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Saturday, March 31, 2018

Sunset @ Gulf Shore State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama




Eric & I share a glass
of wine just before
sunset on a bike trail 
in Gulf State Park.




Sunset looking east
toward Middle Lake




The sky lights up as Eric &
I ride our bikes toward
our campsite.






We've had a great month at Gulf Shore State Park Campground.  Eric and I are checking our calendar and planning a return visit.  There's a lot to explore along Alabama's Gulf Shore and we want to spend more time in this vibrant region. 

Hanging Out @ The Gulf Restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama





The Gulf is listed second on
Yelp.com's list of Orange
Beach restaurants.




The Gulf is constructed
with cargo containers.










I study the configuration
of containers as I walk 
up the entryway.










The bar is a shipping container
with open sides & one open
end.





The Gift Shop









This seating area is very
inviting.

The furniture, made with
recycled wood is set up
around a fire pit.







Sit & enjoy a drink or

Seating is on different
levels.








I like this intimate seating
area beneath a "Locks
of Love" display.







Eric & I sit & enjoy
Margaritas at the
bar.






This is a great place for people watching.






Private boats cruise by.





Commercial boats too....







Eric & I walk through
the archway....

...I love the use of
construction salvage
for aesthetics.




Eric takes this shot of me
in one of The Gulf's
cabanas.
I can see why The Gulf is a popular place.  It's relaxed atmosphere, casual dining and beach access make it a great place to hang out and enjoy a beautiful day on Alabama's Gulf Shore.

Friday, March 30, 2018

A Bike Ride & Lunch @ Publix in Orange Beach, Alabama





Another day, another
bike ride.




Eric & I ride past new
growth forests.




It's a perfect day
to ride bikes.




Eric rides past the Orange
Beach water tower.




We ride on the sidewalk
next toPerdido Beach 
Boulevard.




Eric & I will shop for
lunch at Publix





This is a busy store.




It's 1:00 pm & the Grab &
Go Counter is pretty well
picked over.








Eric & I found the last two Subs:  
A Cuban Sub for Eric & a Roast

We added Potato Chips
& Soda to our meals.




Publix doesn't have indoor dining.  Eric and I are sitting at a picnic table, adjacent to the parking lot.  

We are fueled up and ready to continue today's ride. 

Lil Possum Free Library at Gulf Shore State Park Campground

I rode my bike around the Gulf Shore State Park Campground one afternoon to see the other 499 campsites  here.





I stopped because
 the aqua colored
 box top caught
 my eye.








This is Lil Possum
Free Library.






Little Free Libraries rely on readers bringing a book to exchange when taking a book.  The borrowed book can be returned at another Little Free Library for other readers to enjoy.





Instructions on how
to open the box & a
request to snap the
lid shut.





I found these tiny libraries in Decorah, IowaFrankfort, Kentucky and the Vermont Welcome Center in Alburgh, Vermont.   I look forward to finding more as Eric and I travel.





I appreciate the efforts
of those who maintain
Little Free Libraries
in the U.S. & around
the world.












Wildlife at Gulf Shore State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama

While riding our bikes, Eric and I stop and admire Coastal Alabama's wildlife....





Campers see the Osprey in her nest
as they approach Gulf Shore State
Park's Campground entrance.




This Armadillo was digging
up insects & larvae at
our campsite. 










A Great Blue Heron at





Two year old Alligators
sunbathe near a small
inlet.







This Great Horned Owl
has taken over an
Osprey's nest.




This predator reminds me of
Goldilocks, except she
doesn't get scared off
by the owner.









This Turtle grazes trail side,
undisturbed by hikers, 
bikers & photographers.





Eric and I ride our bikes to the Bald Eagle's nest often, hoping to see these majestic birds.




I got photos of the nest on
our first visit.

It's massive.




I get a shot of an Eagle
on another visit.











Closer in, I see white feathers
on the its chest.






I think this is a Fledgling, a Bald Eagle that is old enough to have feathers and take short flights near the nest.




On another visit, Eric & I see
a Fledgling perched on one the
nest's supporting branches &
the one I saw the other day
in the nest.








A tiny green Lizard runs
along a bridge handrail
on one of the Park's





Pelicans perch on the Pier's
handrail, waiting for a
fisherman to toss guts
from a catch.





Eric and I look forward to finding wildlife as we hike and bike in Gulf Shore State Park.

Lunch @ Lambert's Cafe, The Home of Throwed Rolls in Foley, Alabama

It's a cold, gloomy day.  There will be no hiking or bike riding as Eric and I wait for the rain.  It is perfect weather for lunch at Lambert's Cafe, the Home of the Throwed Roll.





Eric parked on the side
of the cafe.













The air vent is the 
shape of a roll.






The Lambert Family welcomes diners to a good meal at good prices.




I like the over-sized
front of the Cafe.





I got photo bombed...

I gave the couple my
card & will send
the photo.





There's a Sign In station
& benches outside.

Lambert's must get very
busy...




Children can play on this
train while they wait
for their table.





The Lamberts proudly
honor their family
members.




One of the cozy
booths in the
dining room




Photos & License Plates
decorate the walls.









Eric's lunch is Chicken &
Dumplings with Baked
Beans & Coleslaw.

I chose Fried Chicken with
Coleslaw & Cucumbers 
with Onions.




Lunch is delicious.  Staff came around and offered more sides: Fried Okra, Macaroni and Tomatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Boiled Cabbage....  I had a roll tossed at me from about four feet away.  Eric put his hand up and caught one from about thirty feet away.  Here are Youtube links to Lambert's roll tossing and roll throwing.