So much to do, and plenty of time. Such was the routine on our recent five-day vacation in the Gulf Shores/Orange beach area of the southern Alabama Gulf coast.
If you read my previous post, you’ll appreciate the gushing accolades of our stay at Turquoise Place, a beyond-expectations residential property right on the Gulf. It proved to be so plush and comfy, it made it hard to leave the property for the variety of planned activities. We still managed to laze around the Lazy River, put in ample beach time and bask in a Hot Tub on our balcony, but the forays to the following should be considered in your itinerary as well.
Soon after check-in at Turquoise Place, off my wife Kelly and I went to a charming little town called Magnolia Springs. It’s like stepping into a time machine and being whisked to the 1950s, and that’s a compliment considering the too-rushed status of most other places. A walking tour revealed the early 1800s development of this community along the headwaters of the Magnolia River. No noisy crowds, no littered streets, just neat and clean homes with residents sporting smiles, waving hands and offering pleasant hellos.
We visited the only B&B in the village called Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast—a beautiful historic landmark with that special southern architecture. I really love the porch with rocking chair and swing. Kelly and I want to return to the area next year and stay here for a gentle-on-the-nerves respite.
The following morning saw us on the charter boat Distraction with Capt. Troy Frady on the bridge. Super offshore trip, with many catches of double-digit-pound red snapper, most of which we released. Troy really knows his stuff and his conservation ethic is very admirable. Tell Troy I recommended him when you get in touch (and no, this won’t be a “double-half-price” deal).
That afternoon, Kelly and I rode the back of a golf cart for a tour of Hugh S. Banyon Back Country Trail, taking us through the wilderness area of Gulf State Park. We didn’t see any deer, bobcats or most other critters, but we encountered a harmless three-foot rat snake on the trail and scoped out sand dunes, marshes, creeks and hardwoods.
The longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf State Park Pier, jutting 1,540 feet into the briny and 20 feet above the water level. The end of the pier is a 65-foot octagon where anglers can pump and wind without bumping elbows. Quite phenomenal action I'm told, with even sailfish catches occurring now and then.
Of all the cools things we did and enjoyed, by far my favorite was the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. We observed two tortoises making love (the male’s grunts during this performance were hilarious). I've also never been tete-a-tete with a kangaroo, much less held one like a baby in my arms—it even licked my face! If that’s not cool enough, how about sitting in a small tent with three lemurs? These lovable creatures playfully used us like monkey bars, swinging and bouncing off heads and shoulders as well as just entertaining us for the better part of 20 minutes. What a unique experience.
Coming up in the next installment of our Orange Beach-Gulf Shores trip: No self-respecting visit is complete without a full disclosure of all the lovely chewables we consumed—and yes, that includes plenty of fried green tomatoes.
Related article:
Gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico wrapped in luxury
Sweet Vacation Alabama - Turquoise Place
Sweet Vacation Alabama - The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
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