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Gulf Shores Mini-Reunion Oct. 17-20, 2002 This long-awaited Mini-Reunion of the Bradley High School Class of 1951 was held at Gulf Shores, AL in the Legacy Condominium from Oct. 17th to Oct. 20th. Couples attending were: John & Betty Burch For future reference: We rented through Gulf Shores Rentals, (800) 948-7000. The Fall Season rate for the three nights was $783.12, including tax & cleanup fee. (Winter rates a bit cheaper than that... Spring & Summer a bit more expensive.) We had five bedrooms and five baths. (One of those we did not use had twin beds, no closet, and bath across the hall.) Using all bedrooms and the sleeper sofa in the den, we could have slept 12. The condo was one of two penthouse units on the eighth floor, with a great view down the beach and a nice pool on the beach side. The condo is at 1021 West Beach Blvd, exactly 1.2 miles west of the intersection of Highway 59 and Beach Blvd. While there, we met Kim Crumbley and friends who owned two-bedroom condos in our building and nearby. Kim & Polly claimed that they could offer us rentals cheaper than the rental agencies (because we rent direct from them). We all walked through Kim's place in Room 302 while she and friends were repainting. It looks great and is on the same general order as our larger unit on the eighth floor. Kim Crumbley can be reached at 800-852-7804 or 205-429-4886. Polly can be reached at 800-803-5398, 256-734-3529 or 256-739-6237. Thursday was a "moving in" day. John, Betty, Myron & Ernestine had spent Wednesday night together at the Burch's and caravanned down on Thursday. We arrived about 2:30 p.m. and picked up the keys at Gulf Shores Rental (fifth light past the inland waterway bridge, beside Hardee's). The Legacy condo was easy to find, just 1.2 miles west of Highway 59 on Beach Blvd. We found the "hotel carts" made it easy to make a single unloading trip from the car. Bob & Dot arrived about an hour after we did and we all got familiar with the condo and surrounding area. Dot immediately whipped up a big bag of Crispix snacks which we enjoyed throughout our stay. (Click here to see recipes!) We ate the first evening at the Original Oyster House. After dinner we all went to Walmart shopping for odds and ends needed for the next couple of days. Gary & Marty missed that first meal since they did not arrive from Houston via Baton Rouge until just after midnight. We watched a video while waiting for them, then enjoyed a "winding down" hour before all turning in for the night. Friday morning, we enjoyed a truly memorable breakfast prepared Thursday evening by Dot. (Click here for recipes!) Even before that, however, Gary, Myron, Bob, John & Betty went for a 2.5 mile stroll down the beach. That made breakfast even better! Dot, it was really wonderful!! Friday afternoon, we visited Fort Morgan and enjoyed our self-tour there. Seeing the old cannons and fortifications brought each of us an idea of what it must have been like in days gone by. Friday evening, we went to Jakes Steak House for an excellent dinner together before watching a late night video at the condo. Saturday morning, Gary, Bob, John & Betty repeated the beach walk in the other direction toward the end of the island and chalked up another 3.2 miles in the sand. Afterwards, we enjoyed another of Dot's wonderful breakfast treats. (Click here for recipes!) Gary & Marty hauled out their two-line kite and showed us how it was done. (One picture from afar.) They were also the only brave souls who actually enjoyed swimming in the Gulf. In the evening, we enjoyed Lamberts, "Home of Throwed Rolls" for dinner. A word to the wise for anyone reading this who has never been there... Be sure you are hungry when you go! The food was delicious and there was a LOT of it. And yes... they really did throw the rolls. I know that Myron and I caught a lot of them! Sunday morning, we were all up early to "pack out" in time for the 10:00 a.m. checkout. Breakfast was a bit more modest as each had cereal, rolls, etc. Good, but a mere shadow of the grandeur of Dot's wonderful casseroles. After enjoying last looks at the beach from the balcony, we then started loading up for home. Gary & Marty left first with the longest trip ahead of them, though they were stopping in Baton Rouge to see their son. Bob & Dot left next for their trip to Birmingham. Myron & Ernestine closed up and turned in the keys at Gulf Shores Rental before meeting us in Foley where we caravanned home. On the way, we drove through some of the hardest rains we have been in. Visibility was poor (we were definitely IFR!) We saw accidents along the way, but fortunately made it to Montgomery safely. Myron & Ernestine stayed the night with us before continuing their trip on Monday morning. They emailed us that they arrived safely. No word yet from Gary & Marty and Bob & Dot, but no news is good news. It was a wonderful long weekend Mini-Reunion and we enjoyed it thoroughly. Let's think about another one soon. Mountains next time? |
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