January 27 - Last Day at Gulf Shores

Mostly cloudy today but the temperature was 63. Started off our last day with our early morning walk with the dogs. 

Then a long bike ride around the trails. We saw an alligator , an eagle, and an armadillo. First time I’ve ever seen an armadillo in the wild. 

We really had a great time at Gulf Shores State Park. We biked over 75 miles and walked the dogs’ legs off. In fact, Lenny lost some weight because his harness is looser than when we got here. 

January 26 - Taking off the layers!

Yes, it is warmer today so not wearing as many layers. We started our day with a walk with the dogs. Then we took a 15 mile bike ride with Lew, Kevin and Kay. 

There are 21 miles of trails. We might have ridden on all of them now. Not quite sure. You can ride from our campground to Orange Beach and also into Gulf Shores. Lew has been our guide on mist of our rides. On this ride, Bill got a picture of an eagle eating a fish. 

Gulf Shores State Park owns over 6,000 acres with close to 500 sites. They are also thinking of adding more sites in the near future. 

For dinner we went to FloraBama Bar, a bar that spans Alabama and Florida. 

Unfortunately, their oyster bar was closed but we were able to walk on the beach and saw a beautiful sunset. 

We watched the Eagles win their playoff division and then Kansas City’s playoff from one of the FloraBama Restaurants. 

January 25 - Sunny and in the 50s

After our morning walk with the dogs, we went biking with Lew, Kevin, and Kay, two of Lew’s friends. 

Rode about 25 miles, all on trails in the park and around Orange Beach. It was sunny at the beginning and then got cloudy. It was a good but a little chilly ride. 

Must still be too cold for the alligators to show their heads. 

These live oak trees with Spanish moss hanging caught my eye as we were riding. 

After dark I like to walk around the campground to check out the lights people have on their campers. This o e is our Belle. 

This is our neighbors. 

Most of these are long-term residents here at Gulf Shores State Park. 

January 24 - warming up to 50 degrees

Today started off in the 30s but it warmed up with the sun to about 50 degrees. 

Life is getting back to normal here. Tuesday and Wednesday everything shut down, even the Walmarts!  It was probably a good idea since a lot of roads were snow covered and icy. Airports opened up on Thursday. Glad Erin and Drew flew out Monday. 

As usual, we had to walk the dogs for a bit. We saw a bald eagle and a pelican. Then we decided to see what it was like to bike at 50 degrees. It wasn’t too bad but I wore gloves and put my hood up to keep the wind from chilling my neck. We biked about 10 miles. A little snow on some of the trails but nothing dangerous for biking. Lots of people out on their bikes. Road past the butterfly garden and saw this large chair. 

Another sunset but with little clouds, it didn’t give a lot of different colors 

January 23 - Warm Up??

Temperatures are supposed to sore to 43 degrees today. Can’t believe that I am excited for that, but at least we’ll be able to take a longer walk on the trails. I did try to bike yesterday at 39 degrees but I didn’t have the right gloves. Otherwise I wasn’t cold. Guess what’s on my shopping list now!

Snow has definitely melted some and roads in the campground are mostly clear. But there’s still snow on the ground. Interstate I-10 is closed because of wrecks. We haven’t ventured out on the roads yet because we don’t think southern drivers know how to drive in snow. 

There was a snowplow that came by once yesterday. Surprised me. I watched from inside!

Temperatures rose to about 40 degrees so we were able to get a couple walks in today. 

On our walk we saw the first Mobile Little Library. Great idea. 

Look at the sky. Hope this isn’t a sign for more snow. 

From our site, we saw this sunset. Hoping to get a sunset photo from the gulf before we leave. 

When we got back to the RV, Winter called to tell us that she passed a welding test and could enter the co-op training program. She only need to go to school on Friday to check in with the teacher. Monday-Thursday she’ll be working. She’s so excited and we’re happy for her. She has quit her prison job, which will make it easier on her. 

January 22 - Begin the BIG Melt

We woke up to 7.5 inches of snow. Beautiful but not exactly what I was hoping to see at Gulf Shores. Sun is shining though, so there will be some melting. 

Remember, they don’t have the equipment to remove the snow like we do. They don’t even have salt. 

Belle is really having an initiation!

The birds are out to see what this white stuff is. 

Looking from the inside out. 

Now we are layering up to go outside for a walk. 

Back outside for a balmy 35 degree walk in the sunshine. Lots of melting and some fun snow people. 

This one even has a carrot!

January 21 - Meteorologists were right

Yep , for once, the meteorologists were right. It started snowing today around noon. 

We did get a walk in before the historic white stuff started. Then we were inside for the day except when Lenny and Banjo had to go outside. 

The beginning

A video of the snow around 5 pm. It’s still coming down. 

Historic Snow

This isn’t my picture but wanted to have a picture of snow at the beach in Pensacola.