After we got the new RV we were originally going to go to Florida, but the spot that we reserved for the van would not fit the bigger one. So, after we found that out, we started looking for a place to go. We looked for a week or two and then we decided we would go to Orange Beach, Alabama. The next few weeks we started to think about what we were going to pack. Honestly, we weren't really sure what to expect so we packed a couple of everything really.
This is my list of packing when going to the Gulf Shores of Alabama.
A few short sleeve shirts or tank tops. I only packed two short sleeve shirts and two tank tops. Don't do that. I ended up using one of the tank tops one time because it just wasn't the weather for a tank top. The only day I wore it was on a high 60's lower 70's day. So, if you go in December pack 4-5 short sleeve shirts.
One to three long sleeve shirts. In the evenings when we went for a bike ride, sometimes I would switch over to a long sleeve shirt because it was chilly or cold in the evenings.
Some leggings. I wore leggings most of the time, so I packed a bunch of those. When it was a cooler day I would wear them or if it was a warmer day with a little breeze.
Some shorts. I wore shorts or a skirt on some of the warmer days. On most of the days I wore shorts I would change in to leggings in the evening because it was cooler. Sometimes we would go out and get dinner and it would be dark when we get back so I would end up being a little chilly.
Jackets. Definitely bring some jackets because in the morning it can be chilly or at night. Also, when we went over to the beach it was really windy, so I had to wear a jacket there. It felt weird with me wearing a jacket while people were in the low 60 degree water.
That is mainly it for my packing list.
Once it was finally the day after Christmas it was time to leave. Our goal was to leave around 9 or 10 o'clock. We ended up leaving around 10:30. That is how it normally goes. When we started driving I was watching my shows and listening to music until it was time to take a stretch break. When we stopped I had some lunch. After that, we kept driving. We stopped at a couple more gas stations until it was time to take a break for the night. I got my pj's on and watched some TV. When it was about 9 I went to sleep.
The next morning we had some breakfast and left the truck stop at about 8:30ish. Our next truck stop was a place called Busy Bee's. It was nice inside. I thought it was a tiny grocery store/your normal truck stop. Me and my mom went inside. It was big. I got some candy. My mom and dad got some Jerky and one or two other things. After we got back and washed our hands, we were on the road again. That was our last stop until we got to the RV park.
When we got there it was super nice. It was called Buena Vista Motorcoach Resort. If you want to check it out, here is the link: https://www.buenavistarvresort.com
My dad got us all hooked up and then got our bikes out. When we first got there it was about dinner time, so we started looking for some places to do takeout. My mom and dad found a bunch around the area. We decided to go to The Flying Harpoon. If you are ever around this area, definitely go. It was really good food. When we went to go and pick up our food, live music was playing. So we got to listen to the music while waiting for our order to come out. If you want to check it out, here is the link: https://theflyingharpoon.com/home
Once we got back we washed our hands and took off our shoes. When we walked around in the grass, we must have picked up some burrs. I found that out when I stepped on one while heading to go eat on the couch. Once we all finished eating, we all took a shower and then started to settle in for the night. After a while, we went to sleep.
The next morning, we had some breakfast and then me and my mom went to scope out the biking trails to get to the state park. My Aunt was staying at the Gulf Shores State Park. The first portion of the way was all really bumpy rocks. Finally the rocks were over and it was pavement. After a while of biking we made it into the RV park. It took us 5-10 minutes to find them, but we finally did. They have a dog, so I got to pet him and take a few pictures with him. We talked and did a few things for a couple of hours until it was time to head back. The bike trails are really nice. They made a line in between most of the way so you knew to stay on your side. The bike lanes could almost take you anywhere. Once we passed all of the bumpy rocks we were back at the RV park. The rest of the day we mainly stayed in the RV. Then we went to bed and it was the next day before you knew it.
The next day was mainly for bike riding. I looked at the map and saw that there was a butterfly garden. So, we got our shoes on and got our bikes out and were on the move again. I had to prepare myself for that bumpy road when we were heading through the campground. When we got on the bumpy road I still wasn't prepared, but we got through it. Once we were on the pavement, it felt really good. It took about 10 minutes to get there. About halfway to the butterfly garden we saw an alligator. It was cool but scary at the same time. I am just glad that they had a fence there. Someone told us that she recently had some babies. We didn't see them.
