Flights of Fancy Archives - Distracted Birder

Dog-friendly Adventure in the State Parks: Gulf State Park (AL)

distractedbirder — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:52:44 +0000

If you want a beach destination with a fancy lakeside cabin or cottage, you can’t go wrong with Gulf State Park. Gulf State Park provides a fantastic, if pricey, cottage experience. It may not be classic CCC styling, but I think we can forgive them for that. It’s hard to be mad when you’re sitting on your screened porch, petting your dogs and sipping coffee while watching eagles fly over the water. Gulf State Park in Alabama has dog-friendly cabins and cottages. It’s not the cheapest dog-friendly option you’ll find. But if you like the gulf coast, you can’t beat this location. And it would be mighty difficult to beat these cottages. Gulf State Park One of the gems of Alabama’s State Parks, Gulf State Park is located in Gulf Shores and includes stretches of white sand beaches, freshwater lakes, and pine forests. There are multi-use paths throughout the Park, making it easy to explore by foot or bicycle. The Area Gulf State Park is just east of Gulf Shores on Alabama’s coast. It’s not too far from Florida, an easy hour or so from Pensacola’s airport. It’s also an easy drive down from the airport in Mobile, only a bit more than an hour away. Gulf Shores isn’t too far off I-10 to be a road trip destination as part of a Gulf Coast itinerary – and it’s neighbor, Orange Beach, is more advisable for those who like things a little less touristy but still very local. It’s only a few hours from New Orleans or, in the opposite direction, you’ll find many of the Florida panhandle’s beach destinations. But you’ll like Orange Beach more than those Florida places! Local wildlife is likely to include pelicans, bald eagles, American alligators, and lunch-stealing gulls. Watch out. Accommodations Gulf State Park has multiple lodging options – campgrounds, cabins, cottages, and even a Hilton hotel. Camping The budget-friendly option here is camping, of course. The campground here hosts almost 500 sites for a variety of users. There are primitive sites, RV sites, and even a few glamping sites. It has full bathhouses and electric, along with a playground and swimming pool. The campground can be booked through the State Park website. The Lodge Surprisingly, the hotel option at GSP doesn’t have to break a budget. The Lodge (a Hilton property) can have some nice off-peak rates. And since it’s a Hilton property, an award booking with Hilton points is also an option. One great thing about The Lodge is the variety of room types. They’ve got the stand king/double queen options. But for people traveling with families or groups, there are actually rooms with bunk beds. The Lodge also has 4 restaurants, access to GSP trails, and shuttle service to other areas of the Park. And the Gulf Pier is next door, just a short walk from the hotel. This is also the only GSP lodging option that has beach access. Although, to be fair, you can easily reach the beach from any accommodation with a short drive or bike ride. From The Lodge, you can access the beach directly from the property, including a beach access boardwalk directly connected to the restaurants and meeting space. The Lodge can be booked through Hilton. Finding Your Dog-Friendly Cabin The great part about booking a pet-friendly cabin at Gulf State Park is that ALL the cabins and cottages are pet-friendly. It can’t be easier than that! For any booking, you’d pay an additional $175 to bring your dog, and you can bring up to two dogs for any stay. It’s not a small fee, but it feels fair if you’re staying for more than a few days. First, cabins and cottages are managed outside by a concessionaire, so let’s skip the State Parks page and go directly to the source. The Cottages The Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park are pricey but lovely. These are all lakeside, 3bd/3ba cottages. They’re fully furnished, with full kitchens and free breakfasts including each day of your stay. There are also bikes provided to ride on park trails, free parking at other GSP properties, and access to the Gulf State Park Pier. Each cottage has one bedroom with its own enclosed deck, which is a perfect way to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee while watching birds fly over the lake. There’s another enclosed deck available off the living area, so any guest can relax, bug-free. These cottages are really just awesome. If you can afford them (or even a lakeside cabin), then do the thing. Note: Each bedroom has its own private bathroom, so it’s possible for 3 couples (or friends. or coworkers. or just introverts looking for alone time) to stay here with some amount of privacy while keeping costs more reasonable. The Cabins The Cabins at Gulf State Park include some older woodside cabins and some newly constructed lakeside cabins. The Lakeside Cabins are very new – as in they opened for their first visitors in February 2024! I haven’t stayed at these; they were mid-build while I stayed in a cottage in December 2023 and open for business when I returned in October 2024. They look great from the exterior, and the photos on their site show a design similar to the cottages. So if you like new