Caching in Gulf Shores 3/6/2008

Today we left for some caching in and around Gulf Shores a very lovely small beach town. By the way we passed Faulkner State Community College today on the main route through the town. The community college campus is one of 3 campuses that they have in southeastern Alabama and is a 2 year school. Our first 2 caches was along the intracoastal waterway, one on one side and the other directly across from it on the other side. Next was a cache in a small park that we visited yesterday but there must have been 25 guys playing horseshoes when we were there so we didn't get a chance to look for this cache as it was right next to where they were playing. On to Lulu's, which is a locals restaurant and bar right on the waterway, and we found the cache in the overflow parking lot.
Then onto a cache on a guardrail almost in the exact spot hurricane Ivan hit landfall in 2004. The storm reached category 5 strength several times before it made landfall with winds of 120 mph. It set records for causing the largest ocean wave ever recorded, a 91' wave which might have been as high as 131' and the fastest under tow at 5 miles per hour. Ultimately, Ivan was credited with causing 92 deaths and $16-18 billion in property damage.
Then it was on to Gulf State Park and a cache along the coastal bird trail, one at the nature center and the last along a trail that is called Hurricane Ridge. The trail was constructed after Hurricane Frederick hit the Gulf Coast in 1979. Frederick created a natural ridge by depositing sand, twigs and vegatation from the force of the tidal surge. Hurricane Ivan destroyed the trail in 2004 though and it is now closed. The park has 6,150 acres and 2.5 miles of white sand beaches. It has modern and primitive camping with a 496 site campgrounds and many cottages. It also has trails, a 900 acre lake for fishing, an 18 hole golf course, swimming, water skiing, nature trails and picnic sites.
Our last cache was at Orange Beach at what is known as "The Wharf" the Gulf Coast's new resort and attraction where you will find shopping, dining, entertainment, recreation and resort style ambiance. It has an 11 story ferris wheel made in Italy, a 15 screen state-of-the=art movie theater, a 208 slip marina, a 10,000 seat outdoor amphitheater, a 1/2 mile long boardwalk, condos, and many shops and restaurants.
We stopped at Hardees for lunch and went on back to the RV, Mom read the newspaper and did our caching logs and I showered and am doing the blog. I just fed Muffy and Raggs and we are going to eat soon and watch tv this evening. We will say until tomorrow and we love you all.


Picture List: 1-Sign in Gulf State Park that says on top "No Fishing in Swimming Area" , middle sign says "Do Not Feed Or Aggravate The Alligators" and this sign is posted in the swimming area, 2-Overlooking a Small Bay, 3-6-The Wharf in Orange Beach, stores, ferris wheel, amphitheater, 7-Gulf Island Grill, 8-Bel's Happy Shak Tattoos.