Growing up, Zeke’s Marina on Cotton Bayou was where you went to charter a fishing boat, or get bait, frozen menhaden or squid, before heading out into the Gulf to try your luck. There really wasn’t much to it. Several of these marinas dotted the Orange Beach area where gas, ice, and fish cleaning stations were essential for the sportfishing crowd.

Linda and I have occasionally done business with Eastern Shore ACE Hardware in Spanish Fort over the years. Linda first discovered it while looking for nice wharf chairs for friends in Point Clear. I remember her telling me how nice the owner was, She did indeed have some chairs made and delivered, and they were a big hit, and are still in use today.