Gulf Shores........... Part Two

Amber has always wanted to take a dolphin tour, so she found and booked the trip on line before we left home. We put on our swim suits so we could parasail afterward and off we went.

That's Brenda and Jake; with Jaclyn , Billy and Jackson in the back. The tank-like thing in front is one of the four glass bottom areas of the boat. I don't have a clue as to why they're there because you certainly don't see any sea life through it.

Jeff, Coen, Amber,and me looking like a whale. I swear I don't weigh 200 lbs. It must be the swimsuit under the cover-up.

On our way to see the dolphins we passed "Party Island". This was taken on a Thursday. Our guide told us that on weekends the shore is filled with boats and other boats anchor 3 deep to the island. The sand is soft with no rocks so even fiberglass boats run ashore.

Farther back in the bay the dolphins show up. Don't expect photos. They're way to fast for that, and they will not pose. The dolphin population of the area was 700 to 900 before the oil spill, but no studies have been made since. The gestation period is a year and the baby stays with mother for 2 years learning the ropes. We did see plenty of dolphins. No babies, but I was assured they're there.

Most of the boats are privately owned, but a few were available for charter fishing.

The company that we were with also has diving and snorkeling tours.

In the same area near Orange Beach, Alabama

 Ono Island, a private and gated community, is filled with fabulous homes. The island is five miles long and can only be accessed by one bridge. Our guide assured us that many famous people had property there, but I only photographed one home. The green house in the background with the boat house on the left belongs to.............Dale Earnhardt Jr.

This little beach bum actually preferred the pool. I'm not sure if it was the waves knocking him around,  the sand, or the seaweed - but the pool was a clear winner.

One afternoon as Brenda and I watched the swimmers from the balcony of our condo, Coen looked up and said "I love you, Grandma!"

And that's why he's getting a car when he's sixteen.