things, now is the time. These new lakeside builds are 2Bd/2Ba Cabins. They’re fully furnished and provide a full kitchen. Although there’s only 2 bedrooms, extra folks could actually sleep here since there’s a third room with twin bunks (but no windows, so it isn’t identified as a bedroom). The cabins are more affordable than the cottages, but they don’t have some amenities included with the cottages. For example, you lose the bikes and the free breakfast. But keep in mind, with a full kitchen, you might not value the breakfast too much – and bikes can be rented nearby the cabins for an affordable price. There are a few Woodside Cabins that are older and provide more cost-effective options for couples or solo travelers. These are smaller cabins, some being studios, but they do include kitchen amenities. There’s actually even one Woodside cabin that’s a 2BD/1BA and offered as an option for a family. Budget Notes Because they’re managed by a separate company, the cottages/cabins operate a bit more like a hotel in that their rates vary through the year based on demand. They do run promotions, so signing up for those discounts and looking for reservations early will probably result in better rates. These properties all have a one-time cleaning fee (kinda steep, around $150). These fees become more cost effective when you’re booking a longer stay or when you’re able to share the costs among multiple guests. People-friendly Side Quests Beaches I suppose some people might go to GSP to enjoy the beach. So I’ll begrudgingly mention the public access to the gorgeous white sand beaches. If you like that sort of thing. There will be sand everywhere, forever. But you do you. Shopping There are nice shopping areas along the Gulf, outlets nearby in Foley, and just standard tacky souvenir/beach shops at every turn. Places like The Wharf and SanRoc Cay provide lots of shopping combined with restaurants and even some adventure/nature tour options. There are local shops and boutiques in the area, so please seek those out. It can be easy to assume that chain stores and souvenir shops are the only option, but they’re just the most obvious. If you’re willing to drive a bit (or are passing through on your way south), there’s nothing wrong with a stop in downtown Fairhope, AL. It’s a easily navigated area with a busy but very locally-driven downtown filled with cute gift shops and nice restaurants. Restaurants Tons to choose from here, so the best options will depend on your preference for budget, atmosphere, or cuisine. You’re on the coast so try seafood somewhere! And since you’re on the GULF coast, don’t shy away from cajun/creole options. It ain’t too shabby down here. Dessert: Try the bread pudding. That’s my best advice. Drinks: you wouldn’t be wrong to go over to the Flora-Bama and have a regional special, the Bushwhacker. It’s kinda like a milkshake. If you want nice cocktails, you’ll have some good choices at many Orange Beach locations. And if you’re staying at The Lodge (or just eat there), the options at FoodCraft are worth a try. Dog-Friendly Side Quests! I did not have my pups with me while I stayed at Gulf State Park. I’d take them, but probably January-February would make me feel a little bit better with fewer biting bugs and less alligator activity. The GSP Dog Park The dog park is split with two fenced areas, separating guests based on size. This dog park does have access to Shelby Lake, which is neat. But for your situational awareness… there are also warning signs, because here there be alligators. Yes, it’s a legit concern. I don’t have a terrier, but if I did, he would not be going to hang out at the GSP Dog Park in July. I do have Aussies, and they also will not be hanging out at this dog park in July. Gulf State Park It seems silly to say it, but the Park is just chock-full of multi-use trails. Take your dog for a walk, or a run, or a bike ride. Go to the beach in the morning for a nice quiet walk. This might seem impossible if you’ve only been to the Gulf Coast in the summer. Go in December and enjoy the sunrise – or the sunset – with your furry best friend. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge For a beach and dune system free from development, head over to Bon Secour. You’ll find long stretches of beach, walk trails to access dune habitats (without trampling sensitive ecosystems), and probably feel pretty alone. Also a place to avoid alligators. Not to be repetitive or redundant but let me excessively restate the obvious… avoid alligators. Or at least ensure your dog avoids them. What you get up to, personally, is not my business. Dauphin Island Ok, it might take a while. But if you’re a birder, this is a prime destination for migratory birding along the Gulf Coast. If it’s April and you bird AT ALL, go to Dauphin Island. You’ll get some glares if your pup is a nuisance, yes. So know your pup’s skill sets and act accordingly… or just try your best and live your life. Go birding. Final Note I loved my stay at Gulf State Park. The cottages are large, comfortable, and scenic. We’d be happy to go back or check out the slightly less expensive Lakeside Cabins. It’s not the most budget-conscious option, but I think I might be willing to splurge on this property to enjoy its serenity again.

