Fairhope / Daphne

Today was one of those days when you feel like you just have to get out. When life deals you frigid temperatures you just bundle up and keep trucking. That is just what we did today. I needed to get my prescriptions renewed anyway so we decided to revisit the quaint town of Fairhope. We had already driven through this town earlier but today we wanted to further investigate.
Fairhope is located in Baldwin County along the shoreline of Mobile Bay. In fact you can stand on the shore and see Mobile across the bay. The cities of Daphne and Foley also are part of Baldwin County. Fairhope was founded in 1894 by a group of adventurous souls with a “fair hope of success.” Success is what they created when this experiment grew into the current community of Fairhope. This community claims home to authors, sports figures, musicians and actresses. Among them are such notable names as Upton Sinclair, Winston Groom (author, Forrest Gump), Fannie Flagg and Dave Stapleton (former Boston Red Sox).

In kinder weather you would see many roses and flowers planted and growing along the sidewalks and roads in the downtown area. We located one section of downtown called “The French Quarters.” Many of the buildings in this area have the open balconies that you would see in New Orleans. With the huge live oaks and moss hanging from many trees this area holds a certain charm only found in small town America.




Fairhope just seems to flow right into the city of Daphne. The two are much the same with a bit more chain shopping available in Daphne. One interesting fact about Daphne is it is called the “Jubilee City.” Now if you are like me, you might want to know what a Jubilee City might be?? It appears that a jubilee phenomenon occurs in Mobile Bay when aquatic animals such as crab, shrimp and other sea life suddenly wash ashore. It is believed this is due to the reduction of water oxygen levels and forces the sea life to the surface. Makes for a great catch. Interesting!

We finished the day with an ice cream social at the clubhouse at 6:00. I am beginning to understand what people mean when they say Escapees sure know how to eat.