As we drove along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay in Alabama, we passed several charming towns such as Magnolia Springs, Point Clear, and Fairhope. These were the places where authors like Winston Graham of Forest Grump and Fannie Flagg of Fried Green Tomatoes resided and got their inspiration. To the west about ten miles south of the state’s capital Mobile, we stayed in the countryside of Theodore for two days before heading on toward New Orleans. We knew nearby another top belvedere awaited for us.The morning of St. Patrick’s Day was blanketed in fog as we arrived at the Bellingrath’s 65-acre estate.
The property had been basically an overgrown jungle in 1917 when Walter and Bess Bellingrath, the first Alabama founders of the bottling Coca-Cola industry, purchased it as a fish camp. They transformed the land into a lush floral oasis that has since been open to the public for seven decades. Its world-class beautiful gardens and grounds are spectacular and maintained to perfection. We were able to enjoy colorful azaleas, tulips, foxgloves, and hollyhocks in full bloom along the walkways. The winding paths lead one from one lovely area to the next planted with parsley, kale, mustard, swiss chard, ornamental cabbage, rhubarb, sweet william and all sorts of early blooming ground cover. They offer a boardwalk out into the marsh so you can see the surrounding beauty of nature up close. 
The beautiful house built in 1935 on the Bellingrath Estate overlooking the river was definitely a delight not to be missed. It was stunning with original furnishings, Boehm porcelains, glassware, and silver collection pieces. A few rare silver items of interest were pointed out by a tour guide such as the twenty-four dessert ramekins, an asparagus serving bowl, and a large soup terrine gift commemorating the opening of the Suez Canal.
Most of the home’s antique furniture was French Provencal acquired from New Orleans and Europe.
Mid afternoon at the estate’s dock we took a forty-five minute Alabama Cruise along the river estuary which feeds into Mobile Bay. The views of the Fowl River were lovely with surrounding cord grass, waterfront homes
and boathouses, and boats running up and down the river. Gulls swooped and soared in the cool breeze off the bow as we enjoyed a prime spot along the upper deck railing. An excellent narration by the captain discussed the natural history of the estuary’s ecosystem, the early history of the Native Peoples encounter with the Spanish and French, and pointed out osprey nests and a twelve foot alligator’s hang out habitat hole. The Alabama’s river atmosphere was one of quiet beauty and tranquility. Without a doubt the boat cruise added to the grand excursion at Bellingrath Gardens.
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| Walkway leading from Bellingrath House to boat dock |
As an entré JR opted for grilled scallops and I selected a grilled seafood sampler of crawfish claws, jumbo shrimp, fish, oysters, and scallops. Naturally a slice of southern French Silk pie had to follow for dessert.. Its yummy pastry crust, chocolate mousse filling topped with whip cream and chocolate shavings were woofed down to the last lick. By then it was too count calories, but we were sufficiently sustained.
On this spectacular day at one of the best gardens ever in the U.S., we had found no leprechauns or pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
However, there had been a chance once again to capture Mother Nature in all her beauty with the eye of our cameras.
