DEL.ICIO.USFROM ATLANTA TO ALABAMA
Magnolia Springs a scenic getaway close to home
For the Journal-Constitution
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Magnolia Springs, Ala. — Nobody can say Michael Cuccia has a fear of commitment. He just married the love of his life, Pamelia. He does, however, have a fear of heights, which makes one wonder why he chose to indulge his bride with a hot-air balloon ride on their honeymoon.
Ahhh … the things we do for love. When the Baton Rouge, La., couple started searching online for a honeymoon destination close to home, they discovered the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast, a 19th-century plantation house in the Gulf Shores region.
Taking Off Hot Air Balloon Co
Flights around Magnolia Springs, Ala. with Taking Off Hot Air Balloon Co., often involve an up-close look at the Magnolia River which runs through town.
see caption/Wesley K.H. Teo / AJC Special
Oak-canopied streets in Magnolia Springs inspire visitors to take a stroll to enjoy the scenery.
Wesley K.H. Teo / AJC Special
The Magnolia Springs B&B is a popular place to spend the night or a lazy afternoon.
No doubt many guests choose Magnolia Springs because Gulf Shores’ Orange Beach is only 9 miles south or because Bellingrath Gardens is 40 miles to the west, but what caught Pamelia’s attention was the hot-air balloon ride package.
After some discussion, Michael took a deep breath and agreed. When the big day arrived, Michael’s spirits soared with the balloon as the couple enjoyed panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico and the area’s bays and bayous.
“It was very peaceful and very romantic,” Pamelia says.
Wildlife abounds in this region and, when flying low, you’ll sometimes spot deer or bobcats. The coastal wetlands attract many species of waterfowl, and bird-watchers love this lofty vantage point for observing pelicans and osprey.
“We flew over the treetops and saw huge birds’ nests,” Pamelia says. “You would never get that perspective on the ground.”
While over Dauphin Island, a barrier island on the gulf, passengers often see dolphins swimming just below the surface. Playful creatures that they are, the dolphins occasionally put on a show by jumping high in the air, as if in a friendly greeting.
Drifting over this picturesque area in a hot-air balloon is one of the highlights of a visit to Magnolia Springs, like dining at Jesse’s Restaurant, an upscale neighborhood place famous for whiskey steak, a large rib-eye marinated in a special sauce, and numerous seafood dishes.
Visitors who stay at the Magnolia Springs B&B might spend a lazy afternoon on the porch swing appreciating the scent of hundreds of magnolia blossoms wafting in on the gulf breeze.
It’s the kind of thing David Worthington, owner of the B&B, likes to see. Worthington loves chatting about the history and restoration of the house, explaining that over the years it has been a private residence and a hotel.
One of the best things about Magnolia Springs is its location, making it an ideal base for exploring all the area has to offer.
With 32 miles of sugar-white beaches, Gulf Shores is a playground for water-sports lovers. Hit the surf on a personal watercraft or savor the thrill of parasailing 800 feet above the sea.
Many visitors set out for a deep-sea adventure on one of the area’s fishing charters. Cast your line deep and you may return to shore with yellow fin tuna, red snapper or blue marlin.
Of course, you don’t have to be a fisherman to enjoy a day on the water. If cruising aimlessly in a pontoon is more your speed, there’s no shortage of places to rent these and other watercraft.
Golfers can play a round on one of nine public signature courses. Kiva Dunes, a challenging links-style course that plays through lakes, sand dunes and wildlife areas, could threaten even the lowest of handicaps. This seaside course designed by Alabama native and 1976
U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate is known for its tricky winds, so bring extra balls.
History buffs often make a trip to Fort Morgan, a historic site that played a major role in the Battle of Mobile (1864) during the Civil War. The Fort Morgan Museum houses the lens from the Mobile Point lighthouse, which guided mariners from 1858 until 1966. Letters from Fort Morgan families give insight into military life in this secluded fort.
As for the Cuccias, they’re thinking of returning for their first wedding anniversary. “We might make this a tradition and go back every year,” Pamelia says. “Just walking through the neighborhood is so quaint, and we loved visiting the nearby cities and towns.”
IF YOU GO
Getting there
Magnolia Springs is 345 miles from downtown Atlanta, about a 5 1/2-hour drive.
Where to stay
Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast, 14469 Oak St. 1-800-965-7321, www.magnoliasprings.com.
Where to eat
Jesse’s Restaurant, 14770 Oak St., Magnolia Springs. 251-965-3827, www.jessesrestaurant.com.
What to do
• Taking Off Hot Air Balloon Co., P.O. Box 113, Magnolia Springs. www.gulfviewballooning.com.
• Fort Morgan, 51 Ala. 180 W., Gulf Shores. 251-540-7137.
• Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore. 1-800-247-8420, www.bellingrath.org.
• Kiva Dunes, 815 Plantation Drive, Gulf Shores. 1-866-540-7100, www.kivadunes.com.
• The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach. 251-980-4444, 1-877-942-7325; www.thewharfal.com.
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