Happy New Year!

Phoenix West II Tower (Orange Beach, AL)

Happy New Year!  Hope your 2017 is a great one.  We're having some wet weather here on the gulf - sort of getting that 70s one day, 40s the next day.  Mix of clouds & sun.  And of course, wind!

We've gotten into our routine.  Donna swims at the local rec center and rides with the Folks-on-Spokes.  I'm happy to just go out and visit all the new trails plus keeping up with the status of the ones under construction.  And - once again - we're eating out too much!

Anyway, hope you have a safe, happy and rewarding 2017.  Thanks for dropping by.  David

Lefty hangin' out, stayin' warm

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  Hope everyone has a safe and, if possible, relaxing Christmas.  We're fine.  Donna swimming & bike riding with the Folks-on-Spokes (Gulf Shores).  I'm walking and reading the fake news on the computer.  We're both staying warm and keeping as much sand out of the trailer as we can.  

And keeping up with the new bike/walk trails being added to the park.  Lots of money being spent on these trails.  Really nice, impressive work, too.  Seems like new bridges are being built everywhere.  Lots to be proud of.  Unfortunately, lots of work will be needed to maintain them.  Word we're getting is there is no money to maintain them.  Doesn't surprise me at all.  It's just the way things are done here in the deep south.

They've done an excellent job upsetting the snowbirds in Gulf State Park over the last couple of years, too, as they tried to improve the reservation process and become self-sustaining.  This year the park is significantly less full - maybe only 40% full or less - as snowbirds either chose not to come to this part of the country this season or just went to other RV parks in the area.  Have to wait until after New Year's to see if it stays that way or not.  Bet that low occupancy rate really helps out with the trail maintenance costs in future years.  Still the best place to park an RV and ride your bicycle in the area, though.  And there's always shrimp to eat...

Anyway, thanks for dropping by.  Do try to enjoy Christmas! Be safe!  David

More on the Back Country Trails (Gulf State Park)

Another week has gone by.  A few of the Folks-On-Spokes have arrived.  Donna's learning pickle ball.  We've gotten out more on the back country trails and eaten at Mikee's (seafood) & Moe's (BBQ).  We're prepping for our first below freezing night for the season and the burn ban is lifted.

The first two pictures capture how the state park has updated State Park Road 2 since we left in February.  Park vehicles and utility vehicles are suppose to stay on the left.  Bicycles are the center lanes while walkers & skateboarders stay to the right.  All have to honor the 35 mpg speed limit, I guess.

At right is the in-progress bridge running along what we've learned is the North Campground Trail.  This particular section runs along side Bear Road and will replace part of the Alligator Marsh primitive trail. They seem to moving right along.  As best as I can tell, most of the primitive trails remain intact.

This particular picture captures a portion of the half-mile long North Campground Trail bridge that runs parallel to Possum Road. Once this section is completed, you'll be able to walk/bicycle ride from State Route 2 or the terminus circle on Canal Road all the way to Powerline Trail on a paved path or bridge without traveling along any campground road.

Anyway, we're doing well and looking forward to the rest of the season.  Thanks for dropping by and checking on us.  Everyone stay safe & warm.  David

Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trails, Gulf State Park, AL

After a great Thanksgiving in Birmingham, we traveled down to Gulf Shores, AL for the winter.

The Back Country Trails have expanded since we were here in February.  State Route 2 is now a bicycle/skateboard trail from the Hugh S Branyon parking lot to Campground Road.  There's new bicycle trails running in and along side the campground.

New to me are the bridges to keep the bicycles and walkers off the environmental sensitive areas.  One bridge seems to run at least a half mile in length on the north side of Possum Road.

Pictures here are of some the views around the area trails.  The top picture is looking toward Gulf Shores.  The construction on the left is of the new conference center for the state park.

Second picture down is of the cabins from a new viewing point (reached by a new trail) on Shelby Lake.

Third picture down is from a new trail bridge running from the check-in/trailer storage area to a paved path toward Canal Road.

The next three pictures are of a new trail

running from Catman Road to the Rosemary Dunes Trail.

Bottom picture is of Rattlesnake Trail looking toward the Orange Beach Fire Department.  While I have no proof, we did see a bobcat along Rattlesnake Trail this morning.  It was faster than I could get the pciture taken - and I really didn't want to encourage it that I could be an early lunch, anyway!

So that's our first week here.  Thanks for dropping by.  Until next week - David