Tuesday and Wednesday were speedy days, for sure. Busy working on the Alabama Byways Program for the AARC and ALDOT. Left early Tuesday morning for Orange Beach. Upon arrival, quickly jumped into another car and shot over to Marys Place Restaurant in Coden, Alabama–just outside of Bayou La Batre and Dauphin Island for a 3 p.m. meeting. The owner of Marys Place would make a great inspirational speaker for any Byways program in the country. He was extremely excited about the prospect of showcasing his area to the greater world. And he gets it–he really seemed to understand that what some folks see as the same boring views day after day other people find quite unique and exciting. Oyster and shrimp fisherman might not think what they are doing is particularly interesting. The people who live there see them out fishing all the time. But, for someone coming from the midwest, they may never see something like that again in their life.
Yesterday, we met at Weeks Bay near Fairhope. In so many ways, these people already understand tourism, and they asked good questions and had great ideas. But in some ways, the folks in Coden were a real joy to talk with. Genuine, down-to-earth folks with a passion for the community.
Anyway, glad to be home!