Jarred awake by the ubiquitous chime of my iPhone, I fumble around the nightstand in the dark. Desperate to silence the beastly apparatus, I ignore the impulse to hit the snooze button. I’d be lying if I said that I’m not tempted to roll back over and stay cozy and comfortable in my […]
Alabama State Parks
Hike, Pedal, Paddle: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Vacationing on Alabama’s Gulf Coast this year? I’m all in on long days spent reading and sunning on the sugar-white sand with the occasional dip in the warm waters of the gulf. But, if you’d like to venture off the beach, consider experiencing the area differently by hiking, pedaling, or paddling – activities that offer […]
52 Weeks 52 Hikes: Tales From the Trail – Chapter 3
Changing my search term to North Alabama Hikes, I’m met with a dizzying array of options. Once referred to as The State of Surpises, Alabama is one of the most biodiverse in the nation. For millions of years, present-day Alabama was covered by a shallow ocean. As the waters receded, limestone bedrock was formed, which […]
Gulf Shores, Alabama: Three Day Weekend Post Covid19
Months of quarantine, lockdowns, restrictions, and uncertainty have brought travel to a standstill. With the arrival of summer, I couldn’t help asking what’s a travel columnist to do? As restrictions lifted throughout the country, I decided to take a road trip to the sugar-white, sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. What I found when I arrived is what I’ve […]
Chasin’ Waterfalls in North Alabama
North Alabama is blessed with natural beauty. Now is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the show that Mother Nature has provided. Plenty of options for waterfall hikes in this gorgeous area. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. De Soto State Park Nestled atop beautiful Lookout Mountain, DeSoto State Park features over […]
The Ultimate Alabama Waterfall Road Trip
A couple of weeks ago, I shared an article from onlyinyourstate.com called The Ultimate Alabama Waterfall Road Trip. Viewed and shared many times, I thought, hmmm…..people dig waterfalls. I dig road trips. Maybe I should do it. So I did. My son Zach was off work, the weather forecast was good, so away we went […]
Gulf State Park – Gulf Shores, Alabama
When you think of the Alabama Gulf Coast do sugar sand beaches, a surging surf, warm sea breezes, and a crystal clear coast come to mind? With three miles of beach, Gulf State Park has all of that and more, but the beach is only the beginning. I had a blast exploring another one of […]
5 Things to Do On A Rainy Day in Gulf Shores, Al.
Don’t let a little rain get you down on your Gulf Coast vacation. There’s plenty to do to keep you entertained until the showers pass. Here are 5 of my favorites: Blue Girl Beading Co. Unleash your creativity at Blue Girl Beading Co. Structured classes are available or drop-in. They have several examples of projects to make, […]
Soaring With Eagles at Guntersville State Park, Alabama
Alabama is home to some of the best state parks in the country, and I was fortunate to attend the kick-off of Eagle Awareness 2018 at Lake Guntersville State Park. I was able to visit two other nearby Alabama State Parks, making it a three in one weekend! If you haven’t visited Lake Guntersville State Park […]
A Stay at Hotel Indigo, Orange Beach, Alabama – Review
Coastal cool meets city chic at the new Hotel Indigo in Orange Beach, Alabama, located adjacent to Gulf State Park and the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail system. Less than one year old, this property is a delight. Arriving in the hip, modern lobby, complete with swinging chairs, you’ll be greeted by a friendly […]
