The Gulf State Park Tradition...

[bama_ed]

This is the intersection in the sharp curve just before Wal Mart. Gonna be honest, on busy traffic it was not a good thing. It was clear, I started my turn, then all of sudden here comes two cars one keeping right to enter GSP (I have to Yield to him) and another who was coming on through the curve. Thankfully he backed off the gas and I was able to slide on in there but I'm afraid with more traffic now that toll bridge is over this might be a new issue.

You do have a point.



Michael is talking about coming down the highway in the middle from the top and trying to make the left turn to the GSP campground that I highlighted in yellow. Cars coming in from the bottom left (in front of the Wal-Mart) towards the right have the choice at the intersection to curve left and head north or stay in the right lane and merge onto 135. Even without a trailer, I've attempted that left turn (the way looked clear from the Wal-Mart side), and as I cross over the lanes, here come cars from nowhere headed onto 135.

I'm not real keen either on curving around on 135 (while towing) along Lake Shelby and getting dumped out in front of the new lodge on the beach highway. Never have been - in either direction.

Alright, @tiggerdad, you've convinced me. For now I'll keep the old route which puts me out on Hwy 59 just north of the airport. But I'll simply follow that down all the way to the T (Beach Highway), make that controlled left turn, then cruise the Beach Highway past Sea-n-Suds to Campground Road at the blue water tank.

Sure there might be some more traffic down past Scoops, Papa Rocco's, and Original Oyster House, but I'll just sit the in the left lane all the way.

The state still has bond money to add new RV sites to the old golf course area at GSP and maybe plans will include an entrance off the Canal Road to avoid this area pictured above. We will see what they eventually do.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Also, the construction on the new state bridge over the intercoastal is started about a mile west of current bridge. They've cleared the trees and started constructing the concrete pillars already.



Progress for tomorrow

 

[bama_ed]

Yeah. I wrote about it in post #88 of your thread here ....

 

[tiggerdad]

Yeah. I wrote about it in post #88 of your thread here ....

I'm old dude...some days I'm glad I can remember my own name.

If you want a demolition pic

 

[bama_ed]

I'm old dude...some days I'm glad I can remember my own name.

You think YOU'RE old? I'm a decade ahead of you at least (don't really know). I don't see much gray up in your hair yet.

Glad to see the booths being torn down no matter who uses them.

The Canal Road heading into Gulf Shores takes a 90-degree turn left near the Tacky Jacks location and turns south down "East 2nd Ave" to go to the curve we discussed earlier.

The Lulu's bridge/Hwy 59 was the new 4-lane across the Intracoastal Canal. The old bridge crossed right at this corner and continued north up past the old-what-was-to-be the Jack Edwards Gulf Shores Airport.



This aerial pic is from 1960.

I wish I had invested in Gulf Shores real estate in the 60's.

Looking forward to next year.

ED

 

[Teamubr]

View attachment 869145

This aerial pic is from 1960.

I wish I had invested in Gulf Shores real estate in the 60's.

Looks pretty much the same...

Except for a few hundred business and a 10,000 more cars.

j

 

[garneska]

I was going to say. i will make you all repeat the best way to get there when we are 3 days out. I will make bert read it. Telling me know is useless.

 

[Stratman50th]

I was going to say. i will make you all repeat the best way to get there when we are 3 days out. I will make bert read it. Telling me know is useless.

I'm with you Kris. I'll wait as well. Don't need to get T-boned my first time there.

 

[tiggerdad]

Thinking I might go left at The Wharf and come in from Orange Beach direction. I'm going back down in July, so I'll give it a go then.

 

[bama_ed]

Thinking I might go left at The Wharf and come in from Orange Beach direction. I'm going back down in July, so I'll give it a go then.

That idea has some merit.

Long straight drives on 4-lanes with clean 90 degree turns at lights for a controlled experience. And not much (if any) further.

