The Gulf State Park Tradition...

[Flametamr]

We are arriving Saturday morning the 31st as soon as Tiggerdad says my site 80 is open. I live only about an hour away. The4 Sunday get together works for us. I'm still unsure of my plans. I may have to commute to work a few days so I don't burn thru all my leave for the year. Plus I have an added complication with my handicapped daughter's nurse having to quit last week. She can't take the heat or yellow flies so no camping for her.

Today I'm pulling the camper out of it's winter sleeping spot to start the process or getting ready. I'm adding some soft start devices to the air conditioners and changing the water inlet valve to metal. Tired of it leaking all the time. I'm bringing my pellet smoker grill and griddle so I can help cook some if needed. Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.

 

[Teamubr]

Getting closer to ready. Replaced 2 house batteries. I did 4 last year, but there were 2 Interstate batteries that had some life left. It was time this year.
Changed the oil and both fuel filters. Still need to do swaybar bushings.
I have the beach chairs, umbrellas and beach cart loaded.

Just need to grocery shop and finish putting some clothes in.

We'll be ready to head out Friday after work. Stopping south of Nashville so should be to GSP mid afternoon Saturday.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Have you chosen a puzzle for the usual morning festivities?

I have.



We will start with the WtP puzzle. I have a 2nd puzzle if need be.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Lost power yesterday. Nearby lightning strikes and trees down. Power came back up but not the central heat and air. Lightning might of took it out. Shame too, just replaced it 3 years ago. Just another day.

Camper good though, so no changes other than I might have to use tractor to help get me out the driveway with all the rain in the last 24 hours.

 

[bama_ed]

Lost power yesterday. Nearby lightning strikes and trees down. Power came back up but not the central heat and air. Lightning might of took it out. Shame too, just replaced it 3 years ago. Just another day.

I can't let you have ALL the fun by yourself. Our central heat & air unit went out Saturday May 17 and I spent a day on Monday trying to get it repaired (10/11 years old). Finally bit the bullet on a new unit installed on Thursday May 22. I guess ours died of old age. At least it didn't happen in August. Here are the old units leaving and the new units dropped off of the truck.







We have rain bands passing through today and tomorrow. So this afternoon in between bands I ran out and rolled out the camper. It was covered in yellow pine pollen as it had not left the garage since February.





Main thing I did now was put a new mattress on our 60x80 bed that hopefully is a little firmer than the prior one. DW had complained requested a new mattress after the February GSP trip. I will let it expand today and then get to inventory and packing tomorrow (in-between more rain bands).

Ed

PS - Michael, we can commiserate about our HVAC at GSP. Jim can join us with his shoulder.

 

[tiggerdad]

Ed, have you been down to GS since they closed the L intersection at Tacky Jacks on Canal Road and East 2nd Street?

I believe they now have you turn off sooner and go through residential neighborhood around Meyer Park and then go back over. I believe this is in anticipation for a pedestrian bridge.

https://www.al.com/news/2025/03/gul...ion-pedestrian-bridge-removes-bad-corner.html

Maybe you already posted it but was wondering if you had gone through there since then

 

[Teamubr]

Ed, have you been down to GS since they closed the L intersection at Tacky Jacks on Canal Road and East 2nd Street?View attachment 968808

I may have to pull an Ed and turn left at the end of the (old) toll bridge. This turn at Tacky Jacks was never great, but winding through a residential street at 60ft long doesn't sound like a great option.

My friend, Google Maps, thinks there is something up at that corner too. It initially had me jogging over to 59 before the bridge. When I said take the bridge, it had me turning left and coming in from Orange Beach. When I said go towards Tacky Jacks, this is what it came up with.



j

 

[bama_ed]

Jim I have NOT been there since the closure. We were there end of February.

But I don't see it as a big deal. The old way, you zigged then zagged. Now you have to zag, then zig, and zag once more. It may not be as easy for you, though, given the length of your coach and towing a vehicle. A left at the intersection after the former toll bridge onto Canal Road, a right onto Hwy 161 (the connector), and a right onto the Beach Highway (heading west now) to GSP might have a few more traffic lights but wide easy turns. I think I'm going to try that way when I go simply because I haven't done it for a while and want to see how it goes.

Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Oh I fully intend to take the truck, 5er, wife, kids, and the cats through there. Now, what everyone else does when they see me coming is totally up to them.

