The adventures of Tiggerdad (A collection of camping locations, mishaps, reviews, alterations, food, and whatever else I can find)

[tiggerdad]

Finally!


Tiggerdad

Has come back

To Gulf State Park!

Back where I belong

Site 493 on the canal at Gulf State



Ride down was great for Memorial Day. I was heading south while apparently the rest of human civilization was going North. I10 going west in Mobile was essentially standstill out to Buckeys. Buckeys at the Baldwin Beach exit was the only obstacle we came across. I have to say at first I was impressed when they first built it, but now it's just a source of trouble with traffic. They built it horribly too small.

Otherwise just a good trip down.

 

[tiggerdad]

For an early dinner we hit the home of the throwed roll. Good ole Lambert's.


Rolls bigger than your fist and literally thrown with fairly impressive accuracy.


I had grilled chicken, beans, and potatoes.


No pics of the ladies' food. I had declined them breakfast and lunch in the name of getting on down and setup. So when I tried to get them to hold off on eating for pics I was met with a chorus of hisses and teeth so I reconsidered.

Now, you might be asking "Tiggerdad, why? Why would you travel all the way down to the beach only to eat at a country cooking restaurant?"

Well, I'm glad you asked. You see the reason is that it fit in with a tradition of the DW. You see, she has a beach tradition too, and Lambert's happened to be next door. Some of you know if this tradition.

One I dread, fear even. Especially since she is teaching it to my DDs. Yes, that's right.


Tanger Outlet. You want underwear? Got ya covered (or, depending on style, not covered). Sunglasses? Three different stores. Ice cream? Which flavor? Mini golf? In central plaza. Merrygo round? Not anymore. Apparently it was removed as the men were regularly trying to to jump in front of the horses trying to end the suffering.

I assume my role as Money Bags as well as Pack Mule.

 

[tiggerdad]

After the outlets DW rewarded me by suggesting dinner/dessert at The Yard

Youngest DD and myself shared a Caramel Churro Crunch


DW and oldest DD had strawberry cheesecake

 

[tiggerdad]

 

[bama_ed]

@tiggerdad,

The staff at the Tanger Outlets in Foley don't hit their annual bonus numbers unless you bring the family down during the year and spend an hour or two in the stores. So they are glad to see you and open the doors for you.

Your visit is magical for them.

Magical ...

 

[bama_ed]

I just looked at the GSP map, @tiggerdad, and your site #493 is WAY down on the end of the canal loop.

For those not familiar, the canal loop has 15 campsites along the canal (although sites line both sides of the road all pull-throughs) and Michael's spot is only 3rd from the end which really DOES shorten the walk or bike ride to the camper beach. The trail to the beach leads off the circle at the far end of the road.

Good lookin' weather forecast this week too.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

I just looked at the GSP map, @tiggerdad, and your site #493 is WAY down on the end of the canal loop.

For those not familiar, the canal loop has 15 campsites along the canal (although sites line both sides of the road all pull-throughs) and Michael's spot is only 3rd from the end which really DOES shorten the walk or bike ride to the camper beach. The trail to the beach leads off the circle at the far end of the road.

Good lookin' weather forecast this week too.

Ed

That is correct and part of my plan. I'm pack mule, so I get to pull wagon to beach with all the gear including 2 umbrellas, 4 chairs, beach bag, and cooler. I usually pull wagon with my bike. From here I can easily get it there.

Map of campground and my site location.


Out bike riding this morning with a lot of wildlife including about 400 rabbits and this dude





It's what would be called a mud snake. Very pretty up close. Pics don't do him/her justice.

 

[tigger92662]

Sites 1, 2 and 3 are booked. Our friends Jerry & Linda are on1, we are on 2 and @Teamubr on 3

 

[tiggerdad]

My old partner in crime Southalabama5er and his wife came over and spent day with us. We had lunch at Desotos (no line, no wait, that's why week after memorial day weekend is a good time to visit). Had fried seafood platter.


