Camping Checklist for Gulf Shores, AL.

My family and I are going camping this weekend in Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.  We decided to go "primitive style" with just a tent and no power or water, so this should be interesting.  I'm sure many would laugh at the fact that I find this important to mention but there is a reason.  I've only been camping once in my life and it was in a cabin....for one night.  My idea, prior to this weekend, of primitive camping would be staying at a Motel 6 (versus a Marriott) with no room service!  So, in my nervousness and reluctant state I hit the internet to do my due diligence so not to be ill prepared.

Our brand new 12x14 tent arrived via UPS yesterday.  It says on the package that it sleeps up to 12 people.  Since there is just 4 of us going, we should be good except for the fact that I'm 6'5", my wife is tall, and my 2 boys (13 and 16) are both about 6'2"- so the jury is still out on that one.  My wife was kind enough to buy all of us air mattresses though.  I can't even imagine sleeping on the actual ground.  In my search for the bare necessities, I came across a few items (actually quite a few) that one should include while camping, which oddly enough did not include an IPad or microwave.

The list below came from lovetheoutdoors.com so they get the full credit and I obviously haven't a clue on everything to bring:

Shelter

__Tent
__Ground cloth/tarp
__Extra stakes
__Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
__Axe or hammer
__Mat for tent entrance
__Dust pan/brush

Bedding

__Sleeping bag
__Sheets/blankets
__Pillow
__Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
__Air pump
__Repair kit for air mattress
__Utility bags for storage

Cooking

__Large water jug & water bucket
__Coolers/ice
__Thermos
__Stove with fuel/propane
__Matches/lighter
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
__Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill
__Fire starters/newspaper
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
__Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
__Silverware/plastic silverware
__Measuring cups
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil
__Paper towels
__Trash bags
__Dish soap
__Clothes pins
__Cooking oil/Pam spray
__Containers for food storage
__Potholders/oven mitts
__Pots and frying pans with lids
__Soap for outside of pots and pans
__Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Tongs
__Skewers/grill forks
__Can opener/bottle opener
__Folding table
__Dutch oven
__Pie irons
__Mugs/paper cups
__Mixing bowl
__Cutting board
__Ziplock bags
__Napkins
__Dish pan
__Dish rags/towels
__Scrub pad/brillo
__Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Potato peeler

Clothes

__Shoes/boots
__Jeans/pant/belt
__Shorts
__T-shirts
__Socks/extra socks
__Hat
__Bandana
__Sweatshirt/jacket
__Underwear
__Sleep clothes
__Rain gear
__Swim suit/towel
__Laundry bag

Personal

__Shower shoes/flip flops
__Towels/washcloth
__Soap in plastic case/shampoo
__Tooth brush/tooth paste
__Deodorant
__Comb/brush
__Razor
__Feminine products
__Toilet paper
__Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
__Camping shower/shower pump
__Other personal items
__Personal medications – take extra

Miscellaneous

__Sunscreen/chapstick
__Lantern with fuel/mantles
__Extra batteries/bulbs
__Compass
__Bug repellant/candles
__Whistle
__Water filters/purification/treatment
__Camera/battery/film/
__Books/magazines
__Candles
__Maps/directions
__Misc. tools
__Backpack/fanny pack
__Fishing gear/license/bait
__Radio
__Musical instruments/song books
__Camp chairs
__Sunglasses
__Hammock
__First aid kit
__Tissues
__Saw/axe
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
__Lantern pole or hanger
__Collapsible drying rack
__Popcorn
__Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
__Flashlight/batteries
__Pocket knife
__Plastic grocery bags
__Binoculars
__Rope/clothes line
__Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
__Bungi cords/straps
__Cards/games/toys
__Duct tape/electrical tape
__Notepad/pen
__Reservations info./confirmation
__Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
__Small shovel
__Safety pins
__Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Bikes/helmets
__Travel alarm clock
__Work gloves
__Umbrella
__Hand wipes
__Drinks/snacks
__Small sewing kit
__Fire extinguisher
__Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
__Scissors
__Watch

Tell someone of your plans – give details of where you are going and when you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative roads that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in.

