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

get something to eat.

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.

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

Beef & Swiss Sub for me

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, Iowa, Frankfort, 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

Lake Shelby

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

hiking trails.

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.

Lambert's has been throwing rolls for over 70 years.

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

Checker Board in

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.