers, stocking shelves, etc. while Ruta makes the soap in her laboratory/workshop/teaching area in the back. Occasionally, Ruta’s 88-year-old mom even gets in on the fun and is referred to as “a mold-lining queen.” Ruta says that her interest in soap-making emerged as a great combination between the craftiness her mom had and her father’s background as a chemist. She smiles when she talks about a Pakistani and a girl from North Dakota meeting when they were both students at George Washington University in D.C. When they first met, she had no intention of actually dating him, but she was immediately attracted. And, the rest is history.

Ruta, in addition to making 6-7 batches of soap per week for the store, teaches two types of classes. One is “Introduction to Cold-Process Soapmaking” and the other is “Fizzing Bath Bombs,” which is particularly fun for Girls’ Day Out times, Birthday Parties or family time. In the Fizzing Bath Bombs class, students can customize their bombs with different fragrances, colors and botanicals and then take the bombs they make home. The cold-process class is more of a demonstration/explanation/observation event, but students still leave with a luxurious soap bar of their own choosing. The whole store smells AMAZING!

Ruta Qureshi shows a few of her tools.

Adding the color to a batch of soap.

Ruta emphasizes the importance of using high quality products on our skin, which is actually our largest organ. At the same time, she doesn’t think soap has to be boring. It can actually be very artistic and beautiful. She begins with a combination of olive oil, palm oil and coconut oil (important for a good lather) and combines those oils with the exact amount of lye. Precautions have to be taken when using lye, but “you can’t make soap without lye.”

She shared that lemongrass is their #1 selling soap, among other tidbits such as “lavender is a well-behaved oil” while “cinnamon is a cranky oil.” I had no idea!

Their main customer base is derived from those who come into the store (and they offer a Frequent Buyer card), but their on-line orders are growing. They also have some high-end customers. For example, they created a cherry blossom soap for the VIP clients at the Ritz-Carlton in the DC area wrapped in beautiful origami/rice papers, and they just created some custom Valentine’s Day soaps for the Ritz in New Orleans. What about Mardi Gras-colored soap that smells like king cake? Oh my!

Cherry blossom soap smells divine.

Beautiful papers for wrapping a custom soap order.

Mardi Gras soap that smells like King Cake.

Valentine soaps waiting for New Orleans clients.

All of their soaps are vegetarian, and most are even vegan, except for a few which contain goat’s milk or honey. And, did I mention that they even make soaps for dogs and cats?? My resident veterinarian approved the ingredients list. 🙂

Harmony Creek Farm even serves the needs of 4-legged customers.

They are happy to make custom soaps for wedding favors, showers or special events and will make a special color and scent with a custom label or tag.

Contact Ali and Ruta at 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd. #114, Orange Beach, AL 36561. The phone number is 251-974-7627 (SOAP) and the website is www.harmonycreekfarm.com.

Those of you who are blog subscribers know that I generally share a devotional/spiritual insight in my Friday posts. Today I’d like to remind you of the story of husband/wife Aquila and Priscilla whose story is found in Acts 18 of the Bible. They were tentmakers who worked together and were very instrumental in helping Paul in his ministry in Corinth and later Apollos in Ephesus. Take time to review their story. (The chapter is short and very interesting). I thank God for people who set examples in the past, and I pray God’s blessings on Ali and Ruta Qureshi’s marriage and their business.

Most Popular Posts and Favorite Articles from 2017

01/01/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I’ve been looking back over my 104 blog posts from 2017 and thought you might enjoy revisiting some of the most popular ones. Here are the six that received more than 1000 viewers. The first one on this list was seen by 3470 people — a record for me, but not surprising considering the subject. Click on each line to read the post.

Also, in 2017, I had 54 articles published outside my blog about destinations we visited and enjoyed. I’m pretty proud of that fact, considering that it occurred WHILE life was happening at a fast and furious pace — major surgery, selling our home/packing/moving/starting construction on a new house, welcoming a new grandchild, etc.

Places we saw this year were primarily in the Southeast with the notable exceptions of Alaska and Port Townsend, Washington. Here are 10 main places we visited during the year and at least one article about each one. Just click on the links to read them.

