Sep 2008

I can think of no other aquatic creature for which there is universal fondness than the dolphin. Maybe it was all those “Flipper” episodes that those of us of a certain age (ahem) remember. Whatever the case, taking a cruise to watch these magnificent beings frolic, breach and speed through the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico tops my list of adventures. Did you know fishermen consider it a sign of coming good luck if they see dolphins while they are fishing? Watching dolphins glide effortlessly, jump weightlessly and dive deeply, I surely can understand why they feel this way.

Let's face it: If you live near the beach, there are going to be those days when Mother Nature says, “I don't think so!” to any notions of getting in the surf. The Gulf of Mexico, is, after all, a wondrous body subject to the forces of nature. When warning flags go, they must be heeded. But don't despair. There are other ways to get some H2O – and some of them are downright breathtaking. Waterville USA, for instance, offers all sorts of wet and wild adventures. There's a children's area for the wee ones, a lazy river for floating, a wave pool and several water slides. The Flowrider offers surfers and body-boarders the chance to catch a never-ending wave. And with slides/flumes with names like “Black Widow” and “Triple Dog Dare,” it's a sure bet you can go there to get your thrill on.

I can think of few things as adventurous as putting on unfamiliar clothing, strapping on an external “lung” and heading off into a completely exotic and foreign environment. But for those who love to dive, scuba excursions are simply “fin-tastic” ways to spend some time. Depending on conditions and location, there can be a lot of gear involved in a trip to dive. But instead of packing it from home, consider the convenience of renting. Several retailers in the area carry a full line of gear. Some also offer guided dives and lessons for divers of all skill levels. If you already own your own gear, bring it in to one of the shops to have it checked for safety. Once you're all “geared” up, you can explore sand bars, artificial reefs or the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are almost innumerable species of fish to see, and the peace and tranquility underwater is hard to march anywhere.

Have you looked up while at the beach and seen the multicolored parasails coasting overhead? A combination of a parachute and a sail, they take the rider up, up, up in the sky while keeping them safely tethered to a tow craft. It's sort of like a kite with a passenger seat. There are a lot of businesses in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that offer parasail adventures, and there are many to choose from. Some offer single-passenger rides, while others can accommodate three riders. And riders can choose how high they wish to go, from 600 feet to as much as 1,200 feet! Trips also vary in duration, meaning there's an affordable option out there for everyone. The next time you think you've seen all the Alabama Gulf Coast has to offer, visit www.thebeachiscalling.org and find someone to take you parasailing. The sky's the limit!

For some of us, the most adventurous part of a visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast is getting the sand out of all those places it manages to hide! But there are those who can't get their fill of a brand new thrill, and Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have lots to offer. I think my favorite is peaceful ride on a pontoon or a water taxi. But every once in a while, I get the “need for speed” and have to rent myself a personal watercraft. Now, I'm not one of those hot dogs who is going to be zipping in and out of waves and wakes, but it is so much fun to scoot around and get some fresh air and salty spray in my face. My next personal adventure is going to be snorkeling, I think. I'm not quite up to diving, but I think I can handle paddling around and looking at the life under the sea. Maybe I'll even spot a “little mermaid”!