Gulf Coast vacation

With garden and lawn chores out of the way, Geanell and I enjoyed spending a week on the Alabama Gulf Coast last week in the company of family members and friends.

Host of the family get-together was John Griffin, of Decatur, who is co-owner of a beach front duplex house in the Fort Morgan area.

We learned a lot about this part of the state during our visit. Gasoline prices are higher than they are in North Alabama. For example, we paid $1.74 per gallon when we left Hartselle and had to pay $1.90 per gallon 160 miles south of Montgomery. The drive from the state’s capitol to Bay Minette (Gulf Coast Parkway) is a fast one. This segment of I-65 is in excellent condition and traffic moves five to 10 miles beyond the posted 70 mph speed limit. At no time on this drive did we see a state trooper or find ourselves in a traffic jam because of roadwork or a highway accident.

Making good time on the 55-mile parkway was a different story. Traffic was heavy, speed limits were mostly 45 and 55 mph and traffic lights were used at most crossroads on a 35-mile stretch between Robertsdale and Gulf Shores. We had difficulty seeing the justification in all those traffic lights when considering the fact that Hartselle eliminated two traffic lights in the central business district in favor of stop signs several months ago.

Once settled in we found many accommodations and activities to keep us well fed and entertained. Dining out in restaurants that specialized in fresh Gulf seafood was at the top of our priority list. We found the food and service at The Neptune, Oyster Shack and Shrimp Basket especially pleasing to the palate and scheduled early dinners to miss the large crowds.

One of my favorite times was early mornings, walking on the beach and listening to the waves break against the shore. It was also fun to sit on the front porch and feel a cool breeze coming off the ocean. We all took pleasure in sharing homemade snacks between meals, watching the Olympic games, playing cards and taking daytime naps.

Another highlight of the vacation was sitting on the front porch and watching the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels conduct a training exercise in the blue sky over the ocean. Flying in and out of formation, the jets left trails of white smoke in the dark blue sky as they made several passes in front of us before returning to their base in Pensacola, Fla.

Good times with family and friends are times to be treasured, and it doesn’t come any better than to make the memories while vacationing together.