Friday, March 17th - St. Patrick's Day - R&R in Covington
This was a morning to lounge. Trubee cooked up some “over easies” and bacon, served with his great
strong coffee laced with chicory – a New Orleans specialty. We sat at the kitchen table, amused by a
squirrel trying his darndest to reach the sunflower seed in the bird feeder. A ruby throated hummingbird
pierced the red plastic flower on his bowl of sugar water, filled himself then streaked off to the east.
We shared a lifetime of family photos and stories, then slowly moved in forward gear, taking care of
incidentals on our way to downtown Covington for lunch at Étoile. What a delightful experience! I don’t know
whether to call it eclectic, kooky, funky or just plain fun. The walls are made up of an assortment of panels,
windows, doors, and other colorful paraphernalia like balloons and huge papier maché flowers and leaves
all at weird angles. Each square table is covered by a uniquely designed cloth leading your eye in a wild
ride throughout the rooms.
Hefty Bloody Marys were served by a young, vivacious waitress who made us feel right at home as she
reeled off the specials. I opted for two appetizers; a ginger dumpling with soy sauce and then a plate of
paté, surrounded by blue cheese and chevre, pickled onions, cornichons, and toast points. Trubee shared
those with me, supplemented by a club sandwich. Cor’s choice was a pastrami sandwich, while Peggy
made short shrift of a concoction of Portobello mushroom, chevre cheese, and sun dried tomato. We all
shared a large bowl of fried sweet potatoes. A wonderful meal; an enchanting restaurant.
I went home and took a nap, fat and happy.
strong coffee laced with chicory – a New Orleans specialty. We sat at the kitchen table, amused by a
squirrel trying his darndest to reach the sunflower seed in the bird feeder. A ruby throated hummingbird
pierced the red plastic flower on his bowl of sugar water, filled himself then streaked off to the east.
We shared a lifetime of family photos and stories, then slowly moved in forward gear, taking care of
incidentals on our way to downtown Covington for lunch at Étoile. What a delightful experience! I don’t know
whether to call it eclectic, kooky, funky or just plain fun. The walls are made up of an assortment of panels,
windows, doors, and other colorful paraphernalia like balloons and huge papier maché flowers and leaves
all at weird angles. Each square table is covered by a uniquely designed cloth leading your eye in a wild
ride throughout the rooms.
Hefty Bloody Marys were served by a young, vivacious waitress who made us feel right at home as she
reeled off the specials. I opted for two appetizers; a ginger dumpling with soy sauce and then a plate of
paté, surrounded by blue cheese and chevre, pickled onions, cornichons, and toast points. Trubee shared
those with me, supplemented by a club sandwich. Cor’s choice was a pastrami sandwich, while Peggy
made short shrift of a concoction of Portobello mushroom, chevre cheese, and sun dried tomato. We all
shared a large bowl of fried sweet potatoes. A wonderful meal; an enchanting restaurant.
I went home and took a nap, fat and happy.
Go to Start
Saturday, March 18th - A visit to the Alabama, then Panama City, FL
Up and at ‘em…by 9:30 we were packed and on our way for the 2 ½ hour drive to Mobile Bay via US
12…nothing exciting, just miles and miles of pitch pine, but the road bed was smooth and black, making it
very easy on the eyes. Pulling into Mobile was a bit confusing, but we soon found the signs for the Memorial
Park.
An authentic pilot house served as the entrance gate, where we were relieved of $2.00 for parking. We didn’t
have time to inspect the various memorials (sadly), but moved through the parked fighter planes and
bombers to the entrance gate to the Alabama. I’m not sure what the going entrance price is, but I think Cor
got in free because of his time in the Navy (or maybe the girl just liked his good, weathered looks.) I was
given a senior rate…and she didn’t even ask for my ID!
We climbed the ramp and entered a portal marked “Tour A.” We started our tour with a 15 minute film
depicting naval battles during WWII, complete with zeros attacking US ships.
The point of our visit was to see if we could find Cor’s name on a plaque aboard ship. He remembers
someone telling him of seeing his name years ago. We searched through the galley, the ward room, the
brig…everywhere. Finally, we came to a darkened room with the glowing sign, “Members who served from
1942 through 1947.” On the black slate wall were rows and rows of names in alphabetical order. Sure
enough, right after “Hunt, Sam” we found “Hunter, CP” – our quest was complete. We will probably never
know who Hunter, CP is, or was, but Cor was satisfied.
