Greg and I have spent the past week at the Orange Beach, Alabama timeshare condo we share with his sister. Although Angie and her family have been to the condo many times, this was the first visit for Greg and me. In fact, it was our first visit to Orange Beach and we really liked it a lot.
We are not one of those families that goes on vacation and need a vacation to rest up from the vacation. Nope! Not us! Our primary agenda when we are on vacation is food, rest, food, relax, and food. We arise in the morning thinking about what we are going to eat, and have been known to discuss the next day’s menu before we go to bed that night. This trip was no exception. We ate at some places we really enjoyed, but we also ate at a place or two that did not flip our switch at all.
Only a few days back from his 4 week mission trip to Guatemala, Charlie joined us for 3 of the 7 days we were there. We visited Greg’s cousin and her family near Mobile and enjoyed spending the afternoon with them.
I’d love to share some pictures of our trip with you today. The trip, the rest, the food, the time spent with family….all constitute my Friday blessings this week.
THE VIEW OF THE GULF FROM OUR BALCONY.
Sunrise over Orange Beach. Gorgeous!!!
In the picture below, you can see where the incoming tide had eroded the beach away over night. Literally the beach was flat the evening before. When we went out for our morning walk, we found this ‘wall’ that had been formed.As you can see, it is almost knee high. Pretty cool, huh?
An early morning walk along the beach.
The owner of this chair obviously had no idea that the tide would wash away so much of the beach that his seat would be in danger of washing away. This was what we found when we walked down onto the beach first thing.
Almost gone!
Fifteen minutes later, this is what we saw.
One of the really wonderful meals we enjoyed was at The Original Oyster Houses. We love steamed oysters and these were DE-LISH!! Another meal we enjoyed tremendously was at Doc’s Seafood. Mmm, mmm good!
Greg and me at The Original Oyster House.
It was such a blessing to be able to visit with Greg’s family. Because they live in south Alabama and we live in north Georgia, we do not get to see them very often. We went to church with Kathy and her family. After church, Kathy had prepared a wonderful lunch and we visited with the family for a couple of hours.
Front Row: Greg’s Aunt Kathryn and Uncle John, Cousin Kathy. Back Row: Greg, cousin Eleanor, Kathy’s son, Justin
I spent an hour or so each day catching some rays and people watching at the pool at the condo. The temps were close to 90, so the cool water felt very good.
Pool at the condo
Charlie found some guys from Atlanta who were looking for a 4th spike ball player. He plays spike ball a lot at college and he ended up being the beach spike ball star!!
LOVED this picture of Greg and me!!!!
Greg, Charlie and me
I was taking a picture of this pretty heart made out of sea shells when Greg came over and took the camera from me. He said put your foot on one side and I’ll put mine on the other. My man is a true romantic!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture!!
I couldn’t resist a few sand castle pictures. There is some pretty impressive creativity on these.
Charlie and his spikeball friends.
We had a great trip and got to rest and relax a lot. Greg and Charlie played golf several times and I read and did a bit of writing. Yesterday morning, Greg woke early to lightening flashes and the sound of thunder. We went out on the balcony and watched the storm that was putting on a light show for us out over the gulf. As the sun rose, we were witnesses to some of the most spectacularly beautiful vistas. The sky was pink and the clouds were blue-gray. The pink melted down onto the water and as I looked at it, I felt as if I was in another world. I sat and reflected on the creativity and majesty of God and how blessed Greg and I were to have a front row seat to God’s early morning artwork.
As you read this on Friday morning, we are on our way home. It is always good to get away, but it is really GREAT to return home. I hope you have an opportunity to witness God’s handiwork in your life this weekend. I’ll be back here on Monday with some additional beach related thoughts. Have a great weekend, friends.