Once you get down to the Beach Highway in OB, you run next to the solid wall of high rise condos (OB allowed tall condo bldgs decades before Gulf Shores finally did) towards Gulf Shores with a little humanity of lonely (short) beach houses in the Romar Beach area before you come into the (glorious) GSP Beach Pavilion area and nature opens up.

Then turn right at the light towards the big blue water tank to the campground.

Dang, @tiggerdad, you are on your driving game these last few days. It's like you've been there before.

Ed

PS - OB built too many high rise condos. Hard to see the beach anymore.

PPS - I'm just the ol' guy yelling "get off my lawn".

 

[bama_ed]

That idea has some merit.

Long straight drives on 4-lanes with clean 90 degree turns at lights for a controlled experience. And not much (if any) further.

Once you get down to the Beach Highway in OB, you run next to the solid wall of high rise condos (OB allowed tall condo bldgs decades before Gulf Shores finally did) towards Gulf Shores with a little humanity of lonely (short) beach houses in the Romar Beach area before you come into the (glorious) GSP Beach Pavilion area and nature opens up.

Then turn right at the light towards the big blue water tank to the campground.

Dang, @tiggerdad, you are on your driving game these last few days. It's like you've been there before.

Ed

PS - OB built too many high rise condos. Hard to see the beach anymore.

PPS - I'm just the ol' guy yelling "get off my lawn".

Google mapped it.

Taking a left at the bottom of the (ex) toll bridge, right at Doc's, right again onto the beach highway, and sailing (other than traffic) down to Campground Road at GSP adds 3 minutes to the right at the foot of the bridge, make a 90-degree left, left again dodging cars coming around the curve into GSP, and the wiggle road along Lake Shelby.

That sounds like a wise choice for 3 extra minutes. I'll try it in February.

ED

PS - and it does pass the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market store (the old Winn Dixie) there along the beach highway in OB which is a plus.

 

[tiggerdad]

Google mapped it.

Taking a left at the bottom of the (ex) toll bridge, right at Doc's, right again onto the beach highway, and sailing (other than traffic) down to Campground Road at GSP adds 3 minutes to the right at the foot of the bridge, make a 90-degree left, left again dodging cars coming around the curve into GSP, and the wiggle road along Lake Shelby.

That sounds like a wise choice for 3 extra minutes. I'll try it in February.

ED

PS - and it does pass the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market store (the old Winn Dixie) there along the beach highway in OB which is a plus.

I'm pretty sure the folks there at the Wal Marts wouldn't like the idea of me pulling in there with my 35 foot 5er as that parking lot is not standard Wal Mart sized.

I'll pass the grocery list over to you Ed.

However, I will say, that given the amazing service, I now do ALL my grocery shopping there at Rouses in GS. To be honest, they had the best take out steamed shrimp and potatoes that I have found down there. They have a really good Cajun crab dip also. They run that place old school. Cashiers stand at the end of the register and look for a customer ready to check out.

Also, my neighbor said the Greek restaurant next door is good too. I took his word for it. Who goes to the beach for Greek food!?

 

[bama_ed]

I'm pretty sure the folks there at the Wal Marts wouldn't like the idea of me pulling in there with my 35 foot 5er as that parking lot is not standard Wal Mart sized.

I'll pass the grocery list over to you Ed.

Again, a plus for the 18ft Aliner.

However, I will say, that given the amazing service, I now do ALL my grocery shopping there at Rouses in GS. To be honest, they had the best take out steamed shrimp and potatoes that I have found down there. They have a really good Cajun crab dip also. They run that place old school. Cashiers stand at the end of the register and look for a customer ready to check out.

There is also a Rouses next to the aforementioned WMNM in OB for the super-sized traveler.

And Rouses charges an arm and a leg for that level of service. You can also trade in a kidney at "market rates". But they have good stuff no doubt. I guess I'm just too poor to shop where you rich folks do.

 

[tiggerdad]

Again, a plus for the 18ft Aliner.