We spent evening walking around in the shops at The Wharf. I spotted a place I've always wanted to try: Dick's Last Resort. Will add it to the evening planning. We'll see how rude they can get.

I did ride around lake again. This time I spotted Lefty in her usual location and she brought her little ones along.


A tortoise was also on the move


Evening walk on beach. Too cloudy for clear sunset, but nice coloring on the clouds.

 

[FtW Mike]

 

[tiggerdad]

Mike! Good to hear from you sir.

Nothing special today. Spent morning bike riding and when the ladies got up we rode the bikes the whopping 5 minutes to the beach.


I grilled steaks for dinner


Steaming potatoes in our steamer/boiler


The evening was spent battling it out at Pirate Cove mini-golf (I'm still undefeated) then headed to Scoops for our usual ice cream run. Crowds slowing going back up as we work out way through week.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to move to site 484 for two more nights before we head back home.

 

[Sweettears]

I was t

Mike! Good to hear from you sir.

Nothing special today. Spent morning bike riding and when the ladies got up we rode the bikes the whopping 5 minutes to the beach.
View attachment 864265

I grilled steaks for dinner
View attachment 864266

Steaming potatoes in our steamer/boiler
View attachment 864267

The evening was spent battling it out at Pirate Cove mini-golf (I'm still undefeated) then headed to Scoops for our usual ice cream run. Crowds slowing going back up as we work out way through week.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to move to site 484 for two more nights before we head back home.

I was thinking that I never experienced that kind of wave action at WDW but then recalled you are camping elsewhere. Love the beach nothing like it elsewhere. Landlocked in Chicago but regularly go to Cape Cod. Just got back from a semi recent trip to SanPadre.

Enjoy the vibes

 

[tiggerdad]

I was t

I was thinking that I never experienced that kind of wave action at WDW but then recalled you are camping elsewhere. Love the beach nothing like it elsewhere. Landlocked in Chicago but regularly go to Cape Cod. Just got back from a semi recent trip to SanPadre.

Enjoy the vibes

If you ever head south there are a few of us on here that would recommend Gulf State Park.

This morning bike ride was the whole way around GSP. From campsite over to the convention center, around Shelby lake, all way over to Orange Beach, by the water tower in Orange Beach then around the lake back to campsite. I'm old, but I can still make it!

Along the way I came across a slow trail walker


Lefty was back with her kids. One of them using mom for a viewing location

 

[tiggerdad]

Swamp chicken

 

[tiggerdad]

So we moved over to site 484 on yesterday. Opposite side of Canal, so instead of the water I have a view of a swamp.


There is something in there making a squeaky sound and I'm pretty sure if I go in there and find it, I can pet it.



Back down to the beach for our last day. I choose this beach because everyone else doesn't. They go to the pier or public beach and fight for their 10 foot of beach, but not here.


Seashell hunting but on waters edge. Instead more up near the dunes.

 

[tiggerdad]

Y'all can start praying for the folks in Gulf Shores. Tomorrow after church myself and youngest DD (13 y/o) will be heading down to Gulf State Park for 4 days of UNSUPERVISED fun. Technically it's a nurse practitioner "conference" but we'll see...

On the 5th day DW and oldest DD will join us for a few days as well.

Landed last minute lake front site 21 for whole week. Will just ride bike over to and from conference which will be at Gulf State Lodge.

 

[tigger92662]

OH BOY!!! God help em'

 

[Teamubr]

Just curious. When you found the conference, were you searching "healthcare provider conferences near me" or "what conferences are at GSP lodge"?



j

 

[bama_ed]

Just curious. When you found the conference, were you searching "healthcare provider conferences near me" or "what conferences are at GSP lodge"?



j

Jim, remember the guy we're talking about here also found a work-related (and paid for) conference over at the Grand Floridian when the family was ready for another Fort Wilderness/WDW vacation.

Actually, I'm jealous of the youngster's ingenuity.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]