Gulf Shores Spring 2024

Sand Dollar

NOTES

  • May 6: David broke his femur on Mon, May 6.  He had surgery May 7 so the Coulsons could not make this trip but encouraged everyone to go ahead and have a good time.  It won't be the same, tradition will be broken, but we decided to move forward with trip.
  • May 8 (Wed): Arrived in Gulf Shores around 4:30 pm.  Traffic heavy so we decided to eat before checking into house.  First night DeSotos Seafood Kitchen.  Food was good plus they had a Seniors Menu (smaller portions), which kept us from overstuffing ourselves.
  • May 9 (Thu):  Late breakfast with eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy.  Late lunch at 3:30 at CoastAL.  The dining area where we ate last year did not open until 4:00 so we set under an umbrella and had lunch portions.  Games at night included Play 9, Farkle, and 3 Up-3 Down.
  • May 10 (Fri):  Breakfast of potato casserole, sausage and toast.  Dinner at 4:00 at Original Oyster House.  As before, food was good and we ate too much.  We bought a key lime pie and brought it home for desert.  It was delicious.
  • May 11 (Sat): Breakfast of bacon and pancakes.  Dinner at 4:00 at Doc's Seafood on Canal Street.
  • May 12 (Sun): Mother's Day.  Breakfast of fried potato casserole, eggs, gravy and biscuits.  Early dinner at a new place called Big Mike's Steakhouse. Food was great but they seemed to like to give you spuds - double-baked potatoes, even if you order baked potato.  The grouper was great, Sandra had ground steak, Karen and Patsy split some chicken.
  • May 13 (Mon):  Pizza night.
  • May 14 (Tue):  Paul, Sandra and Karen left for home.  Lynn and Patsy ate at 2:00 pm at DeSoto's.
  • May 15 (Wed): Lynn and Patsy drove home


About the house....

  • House was very clean,  Great fans and lights.  Roku TV.  Two thermostats.  Bedrooms were large.  Shower doors were a little wobbly. 
  • There were 3 refrigerators. One on 1st floor, 2 on 2nd floor (kitchen and laundry room)
  • Pool a real plus.  Shallow (about 4' deep) and small but could get several people or 3 floats in it.  Water was warm. Screened in porch was a plus.
  • Wi-fi did not work the first day but got it working end of second day. Fast download but really slow upload.
  • Nice large kitchen.  Always need newer pots and pans but were adequate.  Bring counter wipes, aprons.  Small picnic table in kitchen - great to put our snacks on.  Probably need to bring less snacks.
  • Nice tall Adirondack chairs (2 tables, 8 tall chairs outside), 4 short chairs inside the screen porch. Need to bring chairs for those having trouble getting out of Adirondacks.


The weather...

  • Wed: Super humid when we got here.
  • Thu: Severe storms with tornado warnings in Tennessee.  Very warm (high 80s) with some overcast.
  • Fri: Storms with power loss early Fri morning. Warm during day (high 80s)
  • Sat:  Cooler with low in morning of 66 degrees but warmed up with high of 79 degrees
  • Sun:  Beautiful day with clouds in the morning, temps low 80s.
  • Mon:  Rain started around 11:00 with winds and thunderstorms the rest of the day.
  • Tue:  Thunderstorms overnight, early morning.  Sandstorm early morning with 35 mph (Gusts of 50 mph) winds.  Windy all day but no rain.

 Tennessee to Gulf Shores

Cost

  • 5 Days (May 9 - 14)
    • $5,450.67 + $381.55 insurance = $5,832.22
    • $1,458.06/couple
    • $1,166.44/night
  • Added 1 day before - May 8 
    • $412/4=$103
  • Added 1 day after - May 15
    • $575/2=$287
  • 25% cancellation fee before 60 days

Restaurants

  • Map of Restaurants​
  • Gulf Shores
    • *  Fish River Grill - A Funky Junky Redneck Joint • Home of Swamp Soup • Where the locals love to eat!
    • Bahama Bob's Beachside Cafe - Top rated seafood and American cuisine 3 years in a row.
    • * Doc's Seafood -   Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar prides itself in providing you the very best in Gulf Coast Seafood, including, Doc’s world famous fried shrimp
    • Gulf Shores Seafood - If you’re in a rush, looking to save time, and desiring a taste of Gulf Coast Seafood, then tryout one of our Meals To Go!
    • Shrimp Basket - Informal chain outpost offering a variety of fried seafood dishes & an oyster bar.
    • Tacky Jack's - Festive Gulf Coast fixture offers outside dining, live music & American eats in rustic digs.
    •  Cactus Cantina - Laid back Mexican cuisine by the beach.
    • Original Oyster House - Considered the best family-friendly, waterfront seafood restaurant on the Gulf Coast
    • The Hangout - Join us this winter for the best entertainment and Snowbird specials. Roaring Through the Decades Dance Night on Monday, Bingo Night on Wednesday and Paint Classes on Sunday.
    • * DeSoto's Seafood KitchenAlabama’s favorite family restaurants features fresh seafood, chicken, pasta, steak, home style sides, salads and sandwiches. 
    • LuLu's At LuLu’s, we serve scratch-made menu options with recipes created by Lucy Buffett herself. 
    • Acme Oyster House I turned non believers into oyster eaters!! Eat, laugh and love with us over an authentic New Orleans seafood meal.  


  • Orange Beach
    • * Big Mike's Steakhouse -   We are grilling up the best steaks on the Gulf Coast but we've still got amazing seafood for our seafood loving friends!
    • CoastAL Orange Beach - Great food, live music, and the best views of the Gulf of Mexico!
    • ​CoastAL​ - Orange Beach
    • The Flying Harpoon - Unique eats and laid back atmosphere.
    • Ruby Slipper - Cheery cafe serving signature omelets, Southern brunch fare & cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere in Orange Beach.
    • The Gulf - Outdoor venue made from old shipping containers offering seafood, American fare & a full bar.
    • Cobalt, the Restaurant - Seafood & happy hours on an expansive patio at a busy spot with boat slips for those coming by sea.
    • Brick & Spoon - Chain serving Cajun-Creole breakfast fare, sandwiches & cocktails in a stylish, contemporary space.
    •  Cactus Cantina - Laid back Mexican cuisine buy the beach.


Sand Dollar


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