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Dog-Friendly Adventure in the State Parks: The Prologue

distractedbirder — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:29:09 +0000

We don’t have a ton of National Parks here in the Southeast, but we have beautiful dog-friendly State Parks in spades! I’m going to share some of our recent adventures, in multiple states, over several posts. Why State Parks? I’m not doing a direct comparison here between State Parks and National Parks. I really don’t see the point of that. I love the National Parks and want to visit them all (or most, anyway) someday. But these two things needn’t be mutually exclusive, and sometimes State Parks fit a need that just can’t be satisfied by the National Parks These are a few of many great reasons to stay in our State Parks: Easier Access As someone who loves flying to distant, new destinations, it’s almost painful for me to admit that sometimes this is a positive. But for many people, all that time and hassle is a real deterrent. With a trip to a nearby State Park, there’s no flight required. Most people, no matter where they live, are within a few hours drive of one State Park. Often, folks have multiple parks to choose from and some of those might even be in a neighboring state. Time is on Your Side Since you’re closer and driving to your park destination, you have the option to do short trips without breaking your budget or your leave balance. You can have plenty of long weekend adventures with the family and/or the dogs without ever dealing with the hassle of the airport and without needing to take much (if any) vacation days. State Parks are usually a doable option whether you want to get away for a week or just for a couple days, because you’re probably not spending whole days just to get there. Fido is Welcome! Name more than 3 dog-friendly National Parks. Go on, I’ll wait… Let’s face it, just allowing dogs in a campground is not what any of us are thinking when we look for “dog-friendly”, and that’s what you’ll experience at most National Parks. Luckily, many State Parks speak our language. Most of the State Park systems in the southeast are dog-friendly, even offering dog-friendly accommodations at some properties. Examples I’m sure have some units with dog-friendly cabins: Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The important note here is that dog-friendly cabins might be very limited – it’ll be a small number of the total cabins at a Park, and not every Park in a state system will offer them. If you’re looking for dog-friendly cabins, start looking early! Options for Most Budgets Entry fees are usually pretty reasonable for the State Parks and may be waived for folks with lodging reservations. Campsites are plentiful and might range from primitive or walk-in (tent) sites to fully equipped RV sites. Cost usually are tiered to match the type of site, and every system/park should be evaluated early to figure out reservation rules and restrictions. Lodging – i.e., a cabin or motel-style lodge room – is usually at reasonable prices. This is especially true when compared to the much revered (but outrageously expensive) lodges in our National Parks. Cabins aren’t necessarily cheap if you’re hoping for campsite costs, no… but they’re typically reasonable for the location and amenities provided. Like all lodging everywhere in the universe, the better deal is to look for availability outside the high season… and look at weekday rates instead of weekend stays for a slightly better price, too. Built-in Recreation State Parks commonly have family-friendly activities available as part of the amenities. You might be able to go swimming in a lake, use playgrounds, visit a dog park, or use hiking/biking trails. Often there is equipment available for rent – a park with a lake might rent canoes and kayaks but a park with trails might rent bikes. And many parks are near other outdoor areas, so they provide a great springboard for lots of additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Examples to Come… I’ll be adding a few short entries to review recent visits. I’ll cover Gulf State Park (Alabama), Babcock State Park (West Virginia), and Oconee State Park (South Carolina). And I’m hoping for additional destinations in the future!

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Birding Tours: Finding the Best Guide for Your Travels

distractedbirder — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:50:58 +0000

