Just about four hours’ drive from the Fairhope area will find you transported to what Old Florida used to be like. The port town which borders Scipio Creek and Apalachicola Bay is a distinct 180-degree difference from the bustling and crowded cities of Palm Beach, Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. 

This is an amazing story. I’m in awe. We love talking about food. We love experiencing food, whether discovering a new eatery, a tried and true favorite, or a new recipe using fresh, local ingredients from the land or the sea. Scenic 98 Coastal has a big appetite when it comes to good food.

On a recent Friday evening during the Fairhope Art Walk, Linda and I met a friend downtown to hear The Modern Eldorados. The band was playing on the sidewalk across the street from Pearl Seafood + Raw Bar, a small but popular restaurant that opened three and a half years ago in the space that used to be R Bistro. After a little while, we decided to settle in at the bar and ordered one of their specialty cocktails and a dozen oysters.

Mah Jongg is taking South Alabama by storm! But here’s the thing—it’s not exactly a new craze. This tile game, which can be traced back to China in the early 19th century, has a rich history. In fact, Confucius is credited with inventing it. His aim? To teach students discipline, strategy, and calculation.

When so many of us were focused on the arrival of the famous ocean liner, the SS United States, a couple of weeks back, I started thinking about another big ship on our horizon. I decided to take a drive over and revisit the USS Alabama.

On Tuesday evening, March 25, Scenic 98 Coastal is excited to bring its South Meets South Wine Pairing Experience to Orange Beach, benefitting The Nature Conservancy of Alabama. For The Love Of Nature is the theme of this event co-hosted by Frank & Co Jewelers and Saunders Yachtworks and will take place at the 8-Reale Speakeasy at The Wharf. 

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to getting on the water. Spring is the season for those clamoring to see what’s new in the boating world, to shop for a boat, or perhaps trade up or down. A while back, Linda and I were looking for a center console to putter around in. My hardcore fishing days are behind me, but nothing beats cruising around exploring the waters in the Scenic 98 Coastal area.

If you’ve ever read James Lee Burke and enjoyed the escapades of Dave Robicheaux, and his cast of entertaining characters, you might want to meet Ace Gonzalez. Ace is the main character of a recent book release, The Lost Republic by Woody Speed, or W.J. Speed, his pen name.