Social Distancing has become the new norm for many of us. In order to fight COVID-19, we have been told to stay inside our homes except for essential travel for a couple of months now. We either missed Spring Break or our Easter vacation because of the COVID-19 cautions that were recently put in place. We have been working from home, homeschooling our kids and eating supper at home every night. We are completely Netflixed out and we have watched everything interesting on Prime. We haven’t been able to go non-essential shopping. Or tan or get our nails done. We’re so over it. We have Covid-lag. We have cabin fever. We need a vacation from our lockdown. We need some good old fashioned vitamin D, some nice warm sun on our faces and some sand between our toes. If this is you, Sunset Properties which serves Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan has you covered! With some restrictions, the Alabama Gulf Coast is open and we are ready to help you Social Distance your way to a great vacation!
Here are ten ways to social distance and still have fun at the beach in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan:
- Go for a walk on the beach
Social distancing stipulates we stay 6 feet apart. That is an easy thing to do when you have 32 miles of beautiful sandy white beach to walk on. What’s better to cure cabin fever than a walk along the Gulf of Mexico while you watch the sunrise or sunset? How about collecting shells? Have you missed seeing the sandpipers run around in the tide pools? Alabama Beaches are open to families and groups of 10 or less. This means you can take a walk on the warm sand you’ve been missing, enjoy watching the coastal wildlife that makes you smile and spend time outside with your family. Sunset Properties manages condos and beach homes that either face the beach or are right on it. Located near Fort Morgan, Dunes 204 faces the beach, but sits back a little from the Gulf. Lighthouse 607 is right on the beach in the heart of Gulf Shores and Crystal Shores West 1201 located in the West Beach area of Gulf Shores is also right on the Gulf. The beach walk you’ve been craving will literally be just steps from your own vacation backdoor. Remember when you visit our beaches, leave only footprints.
- Swim the tides in the Gulf
The Gulf of Mexico never technically closed during this time of flattening the curve, but access to it from many locations did. We are happy to report, however, that now access is open and if the Gulf of Mexico is where you find happiness, happiness is ready to see you! The beaches in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach are open and ready for guests.The Haley House Beachside 12, located in Beachside Romar Gated Community in beautiful Orange Beach has a boardwalk through the dunes, making access to the Gulf a breeze. While community pools may remain restricted in accordance with the Safer at Home Order issued by the State of Alabama on 4/29/2020 and expires 05/15/2020, the Gulf of Mexico is open and is perfect for a swim. It is super easy to social distance here! Bring your favorite float and plenty of sunscreen and enjoy the pleasure of swimming in the rolling waves of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
- Feast of fabulous seafood take-out
While dining inside a restaurant is not approved by the State of Alabama’s Safer At Home Order, take-out and delivery are. Many of our local restaurants are offering pick up/carry out services. Eating fresh Alabama Seafood is one of the many pleasures of vacationing along the Alabama Gulf Coast. If you’re staying in the Fort Morgan area, perhaps at Coquille at Martinique, a wonderful six bedroom, five bath home, we suggest you call ahead for a take-out order. Coquille’s sunroom or deck would be a great place to enjoy some freshly prepared seafood from Sassy Bass Amazin Grill or Behind the Pines, both conveniently located just minutes from Coquille. For a list of all restaurants in our area and the services they are providing, visit our tourism folks’ website at www.gulfshores.com or take a look at their current restaurant public information SmartSheet.
- Host a family picnic
Here along the Alabama Gulf Coast, we love to picnic! We love to dine out by literally eating outside and enjoying our wonderful Island weather. We hope that while you’re our guest, you’ll do what the locals do and have a family picnic, too! To create the best possible coastal picnic, visit Rouses Market in Gulf Shores. Rouses sells only the freshest of veggies, hand cut meats, amazing seafood and they have a great selection of craft beers. Several local parks are open and, in accordance with the Safer At Home Order, we know you and your family will enjoy dining out at Orange Beach Waterfront Park located on Canal Road or Wade Ward Park located on Gulf Shores Parkway. Both of these wonderful city parks are easily accessible from Colony Club M5 at Drake’s Landing.
