The Gulf State Park Tradition...

[4077]

3 weeks and a couple of days to go.

Ian helped get the cover off the camper yesterday. I still have very little use of my shoulder, but I can reach the bottom of the steering wheel and hang on to it, so that's a step.

Everything started and ran fine on the coach after its really long winter nap. We've usually been out at least once by now.

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j

Maybe it’s already well known… however, it’s not known to me (and you posted a pic with it)… so, what’s the story on the bus?

 

[bama_ed]

For those of us who head into Gulf Shores (and OB) from the north, the Roundabout on Canal Road should be open by now (on May 5, 2025).

https://www.gulfshoresnews.com/canal-road-roundabout-opens-to-traffic-on-monday

They are still working on the new (additional) bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway but Canal Road (on the south side of the ICWW) should flow easily now (when I went in February there were construction pauses of 2-3 minutes in each direction while only one lane (in total) was open). As a reminder, the Foley Beach Express is wide open with no tolls over the ICWW coming into The Wharf shopping area in OB which will put you on Canal Road and if you head west (right) there at the intersection of Canal Road, you will encounter the roundabout.

I might turn east (left) at the Canal Road traffic light off the bridge and try the 3-right turns method to get to GSP. Right on Hwy 161 from Canal, right on the Beach Hwy, and right onto the GSP Campground Road near the big blue water tank.

I have 5 different decades of visiting Gulf Shores. My, how she's grown!

Bama Ed

 

[Teamubr]

Maybe it’s already well known, so, what’s the story on the bus?

The BlueBird?

It showed up about 2 years ago. Nice "schoolie" conversion. I peek through the windows. It originally had a Facebook and Instagram tags on it. I looked it up and it was for an art studio. I sent the Fb page a message and pic. The person responded and said she built it a few years ago (her 2nd build) and had just sold it. She was in the process of finding another bus to convert. The new owners got the spot next to me. I've never met them, but they do take it out occasionally.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Been raining here for last week so since camper under the shed I took the time to de-oxidise the outside fiberglass. I must say, I have found something new that I absolutely hate doing. My carpal tunnel is screaming at me. However, 4 wool buffing pads, 2 bottles of RV polishing compound and half a bottle of Motrin later the job is done.

Getting close ladies and gentlemen!

 

[Teamubr]

I still have to change the oil and fuel filters. I also picked up some new sway bar bushings I was going to put on. I am out of town for work this weekend. Heading to Wisconsin for a round table discussion on Tuesday. I was going to drive up on Monday after work (5 hours), but Donna said lets catch a Brewers game on the weekend. So... we are driving up Saturday, going to watch the Brewers and Twins on Sunday and then make the 90 minute drive over to Madison after the game.

We can both work from the hotel on Monday. I have a dinner Monday evening with the vendor, so this works out better than missing 1/2 work day to drive up in time for dinner.

Looks like I'll be doing the maintenance and prep for GSP on the weekend before we leave for GSP.

j

 

[bama_ed]

After our February 2025 visit to GSP for the Half Marathon I did, DW requested a firmer mattress for the camper. I ordered it last week and hope to get it before we head south.

I still have to trim some days off the front of my reservation. The China-US Tariff negotiations have nothing over that discussion.

Ed

PS - she enjoys shorter trips, me I like longer ones.

PPS - I've offered to go down by myself first (while @Teamubr chaperones me making sure I don't get into any trouble) then she drive down later to join us. Her first impression of that suggestion was not very positive.

 

[Teamubr]

I still have to trim some days off the front of my reservation. The China-US Tariff negotiations have nothing over that discussion.

PPS - I've offered to go down by myself first (while @Teamubr chaperones me making sure I don't get into any trouble) then she drive down later to join us. Her first impression of that suggestion was not very positive.

Wait a minute! I'm not sure if I should take offence or not.

Either way, we have never been in too much trouble at prior DIS Meets.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

After our February 2025 visit to GSP for the Half Marathon I did, DW requested a firmer mattress for the camper. I ordered it last week and hope to get it before we head south.

I still have to trim some days off the front of my reservation. The China-US Tariff negotiations have nothing over that discussion.

Ed

PS - she enjoys shorter trips, me I like longer ones.

PPS - I've offered to go down by myself first (while @Teamubr chaperones me making sure I don't get into any trouble) then she drive down later to join us. Her first impression of that suggestion was not very positive.

You should of suggested me as chaperone Ed. I bet she would of been fine with that.

