23 Dec 2018 - Fort Morgan and Lambert's Cafe

23 Dec 2018
After getting the flashing sign sorted out and determining there were no issues driving to Fort Morgan, this morning we did so.  We did not roll out until about 1100 hrs and it was about an hour drive to get to Fort Morgan.  It was a nice drive, though.  Beautiful houses and condo's on the way out there.

We arrived at Fort Morgan and after paying the fee to enter, made our way to the parking area. 

This fort is not in as good of condition as Fort Barrancas that we toured a few days back, but this is State-maintained and Fort Barrancas is supported with Federal dollars (National Park Service).  Fort Morgan is also way out at the end of a peninsula and surely takes the brunt of the weather and salt spray too.

Red dot marks the entrance to the fort sally port

Fort Morgan was built after the war of 1812 to provide protection to Mobile (AL) Point.  It was originally Fort Bowyer and then reconstructed into Fort Morgan named after the Revolutionary War hero Gen. Daniel Morgan.  It took 15 years (1819-1834) to build using 30 million bricks and 200 slaves. It cost $1,026,777.41 and that was in 1834!!  It continued to undergo changes and improvements throughout it's life.  One of the most significant was the addition of Battery Duportail and the '12 inch disappearing rifle'.  During World War II it served as a munitions depot.  In 1947 it was determined the fort was of no further use to the military and it was deeded over to the State of Alabama.

This fort has a sally port and a dry moat like Fort Barrancas, but you enter at ground level so there is no draw bridge.

  

At the inside and outside of the sally port were heavy doors that have since been removed.  The hinge pins still exits.

Throughout the entire grounds are batteries where guns and cannons once stood.  

Off shore we could see oil platforms and cargo ships.  Doreen was excited to be able to see one of her offshore lighthouses and she was able to get her lighthouse passport stamped in the gift shop.

Sand Island Lighthouse offshore.

We continued the tour of the fort.  Here are a few more pictures.

A view of the dry moat

Looking through the passageways within the fort

Calcium building up from water leaks

One of the four cisterns that gathered rain water.

Casements with high arched ceilings provided strength against bombardment.  They served as storage and temporary housing.

More gun mounts

The ferry passing by

Inside one of the barracks areas.

Area where the two women assigned to the fort did the laundry.

 Doreen finished up in the gift shop/museum and then we headed back the same way we came in and towards Foley AL and Lambert's cafe for a late lunch.

The Lambert's cafe in Foley AL is #3. There are two others, the original one in Sikeston, MO and #2 in Ozark MO. Lambert's claim to fame is it's 'throwed rolls'.  The first cafe was started in Sikeston MO in 1942 by Earl Lambert. In 1976 Earl's son Norman Lambert who was a former football coach at Sikeston High School, took over managing the cafe. It was Norman who started the tradition of throwing rolls to customers.

One of many dining areas in Lamberts

The inside of Lambert's reminds me of Hickory Park in Ames IA.  It is massive.  I would hate to guess how many hundreds of customers can be seated at any given time.  We were seated quickly and greeted with offerings of complementary fried okra appetizer.  Drinks are served in 32 oz insulated mugs like you would see in Caseys General Stores.  

The menu is what I would describe as home-style, anything from meat loaf to liver & onions to chicken pot pie.  Doreen actually ordered the chicken pot pie and I ordered liver and onions.  We each got two sides, but as you are eating your meal, servers and circulating the dining area with 'pass around's' - additional sides you can have as much as you want.  'Pass around's' include potatoes and onions, rolls, apple butter, sorghum, boiled cabbage, tomatoes and macaroni, and black eyed peas.  

Before our order arrived the rolls started flying, and they are fresh and they are huge! 

A pair of servers come out of the kitchen area with fresh-out-of-the-oven yeast rolls.  If you hold your hand up they will throw them to you.  If not they cruise the aisles and offer them to the tables. 

Here is a video if it works: 

Needless to say nether Doreen nor I could finish our meals.  We both left with containers full of our meals, plus we bought half dozen rolls to enjoy for Christmas back in the RV.  We also bought two cinnamon rolls for breakfast as a treat.  Our server hooked us up with some take out cucumbers and onions that Doreen had as one of her sides and she really liked them.

We both suffered all afternoon!  Stuffed to the gills we headed back to the RV and went for a long walk through the park trails with the dog.  It was a great day and great weather.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice again and we are going to try to hit Gulf Shores area again even though it is supposedly closed due to the Government shutdown.  We will see what we can.