There is also a Rouses next to the aforementioned WMNM in OB for the super-sized traveler.

And Rouses charges an arm and a leg for that level of service. You can also trade in a kidney at "market rates". But they have good stuff no doubt. I guess I'm just too poor to shop where you rich folks do.

You ever find a "People of Rouses" YouTube videos or website? When I'm on vacation I'm looking for the "nicer things". However, you have proven a very knowledgeable individual in the past and usually with good recommendations, like that time you told me to avoid Sea and Suds and I had to learn the hard way (slapping myself). So likely you are the correct one in this discussion.

Next time we are down there together I'll take you in to Rouses and introduce you to them, or at least put in a good word. As long as you promise the same at the WM in "Wanna Be" Beach when you cruise in with your Aliner and leave those folks scratching their heads thinking your towing a new and unusual boat.

 

[bama_ed]

Next time we are down there together I'll take you in to Rouses and introduce you to them, or at least put in a good word. As long as you promise the same at the WM in "Wanna Be" Beach when you cruise in with your Aliner and leave those folks scratching their heads thinking your towing a new and unusual boat.

Please do take me through. I'll tell stories of how that facility was a Bruno's grocery back in the 80s and 90s (big daddy Angelo Bruno used to sign my minimum wage pay check as a bag boy in the early 80s in Titletown).

Also I can regale you with stories about how I've cruised through there and refused to pay extortionist prices simply because I'm on vacation. I prefer to slide by Bon Secour to get sea food or the the Blalock's stores down there. Some fresh seafood, a hot griddle, some real butter, and seasoning goes a long way.

Never have spent much money in OB except for Doc's last trip. So the WM Market visit will be a first for both of us. Maybe somebody will make me an offer on the Aliner. The KBB says I could get 150% of what I originally paid for it in 2013. I've been in grocery store parking lots and popped the camper lid up to store the groceries in the fridge and people walk up and want a tour. And my response usually is (in my best Jersey accent), "HEY, I'm workin' here"!

However, I'm always happy to help the next generation.

 

[tiggerdad]

For next May, at that Dismeet this will be BamaEd's site 60. Beautiful site right across road from bath house. That large oak should make a perfect site for shaded morning puzzle get together s.

 

[bama_ed]

For next May, at that Dismeet this will be Batman Ed's site 60. Beautiful site right across road from bath house. That large oak should make a perfect site for shaded morning puzzle get together s.
View attachment 877515

Thanks, @tiggerdad.

Can you take snaps of #62 next to me for @Stratman50th ? He's never been to GSP so he might like to see the spot he's booked.

Hope you've had good weather thus far.

Ed

PS - Be forewarned that Stratman's DW is an advanced puzzler. I've "worked" with her on a puzzle while they visited us at the Fort and Stratman kept the conversation going while I tried to keep up with her.

 

[tiggerdad]

The folks on 62 were out on their site, didn't want to make them nervous.

Weather has been good, but not so much next couple of days.


DW and oldest DD due any minute. This evening I put on the boil.


Been getting acquainted with my old friends today.

 

[bama_ed]

The folks on 62 were out on their site, didn't want to make them nervous.

Weather has been good, but not so much next couple of days.
View attachment 877545

DW and oldest DD due any minute. This evening I put on the boil.
View attachment 877546View attachment 877547

Been getting acquainted with my old friends today.
View attachment 877549

View attachment 877550

View attachment 877551

Not enuff shrimp in dat pot. <jk>

About #62. Don't spook the neighbors. But if they're ever gone (even with their trailer on the site), pics might help @Stratman50th .

SquirrelNet reveres their leader (you).

Lovely pic of the bbq grill and the lake off the back of your site.

Ed

 

[Teamubr]

I know many of us have been saddened by the end third of the pier being gone (from hurricane damage in 2020), they are getting close to having it repaired.



Here's what it looked like before and after the hurricane.





j