A Day of Sun, Sand and Seawater

FAIRHOPE, Ala. --- After watching cousin-by-marriage Lance and his step-daughter Christen get the holy dunk at church Sunday morning, we decided to pack a bag and head for the sunny surf of the Alabama Eastern Shore, not to be confused with the Maryland Eastern Shore, despite a similar appearance of farms in sight of the coast.

We were originally going to Fairhope to try out Panini Pete's, a restaurant featured on the FOOD NETWORK's Diners, Dives and Drive-ins, but it was unfortunately closed, so we headed to the old standby Old Bay Steamer for a taste of seafood gumbo. Then, we took to a local bookstore, where we supported the local economy, bought coffees and smoothies, then headed down to the inlet.

The beach at Fairhope isn't much more than a short sandbar, but it is also a beach vacant of all the tourists that plague Gulf Shores, and after having to coax Liam into the waves, 3 1/2 hours later we were having to drag him ashore. Needless to say, he was dreaming in the car on the way back to Granny's house.