2018 May 29-Jun 2, 🚙The sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Loaded my new Nissan Murano with my suitcase and camera and drove to my sisters to meet them for our trip. While waiting for them to finish getting ready I went outside and took some pictures. There were birdhouses in different shapes and sizes filled with bird feed atop tall poles, along with wind-chimes, and deer antlers.

Standing next to a mailbox, I saw a bicycle covered with vines of purple flowers, its basket was filled with lots of pink flowers.

Sitting next to a gate, and next to a pink rose bush,  with some faded and crumbling blooms,

sat on a wooden bench, that read School Bus

On top, of the fence post, See Rock City, on both sides red rose bushes stood a birdhouse.

A flower bed with several greenery plants, stepping pads, a wooden bench, a wagon wheel, a pot, and water flowing from a small pump down a wooden plank into a bucket. 

All this was enclosed and the ground was covered in mulch, a birdhouse, and a fence on the backside. There was a brick path leading up to the home next to the path stood another flower bed, a tall pole with a birdhouse, a wooden sign that read HOME, and atop was a big black dinner bell. All around the home were flowerbeds dotted with greenery and orange/yellow tubed blooms. In the distance stood an outhouse, with a washtub hanging on the side. A cabin with wooden steps on two sides, two wagon wheels, a dipper, cowbells, a bucket, and other paraphernalia hanging from the porch. A black mailbox number 146 standing next to the steps waiting for delivery. Jumping, playing, and hiding among the tall flowers was their bulldog puppy.

Red Roses

We have had lots of rain during April and May and today was no exception.

It started to rain and rained most of the day. The rain lessened the further south we went. 

We enjoyed lunch at Dairy Queen in Northport near Tuscaloosa. We stopped at Chick-fil-A in Foley for dinner. It was getting late when we arrived at Island Winds East. Unloaded the car and headed to the beach. My niece and her friend had never seen the Ocean/Gulf and were very excited. The water was still very turbulent from the storm that had come through a few days before. 

There was a full moon overlooking the Gulf the night we arrived. 

Full Moon 

Bird, Clouds, and Turbulent Water 

Wednesday, May 30

Around six AM I walked to the sand-covered beach, there were a few people out and about, some watching the sunrise, some looking for shells, and some walking and wading in the water. 

It looked like a fire breaking through the clouds as the sun began to shine. It was going to be another hot day.

Everyone enjoyed playing in the gulf. It was too hot for me so I got into the swimming pool and later went back to the room.

Around seven I walked down to the concrete boardwalk to watch the sunset. There were several tarps above concert benches with palm trees around each area. Footprints covered the sand and silence filled the air along the beach.

As I neared the Hangout I could hear a band playing 

Sunrise

Thursday, May 31

With my camera, I walked to the quiet beach around 7 AM.

There I saw a few white & pink clouds floating above the Gulf as the sun began to rise. 

A few birds were feeding, few people setting up for the day but still very quiet. Going to be another hot day.

Around noon we went to the theme park OWA in Foley.

The ground at the park was covered in Concrete making for an even hotter day.

We rode several rides but had the most fun in the kiddy area. 

Enjoyed a banana split Ice Cream at Hershey Ice Cream Parlor.

At Wahlburgers everyone ordered hamburgers and fries, and I ordered chicken fingers.

Katie enjoyed the splash pad where buckets of water splashed over her head. 

OWA Park 

Friday, June 1

Up and down to the beach at 6AM to watch the sunrise. A few clouds covered the sky, the waves not quite so turbulent, and not as many birds. The storm had brought high waves and in those waves were schools of fish.

The sun was up, and it was getting hot as my sister and I walked down to the Hangout stopping to take a picture in the BIG BLUE chair. 

Gulf Shores Hangout 

Everyone enjoyed another day at the beach, not me I went sightseeing.

I drove to Elberta to see dinosaurs and arrived around 10AM. Stopped at a Marathon Gas Station in Elberta to fill it with gas, and to purchase a coke and cookies.

Dinosaur Park 

I drove to Fort Morgan and toured the Museum where I saw Mobile Point Lighthouse Order Fresnel Lens (1873-1966), a 32-pound Carronade, a picture of Admiral David Farragut, Civil War Artillery at Fort Morgan, & Last Campaign Federal Operations at Mobile March thru April 1865. 

There were war signs posted along the walls, “I want you for US Army, Join the Army Air Service, Help Them Keep your war sayings PLEDGE, Tell that to the Marines Men wanted for the Army and etc.” Army returns to Fort Morgan 1989, A gallant officer and gentleman Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Stewart. The Big Gun Corps at Fort Morgan had several uniforms and guns. I walked around inside the Fort and drove around the outside of the fort. It was just too hot to stay for very long. 

I drove to Foley where I toured the Train Depot and the L & N. Red Caboose stationed outside the Museum. 

Inside the museum, I saw a statue sitting on a long bench, a bell, a set of faded blue luggage, and a stove with a metal kettle sitting on top. I saw an empty trunk, a closed trunk, and a Piano with a songbook opened to the song DEAD MARCH IN SAUL on page 87. 

Song Book at Train Depot 

I saw a wheel barrel with a sack of Hollywood-washed potatoes, two old-style telephones, the sign “No Longer a 'ONE CROP” Country, a couple of washtubs, a Mother’s Best Flower sign, a ringer Washing machine, an Ice Box and a Potato Grader.

 I walked across the street where I toured the Holmes Medical Hospital Museum.

There I saw wheelchairs, hospital rooms, a doctor's office, examining rooms, medical equipment, bedpans of every shape and size, medical books, an Ex-ray Room, medicine bottles, scales, a skeleton, a sink, a washtub, an Incubator for infants and so much more. 

I walked up the street to the Art Museum flowers were in bloom everywhere. Painted on the Foley Coffee Shop was a man standing next to a red truck, a train engine # 1701 with smoke coming out of an airplane flying overhead. 

Mural 

I walked to the overpass, took the elevator up crossed the road to Heritage Park, stopped at the Visitor Center, and drove back to Condo.

We ate dinner at Desoto’s Seafood Cafe the place was packed.

Saturday, June 2,

Up early once again to white clouds with the sun trying to break through, the beach was quiet, and the sand was covered in footprints, going to be another hot day.

I drove over to the Wetlands and walked across the wooden bridge. There were two young from Texas fishing. I took a few pictures as I walked along the bridge. 

Wetland Bridge/Boardwalk 

Rode back to the Condo packed and drove home.