Perdido, Alabama sits at the Northeast corner of Baldwin County, Alabama, near the Northwest corner of Florida to the east. The headwaters of the Perdido River are nearby. The river that runs through this area’s northern exposure toward the south is clean and cold and empties into Perdido Bay near Lillian, Alabama.
Perdido lies somewhere between Bay Minette and Atmore, and the area is known for its Longleaf Pine forests, an important aspect of the vast ecosystem that characterizes this part of the Scenic 98 Coastal area. It’s worth your time and effort to learn about the ecosystems of the Perdido River Reserve with its Longleaf Pines, Woodpeckers, Pitcher plant bogs, and other essential ingredients native to this part of the United States.
Warren Slay, a fifth-generation landowner in Perdido, spent his youth in Fairhope but has always been drawn to the family property. Warren and his son, Morgan, own a popular men’s clothing and gift shop in downtown Fairhope. The store’s name is Riverbend which comes from the name of the family property..
Warren’s father grew up in Perdido on the family land, and Warren spent much of his youth there. After a career in retail, he semi-retired, coming to the store two days a week, leaving the retail operation in the capable hands of his son, Morgan. He now calls Riverbend his home, where he lives with Deborah, his companion for over 12 years.
Warren is attached to the land at Riverbend. Several years ago, he began clearing logs and debris from the Perdido River that borders his property, reclaiming a portion of the river that is now navigable by canoe, kayak, or float. Fishing is another attraction of living there. He will throw a line at several spots along the banks, never staying long at any spot. His prize catch is a Chain Pickerel, a prehistoric-looking freshwater fish that looks similar to a saltwater Barracuda.
Being a steward of the land is something Warren is passionate about. He enjoys watching and identifying Hummingbirds and other tropical migrants, especially during September when the birds are preparing for their journey across the Gulf of Mexico. He and Deborah tend a beautiful garden that Warren says could sustain them if necessary. He also has bee hives and calls himself a bee landlord, harvesting half of what they produce each year.
In August, I received a call from Warren inviting Linda and me to come to Riverbend and witness the Hummingbird migration. The day before we arrived, Cortney Weatherby and the Alabama Audubon Society brought a group to Riverbend. Environmental journalist Ben Raines visits occasionally. It’s that kind of place.
A couple of years ago, Warren and Morgan decided to build a small retreat they call the Farmhouse. It sits at the top of a rise facing East with spectacular views of sunrises and moonrises. It’s a cozy two-bedroom, two-bath farmhouse built in the same location as the original homestead built a century ago. With modern amenities and a bunk room suitable for kids or, adults who don’t mind sharing space.
The Farmhouse has a wrap-around porch with sitting areas and a table for dining, allowing folks to enjoy the Hummingbirds and other wildlife such as deer, turkey, and birds that make the piney woods their home. The house is equipped with a full kitchen, WIFI, and Starlink satellite television. The cypress cabinets and interior doors, built by Warren from cypress blown down on the property by Hurricane Sally, are a notable feature of the house.
Steps away from the Farmhouse is a Sporting Clays Range with four shooting stations across an open field. On a drizzly day, Warren and I shot clay pigeons using an Italian-made custom 20 gauge shotgun, his pride and joy. Warren tells me this is his substitute for playing golf and calls Riverbend his home course. He’s modest and didn’t miss busting a single target, thrown from any position.
I have never been very accurate at shooting clays but have always enjoyed it. Warren is a good teacher, but like golf, a swing change requires a thousand practice shots before it becomes second nature. I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon seeing the property, shooting sporting clays, and seeing how Deborah and Warren live their lives.
Deborah is a fanciful artist and can make art out of anything. Old rakes and farm implements adorn many of the trees that were once used to harvest pine sap for turpentine in years past. Those days are gone, but the surrounding Longleaf Pine Forests and savannas that lead to the river are beautiful.
On occasion, you may see a fox or a black bear, a diamondback rattlesnake, an otter, or a beaver. We didn’t encounter any on our visit but certainly stayed on the lookout. Other snakes help keep the balance of nature in check, as should be.
Warren discusses the Longleaf Pine forest and the prescribed burns required to clear underneath the trees. Underbrush grows quickly, Warren is fixated on each area that needs attention, and he seems to look forward to the “burn season” after the grasses have gone dormant. He leaves the tall trees that have been killed by lightning strikes standing. “The Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers depend on decaying pines. They are symbiotic,” he tells me.
Warren and Deborah utilize The Farmhouse to entertain friends and family. Warren has friends come shoot sporting clays at least once a week. His old fraternity brothers from Troy University make an annual sojourn to catch up, tell stories, and compete on the shooting range.
Riverbend is available for guests to come to enjoy a respite from busy life. If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, commune with nature, read a book, write, or conjure up your next big venture without interruption, you might consider getting in touch with Warren and booking a weekend stay.
Don’t expect a resort-like experience, but the beautiful setting, a sunrise with a good cup of coffee, or a chance to get away from it all is the attraction. Warren is a storyteller and a good one, so if you require entertaining, he is your guy. He’s led an interesting life and Riverbend is his passion. For a long time, he fashioned walking sticks and sold them at arts and crafts shows throughout the United States. His workshop is still active, but he uses it to keep Riverbend in tip-top shape these days.
Warren tells me he is a steward of the family land. “What we have to offer is privacy. I have never thought of myself as the owner of this land, rather, I am its caretaker while I am here. It is my responsibility to pass it down to the next generation in better condition than it was when I got it”
Riverbend is a nice place to relax and unwind in a private natural setting. Catch up with friends, catch a glimpse of a bald eagle, shoot some sporting clays, or just wander the pine woods and cast a line, or float the mile of access on the upper reaches of the clear Perdido River Preserve.
If you are in downtown Fairhope, be sure to stop by the Riverbend store at the corner of Section Street and De La Mare Avenue in Fairhope. There is always something interesting there, and you can have gifts engraved for special occasions.
You can reach Warren at wcaneman@gmail.com or call or text at 251-605-9781. Bookings are also available through Airbnb under the listing “The Farmhouse at Riverbend.”