May Trip - Orange Beach

 What a difference a year makes. It was a sweet delight to get back to our May Trip schedule after a pandemic May last year. Orange Beach was so great - 

Day 1 - The 8 hour drive was made quicker with our excitement in getting away and Isaiah's "Orange Beach Playlist" that he and I created for the trip. It was Remmie's longest drive, and she did great snuggling up on various laps and snoozing. (The night was not quite as sweet as she woke up whining and barking (!) every few hours.) Our airbnb was perfect - 3 bedrooms, clean, pool nearby... We ate dinner at a restaurant right on the beach, which was definitely not filling, but expensive and in a great location :) The wind was crazy, but we were happy to have arrived! 

Day 2 - We had several fun brunch places nearby, so we grabbed some yummy breakfast on the way to the beach (seafood omlettes, beignets, etc). This was the windiest day of the trip, but we were glad to have wind over rain. Unfortunately the beach was on "double red flag" alert due to rip currents and high surf. But, we set up camp on the beach and enjoyed watching other people also try to manage the strong wind (no umbrellas, sand prickling our skin, hair blowing everywhere...). But it was a fun day to splash on the edge of the water, play in the sand, and soak up the sun. In the afternoon, Luke took us on a hike that was at times fun, at times funny, at times irritating, and always hot and sunny. In the end, Luke and Isaiah ended up carrying the girls bc they were getting blisters in their chacos and the ground was too hot to walk on. I carried Remmie, who petered out after about half a mile. We all felt that we had earned our dinner that night - awesome seafood - fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, crab, chicken (for Lucy)... So good. After dinner, we went to the beach for crab catching and had a great time. All three kids enjoyed capturing the little critters and watching them fight in the bucket. Great, satisfying day! 

Day 3 - Up and out the door for another day at the beach! Not as windy, but still at "double red flags." Beautiful sun and surf! The highlight of this day was fishing in the evening. We grabbed a sort of disappointing early dinner and set up for an evening session at the beach. Isaiah and Luke immediately started catching fish - catfish and maybe ladyfish? It was constant. As soon as they got their line in the water and secured in the rod holder, it would start to bend and they would pull another one in. We estimate they caught 25 fish that evening! The girls were instrumental in the success as they scurried around catching sand fleas to use as bait. Noelle also reeled one in. It really was a super fun night and beautiful watching the lights of Gulf Shores, the sunset, and the water. 

Day 4 - One more breakfast out! The last morning at the beach was down to "one red flag," so we got to be in the water a little bit more. We had some pool time in the afternoon and took pizza to the beach in the evening for another evening of fishing. This time was not quite as good, but they still caught quite a few catfish and a ray! Another beautiful evening. The girls and I chatted, laughed, and ate candy while the guys scurried around fishing. Great final night. 

Day 5 - It was a long drive home, but we were thankful for a smooth trip. No one wanted to hold Remmie anymore, but she did ok. We are all glad to be home and thankful for such a fun getaway. Now we are settling back in for summer!