 

[tiggerdad]

My friend, Google Maps, thinks there is something up at that corner too. It initially had me jogging over to 59 before the bridge.

That's actually the way I've done it for years to avoid the toll. Honestly not bad option. All turns involved stop lights and it avoided trying to make the butt cheeks clinched left hand turn into GSP in that blind curve near the Wal Mart.

 

[Teamubr]

And it avoided trying to make the butt cheeks clinched left hand turn into GSP in that blind curve near the Wal Mart.

That is probably the worst part. Particularly on a Saturday afternoon. I may take the 59 route. I have never done that towing because I never remember to program the GPS to tell me where to turn. If I miss it, I can always do the Orange Beach route.

j

 

[bama_ed]

I believe they now have you turn off sooner and go through residential neighborhood around Meyer Park and then go back over. I believe this is in anticipation for a pedestrian bridge.

https://www.al.com/news/2025/03/gul...ion-pedestrian-bridge-removes-bad-corner.html

Maybe you already posted it but was wondering if you had gone through there since then

I had not clicked on the al.com link quoted above until today.

Did you see the stair wells 75ft up in to the air to walk across the IC? Who is going to want to climb those stairs? That traffic 90-degree corner always HAS been dangerous.

I get the logic is 'we take the pedestrian/bike lane of the Hwy 59 bridge by Lulu's and rebuild a pedestrian bridge nearby' to get federal funding. I have no idea how many folks used the bike/foot lane on the 59 bridge but it was a gradual up/down. Wish I could take a poll about who would want to climb to the same height on a stair well versus a gradual up/down.

My two cents since no one asked.

 

[Teamubr]

Coach maintenance is done.

New sway bar end link bushings. The others had nearly disintegrated.



I have all the tires aired up. I've had the inner right rear tire that wouldn't read on the TPMS sensor. I kept thinking the sensor was bad. I tried to air the tire up and it just blew air back at me. I took off the stem extension and this is what I found.



The rubber grommet had come loose and the extension was rubbing on the wheel. Good thing these extensions don't push on the stem unless you try to check them or add air. A little trip to the truck stop or Freightliner and this will be replaced.

Just have to put more groceries out and get ready to go on Friday.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

We are packed up ready to go. Got heavy rain coming in morning so gonna head out about 7am. Should put us there around 1130 depending on traffic.

 

[tiggerdad]

That is probably the worst part. Particularly on a Saturday afternoon. I may take the 59 route. I have never done that towing because I never remember to program the GPS to tell me where to turn. If I miss it, I can always do the Orange Beach route.

j

It's a ALOT of traffic lights going down hwy 59 is why I abandoned it for the Baldwin Beach Express. However, they keep adding lights on the Express and getting past Buckees is a pain these days but I'll likely stick to it for now.

 

[Teamubr]

It's a ALOT of traffic lights going down hwy 59 is why I abandoned it for the Baldwin Beach Express.

I meant jogging over to 59 before the bridge. Not sure I would try 59 all the way from I-10.

j

 

[2goofycampers]

Safe travels. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

 

[tiggerdad]

I meant jogging over to 59 before the bridge. Not sure I would try 59 all the way from I-10.

j

Stay on the beach express down to the bridge. When you come out of the curve and see the bridge you will also see a Welcome to Orange Beach sign on the right. The road is just past the sign.


After you turn right you go maybe 50 yards and a stop sign. Turn left. About 200 yards and another stop sign. Turn right and it's a no stop sign or light straight shot all way over to 59. You'll have a light there to turn left. Just stay on hwy 59 all way to Fort Morgan Road. It's right in front of Rouses grocery store . You'll see the brown sign telling you GSP is to the left.

 

[tiggerdad]

 

[Teamubr]

Stay on the beach express down to the bridge. When you come out of the curve and see the bridge you will also see a Welcome to Orange Beach sign on the right. The road is just past the sign.


After you turn right you go maybe 50 yards and a stop sign. Turn left. About 200 yards and another stop sign. Turn right and it's a no stop sign or light straight shot all way over to 59. You'll have a light there to turn left. Just stay on hwy 59 all way to Fort Morgan Road. It's right in front of Rouses grocery store . You'll see the brown sign telling you GSP is to the left.

Sweet!

Safe travels. See you in 2 days.

j