- Shop, shop, shop
Have you missed retail therapy as much as we have? Though our Safer At Home Order restricts the number of folks who can be inside a retailer at one time, it does allow us to shop again for items recently considered “non-essential”. Items like clothing, shoes, jewelry and fishing supplies are now, once again, available to us in our Island Paradise. We hope to see you at SanRoc Cay, Pelican Place, The Wharf and The Original Oyster House Boardwalk shops soon! Once you’re done with your retail therapy, how about some balcony therapy? The view from Crystal Tower 706 located in the West Beach area of Gulf Shores is breathtaking! Fix yourself a tall, cool tropical drink and relax on your balcony with a great book. This condo also has a lazy river and game room for the kiddos. Remember to remind the kiddos, social distancing applies to any pool or condo amenity that is open. We want you all to have a great vacation and enjoy your stay.
- Explore Fort Morgan
School has been out for a while and field trips probably got cancelled. How about taking a family field trip to our favorite local historical spot: Fort Morgan Historic Site. Located at the end of Fort Morgan Road, where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Morgan Historical Site offers a great opportunity for learning and relaxing. Located just past The Dunes Condos and Subdivision, and originally built in 1813 and called Fort Bowyer, a fort has occupied this site for more than one hundred years. While the museum remains closed due to COVID-19 concerns, the fort itself and its beaches are open to the public. Fishing in these brackish waters can yield one of the freshest suppers around! Dogs are also allowed to tour the fort with their humans. Did you know Sunset Properties offers more than 25 properties that allow dogs? Certain restrictions apply, but if you’ve been in lockdown with your fur baby and you think a beach trip will not only benefit you, but sweet little Fido, as well, give us a look! We might just have the perfect vacation home that suits you both!
- Bike around our island
Biking is always a great way to see the sights and follow social distancing guidelines. With bike trails that circle most of our island, you will pass through and beside multiple ecosystems. You will most likely see several different local wildlife species. One great place to explore our ecosystems is the Hugh Branyon BackCountry Trail. With seven trails that cover about 15 miles of our island, you’re sure to see something different each time you ride.
- Enjoy a bushwacker or some ice cream to go
That’s right! The world-famous bushwacker is now available, so to speak, in a to-go version. The folks at Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar in Orange Beach have created a wonderfully delicious ‘to-go’ version of your favorite island drink. Because of the innovative way they are serving this delicious island treat, it could be for adults or kids. Check out their facebook page for details.
- Check out a library book from the Orange Beach Library
The Orange Beach Public Library has begun to offer curbside service. Books can be reserved online and you can call ahead and have someone deliver it right to your car! How cool is that? Whether you’re staying at Moorings 302 or Caribe C Penthouse 14, you’re just a short drive to the library. Reading on vacation is one of the most relaxing things we can do. Reading from a balcony with a fabulous view is a dream come true! Maybe you want to tell your kiddos a bedtime story while you’re making new memories on this vacation. This is a great way to accomplish that without breaking any social distancing guidelines.
- Go boating, skiing or fishing
Have you ever thought how great it would be to bring your own personal watercraft from home and enjoy it while you’re on vacation? What better time to find out than when social distancing is expected? After all, there is a lot of water surrounding our island and keeping six feet between you and the next guy should be pretty easy if you’re on your own boat. We have three rental homes that have dedicated boat slips located in Navy Cove on Mobile Bay in the Fort Morgan Community. Check out Navy Cove 1207, Navy Cove 2113 and Navy Cove 2114. So go ahead, bring your own boat down and enjoy social distancing while you ski, fish or just explore the waters that surround our island home.
With many of our attractions still closed, we know your entertainment options seem limited now. We say they are only as limited as your imagination. There really is a lot going on around our little island. We are so glad you’re choosing to stay with us at Sunset Properties while you’re here. If we can help you in any way, just call or text us! Remember, we’re all in this together!
251-543-1370
For more information on COVID-19, go to www.cdc.gov
