Rainbow in Orange Beach

Shot from the Caribe Resort in coastal Alabama. 

It's a Magic Kind of Medicine

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Fishing boat in Perdido Pass area of Orange Beach, Alabama.

Lots of great fishing going on this weekend including the Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo.

Standing on the Edge of your Life

For a Print

We met this fellow down at the docks by the Caribe Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama. We've stayed there a couple of times with our family. It was a nice change of view and offered a lot of photo oppotuniites. We've even rented there for a whole month during the winter season one time.  Winter rates are really a bargain along the beach.  It's also "Snow bird" season then with lots of good dinner deals at the local restaurants. There's also less crowds. 

The Caribe Resort is also an awesome place to take the whole family. It's peaceful yet very kid friendly.  I'll be sharing more shots from our stays there. 

Cause it's so crisp

Print available

At the Wharf marina in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Something about Palm Trees

Having grown up in the midwest surrounded by maples, oaks, and pine trees the local palm trees were one of the first things that I loved about the gulf coast. The drive out to Gulf Shores Plantation on Fort Morgan road had an interesting mix of palms, pines, and other trees with sand showing along side the road. Palms and pines together make a very pretty mix in some of the local yards. The shots below are from The Wharf area in Orange Beach, Alabama. Don't get my wrong, I love all the other trees. Even after living here for years palm trees make it feel like I'm on vacation.

I hope you are having a great start to the Summer and finding time to relax under a shade tree, whatever the species. I know it's in the "very important" column on my list of things to do. :)
~ Melody

Four Seasons Pier

This pier is located in Orange Beach, Alabama.  It is a private pier but it's within walking distance of the Cotton Bayou beach access area.

Pier in Orange Beach 

 Photo at SmugMug 

Have a great day.

~ Melody

Blues

Here is a pretty midsummer shot.

Enjoy

~ Melody

Love at First Sight

Welcome and what's it all about.

The plan for this blog is to share photography and stories about our time spent here on the Gulf Coast.  In 2000 our family invited us to vacation with them in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We immediately loved the area - the beautiful gulf, white sandy beaches, interesting tourist attractions, great food, and friendly people. We stayed at the Gulf Shores Plantation the first few times we came south. 

We stayed two weeks in 2000. The first week we ran like crazy to tourist spots, historical attractions, and the beach. The men went fishing every morning, surf fishing at Perdido Pass or Alabama Point.  My husband even caught a shark in the surf. The second week was more laid back with beach time, more fishing, and hanging in the pool. Wanting to hang onto this paradise, I shopped every souvenir store twice and brought home a whole suitcase for of goodies.  

Gulf Shores Plantation is a wonderful resort with several pools including an indoor one. Lots of amenities. There are several different condo buildings and a row of pretty houses. It is out on Fort Morgan road between the Beach Club resort and Kiva Dunes. Kiva Dunes has a nice golf course.  The Beach Club has a wonderful restaurant where we've celebrated a few special occasions since.

On the back side of this part of the island is Mobile Bay. Everywhere you look there is a beautiful view.  At the end of the road there is Fort Morgan. I'll share some photos from that historic place later. That is also where the ferry is and a nice big dock is. It is also a great place to get sundown photos. 

I had a digital camera back then but not a lot of experience with it. Here are some shots from those first few years. Some are taken with an Olympus and some with a Fuji. They aren't the greatest but I thought I'd start with them.  We have since moved here permanently and moved onto Nikon DSLRs.

These first four were shot at Gulf Shores Plantation. Lots of boardwalks so the dunes are not disturbed.

This one is of the house the whole family stayed in a few times at Gulf Shores Plantation. It was called Southern Exposure.

A small island in Perdido Pass in Orange Beach.  

Lots of boating in the area.

This last one is from a day trip that we took to Pensacola Beach, Florida.

Thanks for stopping in.

~  Melody