Gulf Shores Beach Hike -- 20190718 Day 03

Hike: Gulf Shores Beach from Sugar Beach to State Park Pier and Return 07:30-09:15CDT
Distance: 4.0 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Hot/humid.  Wind calm.  Light beach action.  Beach in good shape.  Beaches not yet crowded at this time of morning.
Thoughts/Observations:
Observed mother dolphin and calf fishing near shore.  Plethora of sea birds busy about their morning activities.  Noticed one gull was missing left foot (first thought was that a shark had taken it!).  Thank YOU, LORD, for this wonderful morning and place.

Ramblr link for hike!

Lake Shelby Hike Gulf SP 20190717 Day 02

Hike: Lake Shelby area  Gulf State Park  07:00-09:00CDT 07/17/2019
Distance: 4.6 miles   Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Hot/humid.  Light breeze.  Trails in good shape.  Not too crowded.
Thoughts/Observations:
Observed cottontail rabbit on Bobcat Branch Trail - would have been lunch-to-go had a bobcat been nearby!  Cattails in abundance.  Tall okra-like plant with gorgeous pink blooms line the lake shore and canals behind the cattails.  Eagle nest stands strikingly by the Canal Trail.

Link for Ramblr post on this hike.

Orange Beach Night Walk - 20190716

Hike: Beach near Sugar Beach Condos
Distance: 1.3 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy  Conditions: Low tide.  Humid.  Nice breeze. 
Thoughts/Observations:
Gorgeous display by the full moon, Saturn, and Jupiter.  Quite a few families out beach-combing with flashlights.  Small children enthusiastically chasing small crabs.  Full moon highlighting the waves of the Gulf of Mexico are mesmerizing.

Link to Ramblr page for this hike.

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Gulf State Park - 2019 Day 01

Hike: Catman Trail to Little Lake and return via Rattlesnake Ridge
Distance: 4.8 miles   Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy   Conditions: Humid and hot.  Clear skies.  Light breeze.  Trails in good shape.
Thoughts/Observations:
Day One of Summer 2019 vacation.  Enjoying the wide, paved trails of Gulf State Park.  Observed many birds, dragonflies, and one 3' alligator sunning himself at Little Lake.

Max Speed: 3.1 mph
Avg Speed:  2.5 mph
Time on Trail: 1hr 53min

Link to Ramblr post of hike.