Gulf Shore Getaway

TV, Music, Film Crews at work in Gulf Shores area

Southern Alabama is playing a starring role in television, music video and even in independent film documentaries lately. Recently the Antiques Roadshow people were in town to film a segment for their upcoming season

Today we learn that Southern Alabama will play backdrop to a number of country music videos. It seems the local film offices and communities are friendly and accommodating to production companies who need just the right scenes to serve as the settings for their art.

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Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark

Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark is located at the entrance to Mobile Bay. The Fort Morgan site itself is not only in historically significant but also amazingly beautiful to see. The 500-acre Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark is at the end of a long narrow peninsula bounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Mobile Bay to the north. It is accessible via either a drive from Gulf Shores or a pleasant ferry ride across the mouth of Mobile Bay from Dauphin Island to the west.

Fort Morgan is generally regarded as of the most historically significant places in Alabama. The fort played key and decisive roles in the outcomes of both the war of 1812 and the Civil War.

Fort Morgan and the surrounding grounds are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. During the summer months, the Fort Morgan staff conducts living history programs daily and also holds candlelight tours.

How to get to and get more information about Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan is located 22 miles west of Gulf Shores on Ala. 180 West
51 Highway 180 West
Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542
Phone: 334-567-3002
Directions to and a map of Fort Morgan

Hours of operation:
Gates open to the public
June - September 8am to 7pm
October - February 8am to 5pm
March through May 8am to 6pm

The Fort Morgan Museum is open from 9am to 5pm every day of the week.

Admission:
Adults - $5
Children ages 6-18 - $3
Children under 6 - Free
Seniors - $4

Alabama Beaches among the cleanest in the US

The headline pretty much says it all. What's left to say is about how long Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches have been so, well, so beautiful.

The truth is that nobody really knows. Since 1999 when testing first began, Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches have never been closed for pollution.

State's beaches pass pollution tests, among the nation's cleanest

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — There have been no days this summer when swimmers were advised against entering the waters of Alabama's Gulf beaches, which officials say are among the nation's cleanest.

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Gulf Shores beaches popular for the July 4th weekend

As previously predicted, Alabama's Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores, is completely jam packed busy for this July 4th weekend. Hotels, condos and other vacation rentals are sold out as families flock to the coast for a long weekend of family oriented fun in the sun.

This long Independence Day weekend's weather is being fully cooperative. There is plenty of warm sunshine and cool gulf breeze on tap for beach goers. It's a time tested combination which never fails to fill the beaches are with visitors and vacationers enjoying their long Independence Day weekend.

Gulf Coast population may affect fisheries

An AP article investigates increases in population along the Gulf Coast - in terms of both vacation usage and in permanent residency. The increase in population over the recent past has caused much greater pressure on fragile ecosystems all along the Gulf Shore.

Of particular concern among environmental groups is the possible effect that increased population along the Alabama Gulf Coast might have on Gulf of Mexico fisheries.

In areas where conservation efforts started in the last century, signs of recovery are apparent, according to the study, partly supported by the Lenfest Oceans Program at the Pew Charitable Trusts.

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Alabama Gulf Coast beaches expect heavy traffic this July 4th weekend

The telephones in real estate offices and hotels have been ringing off the hook as prospective beach vacationers hunt for any open accommodations this Fourth of July weekend.

This year's Independence Day holiday falls on a Tuesday, giving vacationers an extra day, or making it that much easier to extend the weekend into an entire week. With what looks to be very cooperative weather condos, vacation rental houses and hotels in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach report availability is extremely limited.

The whole of Alabama's Gulf Coast is in similar situation, as record numbers of vacationers descend to the the Gulf Coast for a long weekend of sand, surf and July 4th festivities.