As has become our tradition we spent the month of December, 2025 (and a few days in January, 2026) at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The weather was not a nice as it has been in other years but we still enjoyed our “sabbath month.” With lots of hiking, biking and geocaching on the miles of trails we had a great time. One of our favorite things to do in the park is to look for wildlife.
We saw lots of pelicans …
… a Great Blue Heron beside our campsite …
… a gopher tortoise …
… Lefty – the famous Gulf State Park alligator …
… eagles …
…and more eagles.
We are sure there were eggs in the nest. After we left, people posted pictures of two eaglets.
As a special treat this year we were given the opportunity to help finish an outdoor raptor enclosure for the owls, hawk and kestrel kept at the nature center and used for educational programs.
Max planing down a door to fit the opening
Anne working on another door
Anne and Ron in the workshop cutting lumber for the enclosure
A shelter box we helped build for the enclosure.
Anne testing the kestrel enclosure
American Kestrel in its new enclosure
This is a transport box on which the naturalist needed a sliding door installed.
And the finished transport box
We also enjoyed several activities (and food) around the area, the best was when Barry and Donna came to visit.
We really enjoyed the visit from Barry and Donna.
This year we even made a visit to the famous Bamahenge.
Christmas carol night at the park
We attended the Christmas program at Gulf Shores Methodist Church
And watched the annual Christmas parade of boats
An unusual geocache we found
An interesting neighbor for a couple of nights. It is a famous 1956 Diamond T fitted with a camper.
We cooked up the last of the halibut we brought from Vermont.
Our special recipe cinnamon rolls
Like last year we worked a few pieces of this puzzle on each day of Advent.
Christmas Day walk on the beach
Our annual traditional Christmas portrait
Once again we enjoyed the annual First Day Hike at the park.
RVing With a Purpose 