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 found every time I’ve visited. The same incredible scene we all know and love.
It’s easy to practice social distancing when you have thirty-two miles of gorgeous beaches at your disposal. Seriously, in all of my travels, I have yet to find such beautiful beaches. But what to do when you need a break from the sun and sand?
New this year is a bike-sharing program at Gulf State Park. Rental stations are scattered throughout the park, and the first three hours are free.
Take a spin through the twenty-six miles of trails on one of the easy to ride cruisers – the options are endless. It is important to note that each rider will have to download an app on their phone to use a bike. Helmets are not provided. Click HERE to read my story on all of the fun things to do at Gulf State Park.
A highlight of the trip was a paddle tour on Oyster Bay. Gliding through the water on tandem kayaks provided by Wild Nature Tours, we crossed the Intracoastal Waterway to see dolphins, heron, osprey, and the most incredible sunset.
The fantastic golf courses – we played both Kiva Dunes and Craft Farms – are offering touchless golf in response to COVID19. What this means is the flags stay in, and there are no public water stations on the course, so plan accordingly.
Most businesses are open, and restaurants are serving the delicious seafood and other treats that we’ve been dreaming about all winter and spring.
Bear in mind that there are social distancing restrictions in place, so waits might be a little longer than usual. Every establishment I visited was happy to make orders to go as an option.
Pro tip: The Woodside Restaurant inside Gulf State Park offers casual and creative Southern cuisine with a screened-in porch and a super cute backyard area for dining. It was never crowded, even during busy dinner hours. Don’t miss the flash-fried Brussel sprout appetizer with horseradish cream. You can thank me later.
It looks like this will be the summer of the road trip, as travelers begin planning their vacations.
I had a wonderful three days in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach while conforming to all CDC travel recommendations.
Whether you’re anxious to hit the road now or you plan to hold off a while, the Alabama Gulf Coast is ready when you are.
As always, thanks for reading!
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