Historic Blakeley State Park: Ghost Town and Battlefield

Connie Alabama, History, Nature February 8, 2024March 14, 2024Alabama, Alabama Coastal Connection, Alabama state parks, Blakeley State Park 0 Comment

At first Blakeley State Park seems like most other state parks, with a lot of natural features. The 2,000-acre park includes campgrounds, nature trails, and pavilions for group picnics. Its location on the Tensaw River makes it ideal for fishing. But, the park is far more than nature-related. It’s a historic site that will fascinate any history buff. You see, Blakeley at one time was one of the largest cities in Alabama. In fact, it served as the Baldwin county seat until the 1860s. Today, Blakeley is only a ghost town within the park. In addition to the ghost town, the park includes remnants of Fort Blakeley, the site of one of the last battles of the Civil War.

Mobile Carnival Museum: How Did Mardi Gras Begin?

Connie Alabama, Attractions & Events, Culture, History February 8, 2024March 14, 2024Alabama, Alabama Coastal Connection, Mardi Gras history, Mardi Gras Museum in Mobile AL, Mobile AL Mardi Gras, Mobile Carnival Museum, Things to do in Mobile AL 0 Comment

When we spent a month along the Alabama Coastal Connection Scenic Byway, we purposely stayed near Mobile. We wanted to experience the family-friendly Mardi Gras there, since the city is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States. So, we made the Mobile Carnival Museum one of the first stops during our visit.

Foley, Alabama: Two Museums and a Soda Fountain

Connie Alabama, Attractions & Events, Culture, Food & Drink, History, Road Trips February 8, 2024March 14, 2024Alabama, Alabama Coastal Connection, Foley AL Model Train Exhibit, Foley Railroad Museum, Holmes Medical Museum, Stacey's Old Tyme Soda Fountain 0 Comment

Foley, Alabama, is a popular side trip from Gulf Shores, just 11.7 miles north on Alabama State Route 59. You also go through the town if you drive Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway, even though it’s twelve miles east of the coast. There’s a lot to do in Foley, from shopping and museums to an amusement park and nature preserve. On the day we visited the town, we went to two museums and a soda shop.

Jubilee: A Rare Phenomenon that Delights Seafood Lovers

Connie Alabama, Nature February 8, 2024March 15, 2024Alabama, Alabama Coastal Connection, Jubilee, Mobile Bay 0 Comment

This oceanic phenomenon occurs in rare instances around the world. However, it happens in only two places regularly: Tokyo Bay and the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Alabama. When it occurs, seafood lovers scramble to gather all the flounder and blue crab they can carry. The phenomenon is known as a jubilee.

Dauphin Island: 3 History and Nature Attractions to Explore

Connie Alabama, Attractions & Events, History, Nature, Road Trips February 8, 2024March 14, 2024Alabama, Alabama Aquarium, Alabama Coastal Connection, Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Dauphin Island, Fort Gaines 0 Comment

When British military occupied Dauphin Island during the War of 1812, they described the land as full of snakes, alligators, and mosquitoes. The island was “very barren…and produces nothing at all…a very marshy nature.” I suppose some of that is true today, since we saw warning signs about alligators. But developed with museums, restaurants, and condos, the island is a far cry from what the British soldiers experienced.

The Woman Behind Bellingrath Gardens

Connie Alabama, Attractions & Events, History, Nature, Road Trips February 8, 2024March 14, 2024Alabama, Alabama Coastal Connection, Bellingrath Gardens, Scenic byway 2 Comments

Bellingrath Gardens was a must-see visit for us as we explored Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway. Sixty-five acres of gorgeous gardens and the impressive 10,500 square-foot mansion, complete with the Bellingraths’ original furnishings, were absolutely worth the visit. But what impressed me most was the story of Mrs. Bellingrath.

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