March 17, 2015    Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!   The luck of the Irish was with us today.   #1 It’s an  “open window” day!   #2 After another “reservation glinch” in Big Lagoon (we only had one night there, not the three we thought), we were lucky enough to get into Gulf State Park,  for not one,  but two nights.

We camped here two years ago and loved it.  David had tried to get a reservation for us for this year but they were booked solid for the entire month of March.  They must have had a cancellation 🙂   This is the “crem de la crem” of campgrounds.  This makes the top of the line KOA campground look like an  amateur.  It is like a little community  …. swimming pool,  marina,  recreation complex,  nature center,  amphitheater,  education building, general store,  laundramat with 20 washers and dryers (I did laundry this morning) …  the list goes on and on.  There are 496 sites and size wise they average 75′ by 75′.    My favorite “amenities” are the bird condos scattered throughout the park.    All this for $33.58 a night (full hook up).

This is the home of the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail.  These are paved hiking/biking trails that cover miles in and around the park.   Today we rode our bikes on the Rosemary Dunes trail.   It takes you through an alligator habitat.  Yes, we saw an alligator.  It was only a couple feet long and not scary at all.   Check out the Rest Room on the trail,  pretty cushy!

Luck  #3  Since our last visit they have added an off leash  “Dog Park”.  This is not your typical dog park,  it is on Lake Shelby and has at least 300 ft of lake front.  If you’re wondering if E T  had fun, check out these photos.

When we arrived at the park, Warrior the Mastiff was there.  Then Magic, the lab/boxer came.  They were E T’s favorite friends.  A 19 year old husky came with his 1 1/2 year old sibling.  It was pretty neat how none of the dogs jumped or tried to get frisky with the 19 year old.  They just let him sniff.  It was “doggie respect” for the elderly.  Pretty neat!

David loves oysters and two years ago he had the “best oysters he’s ever eaten” at Bubbas in Orange Beach,  Alabama (next town over from Gulf Shores).  Bubba’s is not pet friendly.  Since we’d left E T alone all afternoon while we went biking,  we wanted to take her out with us.  I went online to www.Bringfido.com and found “pet friendly” Cosmos Restaurant on Canal Rd in Orange Beach.  David got his oysters,  E T got hugs and kisses from three adorable little boys and I got a wonderful surprise,  there was a fabulous musician playing Jazz on the patio.   Yes, we were able to sit outside and eat.  Hurray!

Notice the paw print over the restaurant name … it was named after the owners dog 🙂

Just a side note,  just a block or two away from Cosmos on Canal Rd there is a “pet on a leash” park, Orange Beach Waterfront Park at Wolf Bay. Our plan had been to go for a walk there after dinner.  We had driven by and it looked very nice.  It got dark before we finished dinner.  It’s on the list for next time 🙂