Auburn, AL, “Loveliest Village on the Plains.” We were there for Steve’s 45th veterinary school reunion and for a football game showcasing our beloved Auburn Tigers. Here is an article about the Hotel at Auburn University published in Trip101.com.
Cincinnati, Ohio. “Four Ingredients for a Memorial Weekend in Cincinnati” in ShortWeeks-LongWeekends.com.
Shaker Village near Harrodsburg, KY. “Abundant History in the Heart of Kentucky – Harrodsburg/Mercer County” in ShortWeeks-LongWeekends.com.
Lexington, KY. “Lexington KY: Horses, History and Hot Browns” in MilesGeek.com.
Charleston, SC. “Slightly North of Broad – S.N.O.B. – Excellent Charleston Restaurant Without a Hint of Arrogance” in MilesGeek.com.
Alaska – Anchorage, Denali National Park and a cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. “Hotel Captain Cook in the Heart of Anchorage, Alaska” in Trip101.com.
Port Townsend, WA (a couple of hours and a ferry ride from Seattle). “Old Consulate Inn and Port Townsend WA: A Perfect Match” in MilesGeek.com.
Maggie Valley and Waynesville, N.C. “Frogs Leap Public House: Upscale Farm to Fork in North Carolina” in TheYums.com.
Orange Beach, AL for the 2017 World Food Championships. “World Food Championships Bring Food Fight to Orange Beach” in EdibleLowerAlabama.com.
LaGrange, GA. I just returned in mid-December, so I haven’t had my articles published yet, but here’s the blog post that appeared on Christmas Day. “Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange GA: All Dressed Up for Christmas“

Now 2018 is here, and my travel schedule is quickly filling up. I can’t wait to share many more destinations with you in the coming months.

BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets in Orange Beach

12/04/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

My best new discovery during our most recent trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast was BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets at 25689 Canal Road, next to Cosmo’s. If you are a frequent visitor to the area, you have probably already enjoyed the other restaurants owned by Brian and Jodi Harsany — Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, opened in 2006, Cobalt Restaurant, 2008, and Luna’s Eat and Drink, which opened in 2016 about the same time as BuzzCatz.

Cosmo’s, Luna’s (both named for rescue pets owned by the Harsanys) and Cobalt all open at 11:00 a.m. seven days a week and stay open until 9:30 p.m, except on Friday and Saturday when they extend their hours until 10:00 p.m. So, it became obvious that a need for breakfast, coffee and sweets was waiting to be filled. Harsany wrestled with the name until he walked into the new place under construction complaining about feeling “buzzed” because of all the coffees he’d been sampling. As before, he wanted a cat theme in recognition of his love for 4-legged critters. Thus, BuzzCatz was christened.

Exterior of BuzzCatz next to Cosmo’s in Orange Beach.

I learned about BuzzCatz when I was doing research for Edible Lower Alabama before going to the World Food Championships in November. I was looking for chefs who would be competing from Edible’s coverage area of Montgomery to Mobile and the Alabama Gulf Coast. I found out Juanita Hendrix, who is the manager and assistant pastry chef at BuzzCatz, would be competing in the Bacon category. Chef Kimberly Asbury, head pastry chef at BuzzCatz, served as her Sous Chef in the competition.

Manager and pastry chef Juanita Hendrix and me.

Breakfast is served every morning at BuzzCatz from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Every morning has a different theme in terms of its daily special: Flap Jack Monday, Tortilla Tuesday, Waffle Wednesday, EGGstraordinary Thursday, French Toast Friday, Saturday Classic, and (woohoo, woohoo) Cinnamon Roll Sunday. And, we “just happened” to visit on a Sunday morning. For that particular special, you can have your favorite breakfast sandwich inside of a warm yeasty cinnamon roll. Oh yes! Steve had a blueberry biscuit, and we shared BuzzCatz’s version of Scotch eggs topped with Red Onion Jam.

Breakfast sandwich on a cinnamon roll.

Scotch Egg topped with Red Onion Jam

Red Onion Jam is made in-house every Saturday and Sunday. Juanita shared the recipe, and it was published last week here for Edible Lower Alabama.

The structured dish required by all contestants in the Bacon category at WFC 2017 was Quiche Lorraine. Here is the recipe concocted by Juanita and Kimberly for that competition.

Light lunches of wraps, salads and quiche are served to the lunch crowd, then the rest of the hours of operation are devoted to pastries and sweet delights of all kinds. And, don’t forget the coffee. It is roasted in nearby Fairhope where a signature blend has been created especially for BuzzCatz. Steve, the coffee drinker in our marriage, declared it to be exceptionally good.

House blend coffee

Housemade pop tarts

I highly recommend this little out-of-the-way place. It is clean, attractively decorated, and the food is exceptional.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary meal to facilitate this review. Just remember that I only recommend places I like and believe you would enjoy. Period. 🙂

P.S. Let me just give a quick shout-out to Priester’s Pecans which you will pass as you travel south to Orange Beach on I-65. Take Exit 142, and it is within sight. Here are just a few photos to remind you that you probably DO need to stop and pick up a bag from their latest crop — just in time for holiday baking.

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