The Gulf State Park Tradition...

[bama_ed]

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.

Sounds like a plan.

 

[bama_ed]

Wednesday & Sunday flights to/from Gulf Shores about to start on Allegiant Air.

https://www.al.com/news/2025/05/ala...nt-air-to-bring-first-flights-to-beaches.html

 

[bama_ed]

Oh great, now it will be even harder to get a camp site.

https://www.gulfshoresnews.com/gule-state-park-campgrounds-named-in-national-top-25-list

GSP made #10.

 

[bama_ed]

They call it "fishing" and not "catching" so I hesitate to go on these adventures. But I hear that fishing red snapper is quite a thing on the Gulf Coast and an extended fishing season is good for all the boats, captains, mates, and of course, guests.

https://www.gulfshoresnews.com/snapper-season-extended-for-charter-fishing

I did go deep sea fishing over 30+ years ago out of OB (on an empty stomach with bonine/sea sickness med and still had a miserable time. Didn't catch a whole lot either). I hope my experience was a-typical.

 

[bama_ed]

My favorite LOCAL Gulf Shores radio station is Sunny 105.7FM. Great beach music.

https://www.sunny1057.com/

They have a "Listen Live" link you can stream or tune in on your way into Gulf Shores ( I need to get south of Buc-ees before I can pick it up well).

One thing I like about them is they give the weather/surf updates every 20 minutes (which you can also stream the latest version of off their website).

ED

PS - thank goodness the morning show is no longer the syndicated Rick and Bubba until 9 or 10am. Love those guys but I listened to them when they were nobodies in Gadsden AL doing the morning show on an FM radio station in the early 90s and then moved to a Birmingham radio station. The shtick was gone for me after about 10 years and they hung around for another 20 years or so (ending late last year). I never turned on Sunny1057 in the morning Mon-Fri until I knew their show was over. I look forward to listening to the new morning show.

PPS - I did, however, like R&B's segments of "Pete the Polka Playing Pig" (Pete only lasted about the 1st ten years) and Bubba quoting Shakespeare (very dramatically). That demonstrates the vast width and breadth of my cultural knowledge.

 

[tiggerdad]

Oh great, now it will be even harder to get a camp site.

https://www.gulfshoresnews.com/gule-state-park-campgrounds-named-in-national-top-25-list

GSP made #10.

They already made it harder for us folks in the sister state to get a site by making everyone outside the Alabama state line wait an extra 30 days to book. More publicity does certainly crowd the place out. Good for the locals though.

 

[tiggerdad]

My favorite LOCAL Gulf Shores radio station is Sunny 105.7FM. Great beach music.

https://www.sunny1057.com/

They have a "Listen Live" link you can stream or tune in on your way into Gulf Shores ( I need to get south of Buc-ees before I can pick it up well).

One thing I like about them is they give the weather/surf updates every 20 minutes (which you can also stream the latest version of off their website).

ED

PS - thank goodness the morning show is no longer the syndicated Rick and Bubba until 9 or 10am. Love those guys but I listened to them when they were nobodies in Gadsden AL doing the morning show on an FM radio station in the early 90s and then moved to a Birmingham radio station. The shtick was gone for me after about 10 years and they hung around for another 20 years or so (ending late last year). I never turned on Sunny1057 in the morning Mon-Fri until I knew their show was over. I look forward to listening to the new morning show.

PPS - I did, however, like R&B's segments of "Pete the Polka Playing Pig" (Pete only lasted about the 1st ten years) and Bubba quoting Shakespeare (very dramatically). That demonstrates the vast width and breadth of my cultural knowledge.

I was more of a John Boy and Billy fan back in the 90s and early 2000s myself.

You got me listening to that radio station few years back. It's programmed in the RV radio.

DW was researching the dreaded Tanger Outlets for our upcoming visit and huge deposit. I'm sure they were getting worried about their economy but they'll be relieved when she shows up.

Might tour up to Robertsdale and check out farmers market. Hit Stacy's pharmacy for a dessert while we in the neighborhood.

 

[Teamubr]

Camper is home in the driveway. De-winterized and getting ready for GSP. I'm getting excited about leaving in a week.



A few of you know why this is a big step. I had shoulder reconstruction at the end of March. This was planned so I would have 9 weeks recovery to be able to use both arms, even in a slightly limited manner for the operative arm, to be able to drive to GSP.

