Take a Walk on the Wild Side!

Hi there! Glad you came by today! Today I am posting my third installment of my free entertainment ideas for a thrifty vacation. These ideas are taken along the gulf coast of Alabama, but are not specific. You can take any of these and look around your area, call the chamber of commerce, or go to the state web site for specific events. Ask locals where to shop, where to dine, what to see. Search the Internet for area attractions. Grab a map and head out. Thelma and Louise had a heck of a time doing just that. True. It didn't end well for them, but here is betting that you will have a much better end result and create some great memories in the process!

But before I go on and talk about installment number three, I want to remind everyone about Thrifty Thursday. Thrifty Thursday is a show and tell of sorts. It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, antique store. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements. I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures. It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it. Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it? Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found. So....do show and tell! Be sure to grab a button and link back. Also, don't forget to come back here tonight at 8PM and paste your direct hyperlink to your Thrifty Thursday post here at Mr. Linky (assuming he will be nice tonight).

And while I am promoting, tomorrow is also Tablescape Thursday. My friend Susan at Between Naps on the Porch host that, and it is really a great event. I have meet some great bloggers through Tablescape as well as Thirfty Thursdays. I encourage you to attend. There is no wrong way!

Finally, Wednesday is Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan of A Southern Daydreamer. I am really glad because my post today is all about the outdoors!

Sunday, I introduced you to yet another Big Daddy.

On Monday I took you to the romantic town of Magnolia Springs

Yesterday it was the quaint and charming town of Fairhope

Today, we get a bit adventurous!

Come on, strap on your virtual hiking shoes and lets hit the road for another thrifty form of entertainment along the gulf coast. Today we are going to take a hike at the Gulf State Park.

What many people miss as they drive along the beach road are the wonderful trails at GulfState Park. The park features ten different trails of varying length and surface type. The trails give visitors the chance to slow down and get up close to nature to view plants and animals that live in the park. As with any nature trail, visitors are strongly cautioned to avoid contact with the wild animals, especially the alligators. But with a good dose of common sense, the trails can provide hours of outdoor fun.

Hiking has become a traditional form of entertainment with my family when we head to the coast. It started out when they were very small children. I love to hike but kids can become bored quickly, so we made it a game a long time ago. They like to hunt for Marie Laveau (read the whole story here). While my kids are now at the age they know that Marie is not waiting in the woods hiding on a man, they still like to play and spook one another. It's not a beach trip for our family without hiking.

There are tons of walking trails in the general area. We have walked many of them. We tried a new trail for the first time on this hunt, this one located in the Alabama Gulf State Park, the Gulf Oak Ridge Trail.

When you hike, be sure to pack your binocculars! You don't want to miss anything!

We spotted and photographed all of these critters along the trail:

(Horned Owl)

(Osprey)

(Blue Heron)

We didn't spot these, although we KNOW that they are out there.

This is not a wild animal, it only looks like one. Or...is it?

Nah, This is my son, Bama, who decided to be adventurous and climb a tree......a dare by his Dad.

Funny how the outdoors can breath anew life in you.

Just the sunshine, the fresh air....and in this case, the beautiful moss draped trees...

They speak to me as I walk down the trail....relax, relax, relax......Enjoy "This is the day that the Lord hath made!" Rejoice in it.

And I do.

This trail was nice because it offered rest spots (and a map of the trails!)

As well as "porch swings" to sit and take in the tropical breeze.

Because there is no TV or computer to distract.....it is the perfect time to catch up with your family. Have actual conversations. Interact with one another.

And while we have yet to come upon Marie Laveau, we have had some great memories in our hunts for her. There is always some form of excitment to be had!

It's a perfect escape.

And you know what...it's free! Take advantage of it!