12…nothing exciting, just miles and miles of pitch pine, but the road bed was smooth and black, making it
very easy on the eyes. Pulling into Mobile was a bit confusing, but we soon found the signs for the Memorial
Park.
An authentic pilot house served as the entrance gate, where we were relieved of $2.00 for parking. We didn’t
have time to inspect the various memorials (sadly), but moved through the parked fighter planes and
bombers to the entrance gate to the Alabama. I’m not sure what the going entrance price is, but I think Cor
got in free because of his time in the Navy (or maybe the girl just liked his good, weathered looks.) I was
given a senior rate…and she didn’t even ask for my ID!
We climbed the ramp and entered a portal marked “Tour A.” We started our tour with a 15 minute film
depicting naval battles during WWII, complete with zeros attacking US ships.
The point of our visit was to see if we could find Cor’s name on a plaque aboard ship. He remembers
someone telling him of seeing his name years ago. We searched through the galley, the ward room, the
brig…everywhere. Finally, we came to a darkened room with the glowing sign, “Members who served from
1942 through 1947.” On the black slate wall were rows and rows of names in alphabetical order. Sure
enough, right after “Hunt, Sam” we found “Hunter, CP” – our quest was complete. We will probably never
know who Hunter, CP is, or was, but Cor was satisfied.
| Go To New Orleans |
| Go to Apalachicola |
Top: The Alabama Bottom: Looking Aft
Top: Big Screw Bottom: Big Firepower
| Click on Car to e-mail Cor (HUNTER CP) |
Left: CP Hunter & gun Middle: Alabama Roster Right: Hunter CP
Our trip put back on track, we sped along towards the east on US 10. We dropped down to Pensacola,
missing the city on the Interstate, but passing through some busy shoreside towns such as Destin.
We didn’t see many motels, so by the time we reached Panama City, we figured it would be prudent to pack it
in. It was Spring Break in a waterfront town…and the price showed it. $98 for a queen bedded room at the
Sleep Inn – higher than we wanted, but it included breakfast. Of course, the next morning, we drove down the
highway to find dozens of motels of the more economical kind.
We did get a great tip for dinner though! Wow! A few blocks east of the bridge, we turned right and came to
The Captain’s Table, a local favorite for seafood. The menu was loaded with tons of fresh catch. We opted
for the Amberjack, reasonably priced and broiled to perfection. It was accompanied by a small crock of
melted garlic/lemon butter which I poured over the fish, then used my cut-up hush puppy to sop up the tangy
juice. Cor had a baked potato, but I, trying to be on a diet, ordered the vegetables, cooked al dente, just as I
like them.
Sitting behind me at the cash register was a man who rose frequently to move about the room and in and out
of the kitchen. Cor correctly figured that he was “The Captain.” Mitch Holman. We talked with him and he told
us the history of the restaurant that had been started by his grandfather, and the fact that his father had wisely
advised him to lead it to the success it is today.
And once again, to bed fat and happy.
missing the city on the Interstate, but passing through some busy shoreside towns such as Destin.
We didn’t see many motels, so by the time we reached Panama City, we figured it would be prudent to pack it
in. It was Spring Break in a waterfront town…and the price showed it. $98 for a queen bedded room at the
Sleep Inn – higher than we wanted, but it included breakfast. Of course, the next morning, we drove down the
highway to find dozens of motels of the more economical kind.
We did get a great tip for dinner though! Wow! A few blocks east of the bridge, we turned right and came to
The Captain’s Table, a local favorite for seafood. The menu was loaded with tons of fresh catch. We opted
for the Amberjack, reasonably priced and broiled to perfection. It was accompanied by a small crock of
melted garlic/lemon butter which I poured over the fish, then used my cut-up hush puppy to sop up the tangy
juice. Cor had a baked potato, but I, trying to be on a diet, ordered the vegetables, cooked al dente, just as I
like them.
Sitting behind me at the cash register was a man who rose frequently to move about the room and in and out
of the kitchen. Cor correctly figured that he was “The Captain.” Mitch Holman. We talked with him and he told
us the history of the restaurant that had been started by his grandfather, and the fact that his father had wisely
advised him to lead it to the success it is today.
And once again, to bed fat and happy.
| Go To Start Of Trip |
March 17th and 18th to Panama City