Unfortunately I had a complication which has left about half the shoulder paralyzed. The important half that let's me reach out and up. I just started driving about 2 weeks ago. The right arm still works and the left works fine from the elbow down. I can make it work in the Jeep. I just have to get the arm to the steering wheel.

The coach is even better. My normal seating position puts the steering wheel and all the controls right where I can reach them.

j

 

[jbrostek]

@Teamubr Ooof, didnt hear about the complication. At least the bus works out so you can operate it. Though I can see that beeing quite limited when it comes to other tasks.

 

[Teamubr]

@Teamubr Ooof, didnt hear about the complication.

I only told a few on here about it. Apparently it is a known, but rare, complication of this surgery. The main nerves that control the shoulder run very close to where they operated and can be impacted. Literature says 1-2% complication rate. The literature also says "most" cases will resolve in 3-12 months.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Well I have nailed down an arrival date of Thursday May 29 and departure on Friday June 6 in site #60.

See ya'll soon.

 

[Teamubr]

Sorry we'll miss your lovely DW, but glad you can make it without a chaperone.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Sorry we'll miss your lovely DW, but glad you can make it without a chaperone.

j

I will miss her too, of course, but that DOES give me some latitude to cook some things at the campsite that I want to try more often than I have been 'permitted to' (seafood, etc.) since I will be "at home" rather than going out to eat the $ame meal. I'm going to make a list this coming week of the things I want to try.

Ed

PS - I will leave the Blackstone at home and bring the electric skillet and see what wizardry I can produce with it, some butter, some oil, and some spices. The skillet is a poor substitute but more versatile for a solo traveller.

PPS - DW is not adventurous when it comes to seafood. And honestly, I'm not either if you put squid or octopus (fish bait) on my menu. But any kind of fish, shellfish, scallops, or shrimp/crawfish are fair game to my palette. I make a HELLUVA good crawfish etouffee at home about once a month (one batch lasts me 3-4 lunches - DW eats Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup those days) served over pasta (rather than rice) so I won't do that one at GSP.

PPPS - Some of my recipes may last for 2 dinners (leftovers the second night). We will see. And since I'm retired, at home I have a rotation of etouffee, salad, gumbo, and bagel pizza/hot dogs/fish sandwich that I rotate through for lunches (as I mentioned). Some batched, some not. Jim, take note for retirement ....

 

[tiggerdad]

I will miss her too, of course, but that DOES give me some latitude to cook some things at the campsite that I want to try more often than I have been 'permitted to' (seafood, etc.) since I will be "at home" rather than going out to eat the $ame meal. I'm going to make a list this coming week of the things I want to try since DW won't be there.

Ed

PS - since it's just me, I will leave the Blackstone at home and bring the electric skillet and see what wizardry I can produce with it, some butter, some oil, and some spices. The skillet is a poor substitute but more versatile for a solo traveller.

PPS - DW is not adventurous when it comes to seafood. And honestly, I'm not either if you put squid or octopus (fish bait) on my menu. But any kind of fish, shellfish, scallops, or shrimp/crawfish are fair game to my palette. I make a HELLUVA good crawfish etouffee at home about once a month (one batch lasts me 3-4 lunches - DW eats Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup those days) served over pasta (rather than rice) so I won't do that one at GSP.

PPPS - because I am solo, some of my recipes may last for 2 dinners (leftovers the second night). We will see. And since I'm retired, at home I have a rotation of etouffee, salad, gumbo, and bagel pizza/hot dogs/fish sandwich that I rotate through for lunches (as I mentioned). Some batched, some not. Jim, take note for retirement ....

We'll arrive same day. Oldest DD got clearance (Clarence) ... To take her final a day early so she and DW will follow us down on the same day instead of arriving a day later. Our neighbors daughter is coming as well.

Ed, I'll have my Blackstone, my turkey fryer, and upright electric smoker if you need their use. You don't have to eat solo, we will be doing majority cooking at campsite since I'm shoveling out tuition for four college courses this summer.

PS
Ed, our tradition for dinner on arrival day is eating at Gulf Island Grill. Oldest DD gets her crab legs and I get the Gulf Island Ya Ya. Care to attend with us for that first night?

I've got my 100 acres to get bushogged this weekend. Got rain coming Monday.

