Beaches | RV There Yet?

We have really enjoyed our three day weekends that have become a part of our lives since we’ve been working SOWER projects. We especially enjoy a three day weekend when the first of those days is excessively rainy.

And I mean excessively!
But the second day of the weekend dawned bright and sunny and after taking care of some chores (laundry and such), we finally were able to take off and explore some of the beautiful Gulf Shores area of Alabama! Our primary destination –
Fort Morgan.

Ah, what a beautiful drive….

along the coast and past a wonderfully eclectic assortment of beach houses.

As you can see on the above map, Fort Morgan is right on the tip of the peninsula, and has been active off and on from its original construction in 1814 until it was finally turned over to the state of Alabama in 1947. It is probably most well known, though, for its role in the Civil War and the Battle of Mobile Bay.
So come along on our walking tour of the Fort –

Lots of dark corridors

and arches

and some pretty darn steep steps!

But then there was was a pretty sweet view of the fort….

and the water.

(I don’t think the oil rigs were part of that original view…..)
After we finished up exploring the fort, we walked down to the water.

We had given some serious thought to taking the ferry over to Dauphin Island, but in the end decided that the $35.00 was better spent on some great seafood in Gulf Shores! But we did manage to get in a nice little hike in the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge – the Pine Beach Hike. We could have gone all the way to the beach, but 4 miles round trip seemed a little much considering my footwear – sandals! So, we opted for the 2 mile RT hike to the head of Little Lagoon.

That’s Little Lagoon on the left and Gator Lake on the right. You were wondering, right?
We were a little disappointed about the lack of visible wildlife, but we did spot an osprey flying from tree top to tree top. I managed to snap a couple of shots of him – though they aren’t very good.

Um, I think he has some dinner there. Cool.
I did find this interesting moss –

Reindeer Moss (lichen actually). Just so you know.
After our walk, that seafood lunch was looking better and better, so off we went to Gulf Shores. This is a true “shore town” with lots going on, especially since this the beginning of Spring Break Season. Â There were lots of restaurant choices, but we settled on Bahama Bobs and we weren’t disappointed.

And after we had our fill of shrimp and pangus (new to us, but very yummy!) I took one last walk to the beach.

Quite a different feel than down at Fort Morgan, but still a beautiful beach.