Monday, July 14, 2008

Strong Beginning to Week in Paradise

We're heeeere, and life is good at The Beach Club Resort in Gulf Shores, Ala. So far, I've used the fitness center, attended a church service on the veranda and listed to live music by the pool.

On our way down from Arkansas Saturday, we stopped on Highway 59 at Burris Farm Market, a fabulous stand in Loxley. This spacious, open-sided building is lined with hampers of Alabama-grown goodies ranging from asparagus and broccoli to summer squash and zucchini. We loaded up all of that, plus gorgeous vine-ripened tomatoes, plump juicy peaches, the sweetest sweet corn and a couple of watermelons that "thumped" just right.

Our schedule is loose enough for plenty of time on the beach. Yesterday, we rented a set of beach rental lounging chairs shaded by an umbrella for the entire week. I spent most of the morning riding the waves on a neon green raft, laughing with children and loving the day. Later, I took a nap to the lullaby of a pleasant morning breeze while Myron played a round of golf.

By the time late afternoon clouds exploded into a thunderstorm, we were safely tucked under the tin-roofed patio at Lulu's Homeport Marina. On the banks of the Intercoastal Waterway, Lucy Anne Buffett has carved out a niche with far more than the "Cheeseburger in Paradise," made famous by her ballad-singing brother. LuLu's new cookbook, "Crazy Sista Cooking: Cuisine & Conversation With Lucy Buffettis already in its second printing.

And if the Summer Shrimp Salad wasn't enough, we crooned "Brown Eyed Girl" and other crowd favorites with singer/songwriter Greg Brown.

By sundown, boasting the firstfruits of our tan, we slept soundly - looking forward to our spa appointments this morning!

P.S. Pictures of me coming later today!

6 comments:

ptg said...

Sounds like you're set for a very relaxing and well deserved beach vacation. Post pics so we can all live vicariously through you!!

Brightcetera said...

Sounds like a perfect vacation.
Enjoy!

Unknown said...

I'm sooo jealous! Sounds wonderful! We're hoping to go somewhere next week. Nothing like waiting till the last minute to plan!

I have you on my blogroll, and thought we had exchanged links but I'm not on your blogroll. Would you be interested in exchanging links? My blog is, www.VibrantHealthyU.com.

Unknown said...

No one deserves a relaxing week in paradise more than you! Enjoy it and don't worry about a thing!

Pattie said...

Ahhhh... I'm breathing easier just reading about your time away! Enjoy!

Trish said...

Your vacation sounds AWESOME. So jealous! I hope you and your family enjoy every minute of it.