Alabama: This Thing Called Buc-ee's

 

Wall of Buc-ee's shoes in Loxley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

OK, so Buc-Ee's isn't just in Alabama, but it certainly seems to be a bigger thing here than other places I've encountered it. [NOTE: Although upon further investigation, I suspect Texans might be highly offended by this remark, and perhaps rightly so. Mea culpa.]

And if you see a wall of finite marketing real estate devoted to loafers emblazoned with the Buc-ee's logo, then you know you are in a place that is a thing.

The first time I entered an Alabama Buc-ee's was on the way to Pensacola with a long-time Alabaman friend, in Octoberish 2021. I think I gaped behind my mask when I crossed the threshold. This was because I may have been the only masked customer in the entire, cavernous store. When I rejoined my companion outside, I said in some wonder, not entirely tongue-in-cheek: Is it possible they don't know there is a pandemic going on? Should we warn them? 

There's a call-and-response thing there, too, which adds to the vibe. On a recent stop at the Buc-ee's in Loxley (en route to Foley from Mobile), this meat chopper seemed to be the caller; the cashiers responded. 

Beef chopper at Buc-ee's in Loxley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

Beef chopper at Buc-ee's in Loxley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

Beef chopper at Buc-ee's in Loxley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

I liked that he wore a mask. 

5 Reasons Why Texans Love Buc-ee's [and probably Alabamans, too]

10 Things You Shouldn't Miss at Buc-ee's

And then there's this: Viral video causes internet to uproar after woman mispronounces ‘Buc-ee’s’. 

 

 

Foley, Alabama: The Park at OWA

 

OWA in Foley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

 

Since nesting in Mobile, I'd seen references to OWA this and OWA that on my newsfeeds. I was unclear what it was. Theme park? State park? Entertainment venue? And was OWA an acronym? How did one pronounce it? 

On a recent chilly but sunny Saturday, I checked it out. There was to be an arts and crafts festival there. 

My pre-landing intel told me good things: 

• Free parking
• Free admittance to OWA's "downtown"
• About an hour from Mobile
• A tribal dance performance would kick off the festival

I also felt excited about the possibility, albeit faint based on my experience thus far on Mobile Bay, that there'd be real kettle corn.  But I already had a Plan B for my on-site snacking: a pillowy, warm, buttery, salted soft pretzel.

I packed my lunch and set out on my expedition, planning to eat in my Pree before entering the park to take in the tribal dance performance. 

About that tribal dance. I never heard it or found it. Apparently, the performance may have occurred on The Island, where there is a small stage and amphitheater seating alongside the lake. Eventually, I had to ask someone where it was. The signage at the park was unhelpful. 

OWA island amphitheater in Foley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

 

 No kettle corn. Unsurprising, nevertheless disappointing. However, I had my pretzel Plan B, and I walked up to Auntie Anne's cramped space, only to find it crowded with waiting customers. Oooh, no, was I really going to wait in a line for a pretzel? I walked away. ........ Only to return half an hour later to stand in line for that pretzel. (Ha. Standing in line reminds me of this.)

 

OWA pretzel in Foley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

Now having checked out several arts and crafts festivals along the Gulf Coast, I feel equipped to say that this one at OWA was a bit dull. Having said that, I liked that there was, perhaps, a stronger than usual representation of Black vendors there. By stronger than usual, I mean stronger than usual than what I've seen thus far at similar events on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. This suggests to me that the OWA festival organizers have taken thoughtful actions to be inclusive.

However, this vendor presence was in stark contrast to the dearth of Black visitors to OWA on the day I visited. 

OWA is seven miles from the Gulf Coast beaches, but this pseudo beach charmed me:

OWA pseudo beach, Foley, Alabama. January 2022. Credit: Mzuriana.

 

On the whole, my trip to OWA was a good way to spend a sunny, chilly Saturday, and it satisfied my curiosity about the park. 

That peek I had into the rides part of the park also gave me a thrill-shiver  - the future prospect of a whole day of endorphin-infusion on ride after ride after ride.

I am remembering my day at Silver Dollar City a few years back: Missouri: Roller Coasters, the Swamp, and the People I Didn't See. Kettle corn was there. 

 

What I've learned about OWA since my visit

• The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are the principles behind the development and operations of OWA. 
• On OWA the name: "Pronounced like oh-wah, the name is inspired from the Muscogee Creek language to mean 'big water.'”
  
• Land acknowledgement for Foley, Alabama: The Muskogee Creek.