Take One for the Gipper!

I expect that Auburn University and University of Alabama students were disappointed in the weather last week during spring break in Gulf Shores. Perhaps they enjoyed a touch of spring on Saturday with sunny skies and highs in the 70s. During my youth we would make up for it with the nightlife! Those were the days! (Uh...that is, many days ago...) Winter has lingered in the Deep South. Each year on "departure Sunday" tired and sunburned traveling students crowd local fast food restaurants in my home town about 100 miles north of the beach. Those with "bronze tans" this year probably purchased it from a tanning salon prior to the spring break roadtrip! This photo was taken last October in Gulf State Park with my cellphone. The Park is located between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In the distance beachhomes have either been restored or rebuilt following devastating Hurricane Ivan. Sea Oats waving in the prevailing southwesterly wind are protected in all Gulf South States to preserve the natural community. On family vacations to Santa Rosa Island, Florida during the '60s my family would gather sea oats for home decor. We did not know better. The Gulf State Park is popular during the summer for family portraits of all members wearing the typical khaki shorts and white shirts. For years I stated I would never dress in the "family beach uniform" for a picture. Last year when my wife said it was time for the family beach portrait, I bit the bullet and ironed a pair of khaki shorts pronto! Sometimes you just have to take one for the Gipper!