Saturday morning, April 16, Bonnie and I escaped the snow storm in Colorado Springs for the beach! Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:45 am but at that time, they were still de-icing the plane. We were fortunate to be able to finally leave and found out later that the flight we were on was the last one allowed to leave - all others were cancelled! We arrived in DFW with just enough time to get to our next flight and board with 15 minutes to spare. Yikes! So glad we made it!
We arrived in Mobile, AL at 1:50pm, got our rental car, and made the drive to Gulf Shores. We were hungry and used one of the food groupon's that Bonnie found - Gulf Shores Diner. Turned out to be a great place!
After eating, we found our condo and explored it a bit.
These amazing views from our balcony!
Bonnie took this picture of me face-timing with Kevin and the kids - showing them the beach
Our kitchen
Bonnie's bedroom
Living room
My room
View of the condo from the beach
First from the right, fourth floor up - #406
After settling our things, we made a trip to Walmart for some breakfast/lunch foods & snacks. Then the beach was calling so we had to go! So many shells!
Waves & seagulls
We walked down to this pier and hoped to walk out to the end, but it was part of Gulf State Park, so we had to pay. Neither of us had brought any money, so we made a note to come back later.
Sun glow
We learned about beach warning flags. Most of our days there were red flag days - really windy!
Sunday morning, April 17, we slept in as long as we could - around 8:45 am for me. I like this statement that was hanging in my room - although T.S. Eliot didn't really say that.
This was a great way to start the day everyday while we were there!
Lovely morning views
We drove to Foley and shopped around the Foley Outlet Stores. Then had a late lunch at the Cactus Cantina Mexican Grill. Another pretty good groupon find - great fish and shrimp tacos! Chips were too greasy. The South - only area of the country I've visited where your Mexican food side options are beans and rice or cheese grits! I chose the cheese grits - they were good! (I need to figure out where to look when taking a selfie!)
We did some more beach walking in the afternoon - made it back to the pier and paid to walk to the end. Lots of people were fishing - so interesting to watch.
This was such a funny looking bird! A Great Blue Heron perhaps?
I backed toward him and Bonnie got a picture
A pelican begging for fish
Rebel Pelican
At the end of the pier
Our little white condo building in between the towering buildings
When we got back to the condo, I went up and grabbed my book and enjoyed reading on the beach. Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts" was a great book to read on this trip!
Sunset on the beach
Monday morning, April 18 - we did some more beach walking - this time in the opposite direction.
We did some shell collecting
And I found this thing
It's called a Mermaid's Purse - an egg case for skates and rays.
The ocean - just couldn't get enough!
Monday afternoon - we took a dolphin cruise
We toured around the inlets
Bonnie got some great pictures! It was fun!
After the dolphin cruise we tried another groupon deal - Wintzell's Oyster House
We ate outside in a little gazebo
My favorite meal of the trip - Shrimp Boil! So good!! And a delicious bread pudding for dessert. Bonnie had a Hot Chocolate Brownie that also looked delicious!
After dinner - some more beach walking. We came across this amazing sand castle
and this jelly fish.
The moon was bright and almost full so we went out again after dark. The moon was reflecting off the waves making them look silvery black like mercury. So pretty! But impossible to capture.
Tuesday, April 19 - another beautiful morning on the beach. A little less windy - yellow flags today.
We walked down the beach and then up to the souvenir shops. This one's entrance was inside the shark's mouth!
This shop had sea creatures suspended from the ceiling. We each found a treasure, then walked back down the beach for lunch.
We ate at Sea 'N Suds - just a short way down the beach from our condo. We ate on the covered patio - great beach front view! This seagull was brave enough to fly in
and steal crackers from the table!
Sea 'N Suds in the background
After lunch, I borrowed this sad looking umbrella and chair from the condo and went down to the beach to read.
I had packed two swim suits and had not used them, but was determined to try! Started out with the shorts, but couldn't muster the top - still too chilly.
I didn't last long before putting on my jacket and long pants! But it was still great to be out there. By the beach. Reading! I finished my book.
A parasailing company flew by while I was out there - advertising their tours.
After finishing my book, I figured it was a good time to walk up the road and try out the snow cone stand we had driven by earlier in the trip. But, alas, it was closed. We kept on walking and found a pretty good substitute - strawberry/chocolate milkshakes. Yummy! But, not quite the snow cone I had been craving.
We walked the beach one last time to get back to the condo. Gathered a few more shells. I was amazed at how thick they were in places!
And finally got a video of these funny little birds that entertained me during our walks. Sanderlings. Such funny little things! (See video in "Gulf Shores 2016" folder)
Wednesday morning, April 20, we checked out around 10 am, then made the drive back to Mobile. We had lunch at The Hickory Pit - a good Southern meal! Then we drove just around the corner to visit with Bonnie's family.
Bonnie's cousin Roxanne, Bonnie, Aunt June, and Uncle "Punkin" Harvel Taylor (Bonnie's Dad's brother). We had a great visit with them, then headed to the airport. I crawled into bed at home around 12:30 am Thursday morning. Tired, but so grateful for a wonderful trip! Sleeping in, relaxing, reading (I finished 2 books!), eating great food, enjoying the beach, good company, and a few HGTV shows! Mission accomplished! Thank you, Bonnie!
While we were gone, Colorado Springs was being buried in over a foot of snow. This small amount of snow was what I woke up to Thursday morning.