Being seeing you all soon

 

[friendofeeyore]

Sorry you are going solo, but I know the group will keep you busy. Sounds like you are the cook in your household, as was Grumpy Aggie. Today he will be in heaven 4 yrs & 8 months. Tiggerdad, so glad your DD will be able to take her test early so all of the family. can come together. Tonight my Son, DIL & me going to the drive-inn movie to see Lilo& Stitch. Been ages since I was at a drive-in movie. Safe travels for all!! I hope you have time to post some of your adventures?

 

[bama_ed]

Tonight my Son, DIL & me going to the drive-inn movie to see Lilo& Stitch. Been ages since I was at a drive-in movie.

Gloria,

Thanks for the reply. I was reminiscing that this year (2025) is the 10th Anniversary of first time @tiggerdad and I met (our families) at Gulf State Park (I refer to that event as GSP DISMeet Year 0) because it was only our two families (thus the zero). We opened it up to others like you and Arnold in subsequent years. Then came the DISMeet at WDW in 2020.

Going to a drive-in movie is a lost piece of Americana so I'm glad your son (and his family) took you to relive a piece of history. IIRC, you're in Texas so this spring time might be okay for a drive-in movie (which I remember from my youth with the windows rolled down, speaker hanging on the driver's window, and getting popcorn and a drink to enjoy). It may be a little less pleasant as we get into summer months.

Please check in with us next week as we arrive and visit. The mix of past DISMeet guests is like a tossed salad (in some years, out other years) but for anyone who was ever IN (like you and Arnold) we should start a DISMeet HoF to enshrine the guests who made a DISMeet what it is. (whatever THAT is. )

Take care, Ed

PS - we have a son (DS2) in Texas in New Braunfels (which is NE of San Antonio). I recall that you and Arnold had a home base between Houston and San Antonio somewhere. When we come out to visit DS2 in the future (he is the cream in our Oreo cookie of children-the middle child), we need to connect and take you and anyone you bring along out to lunch. Our oldest child is married, our youngest child is married, so now the focus in on the middle child. No need to reply here (unless you want to send me a PM) but if we head out that way in the next 12 months we may PING you (Private Message) you on the DIS to make a lunch DISMeet happen. It would be fun.

 

[4077]

clearance (Clarence)

...Roger, Ober...

(Since I am not having the fun of GSP - yet - I must "make" fun on the outskirts )

 

[tiggerdad]

...Roger, Ober...

(Since I am not having the fun of GSP - yet - I must "make" fun on the outskirts )

You are exactly the one I was expecting to pick up on that one!



Got all my bushogging done yesterday. Spent 14 hours on tractor but finally finished. Today after church I got yard cut (they giving next 3 days with rain). Got fuel filters on the truck changed, got oil changed, and got her fueled up. She is now hooked up to the camper. I also took the turkey out of the freezer and put in the fridge to begin slow thaw.

Getting in the short rows!

 

[bama_ed]

Ed, I'll have my Blackstone, my turkey fryer, and upright electric smoker if you need their use.

Thanks, brother, but I think I will eat quite well on my plan. Although I reserve the right to knock on your door and borrow a device (as long as you're not using it)

I will take you up on your offer of the Thursday night arrival dinner at GIG. I've had the Yaya (on your recommendation) and as I recall, it's a lot of food on one plate (again I'm thinking leftovers for a second dinner-pay once, eat twice). I hate to be a 5th diner at tables best suited for 4 diners but I can eat at the bar and look over my shoulder at your family laughing and having fun.

Don't worry about me - I'll make the most of my situation.

 

[tiggerdad]

Thanks, brother, but I think I will eat quite well on my plan. Although I reserve the right to knock on your door and borrow a device (as long as you're not using it)

I will take you up on your offer of the Thursday night arrival dinner at GIG. I've had the Yaya (on your recommendation) and as I recall, it's a lot of food on one plate (again I'm thinking leftovers for a second dinner-pay once, eat twice). I hate to be a 5th diner at tables best suited for 4 diners but I can eat at the bar and look over my shoulder at your family laughing and having fun.

Don't worry about me - I'll make the most of my situation.

Actually it'll be 5 of us in my group with the neighbors daughter (she and youngest DD are same age and good friends) so it'll be 6 of us with you so please, no bar sitting at that one.

Have you chosen a puzzle for the usual morning festivities?