Gulf Shores, Alabama

We came home from Vegas at 645 Saturday morning, and we headed to Gulf Shores by 1pm!  It's a 4 and a half hour drive from our house.  We typically go toward the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area of the gulf shore, so this was our first time on the Bama side of the gulf.  Our good friends own a condo down there and this was our first time to be able to check it out!

Because it was October when we went, it wasn't blazing hot but it wasn't perfect beach weather either.  It was a little chilly.  (or chilly by Southern standards)

Their condo is right near the beach, they have a great view of it as well!

Their condo is in the building on the left right above the guy in the grey hoodies head, which his ear is right where the actual condo is!

We were so exhausted from all the traveling but it was SO worth it!

Saturday morning it wasn't as gloomy as the night before. All the boys got in the water.  I don't mind the beach water but it was a little too cold for me!

In the distance you can see the oil rigs, Cale said "next time we come we should stay at one of those water hotels" we all died laughing!

Almost everyone in their condo's has a beach view!

He loves being buried!

I enjoyed getting to read more of my book!

I don't know what I was trying to catch him doing, but he caught me and gave me a face!

We washed up and the the owners needed to make a run to home depot for renovation supplies so we made a quick stop at the outlets and the guys went on to home depot.  (the couple that owns it uses one week in the off season to clean, update, renovate the condo for the next season - we visited them when they were just starting their projects)

She truly is my discount and deal finding shopping buddy!!  We got some great stuff!

The guys picked us up sooner than we wanted them to, so we made them sit in the back with the new tools and flooring!

After dinner we went and walked along the beach to hunt ghost crabs.

You can kinda see the little ghost crab.  We didn't keep them but Cale had a great time catching and releasing.

Dang he let me get close!

All the little skitter marks the crabs make going to hide!

We bought phase 10 at Walmart and taught Cale how to play.  It's a cut throat game when you play with me!  

They played their hand together.  Cale held the "phase" and Lisa held the discards.

We kept joking that because they were playing fair and not nasty, that God was on their side with the cards they kept getting!  Every time they had a hand full of wilds!!!

How we pack our trailer for transport

This is how I pack up our trailer for when we are in transit.  This is just how I do it, if you have a great idea please let me know!

We have a 22ft trailer.   Our space inside is a hot commodity and we try to use our space as best we can.

 This is our trailer all set up when we first got there.

 We usually keep a bag for trash inside and a bag tied up high outside (usually on the awning).  Cale is taking out the mat and shaking all the dirt off of it.  So we could then sweep it out before we pull out.

 We use the sink to hold things that usually are on the counter.  Some of things in there were still wet from being washed, so normally the bowls and cups wouldn't be in the sink - but more electronic items that I like to have access too easily.

 We haven't put our table up in a LONG time - usually there is a picnic table, we sit outside in our camp chairs or we just sit on the beds and eat.  So under the table bed (as we call it) we keep a case of water, my husbands seltzer water cans, and there is a small heater stuffed in there.  In the cabinets on either end of the bed we have the crockpot, my small air fryer, the electric skillet, and citronella candles - in one.  In the other we have board games, a basket of small toys and a box of legos for Cale.

 We leave the tv on the bed because it's not hooked up to anything on the wall because we like "outdoor" movies when we are camping.  It NEVER slides around and is always where we left it when we open it back up when we get where we are going.  Above the bed we keep a tote full of charger cords and boxes, I keep a couple extra hats and extra set of sheets.

 On the table bed we keep the extra blankets and pillows that the kids use.

 We don't use the shower because the places we stay usually have a bathhouse that has never ending hot water, and no issue if we want to take a 30 minute shower.  So we use the shower to hold things.  All the camping chairs, pool floats and our bag that we take with all the sunscreen, bug spray, goggles and towels in.

 We also use the toilet to hold things.  The table fits right next to it perfectly and the cooler slides right in and wedges in between the toilet and the bathroom storage cabinet. Above this we have a big "wardrobe" that we keep a bin with swim suits, towels and a laundry basket where dirty clothes are tossed when they are done for the day.  I just take the basket right out when we make it back home.

This is my biggest tip.  I ALWAYS make sure that the fridge and freezer is securely shut.  The kids don't usually push it hard enough to close all the way.  When we took it out over memorial day weekend one of the kids was the last one in the fridge and we found it open when we got to the campground and a few things fell out.  I have had a jar of salsa fall and break before.  So I'm a little OCD when it comes to the fridge I will find my self checking it 3-4 times before we hook it up and lock the door.

I got this wagon for my birthday 2 years ago and it goes EVERYWHERE with us. It's so dang handy.  If you have been on the fence on getting one, pull the trigger! So worth it!

My wagon lives here when we are traveling and sometimes when we are inside.  It fits perfectly.

 Once we have everything put in and safe, we back the truck up and hook it up.

 If we aren't hooked up to a full service site (sometimes they only have water/electric available) we have to go and dump the tanks.  In this back storage compartment - we keep our bug spray - invest in the BIG jug - you'll need it for your camp site - GUARANTEE IT! We also keep a bag of disposable gloves for when we dump tanks - no one wants black water on them.

 We hook up to the tanks and pull the black tank lever first (this is waste from your toilet).  It CAN be stinky - especially if you are in a hot climate.  We hold down the nozzle end so we don't accidentally get sprayed if it doesn't stay in the same position.  Once we hear the rush of liquid slow down we go to the top of the tub and move water that may have settled in the crooks of the tube to make sure it makes it's way down into the disposal tanks.

 You should NEVER dump your grey water before your black water.  Use your grey water (it's just the water from the sinks) to rinse out your hose after the black water has flowed through.

Once that is done you can continue on to your next destination.  I hope this helps SOMEONE that is just starting out and needs some ideas.  Once you start finding every usable nook and cranny other ideas will just pop up!!