WE just got back from a family trip to the gulf coast of Alabama. Almost a year ago, my cousin Angie called me and told me she was planning a trip there to celebrate her oldest's high school graduation, and she asked if we would like to join.
Now, truth be told, neither Jason or I knew where "Gulf Shores" was, nor that Alabama even had a true coastline. But we are always up for an adventure, and has such a great time with my cousin and her family when they visited in November 2023, we decided we were in regardless!
We had some complicated logistics getting to Alabama--Ethan had to take the SAT on Saturday--and Alaina had a softball tournament. We ended up splitting up with Ethan and I flying to Birmingham on Saturday night--and getting picked up in the 15 passenger Snyder-mobile on Sunday morning en route. Meanwhile, Jason and Alaina flew Sunday night through Dallas, landing in Pensacola, FL on Monday morning and rending a car to join us in Alabama.
We rented a cabin near the beach that is owned by some friends of Angie and Kurt's. The place held the 12 of us quite well and was well-equipped with games for the kids and just a short walk to a white sand beach. We spent the majority of our days there relaxing and enjoying the beautiful water--which was over 80 degrees!
One day, we took a drive to the Navy base in Pensacola to watch the Blue Angels practice--it was very hot but cool to see--and there was an immense museum on the grounds we toured as well.
Kurt and Angie celebrated their 19th anniversary when we were there--and we went out for an adult dinner.....on the menu were "alligator bites" which everyone enjoyed but I was not brave enough to try!
Alaina in particular had a great time with the kids--she didn't pick up her iPad all week--and we hardly saw her, as she was so busy playing games, building sand castles, and swimming.
We left on my birthday--stopping as a group for donuts en route before parting ways. What a great time we all had together!
After saying goodbye, we headed west towards Mississippi--stopping briefly at an alligator viewing area/boardwalk outside of Mobile--we were lucky to spot 2!
We had lunch at a local lunch spot in Mississippi called Faye's kitchen--the lunch was heavy but authentic. Finally we headed to New Orleans where we had a few hours to explore the French Quarter and have our second round of donuts for the day at Cafe DuMont.
We flew out of New Orleans on Friday night--making my birthday 2 hours longer! Add 3 more states to my list--I am getting close to 50 now!
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