Alabama? On the Gulf?

For those who don’t want to lounge on the beach or balcony all day, there are areas for boating and fishing on the Gulf as well as a golf course near by. Near the hotel, there are also a number of attractions, such as the United States Naval Aviation Museum, outlet malls, and the Gulf State Park Nature Center for naturalists who want to learn more about the area. Lake Shelby, a freshwater lake, is available across the highway for fishing and picnics. There are also vacation cottages located on the lake. The weather was great during my stay, with only a few afternoon showers; it was humid, but manageable, with plenty of sunlight. I enjoyed my stay in the park, but in lazier moments, did regret the inconvenience of the main building, with its restaurant and gift shop, being so far.

In the middle of August, when I was there, the sea turtle nests were expected to hatch. I had the pleasure of meeting volunteers from Alabama who were protecting the nests along the coast. Though I didn’t get to see the turtles hatch, it was great to go out each morning and check on the two nests near my room on the beach. The Naturalist at the Gulf Shores State Park can help you find a nest as well as give you information on when it should be hatching.

Some highlights from my trip included reading on the beach as I watched a tropical storm roll in late one evening. The crickets, birds and waves were so loud; I could hear them over the thunder. It was great practicing yoga on the beach facing the ocean during sunrise. Before it got to hot or humid, laying in the cool, damp sand and rinsing off after a run in the salty waters of the Gulf was a totally rejuvenating experience.

The only draw back was that the local area is lacking in dining options, with the local flair being distinctively and nearly exclusively seafood. For a vegetarian like myself, I found Subway, Denny’s and gas station convenience stores to be my major source of nutrition. If you’re not a fan of seafood, think about packing some provisions, or making it to a grocery store while you’re there.