Friday, August 29, 2014

Black Water River Milton, Florida


Living in South Alabama has some of the finest ways to enjoy the large selection of many different forms of water entertainment.

One of my family’s favorite rivers in the area is Blackwater River in Milton, Florida. This is where I took my son as he was growing up to learn to canoe, kayak and enjoy nature to its fullest.

Over the years we have grown very fond of the Blackwater River State Park.



Several times a year we join friends to camp and enjoy nature on the river bank. We enjoy full days of fun on the river canoeing, kayaking or just floating down the river on an inner tube.

There are a vast number of sandbars that you can stop and play on. This is where everyone enjoys each other’s company and is where you meet people from all over. It is family oriented and everyone gets in on the fun. Swimming, sharing snacks and socializing.

While floating down the river you get to enjoy the full pleasure of nature. You can fish, search out for the many different type of wildlife or just kick back and enjoy the scenery. You are in control of the time it takes to float down the river. Depending on how many stops you make and how long you choose to hang out and enjoy the fun determines the time it takes to reach the stopping point. 
Come to Blackwater and enjoy our beautiful park.



















Sunday, August 24, 2014

Growing Up on Southern Shores


 
 
 

Beach at Fort Morgan



Some of my fondest memories of growing up can be found on the southern shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Born a native Alabamian, in the beautiful city of Mobile, I was fortunate enough to live only an hour or so drive from the beautiful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores Alabama.

Our family had a cabin located half way down Fort Morgan Road, so we spent many vacations and weekends at "The Gulf".  As a young child, the salt air, sand, and water infected my soul.  It was there that I learned to fish, crab, swim, and ski.  I became a flip-flop wearing-beach scavenging-sun worshiper.  During storms, I learned how to respect the water's fury and I learned the peaceful serenity of calm waters on a beautiful day.  Most of what we needed, the shores and waterways provided.  From delicious Flounder or Speckled Trout to wonderful Crab and Shrimp Gumbo, we would eat what the land provided. We only caught what we needed and returned the rest to the water.


Fort Morgan
Having a house near Fort Morgan provided access to the rich history of the south. It was there, at Fort Morgan, where I learned about the Battle of Mobile Bay. We would tour the museum and explore the fort.  Walking the beach at Fort Morgan provided beautiful sand dollars and star fish. Climbing the large slippery rocks at the fort offered a bounty of beautiful whelks and moon shells.  At an early age, I became an expert in polishing and removing the hermit crabs from these shells.  This bounty acquired by our scavenging became beautiful art projects on rainy days.

If the excitement of nightlife or great dining was desired, downtown Gulf Shores and Orange Beach was just a few miles from our reclusive hideaway on Fort Morgan Road.  Today, these towns offer some of the finest lodging and dining around.  It has become one of the finest playgrounds of the south.

Some people might say this type of vacation is boring but I can assure you it is not. There is always a new adventure waiting on our southern shores of Alabama.  From shelling and sun bathing on the beach, to fishing or boating, it is the best of times.

“Life is Beautiful"