Scenic 98
Do you have a favorite day-road trip? I do – Mobile, Alabama to Gulf Shores by way of Scenic 98 through Daphne, Fairhope and Point Clear, Alabama. My husband, son and I traveled this route today.
I don’t think this route will claim national renown, and speeders beware! It’s a big trap! But for me it’s a looking glass into the old and gracious world of the coastal deep south, and it’s home. It’s the one place I repeatedly go over the years to remind myself that all will be right with the world. It’s the one place I visit in my mind’s eye to feel at peace.
First take Interstate 10 east out of Mobile. On the long causeway across Mobile Bay, note the USS Alabama, a retired World War battleship, open for daily tours. Then breathe in the sky and the open views on the water and feel the stress of life melt away. You are headed to the beach.
Take the exit for 98 and follow signs for scenic 98. Watch out. The fork in the road is easy to miss. You’ll travel through several sleepy Alabama coastal towns. Colorful homes and inns dot the way. Seafood shacks and praline candy shops are plentiful. The streets are shaded by the lacy branches of old live oak trees adorned with Spanish moss.
Fairhope is a fine town for shopping, eating and playing. Watch there again for the fork in the road to stay along the coast. Take a moment to see the Fairhope pier. In season, the rose garden at the pier has a fantastic display.
Continue on the road to Point Clear, making a stop again at the Grand Hotel. This hotel offers lovely grounds and beautiful views.
Merge with 59 at Foley and continue south to Gulf Shores. Gulf Shores is largely commercialized, but the beaches are a pristine white and the blue Gulf waters are beautiful.
We continued on to Florida, but if you plan to return to Mobile, head west to Fort Morgan along 180. This old fort offers nice views of the Gulf and Mobile Bay as well as an interesting history tour of the area. From Fort Morgan you can catch the ferry west across the bay to Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island. These two forts guarded the mouth of Mobile Bay. Imagine the doom of long past civil war battles – “Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead.” Do you know that quote? Well, you’re at the famous site of the Battle of Mobile Bay. From Dauphin Island you can meet up with 193 or Dauphin Island Parkway back into Mobile.