Traveling along the beautiful Gulf Coast one finds long sandy beaches, palm trees, hotels, casinos, marinas and fishing piers. There’s something for everyone! This image was taken near Biloxi, Mississippi.
Hotels, casino, marinas and palm trees along the sandy Gulf Coast, Biloxi, Mississippi
I didn’t realize Mississippi allows gambling, but apparently it does.
Most of the long piers I saw along this coastline were damaged. I imagine it’s because of the recent hurricanes. At one point I saw a structure on the beach which marked the high-water line during these recent hurricanes. The water was high enough to submerge a 2-story house. The pier in this picture is probably still standing as it was after the hurricane. The foundation is still in place, but a walking surface needs to be built so one can once again walk the length of the pier.
Hurricane damaged pier leaving with foundations and the covered structure at the end of the pies, but without a walking deck, Gulf Coast, Biloxi, Mississippi
The beach is especially interesting as the tides and waves create pools of sea water as well as ripples in the sand. Flocks of seagulls were busy feeding on whatever they find hidden in and on the sand. At sunset the scene is magnificent.
Ripples in the sand exposed by low tide while seagull and other birds forage for food in the shallow water of the Gulf of Mexico, Biloxi Beach, Mississippi
I can’t go on a trip without hiking and Alabama provides plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore. I encourage you to do the same! My first stop was at Cheaha State Park where the Civilian Conservation Corps built this observation tower as a fire lookout. It is also the highest point in Alabama. One neat location, to visit in this park is Pulpit Rock, which is one of the few places where one can watch the sunset. Otherwise, the forest is too thick in most areas of the park for any long-distance views.
Standing on a rock high above a valley watching the sun setting in the distance, Pulpit Rock, Cheaha State Park, Alabama
The main trail through Cheaha park, the Pinholi trail is 335 miles and a part of the Appalachian Trail system.
This area of the United States is blessed by an amazing amount of water. The annual rainfall (50-60 inches per year) is about 3 times that of California in a good year. While hiking the trails of the Sipsey Wilderness it seems water is pouring in from everywhere. The Sipsey River cut a path though a layer of hard sandstone and many of it tributaries travel down through beautiful waterfalls.
A waterfall over a big overhanging rock roof of layered sandstone in a long tall column, Sipsey River, Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama
A 3 stage waterfall along the Sipsey River, Sipsey Wilderness, Alabama
Here are a couple of video about hiking the Sipsey River trail and the Big Tree Trail in the Sipsey Wilderness.