I always use the same birding tour company when planning a big trip. Why? Because they’re great. And also because I’m lazy. This technique can work for you too! But maybe not. Who am I to tell you how to live your life? Now get out there and bird, folks. But first, find a good bird guide! Decisions, Decisions Okay, look. There are loads of companies out there providing wildlife-oriented tours, especially of the feathered persuasion. Birding companies aren’t remotely rare. So I’m just going to tell you who I’ve used before (and recommend), and a tiny bit about why (when I feel like it). And, full disclosure, no tour company is paying me for my assessment so my opinion is my own. Believe it or not, my 5-person readership simply is not going to impress any travel corporation. Global Companies Based in North America, you could go with VENT or Wings. Quite frankly, these aren’t in my budget. Also, I might have heard that some of their tours lean a little heavily on the luxury and less on the actual wildlife sightings. I’m not judging if you use them anyway. It’s just not a price I could pay. Also based in North America, there’s Pitta Tours, and Hillstar Nature Tours. And loads of others. Many Audubon chapters do domestic or international trips. And there is Field Guides, similar in scale and offerings to VENT and Wings but more like international counterparts in terms of price tag. I’ve never used a domestic company, even one that provides international options. Because I’ve never paid for a domestic birding trip. And, I’ve no idea if this remains true, but (ten years ago) the North American companies seemed to always come with a higher price tag. My birding tours started with Ecuador, and I went with the cheapest option at the time. You’ll find many, many options for birding tours – regionally based (like South America) or global. When I was in Ecuador, I found a tour based out of one private reserve. It was just more affordable than other competitors at the time. The Bird Guide/Company I Use Pretty soon, I found Rockjumper Birding Tours, which does a reasonably priced catalog of trips (especially in Africa, as they’re based in South Africa). And I’ll recommend them, because I think they provide good value for the product. Especially in Africa. But if you’re getting one of their great, well-traveled guides, then it’s a great value anywhere. Now, to be clear – there’s a caveat in that sentence. I’ve been on Rockjumper tours before when the guide was new to the country. And it didn’t make the trip a mistake, per se, but it definitely highlighted how amazing and prepared the local guide was! And since I can do what I want, I’ll share info for those guides/companies, too. Some “Local” Birding Options Weird observation: Most countries require a local guide! What’s that mean? If you can find a locally based company, you’ll probably cut out some extra costs. Will the guide be as good or speak your language as well? Hard to decipher with the overwhelming options online. I’ve not found it to be easy information to assess or access, honestly. But these are two that were used on my Rockjumper tours and were great, including having excellent bird guides on our tour. Uganda You couldn’t go wrong with Livingstone Safaris. The owner is just amazing as a birder, can put together gorilla and chimpanzee treks for you too, and is an all-around friendly, approachable guy. This man went to every local establishment in the Buhoma area to find ice, because I twisted my knee on my gorilla trek. Then he did it again to ensure I could treat my injury properly. Then he provided a separate, less taxing birding option for me while I was injured. And on our last day, he made sure our lunch was local fare so we’d have a Ugandan dining experience to end our tour. Everyone on our tour loved this guide! Truly, I can’t recommend him enough. Brazil Birding Pantanal is fantastic. Especially if you’re focusing on the Pantanal and Cerrado, this company is more than capable of providing an exceptional experience. Giuliano was a great, experienced guide and (like most of the local guides) handled all the logistics. The lodges got progressively more comfortable, the birds were great, and few critters are more impressive than the jaguar. That cat has swagger. Hawaii If you’re going to Hawai’i (The Big Island, specifically), and you don’t want to dedicate yourself to weeks of birding among the islands… you can at least see honeycreepers with Jack Jeffrey. He knows all the history of the refuge where native honeycreepers can be found, is super communicative, and has surprisingly good rates for day tours. Our one-day trip to Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is definitely the best one-day birding tour I’ve experienced. Other Options… and Related Warnings There are also wildlife trip options from luxury companies to the big group travel companies like gadventures and Intrepid. Now, anyone could possibly provide a quality African safari or Galapagos adventure without being a died in the wool wildlife tour company… so I’m not saying you can’t use those companies. But seriously, if you’re a birder? Don’t use those companies. You will not focus on birds. They’ll probably point out hummingbird gardens and hornbills and cranes. Ya know, the flashy stuff. But you won’t be actively seeking them out. You won’t know when to look for specific birds you’ll never have a chance to see again. If you do go with those companies and really want to see a lot of birds, speak up and make your interests known to any guides! You won’t see as much as a birding tour, but you might mitigate your losses a little bit. If you want culture with a very specific wildlife thing (i.e., gorilla trek), then tours with these companies are likely just fine. I used Intrepid before for a cultural trip and had a great time! I’ve also met fellow travelers who also had great wildlife tours with Intrepid, although – again- tours were not specifically aimed at birding. Bird’s the Word If you want to really focus on seeing all the wildlife, especially if birding is the purpose of your trip… Bite the bullet, pay extra, and get a bird guide who is going to do everything in their power to make sure you SEE. the. DANG. GHARIAL. That’s what great guides do. At least the ones at Rockjumper. (And that’s why I keep using them for my tours!) Note: As I was reminded many times in India, gharial are not birds. But if you pick the right tour, you can get wildlife along with birds. If you pick the right guide, they’ll be accommodating when you’re obsessed with crocodiles. Happy birding!

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