 

[Teamubr]

Ian wanted me to post our sunset cruise details, in case anyone wanted to join us. Blake, Ian's friend, is coming down and his birthday is the 1st Monday in June. Ian wanted to take him on a sunset cruise. The 5 of us have reservations for Monday, June 2nd, 5:45pm. Anyone that wants to join, come on down. We have sailed on this catamaran several times and they do a nice job.

https://www.sailwildhearts.com/our-cruises/

$45.46/ adult.



j

 

[tiggerdad]

Ian wanted me to post our sunset cruise details, in case anyone wanted to join us. Blake, Ian's friend, is coming down and his birthday is the 1st Monday in June. Ian wanted to take him on a sunset cruise. The 5 of us have reservations for Monday, June 2nd, 5:45pm. Anyone that wants to join, come on down. We have said on this catamaran several times and they do a nice job.

https://www.sailwildhearts.com/our-cruises/

$45.46/ adult.

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j

We'll look into it Jim and see how things line up.

Youngest DD's birthday is June 6 so we'll at least do cake and homemade ice cream so everyone consider yourselves invited.

 

[bama_ed]

It's not the chaperone (whoever that may be) that is the issue.

No one can do as good a job as she can do herself.

Negotiations will continue.

Ed

PS - we tried an "Ed goes first and DW comes down a few days later" in a past trip to GSP. What should have been a 5-hr drive with step-by-step turns/instructions on a route we have literally travelled 20+ times (at least 2x for 10 yrs) turned out to be an 8-hr drive with the extra time (and stress) being my fault (of course ). So not a particularly popular option at my street address.

PPS - the alternative is that I leave GSP early in the AM to do a round-trip-in-a-day to get DW and bring her down. Or break it up with an overnight stay (which might work-late leave GSP, early leave home). Haven't thrown that out on the table yet.

 

[tiggerdad]

It's not the chaperone (whoever that may be) that is the issue.

No one can do as good a job as she can do herself.

Negotiations will continue.

Ed

PS - we tried an "Ed goes first and DW comes down a few days later" in a past trip to GSP. What should have been a 5-hr drive with step-by-step turns/instructions on a route we have literally travelled 20+ times (at least 2x for 10 yrs) turned out to be an 8-hr drive with the extra time (and stress) being my fault (of course ). So not a particularly popular option at my street address.

PPS - the alternative is that I leave GSP early in the AM to do a round-trip-in-a-day to get DW and bring her down. Or break it up with an overnight stay (which might work-late leave GSP, early leave home). Haven't thrown that out on the table yet.

Just got informed that oldest DD has a final exam May 30th. We were coming down May 29th. Looks like myself and youngest DD get the first night to ourselves! DW will come down with oldest DD the following day.

 

[4077]

Been raining here for last week so since camper under the shed I took the time to de-oxidise the outside fiberglass. I must say, I have found something new that I absolutely hate doing. My carpal tunnel is screaming at me. However, 4 wool buffing pads, 2 bottles of RV polishing compound and half a bottle of Motrin later the job is done.

Getting close ladies and gentlemen!

I feel like there might have been a fourth bottle of some sorts after that

 

[tiggerdad]

I feel like there might have been a fourth bottle of some sorts after that

If I was a drinking man I assure you it would of been

 

[friendofeeyore]

Y'all have a blast camping the end of the month!! GrumpyAggie & myself really had a great short time when we went! Watch out for those nasty flies!

 

[Teamubr]

I went back a few pages looking for details on another luck and didn't see anything specific.

Should we pick a day and start a list of we will bring?

j

 

[tiggerdad]

I'd avoid either of the Blue Angels practice days as they practice based on weather so we would want to go on whichever Tuesday or Wednesday is best. So I'd leave those out.

You're doing cruise on Monday so we need to avoid it.

Does anyone else have a particular day they might be booking an excursion that we would need to avoid?

At prior GSP meets we also had other last minute eating/gathering plans that worked out as well that had no planning.

Ill gladly host the eating event. I was likely bringing my upright smoker for cooking chicken, ribs, or baked potatoes possibly my turkey fryer if you guys want a fried turkey?

We'll have plates and cups as well as plastic utensils. We can buy ice up at check in as well.

 

[bama_ed]

As fyi we will be leaving for home on Friday June 6 - that is set.

We still need to determine when we are arriving.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

We are there until June 8, myself and youngest DD will arrive on May 29 along with Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

 

[tiggerdad]

I'll go ahead and shoot from hip and suggest the evening of June 1st (Sunday) for a full get together. Unless anyone has something already booked. If weather is not looking good we can tentatively change it to either Tuesday or Wednesday evening depending on when we go over to watch the Blue Angels depending on who was interested in doing that.

Any conflicts?