Basic First Aid Kit

__Personal medications
__Roll bandages
__Adhesive tape
__Antiseptic wipes
__Sterile gauze pads
__Cotton swabs
__Tweezers
__Safety pins
__Scissors
__Bee sting kit
__Sinus medications
__Tissues
__Bug repellant
__Sunscreen
__Notepad/pen
__Sterile compresses
__Splinting materials
__Personal information/contact person
__Feminine products
__Ipecac
__Razor blades
__Plastic bags
__Small bottle of water
__Blanket
__Other personal needs
__Small mirror
__Triangular bandages
__Misc. Band Aides/bandages
__Anti-acids (Tums, Rolaides)
__Antibiotic cream
__Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Naproxin
__Hydrogen Peroxide
__Ace bandages
__Sunburn lotion
__Burn ointment
__Snake bit kit
__Eye drops
__Poison ivy cream/cleansers
__Heat/cold packs
__Small flashlight
__Latex gloves
__Antibacterial soap
__Thermometer
__Coins for emergency phone calls
__Antibiotic soap
__Butterfly bandages
__Twine
__Mole skin for blisters
__Road flares
__First aid manual
__Nail clippers

Additional First Aid Tips

• Take a First Aid class and a CPR class – keep current on this information
• Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
• Keep the contents organized
• Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
• Inspect content often, re-supply as needed
• Keep readily available at all times

Although I do have a little trepidation about this weekend, I'm sure we will all have a blast and I'll be ready to sell more condos on the Gulf Coast on Monday.  Gulf State Park is 7,000 acres of trails, beaches, water, gators, and lots of things to keep us busy, in addition to being a great place for my family and I to create some awesome memories.

Is the Alabama Gulf Coast Pet-Friendly?

At the risk of sounding vague, the answer is actually yes and no.  I'll explain.....

Some may say that our area is not very pet-friendly due to the fact that the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach both have ordinances that strictly prohibit pets on the beach.  The city's jurisdiction would be south of the "mean high tide line".  North of this line is private property and is owned by either the respective condo association or beach home, whatever the case may be.  Our beautiful beaches are the main attraction to lower Alabama so this could affect some visitors' plans on whether or not to bring their furry loved ones on vacation (if their pet loves the beach).

I have read, however, that there is a section of the Fort Morgan peninsula, that does allow pets on the beach.  Fort Morgan is located in the western half of Gulf Shores.  Although I haven't been able to verify this through the Gulf Shores rules and regulations, it is said that dogs that are on a leash are allowed on the beach in Fort Morgan between Engineer's Wharf and the fishing pier.

As far as pets and real estate in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach goes, we are a resort and second home market.  The bulk of our economy thrives on the tens of thousands of summer vacationers as well as the snow birds in the cooler months.  Most of the tenants during the warmer months stay for 7 days and it's not uncommon for snow birds to rent a condo for 3 or 4 months during the fall and winter.  Staying for such a long length of time could be an issue if the tenants are pet lovers and will be away from home for so long.  Well there is good news!  BringFido.com is a great website that lists hotels all over the country that are pet friendly of which our area had a really good representation.  Also, after doing a cursory search for pet-friendly vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, there were a number of options to choose from.  Most of the high rise condos on the beach ,however,  allow pets for "owners only" though and not for tenants.  So, most of the search results for pet-friendly vacation rentals were for single family beach homes or small ,3-4 unit condos.  Another resource to check out would be www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner).  There is a filter on the site that allows you to check for "pet-friendly", which turned up 69 results just now for me.  Yet, another option would be to search in Foley, Al.  You will still be fairly close to the beach but yet have the same climate that you were hoping for when coming down in the first place.

Things to do with you pup!

Although the beach may not be a good option, there are still a number of places to let your dogs stretch their legs.  Here's a few to check out:

Backcountry Trail - Leashed dogs are allowed

Graham Creek Nature Preserve

Gulf Shores Dog Park

Orange Beach Dog Park

Sailboat Bay in Gulf Shores

As a Realtor in Gulf Shores I get to see many different condos down here at the beach.  We originally lived in Fairhope, Al. but as I saw that more and more of my business was taking me down to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, we decided to take the plunge to move there.  We settled on Sailboat Bay of Gulf Shores, Al.  We absolutely love it here!  The community is set several miles away from the craziness of the beach but yet we still are on the water (many of the homes in lower Alabama are).  We have the marina directly behind us, the Intracoastal Waterway to our left, and Bon Secour Bay behind the marina.  Here's a picture that I snapped not too long ago.  We get these awesome sunsets all the time....

This view is from our deck on the third floor.  It's not uncommon to see dolphins, gators, or even bald eagles right from our back door.  There are several condos that are for sale in Sailboat Bay that are quite affordable and less per square footage than right on the beach, but you still get great views.