Escapees May-June 2023

skpstops

selections cooked on an open wood fi re. It is Alabama’s fi rst certi fi ed “Green Restaurant.” Create Your Own Fragrance at High Cotton Bath If it rains—no problem. There’s plenty of indoor fun. One option is High Cotton Bath, located at The Wharf in Orange Beach. In addition to being an excellent specialty shop, you can also create your fragrance and replicate it in hand or face scrub, lotion, perfume and 50 other bath, body and beauty products. Helpful staff members show guests exactly what to do. First, there are 250 essential and fragrance oils. Everything from rain and brown sugar to pineapple and water lily. There are men’s fragrances as well, making this a fun activity for men, too. With an eyedropper, guests put drops of oil, usually two or three scents, on a piece of paper and rub the oils together. If the fragrance is desirable, the guest writes the combination down and keeps experimenting until they fi nd just the right mix. When they discover the fragrance they like, staff will use the scent recipe to create customized products. The Wharf also features everything from a 15-screen movie theater and one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the Southeast to zip-lines and a nightly SPECTRA laser light experience. Add to these 30 retail shops and there’s plenty to do on both rainy days or sunny ones. If yougo: I spent two days in Gulf Shores, but I could have easily spent a week. There is so much to see and do from the area’s pristine natural assets, picturesque beaches, family attractions, shopping and excellent locally-owned restaurants. Go, have fun, relax. For more information, visit www.gulfshores.com or call 1-800-745-SAND . Marilyn Jones, Guest Contributor

dations and Woodside Restaurant, serving everything from hamburgers and seafood to low-country boil with shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn. The Campus symbolizes and embodies the park’s mission for sustainability and environmental educa tion. It offers immersive and hands-on programming designed to provide visitors with the opportunity to connect with the natural and cultural heritage of the park. This programming includes activities and classes customized to fi t any age level or educational interest. Other park activities incorporate camping, hiking, biking, fi shing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and, of course, relaxing. WildNative Tours Another great option, if you’re interested in the area’s wildlife and ecosystems, is WildNative Tours. Offering kayaking and boat experiences, Dolphins & Wildlife Kayak Experience and Dolphins & Wildlife Boat Charter, WildNative provides a close view of the coastal wilder ness and the Gulf Shores’ Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural environment from an intimate vantage point. Other wildlife often seen on the excursions are mana tees, turtles and shorebirds, including belted king fi sher, great egret, cormorant and great blue heron. There are miles of pristine white-sand beaches, great restaurants, shopping fun and amusements, including airboat excursions, waterparks and miniature golf. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is always a fun destination. Home to more than 300 species, 199 subspecies and 22 endangered species, it is only about six miles from thebeach. Six months after the original zoo sustained signi fi cant damage by Hurricane Ivan and the animals were all evacuated to Zoo Director Patti Hall’s property, with the help of her zookeepers, the zoo was featured in national publications. Hall was also named the “Person of the Week” by Peter Jennings on ABC World News. As a result, TV Producer Julie Leifermann approached Hall. This meeting turned into “The Little Zoo That Could” and debuted on primetime TV, in February 2005. Donations followed, and the result is the new 25-acre zoo twice voted the “#1 Zoo in Alabama.” After a visit, it’s obvious why the zoo and the staff are so well-regarded. Wide pathways, meticulously cared-for grounds and close-up animal viewing offer the perfect combination for a fun and educational day. In addition, kangaroo, sloth and lemur personal encounters are available for an additional fee. The Safari Club Gulf Shores is a new dining expe rience at the zoo. An internationally inspired menu features small plates, handmade artisan wood- fi red pizzas, a complete variety of seafood dishes and steak

MARILYN JONES is a journalist and photographer with more than 40 years of experience. Specializing in travel and features, her articles and photographs appear in major newspapers, magazines, and online. She has three grown children and one granddaugh ter, and lives in East Texas.

GUIDELINES FOR SKP STOPS SUBMISSIONS Material for each issue will be selected based on location and the migration of seasonal travel. Submissions of 300 to 500 words are ideal. Due to limited space, submissions will be edited. High-resolution photos are included on a space-available basis. Include the name of the photographer and anyone in the photo. HELPFUL HINTS Share unique and o ff -the-beaten path RV travel destinations. Keep submissions brief and include only pertinent information. Include the best season to visit the destination. Include information on RV parking and accessibility. Send submissions to Escapees Magazine, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351, or to editor@escapees.com. May/June 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine 27