sabunim5
New member
On Fri. the 13th my wife and I took off at lunch time and finished our preparations for a weekend long ryde. She had Mon. off for Presidents Day and I took a day of leave. Rain was supposed to be the order of the weekend for the Gulf Coast but we were lucky enough to get packed before the deluge began. We got on the road and headed west for about an hour and a half to the Microtel in Gulf Shores AL. The rain started about 20 minutes into the ryde and by the time we got to the Microtel we were reminded that the rain liners in our Tourmaster suits are not really meant to keep you really dry in real rain. That's why the Frogg Togg's are with us. We lucked out and the rain stopped as we arrived, allowing us to get our stuff inside without getting it soaked.
That evening we had reservations at a place called Distinctive Kitchens for a Valentines meal. We are both culinary assistants at the Distinctive Kitchens is Pensacola. It is kind of like some of the shows on the Food Channel where a chef makes a meal for the crowd. We were part of the crowd and this particular meal was participatory. The crowd helps prepare the meal. It began raining really hard by the time we left for dinner. The place did not register on the GPS, it was pitch black and we had never been to the Distinctive Kitchens in Gulf Shores. We made it no problem. Were were a little bit late, but not bad considering. My only regret is that we did not know there was covered parking. Needless to say we were the only couple enjoying the open air experience. We had Oysters Rockafeller, a soup that tasted like pumpkin soup, but was not, grilled lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes and chocolate mousse. OH and did I forget to mention champagne? It was a wonderful meal. We met several new couples while we were cooking, some local and some snow birds. A very good time was had by all. Unfortunately, it was still coming down hard when the meal was over. It was only about a fifteen minute ryde back to the Microtel.
In the morning we had the complimentary breakfast at the Microtel. Once again the fates smiled on us and the rain let up just long enough for us to get packed up without getting ourselves or our things soaked. We pointed PE1232 north and headed for Cheaha State Park in northern AL. It is the highest point in the state. Nothing compared to out west, but really up there if you live in the flatlands. We were really in search of the coveted curve sign, esp. ones with mountains in the background. Some say they extinct in FL and LA (lower Alabama), certainly seldom seen. About two hours north of the Gulf Coast the rain finally stopped although skys were still gray. We stopped for lunch at a buffet called "Streets". There were lots of signs for it and several of them said "Bikers Welcome". It was definately traditional Southern quisine (collard greens and cornbread) but I would not recomend it to anyone else. Later in the day we stopped at Priesters Pecans. They put anything and everything from chocolate to hot sauce on pecans. There are always free samples so it makes a great place to use the rest room and get something to drink to go with the free samples. They make swing horses out of old tires (see pic) I will continue this in the next post.
That evening we had reservations at a place called Distinctive Kitchens for a Valentines meal. We are both culinary assistants at the Distinctive Kitchens is Pensacola. It is kind of like some of the shows on the Food Channel where a chef makes a meal for the crowd. We were part of the crowd and this particular meal was participatory. The crowd helps prepare the meal. It began raining really hard by the time we left for dinner. The place did not register on the GPS, it was pitch black and we had never been to the Distinctive Kitchens in Gulf Shores. We made it no problem. Were were a little bit late, but not bad considering. My only regret is that we did not know there was covered parking. Needless to say we were the only couple enjoying the open air experience. We had Oysters Rockafeller, a soup that tasted like pumpkin soup, but was not, grilled lamb chops, garlic mashed potatoes and chocolate mousse. OH and did I forget to mention champagne? It was a wonderful meal. We met several new couples while we were cooking, some local and some snow birds. A very good time was had by all. Unfortunately, it was still coming down hard when the meal was over. It was only about a fifteen minute ryde back to the Microtel.
In the morning we had the complimentary breakfast at the Microtel. Once again the fates smiled on us and the rain let up just long enough for us to get packed up without getting ourselves or our things soaked. We pointed PE1232 north and headed for Cheaha State Park in northern AL. It is the highest point in the state. Nothing compared to out west, but really up there if you live in the flatlands. We were really in search of the coveted curve sign, esp. ones with mountains in the background. Some say they extinct in FL and LA (lower Alabama), certainly seldom seen. About two hours north of the Gulf Coast the rain finally stopped although skys were still gray. We stopped for lunch at a buffet called "Streets". There were lots of signs for it and several of them said "Bikers Welcome". It was definately traditional Southern quisine (collard greens and cornbread) but I would not recomend it to anyone else. Later in the day we stopped at Priesters Pecans. They put anything and everything from chocolate to hot sauce on pecans. There are always free samples so it makes a great place to use the rest room and get something to drink to go with the free samples. They make swing horses out of old tires (see pic) I will continue this in the next post.