Once we got to the garden it wasn't as exciting in the winter time because no butterflies were out. Everything was dead. There were three rocks that you could climb up on. I only did two of them because there was no possible way to climb on one of them. The second one that I tried was easy. It was like two big steps and you were at the top. After I stayed there for a minute I went to the next one. The next one was harder. It had some rock climbing steps on it so that made it easier. After a minute of figuring it out, I got up there. Then my mom took my picture and I found out that I couldn't get down. So, my mom helped me with the steps to get down. After I got down we got back on the bikes and texted my dad to meet us at Ron Jon Surf Shop. It took us probably about 10-15 minutes to get there. If you want to check out Ron Jon Surf Shop on there website, here is the link: https://www.ronjonsurfshop.com
When my dad got there we put our masks on and went inside. I needed some short sleeve shirts because I didn't pack as many as I should have. So, I got a short sleeve shirt for myself. Once we left, we started to head back to the RV. We had to go over the bumps again. That time I had to stop a couple of times. My legs were tired. Once we got back, we stayed there for the rest of the day and then we asked if my aunt wanted to come over and she said she would. She just needed to take care of the dog real quick. I had some dinner while we were waiting for her. After 20-25 minutes she finally arrived. At first, they passed us and then they turned around and found us. We talked and played a game for a while. Time went by fast because she had to leave before you knew it.
The next day was New Years Eve! Today was the day that they were doing some kids activities over at the pool at 2:00. I was really excited, but before that me and my mom went over to a coffee shop with my aunt. They had really good looking cinnamon rolls. I got a hot chocolate. We sat there for a good 45 minutes. Then it was time to go and get ready for the kids thing in a couple of hours. I was playing on my Nintendo Switch most of the time. When it was finally time to go I got my mom and headed to the pool/lazy river. Everyone was at the table getting set up when I got there. First up we were making some firework shirts. How you did it was you get some sharpies and make a firework design and/or the wording you want on the shirt. Cappy, who was hosting the event, had some circle templates that you could use so your firework would stay in the middle. A made a big firework with like 6 different colors. Once you were done with whatever you were doing, you would get some alcohol and poor a little of it over your design. That caused it to spread and look super cool. Once we were done with that, we let them dry and while letting them dry we got to do some hair glitter. How you do hair glitter is get some hairspray and put it over your scalp or pony tail. Then, sprinkle whatever color glitter you want. Once you are done with that, spray some more hair spray on top to keep the glitter in place and then you are done. I did some pink and rainbow on my head. Once we got through everyone, we did some balloons. I got to learn how to make mice. It is easier than you think, and it is really fun. After I made like 10 mice it was time for it to be over. I would like to say thank you to Cappy for helping me get into balloon making.
After we got back, we went to to the beach. It was a really short walk. When there was a break in the cars, we ran across the road because there wasn't a cross walk near us. Once we crossed the road it took us about 3 more minutes to get there. There is a sign that says public beach access. We almost missed it, but we got it. We got on the wood boardwalk to head down. Towards the end there was a big hole in the walkway, and another area that was destroyed from past storms. We made it just in time for the sunset. It was so pretty. That night the moon was on one side and the sun setting was on the other. I got a good picture of it with my camera.
Once the sun was about to fully set, it was time to head back before it got dark. We safely made it across the road again.When we got back we did our usual night routine.
The next morning we had to bike four miles to get breakfast. My mom finally convinced me to go with her. It took us a while to get there, but we finally did. The place was called BuzzCatz. If you want to check it out, here is the link: https://www.buzzcatzorangebeach.com
When I was on my way to the bathroom, I saw a cat chart. They even had a cat butt coloring book. We decided to stay there and eat a biscuit and then bring something else home for us. We brought my dad a biscuit and some key lime pie. I got some gingerbread for my other treat. It was so good. My dad said the same thing. Once we were back and all done eating we didn't do much for that day. Today was also my dad's birthday! So, when it came time for the evening my aunt came over to celebrate. We had some ice cream cake for dessert.
The next morning it was 2021! It was also time to leave Orange, Beach Alabama and the warm weather, but it wasn't over yet. We were on our way to Hilton Head, SC! That's it for this blog. This was most definitely one of my longer blogs. Hilton Head here we come!
Enjoyed this blog so much. Checked out the links you posted & the Motorcoach Resort was beautiful and Buzzcatz looked yummy! Especially liked the hair glitter. That alligator would be very scary. Both sunset pictures were beautiful!