November 25-28, 2015 – A Thanksgiving to remember…
The Grand! When I think of Alabama, the first thing that comes to mind is not a luxury family resort on the beach, but there it was at the end of a spectacular drive in Point Clear, Alabama. Around for hundreds of years with a history going back to Civil War battlefields and hospitals, building, hurricanes, rebuilding, and lots of family tradition, what a place. Now owned by Marriott, the resort really is grand, with multiple buildings spread out over beautiful grounds joined by walking paths dotted with bench swings and hammocks. We stayed in the Spa Building in a fancy room with two queen beds.
They had a lot of activities all lead by their extremely courteous resort staff. I quickly got used to being called ma’am or Miss Ellen. Aside from some relaxing in the room, we did… a glow in the dark scavenger hunt, family movie night with popcorn, croquet, golf putting, turkey hunt bag decorating followed by the turkey hunt the next day, carnival games on the lawn with pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, swimming in their very cold pool, a highly competitive gingerbread house making competition (that Mark and Zachary won with an igloo gingerbread house!), horse-drawn carriage rides, beach bon fire, and an even bigger carnival with gyro spinny thing, rock climing and a petting zoo.
I especially liked meeting people, getting to know them over the weekend, and learning about their holiday family traditions. One night I wandered into the lounge on my own and was called over to join a new friend, Jay, where I had a great time meeting his family and listening to music. Another highlight for Sophia and me was her first manicure and hair styling with Laura at the salon. What an exciting outing that was for us girls! Sophia was thrilled and I had a ton of fun watching her.
We also ate well with a big buffet for Thanksgiving including all the usual fare plus more, one morning with room service, and a spectacular breakfast buffet on our last morning which left me wishing I could eat more. Or, at least take some with me so I didn’t have to cook again.
Sadly, we did finally leave and drove half hour away to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile. Sure enough, the first thing I did was make Sophia a snack while camped in their parking lot. We then joined Mark and Zachary to see the USS Alabama Battleship, the Drum Submarine, and a bunch of cool airplanes. Very interesting and I imagine being aboard a sub must have been crazy. Next stop, Florida.
celngo 