Hiking: Orange Beach, AL -- 08/19/2016

Hike: Along the beach of Orange Beach, AL to Gulf State Park pier and return, Fri., 8/19/2016, 16:15-17:30CDT

Distance: 3.3 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.8/5

Conditions: Some clouds building but still mostly sunny.  Breezy.  Beautiful Gulf beach!

Thoughts/Observations:

What a wonderful way to enjoy an afternoon birthday hike?!  Sand, Surf, and Sky were all gorgeous.

Ramblr link with more pics and hike stats!

Hiking: Backcountry Trail, Gulf State Park, Alabama -- 08/19/2016

Hike: Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, Gulf State Park, AL; Fri., 8/19/2016, 07:30-09:30CDT

Distance:  5.2 miles  Difficulty:  Easy  Rating: 4.8/5.0

Conditions: Partly cloudy. Hot. Humid. A light sprinkle provided some cooling relief near end of hike.

Thoughts/Observations:

This is a paved trail-way in the "backcountry" portion of Gulf State Park.  It is shared between hikers, runners, and bikers.  Facilities are wonderful.  (Great job State of Alabama!)  Trail does get some traffic, but it is not hard to find solitude.

Lots of wildlife abounds in the area.  Passerines, alligator, turtle, tortoise, snakes, frogs, dragonflies, butterflies, and the like.  The only wildlife viewed today were birds, dragonflies, and butterflies.

Excellent hike to celebrate my birthday at the beach!

Ramblr Link with more pics and hike stats! 

Thought of the Day - 8/17/2016

There’s always going to be bad stuff out there. But here’s the amazing thing - light trumps darkness every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can’t stick the dark into the light.

Jodi Picoult

Author

Hiking Swayback Gold Trail - 8/13/2016

Hike: Swayback Trail of Legends, Gold Trail, Sat., 8/13/2016, 08:00-10:30CDT

Distance: 5.1 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions: Cloudy to Partly Cloudy; warm; muggy.  Trails wet from recent rains but not too muddy. 

Thoughts/Observations:

Passerines in abundance.  Bird song serenade.  Several mountain bikers, hikers, and trail dogs.

 

Quote of the Day - 08/1/2016

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

-- Mark Twain