Dauphin Island, AL An Idyllic Beach Vacation

Articles - News - Ideas and more

Dauphin Island, AL: An Idyllic Beach Vacation

Author: Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach

Article:
Part of the fun of vacationing on Dauphin Island is driving
there. Coming east on IH-10 from Houston, you will watch the
landscape change dramatically as you experience the states of
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and finally Alabama. And then you
can easily include Florida while you’re there, too. As you near
your destination, you’ll see men wearing big white boots for
clamming, known locally as “ Baldwin County Nikes”.

You’ll drive through casino land, then, turning south from
Mobile, enter beautiful Baldwin County, AL. To me, the roads are
exceptional and the scenery peaceful and pastoral. I love that
there are both trees and water, and the farm country is very
peaceful.

Dauphin Island, AL is a barrier island located about 30 miles
from Mobile, AL. It’s 17 miles of white sand beaches with some
of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen, and is surrounded
by Mobile Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Sound.

How to get there? Here is a map: http://dauphinisland.cc/map .htm
. You can get there by ferry or by car.

First colonized in the 1600s, it was named “Dauphin Island” in
1707, after the heir to the French throne (dauphin = prince). At
this time it was the capitol of the Louisiana territory, which
you’ll recall at the time was about two-thirds of the United
States.

In 1954, a bridge was built connecting Dauphin Island to the
mainland and the Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board was created.
The sand dunes which had covered the walls of FORT GAINES were
excavated, piers built and recreational amenities begun. Fort
Gaines is now an historical site you’ll want to visit when
you’re there.

Once you enter the island, part of your adventure can be driving
through Tupelo Gum Swamp. Here is a photo:
http://chris.dauphinisland -info.com upelo.html .

THE AUDOBON BIRD SANCTUARY Dauphin Island was recently named one
of the top four locations for viewing spring migrations by Wild
Bird Magazine, and one of the ten most important sites for
migrations globally. Located at the Eastern end of the Island,
it includes 64 acres of maritime forest, marshes, and dunes,
including a lake, a swamp and a beach.

THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB The Sea Lab is also located on the
eastern end of the island, spanning it north-south, and is a
five-minute walk from the Mobile Bay Ferry and Fort Gaines. An
educational facility, it includes the Estuarium / Public
Aquarium (http://estuarium.disl.org/ ), with touch tanks (“Get
hands-on experience with aquatic animals”), a living marsh walk,
and a weather station. For map and driving instructions, go
here: http://www.disl.org/location .html

EXCURSION CRUISE Along with swimming and fishing, you can take a
two-hour excursion cruise
(http://gulfinfo.com/cruises /index.html ) starting in Little
Dauphin Bay and heading east past Fort Gaines, the Ferry landing
and the Sea Lab. You’ll then enter the Gulf of Mexico where you
can see the shrimping, and, says the captain, sometimes dolphins
will come play alongside the yacht. You’ll also cruise near an
oil field platform. A 3-hour cruise is also available.

FISHING is a must, and so plentiful, the Island hosts 10 annual
fishing rodeos. There are charter boats
(http://gulfinfo.com/fishing .htm ), and a 850 ft. fishing pier
where you can rent fishing rods.

BELLINGRATH GARDENS On your way down from Mobile, you’ll want to
stop by Bellingrath Gardens, a 65-acre floral paradise. Keeping
a full calendar, here are some of the things you can expect:

·February: 50,000 bulbs are planted and you’ll see tulips,
daffodils, hyacinths, pansies and more. ·March: The azaleas are
in bloom. Here are photos of the Spring Garden:
http://www.bellingrath.org /bloom/spring.asp . ·May: Over 130
varieties of roses to delight the eye, plus marigolds, tropical
flowers and foliage, hydrangeas, Allamandas, and more. ·November
9 is the Chrysanthemum Extravaganza ·November 15 is the Mum
Festival ·November 28-December 31 (closed Christmas Day) is
Magic Christmas in Lights, with myriads of twinkling lights,
music, food, poinsettia displays and more.

You can take a River sightseeing cruise or dinner cruise from
the gardens on the Southern Belle. For admission, schedule, and
map, go here: http://www.bellingrath.org /rates.asp .

ACCOMMODATIONS You can rent a private beach house here:
http://www.beachhouserentalond i.com/ and this site will show you
many options, services and links: http://gulfinfo.com . There is
also a Campground ( http://dauphinisland.org/camp .htm ) with 150
sites, pavilion with grills, free boat launches, walking trails
into the Bird Sanctuary, bicycle rental, playground, and
boardwalk to a beach on the Gulf.

Porch on rented home: me on the porch

And don’t miss some of the great food in the area. I especially
enjoyed Catalina Restaurant, on your way back up to IH-10, it’s
on Highway 188 up toward Bayou La Batre It’s on Highway 188 up
toward Bayou La Batre (pronounced Bat-Tree). Call 334.824.2104.

Also recommended, if you want to swing east and enjoy a drive in
the beautiful countryside over toward Pensacola, try the Catfish
barn on Highway 98. You won’t believe the food and you won’t
believe the prices. Take a look:
http://www.webstrategies.cc /P1010607.JPG . Best catfish I ever
had and I'm from Texas for heaven's sake!

For a peaceful, idyllic beach vacation, try Dauphin Island. As
one person said who goes there often, the welcome sign ought to
say “Welcome to Paradise.”

About the author:
©Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I coach
around emotional intelligence for wellness, success, and
personal and professional development. I also offer distance
learning courses and ebooks, and train and certify EQ coaches.
Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine. For daily EQ Tips,
send blank email to EQ4U-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .