Bellingrath Gardens

Thursday
We got an early start this morning, so that we could be sure of getting the 10.15 ferry across the Bay to Bellingrath Gardens (see yesterday’s entry). In fact, we got there so early, we were in time for the 8.45 ferry, and we were in luck - we were the last car on! The journey across the Bay takes 45 minutes. We passed several big ships moored at the entrance to the Bay, we assumed waiting for the chance to get into port at Mobile, at the head of the Bay. (see extras) At the other side there is another fort guarding the Bay, Fort Gaines. From the ferry terminal, it was about a 25 minute drive to the house and gardens. Bellingrath is the 65-acre public garden and historic home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath, located on the Fowl River. Walter Bellingrath made his fortune as one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers in the Southeast. It was originally a fishing shack he would escape to for a few days fishing, but his wife felt if she was going to be there, she wanted some beauty around her, and she started the gardens, which they opened to the public in 1932, actually before the house was built. There was a very interesting guided tour of the house, and then we explored the gardens at our own pace. Unfortunately, the azaleas and camellias were virtually finished -:it must be a picture when they are in bloom. They were just putting the final touches to their Asian lantern illumination display which opens in a couple of weeks - see extras of house and some of the lantern displays.
We had lunch in their cafe before leaving. Before returning to the ferry, we continued on a little way to visit the shrimping port of Bayou le Batre.