Bellingrath's Magic In Lights Dec. 2013

I have been looking forward to today's adventures since I got here :-)  Walking through the gardens that has more than a million lights and 835 custom designed lighted designs.  We will get to tour the Bellingrath's home which will be decorated  for the holidays.  In 1903, Walter and his older brother William heard about an opportunity to purchase the new franchise to sell bottled Coca-Cola in southern Alabama.  After being turned down for the necessary loan by every bank in Montgomery, Alabama; the two tried once more and were successful.  The franchise territory stretched down to the Gulf Coast and when it was determined that they should split the territory, Walter took Mobile since, as he later joked, he liked to fish.  The Mobile Coca-Cola Bottling Company became one of the most successful in the United States as time went on and Walter Bellingrath's business interests stretched to owning the National Mosaic Tile Company, serving on the board of the First National Bank, owning a warehousing company and he was an original founder of Waterman Steamship Company of Mobile.  With this mans history I'm sure his home will be BEAUTIFUL. They had no children so I bet the house is full of beautiful things.  The weather today is cool but a light jacket is all that is needed.   Marlon and I are meeting Leonard and Carols house at The Grove around 1:30.  I thought I would take some pictures to make a collage of 2 of my best friends for their 50th wedding anniversary.   

My camera is so new to me and I pray they are happy with the pictures I took of them.  

We are ready to head towards Mobile, AL to check out the Bellingraths Magic of Lights.  Leonard is driving so we can sight see, thank you Leonard.  Thank goodness Leonard was letting us sight see because I wanted to stop when we drove by the cotton fields.  I was amazed as we drove back this lane with dirt that was so orange/red.  I was afraid we were going to get stuck.  He stopped the car and I got out to get some pictures.  The dirt automatically collected on the bottom of my shoes.  The dirt was  wet & sandy texture.  I saw the big huge bale of cotton along the cotton field.  I had no idea they packed them this size.  The cotton hull had sharp points on them.  Now I see why they are picking cotton by machine. I can't imagine what your fingers would look like if you had to pick by hand as they did years ago.  So glad I got an up close view of the cotton fields.  Thanks for stopping. Leonard and Marlon got out of the car and picked some cotton.  Its so fluffy and soft......

We are all hungry and Leonard stopped at this neat looking place called Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant.  The decor in this place is amazing along with a great view.  

We are all walking around this restaurant taking photos I absolutely love this place.  

We started off ordering some baked oysters on the 1/2 shell.  I am learning to like oysters but am starting off slowly.  If I could only get past the looks of them, because the taste is ok.

We had a very nice waiter who helped us celebrate some very important dates, My hubbys birthday and Leonard and Carol's 50th Wedding Anniversary .  They got key lime pie and Marlon got cheesecake.  Both were excellent.

On our way now on our way to see Bellingrath's Magic of Lights.  The pictures I'm about to post do NOT do this place justice.  

Thanks to Leonard and Carol for taking us to see this beautiful sight. ♥