Traveling to Gulf Shores, AL with Family: Any Tips?

[ChefJWarren]

My FAMILY (me, husband, 2 kids, mom, dad, sister, her daughter, aunt, her husband, their son) are all traveling to Gulf Shores, AL this summer for a wonderful week long stay in a beach front condo!

This is our first time doing something like this. We are meticulous planners and write everything down and make lists galore. We will buy groceries when we get there, but are bringing some necessities we don't want to buy (seasonings, grill basket:chef:, etc.)

From seasoned travelers:
Is there any advice you can offer to make our stay comfortable/enjoyable?
Anything we should absolutely bring?
Not bring?
Anything?

Thanks!!!

 

[ChefLisa]

Does the condo have a washer and dryer?

 

[Grandmarita]

Will you be driving so that you can take some of your PC products? If you are, I would
suggest a few microfiber towels, Easy Accent decorator and the Chillzanne Rectangle
Server for times when you want to make deviled eggs, veggies trays, or fruite trays
and have snacks safe to eat. We have ours in our 5th wheel and it comes in handy
all the time. It's the one item most other folks would probably not have, to bring. Be sure to take your Dill Seasonings, great on grilled salmon, for our Dill Dip. Sneak in a few
products your family might get intrigued by, and decide to purchase. The collapsible bowl would not take up much space in your luggage. I can imagine you needing a large bowl like it with the crowd you will have there. Take lots of pictures. Be sure you know how to use your camera that you take along. Take ponchos to put under your beach towels, and for those rainy day walks etc. Have a wonderful time. We all dream of times like you are going to have. Maybe a blank notebook to journal in and have others sign with comments about their favorite part of each day.

Our family kept a journal at our family cabin, and just recently we made a copy of each page for a rememberance CD for my sons' 50th birthday. I had not been there for every visit, and had a wonderful time reading all the friend's comments about their times at the Cabin. You will treasure that Journal more, as time goes by.

 

[ChefJWarren]

Yes, it has a washer and dryer and yes, we are driving.

 

[ChefLisa]

Yes, it has a washer and dryer and yes, we are driving.

Awesome, then pack very light. We stay at a resort that has a washer and dryer in the room. We tend to just do the wash as we go. On the last day I did a little extra laundry and packed everything away. When we got home I only had to wash the night clothes from the night before we left. I loved not having a huge load of laundry to do when we got home.

If a condo has a washer and dryer, it will probably have most everything you need for any light cooking. We tend to eat breakfast and lunch in the room and then go out for dinner. If the room has a dishwasher, wash all of the dishes, glasses, utensils, etc. when you first get there. Otherwise get the men to wash asnd dry them. Why the men? Why not? Hehehe! You do not know how well the people before you cleaned those items, so better to clean them yourself.

Buy yourself a couple of water cameras. They are awesome at the pool and the beach.

I also believe in using plastic disposable cups in the room. It just helps keep things simple.

My last little bit of advice is scope out the pool early the first morning you are there. Make sure you do not need to get there early to get your chairs by the pool. At the place we go, this is a major issue. To get a chair, someone from your group has to get down to the pool by 7:45 so when the pool opens at 8:00, she/he can put towels on the chairs desired.

Oh, make sure to not only bring sunscreen, bring Solarcaine or something similar. It is great in case someone gets burned.

Hopefully this helps!

 

[ChefJWarren]

No pool, just ocean! Thanks for the advice! I need to make sure we do those things. Except we're all Hispanic so we don't burn! He He!!!!

 

[ChefLisa]

No pool, just ocean! Thanks for the advice! I need to make sure we do those things. Except we're all Hispanic so we don't burn! He He!!!!

Well that's just not fair! I burn way too easily and my oldest daughter has my skin. My husband and son turn a little red and then a little tan. My youngest daughter has darker skin and has not shown any tendency to burn. Of course I still cover her from head to toe in sunscreen.