| 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.
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.
| Click on car to 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.
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.
| 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.
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.
| Go To Start Of Trip |
March 17th and 18th to Panama City
