Nestled between Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay east of the Alabama Gulf Coast is a beach with sand so white that appears granulated sugar. The weather is unusually soft for the Gulf Coast and the local people actually on the road. Although some distance from the I-10, access is excellent.

From I-10, take exit 44 and follow Al-59 South. About 11 miles south of the exit you will find County Road 48 (approximately 1 mile north of Summerdale). Turn left, go approximately half mile east of County Road 71 (the road opposite), turn right and then south. You will find Alligator Alley, a crocodile farm open to visitors 7 days a week. Children love this place. That even allowed to feed the crocodiles (or watch the daily feeding at 4p each day).

Driving more AL-59 and continue south about 7.5 miles to US-98 in Foley, turn left and a couple of hundred meters to the east is the L & N Train Depot, with its model railway exhibition. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday you can see that the trains run unwillingness of the details. Children love this place, also, but so do most adults (at least the boys). Oh, admission is free!

If you want an unusual elevation on one mile west of the L & N Train Depot is a hot air balloon. Some people become very exciting to stand in one of those things. (I'll pass.)

Heading south on AL-59 another 10 miles is Gulf Shores and the sugar-white beach. There are over a dozen RV parks in Gulf Shores. Our favorite is the State Park Gulf, less than a mile east of Fort Morgan Parkway. The park extends to the beach, but the camp sites are not really on the beach.

There are plenty of attractions for when you get tired of grilling on the beach. Water parks, which seem to be fashionable at the moment, are well represented in Waterville USA Gulf Shores Parkway (AL-59). Open daily weekend after Memorial Day and extends over 20 hectares.

Just north of Waterville USA (also in Gulf Shores Parkway) is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Of course, having seen one that has seen them all. This is a little different. Of particular elevated viewing decks to give (and children) a much better picture of the animals. And, of course, have a petting zoo.

Also in Gulf Shores, on Airport Drive just off Gulf Shores Parkway, is the Bird of Paradise Biplane Rides. Take a flight in an open cockpit biplane. Yes, still fly these things. If you have a budding young rider with you, no Funny Cars in East 1st Avenue. These are low-speed electric cars for up to 5 (including driver) that rent for $ 39 per hour.

Our favorite place is the dock which is located in Orange Beach (which is east of Gulf Shores). Here you will find a wide variety of restaurants and shops, live concerts and the wheel of fortune largest in the Southeast. The Gulf Coast of Alabama Visitors Bureau in Gulf Shores will send a free brochure if you give them a call at 800-745-7263. Also have a website http://www.GulfShores.com Unfortunately, your brochure does not mention RV parks, but you can get that information in http://www.I-10-RV-Parks.com

One last adventure … but not here. It is in Pensacola, Fla., which is next to Orange Beach. This is the National Museum of Naval Aviation in 1750 Radford Blvd (800-327-5002). This place really ignited the imagination of a ten years old. Exhibits range from WW-I aircraft in the current space-stuff age. Plan to spend a few hours there – and it's FREE! Orange Beach to continue east on AL-182 (Perdido Beach Blvd) in Florida (where it is in 182 FL-292). Seven miles east of the border between Florida and Alabama is the union of FL-297 (Gulf Beach Hwy). Turn right and follow 297 to about 5 kilometers Blue Angel Pkwy. Turn right and follow Blue Angel Parkway (which becomes Radford Blvd) for the museum.

Sure hope you enjoy this land of white sand beaches of sugar as we have.

Bob Masters started RVing in a converted 1958 Flxible bus in the 1960s. He has traveled extensively throughout the 48 states and has written many ‘travel logs’ describing some of his journeys. Having traveled extensively with children, and, later, grandchildren, he has become very familiar with the best places to stop and enjoy what a local community has to offer. Recently he started the RV Guide project to make available to RVers a graphic directory of the locations of RV parks and campgrounds near the Interstate highways ( e.g., http://www.I-10-RV-Parks.com ) including locations of RV sales and service centers.

070601-02: NAFA Camping Trip