Gulf State Park at Gulf Shores, AL

Today was our excursion day.  We went to Gulf State Park at Gulf Shores, AL.  It is huge and a really cool place with lots of RV parking and many activities.  It cost us $1 to drive thru the park and walk around.  We were immediately greeted by this friendly sheriff.

After we drove thru all the RV camp sites, we went towards the Nature Center.  In that same parking lot was the gift shop, laundry, bicycle rentals, amphitheater, nature center, and swimming pool.

This is the pavilion with the gift shop, laundry, bicycle rentals and picnic tables.  Behind this building, was a walkway around the enclosed water.

Looking east

Looking west

Here is the entrance to the pool facilities.

We did not get a picture of the wading pool for the young ones.  Very nice facility!

This is the nature center.  There was a live opossum, baby alligators, tree frogs, various lizards and several kinds of snakes.  One of the employees was holding the opossum for the kids to pat.  Later an employee got a snake out for some girls to hold.  See below.

 Below are some martin bird houses with gourd houses also that were just outside the nature center.

After we left the nature center, we drove to the fishing pier that extended out into the gulf.  The following are all pictures while walking out to the end of the pier.

Looking eastward.  The sand is so white.

Looking westward.  Kids playing in the surf.  I think this is their spring break week.  There were lots of school aged kids around.

Looking further westward you can see several hotels right on the beach.

Looking further eastward you can see one of the zip line towers.

Sometimes the waves would break and spray.  Overall the waters were calm though.  We had to wait to get this picture.

Several pelicans were just floating around waiting for fish.

Tic got pictures of some flying just on top of the water.  They are beautiful.

At the end of the pier were some serious fishermen and their gear.

We watched the fish below fighting as he was reeled in.  The fish is belly up and puffed up so looks really funny.  You can see the net they used to bring the fish up.

Below is the fish just caught on the pier deck.

The fishing was really good.  The man below caught his limit.

 On the way off the pier, a lady volunteered to take our picture.  Aren't we a cute couple?

It was nearly one o'clock and we were hungry.  We found Ribs & Reds and had lunch there.

We shared a peanut butter pie for dessert.  It was REALLY good.

We drove home after eating, stopping to shop at Wal-Mart and Camping World.  We were not sure what might be available for the next couple of days.  It was a fun day.
I still feel like I'm on vacation.  I don't think this life style will seem real until we leave Myrtle Beach, SC after being with the grandkids.