As nice as it is to have a break from the heat, it really will be great to return to warmer weather and the activities the Alabama Gulf Coast is most recognized for – enjoying the sun, sand and surf.
With spring just weeks away, it's a perfect time to get ahead of the competition by making plans now for spring break trips.
Unlike other beach destinations that cater to college crowds, the Alabama Gulf Coast is a family oriented place to spend time exploring, sunning, swimming and enjoying quality time.
The beaches around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores literally begin to come alive around the time of spring break as sea turtles start building nests and laying eggs while flowers, trees and grasses start to bloom. Everything seems renewed and refreshed, so it's an ideal time to bring a family for renewal and refreshment.
A good thing about getting a jump on planning is being able to secure great deals on great accommodations. By booking well in advance, early birds get the best of the available offerings – not that there are any bad places to spend a week on the Alabama Gulf Coast!
To see what specials are being offered, keep an eye on www.thebeachiscalling.org. Look under the “Packages & Deals” menu. Some packages already are posted; others are sure to follow.
It's my favorite time of year for our family to visit the Gulf Coast of Alabama. The heat of summer has fizzled out, but the days are still warm and sunny, perfect for being outdoors. My two girls and I go every October down to Gulf Shores for the annual Shrimp Festival, for SHRIMP, fine art, crafts, good music, and really friendly people. My parents-in-law live in Pensacola, so they meet us there, and we get one big beach house for the week. This year, we're heading to the area a little early, to enjoy the relative quiet at the end of summer, when tourists are gone and the locals are happily relaxing, recovering from a busy summer. The crowds come back for the 4-day festival, starting Oct. 9, and it's four days of fun!
We were a little unsure at first that we'd be able to visit, as hurricanes in the Gulf have caused some weather concerns. But we were assured a few weeks ago by the realtor who handles our rental that Gulf Shores is prepared, that there is awesome emergency preparedness. I watched from afar how the Labor Day weekend went, and heard only glowing reviews of how the tourists and residents were evacuated and well informed and prepared. So, we're going! We'll hope for beautiful weather. I can't remember an October in the last 19 years that I've spent in Gulf Shores where the weather wasn't fabulous. There has been rain some years, but that doesn't phase us.
I can't wait! Just a few more weeks!
Tags: Gulf Shores Beach Travel
