One Year Anniversary

May 22 - June 10, 2020, Gulf Shores, AL, Luxury RV Park

Today marks the one-year anniversary of living full time on our RV. The first 8 months went just as we planned. Then COVID -19 restrictions went in place and we’ve been in Gulf Shores for five months!  I can definitely say that RVing is more fun when you’re moving!  But we have been SO blessed to have this place to hide out. It’s become our second home. And, while we swore we had too many places to see, we’ve come to know the people, and we may come back next winter. Mind you, I don’t want to get stuck in a rut. But this is a nice spot to weather the cold.  I think I like the beach better BEFORE Spring Break. There are far fewer people to contend with.

We’ve also gotten to know the restaurants! Especially the ones with outdoor dining and take-out. (We always take handy wipes and sanitizer!). For bbq, we get pulled pork sandwiches at Hog Wild. For fried shrimp, we go to the Shrimp Basket, just across the street from us. For sub sandwiches and pizza, Chico’s - again, an easy walk across the street. Good Mexican food is harder to come by, but we found Pedro’s in Perdido Key and El Paso up in Foley. And of course, the granddaddy of home cooking (but very pricey and touristy) Lambert’s Cafe. The best thing is the “throwed rolls”  Yes, they throw them across the dining room. They are light and fluffy and hot.  Yum!

Bill has finally gotten back into fishing with the warmer weather.  Though for some reason, Gulf State Park decided to close and repair their pier during the best part of the year. So we found the pier at Little Lagoon Pass (thanks Ron!), which is also near a beach. I can wander the shore looking for shells, and Bill can catch lunch for the herons who always hover nearby begging for a handout.

Thank you, Alabama for taking good care of us. We’re leaving next week with many good memories. Now we can move more freely around the country.  The check point into Florida has been removed, and the Keys are reopening. So we’re headed that way. Then, we’ll go North, maybe see Brendan, before we get back to Texas for the holidays. Each state is reopening at different rates.  It’s the right thing to do to protect their citizens, but difficult for travelers to know what to expect. We’ll keep our masks and sanitizer handy, just in case. Open road, here we come!

Beautiful Beach, at last!

1/16/2020 - 1/17/2020 - Red Bay, AL to Meridian, AL (162 miles) one night at Benchmark RV Park for $20

1/17/2020 to 3/17/2020 - Meridian, MS to Gulf Shores, AL (193 miles) one month at Luxury RV Resort (four blocks from the beach!) $860

Snowbirds!

As I sit here, writing, I hear the low, long, rolling thunder announcing two days of storms to come.  The weather has been very changeable - even from hour to hour.  I get up early in the morning to walk to the beach.  Most mornings, the sun is out.  By lunchtime, the clouds have blanketed the sky and the breeze kicks up.  Even so, I’ve found my happy place.  The mountains and desert have their own brand of undeniable beauty, and I enjoyed visiting, but the beach feeds my soul, which is good, because we’re here for two months.

We originally thought we’d stay for a month, then head into Florida.  I wanted to go to Universal Studios in Orlando to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but we couldn’t find any places to stay between now and Spring Break, when it gets really crazy.  We’ve become very philosophical about our travels.  If we don’t make it this time, we’ll circle back later.  So we’re staying in Gulf Shores for two months, almost like REAL snowbirds, then go to Savannah, GA, Asheville, NC, through the Shenandoah valley to Washington DC. There are so many amazing places to see, I’m not disappointed.

Luxury RV Park is a great place to stay!  It’s only four blocks from the beach, is infinitely walkable, and there’s a wonderful close-knit, active community amongst the campers.  They plan all the activities, raise money for social events, and welcome newbies like me.  I attend yoga on Tuesday and Thursday, crafts on Tuesday, we go to potluck every other week, AND we’re here for Mardi Gras.  I’ve learned that Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, AL.  Every small town around here has a parade, including Gulf Shores, so I’m going to be in my first parade, walking next to the Luxury RV float!

A place like this has such seasonal income, most businesses around here welcome the “winter visitors” to prop up the economy with lower prices, great discounts, and free parking.  But March is coming. Everything will change with Spring Breakers. Until then, we have the beach.  Here are some picks from my daily walks.