Fairhope, Alabama

Despite the cold, we wandered over to Fairhope this morning.  This charming community is almost directly across the Bay from Mobile.  It was hard to distinguish where Fairhope ended and Daphne started.  Once in Daphne, you are really in the outskirts of Mobile.

Along the east side of Mobile Bay

Our route from Summerdale to Fairhope took us past pecan groves, farmland, horse farms, golf courses, and a polo club.  As you might imagine, the houses got progressive larger as we approached the polo club.  Entering Fairhope, dwellings got back to a more reasonable size.  In fact, homes along the waterfront, which I’m sure represented the most expensive property value, were quite modest.  We were surprised at the number of properties for sale.  Perhaps these were those “second” or “vacation” homes along the coast that owners are trying to dispose of in these hard economic times.  Whatever the reason, there seemed to be a higher than normal number of “for sale” signs.

At the waterfront, we found a nice little park, small marinas, and fishing piers for the locals.  With the low temperatures and high winds, this was not the day to sit on one of the park benches and watch the shore birds.  I dashed out of the truck and snap a quick picture.  We did our looking through the windshield.

The best old building we found in Fairhope

The commercial downtown area consists mainly of two intersecting streets and comprising about 4 blocks in either direction.  We always go in search of historic buildings, but we only found a few in Fairhope.  In the downtown area, besides the city government buildings and banks, the “commercial” opportunities for shopping consisted of antique shops and a few small boutiques.  In Daphne, near Interstate 10, there is a relatively new shopping area.  Perhaps this has drawn shoppers away from the downtown Fairhope area.

We enjoyed our tour of Fairhope, but wished the weather had been suitable for walking around rather than touring in the truck.

Our return home took us by the shopping area in Daphne where I found my bed sheets at Target and yarn at Hobby Lobby.  Thanks, Judy Patterson, for the tip on Hobby Lobby.

For tomorrow, I think we are all just hoping for warmer weather.