Sugar-White Beaches of Alabama

   Nestled between Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay on Alabama's Eastern Gulf Coast is a beach with sand so white it looks like granulated sugar. The weather is unusually mild for the Gulf Coast and the local people actually like visitors. While it is some distance from I-10, access is excellent.

Alligator Alley
   From I-10, take exit 44 and follow AL-59 south. About 11 miles south of the exit you'll encounter County Road 48 (about 1 mile north of Summerdale). Turn left, go about a half mile east to County Road 71 (the next road), turn right and then head south. You will find Alligator Alley, an alligator farm open to tourists 7 days a week. Kids love this place. They are even allowed to feed the alligators (or watch the daily feeding at 4p each day).

L & N Train Depot
   Drive back over to AL-59 and continue south about 7.5 miles to US-98 in Foley, turn left and a couple hundred yards to the east is the L & N Train Depot with its model railroad exhibit. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you can see the little trains run on their elaborate layout. Kids love this place, too, but so do most of the adults (at least the guys). Oh, the admission is FREE!

Any One for a Balloon Ride?
   If you'd like an unusual lift, about a mile west of the L&N Train Depot is a hot air balloon venue. Some folks get quite a thrill getting up in one of those things. (I'll pass.)

Gulf State Park
   Heading south on AL-59 another 10 miles is Gulf Shores and that sugar-white beach. There are well over a dozen RV parks in Gulf Shores. Our favorite is Gulf State Park, less than a mile to the east on Ft Morgan Parkway. The park extends to the beach but the camp sites are not actually on the beach.

Waterville USA
   There are a lot of attractions for when you get tired of roasting on the beach. Water parks, which seem to be the rage right now, are well represented at Waterville USA on Gulf Shores Parkway (AL-59). It is open daily after Memorial Day weekend and extends over 20 acres.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
   Just north of Waterville USA (also on Gulf Shores Parkway) is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Sure, after you've seen one you've seen them all. This one is a little different. They have special elevated viewing decks to give you (and the kids) a much better view of the animals. And, of course, they have a petting zoo.

Bird of Paradise Biplane Rides
   Also in Gulf Shores, on Airport Drive just off Gulf Shores Parkway, is Bird of Paradise Biplane Rides. Take a flight in an open cockpit biplane. Yes, they still fly those things.

Funny Cars
   If you have a budding young driver with you, there is Funny Cars on East 1st Avenue. These are low-speed electric cars with seating for 5 (including driver) that rent for $39 per hour.

The Wharf in Orange Beach
   Our favorite spot is The Wharf which is in Orange Beach (which is east of Gulf Shores). Here you'll find a variety of restaurants and shops, live concerts and the largest Ferris wheel in the Southeast.

Alabama Gulf Coast Visitors Bureau
   The Alabama Gulf Coast Visitors Bureau in Gulf Shores will send out a free booklet if you'll give them a call at 800-745-7263. They also have a web site at www.GulfShores.com. Unfortunately, their booklet doesn't mention the RV parks but you can get that information at www.I-10-RV-Parks.com.

National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola
   One last adventure... but it's not here. It is in Pensacola, Florida which is next door to Orange Beach. This is the National Museum of Naval Aviation at 1750 Radford Blvd (800-327-5002). This place really sets on fire the imagination of a ten-year-old. Exhibits range from WW-I aircraft to the current space-age stuff. Plan on spending a few hours there, -- and it's FREE! From Orange Beach continue east on AL-182 (Perdido Beach Blvd) into Florida (where 182 becomes FL-292). Seven miles east of the Florida-Alabama border is the junction of FL-297 (Gulf Beach Hwy). Turn right and follow 297 about 5 miles to the Blue Angel Pkwy. Turn right and follow Blue Angel Pkwy (it becomes Radford Blvd) to the museum.