A few weeks ago, at the first of August, me and Keith went to Orange Beach, AL for a few days. I absolutely love the beach and it was a much needed time to get away from the stressfulness of work and of people acting like I can do alllllll the things while also thinking if anything goes wrong, it’s my fault. What can I say? I work in a place that is filled with oxymorons on a daily basis.

This trip was very unplanned and I think I loved that aspect the best. We woke up when we wanted. Sat on the beach as long as we wanted. Went and had supper when we wanted. Then sat back on the balcony, listening to waves, watching the moon and people on the beach looking for hermit crabs until we were tired. And then woke up, rinse and repeat until the day we left.

Day 1: Monday, August 4

We left this day headed down to Orange Beach. We stopped at Felix’s Fish Camp in Mobile for fish tacos and crab soup, then made a quick stop at Buc-ees for some snacks and Orange-Vanilla Cream soda (my personal favorite).

After getting checked in to Phoenix VII and getting our stuff to the 15th floor, a quick trip to Publix was needed for supplies and then a stop at Jersey Milke’s for supper.

Eating on the balcony and feeling the breeze, plus having that damn phone of DND mode did wonders for my soul.

Day 2: Tuesday, August 5

The day started off bleary and gray. Then it rained. So I read a good bit on balcony while eating breakfast of champions (Lucky Charms!) and then went down and got chairs and umbrella later. I collect seashells when I see ones I like, so I walked on the beach looking for some time and found some pretty ones.

Then we called it a day and was deciding where to eat and I wanted to eat at Bubba’s Seafood (they have the best Bushwhackers in my opinion) but unbeknownst to us- Bubba’s had closed since the last time we were there. So we settled for Doc’s Seafood (the Bushwhackers are ok there and I thought my crab cakes were not a yummy as I had anticipated; but my shrimp was fine) and then we went to the Souvenir City where I had the brilliant idea of buying my own chair. See, the umbrella and chairs get picked up at 5pm, which is earlier than I feel like going in some days. So I bought a chair for the after 5 time, when I still wanted to stay later, feel the ocean breeze, hunt for seashells or just read.

Day 3: Wednesday, August 6

Beautiful day and I raced through breakfast to get down there. By day 3, I had finished Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen and had started The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis.

I alternate between reading, watching the waves, and shamelessly listening in on the families around me (and sometimes making bets with myself on which child is going to act a fool and get taken back upstairs for a nap first) You might wonder where hubby is during this- well considering it’s his vacation as well, he’s upstairs on the balcony, drinking copious amounts of coffee and doing crossword puzzles on his phone because that’s how he relaxes. He then joins me for 2-3 hours on the beach as he’s a bit fair skinned and not a sun goddess like I am.

We now have a protocol for vacation. Because hubby loves Papa John’s pizza, but every Papa John’s near us is over an hour away- we always get pizza at least one time while on vacation. Wednesday was pizza night so I stayed on the beach till after 7, ordered the pizza and then got a shower and was ready to enjoy pizza while my hair dried a bit while in a towel turban.

I finished reading The Love Fix on the balcony (love a good Jill Shalvis book!) and then went to bed dreaming of another great beach day.

Day 4: Thursday August 7

Beach vacation is beginning the wind down. I am going to miss the beach and yet I know that I cannot stay on vacation all the time because darn it- I married for love, not money (lol!)

We’ve made reservations at Zeke’s and I am ready to eat there because it had a very cool vibe when there in 2024. And I recall the Bushwhacker being very yummy.

On the beach: I started Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox and I got sucked into the book quickly with the glitz and glamour of a 16 year old’s birthday party, tons of secrets, and the Texas setting.

Walking around and discovering more seashells, laughing with hubby about inside jokes, and just seeing the ocean made for a great day.

I stayed a little bit later at beach since we had a 8:00 reservation at Zeke’s and then went inside to get my shower and get ready.

Our food was great! I loved the shrimp and fries, Keith enjoyed his crab cakes ( I liked them too) and my Bushwhacker was enjoyable.

Day 5: Friday, August 8

Last day at the beach because we are leaving on Saturday. So game plan: calling in a pizza for hubby and having Jersey Mike’s delivered for me!

I finished Party of Liars and after taking a break from reading to focus on the nature in front of me as well as thinking I was going to have to catapult myself out of a chair to save a child from running full steam to the ocean because his parents were not paying attention (people, watch your children at the beach!) I later settled in with The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts (look for it November 2025).

Since I wasn’t having to get fixed up for dinner, I stayed at the beach till after 7 and really felt at peace with life: watching the waves, smelling the salt air, seeing the sun setting. It just reset my brain.

Once supper was ordered, I took a long shower, got the sand and sunscreen off and enjoyed a quiet night on our balcony as we watched the moon rise and bid my happy place a goodbye for another year.

Day 6: Saturday, August 9

Had the truck partially loaded on Friday, so Saturday was just easy packing, making sure condo was clean, and we didn’t leave phone chargers or Kindles behind.

After a quick stop at Buc-ees for my fave drink and some chocolate for the road, we stopped at Felix’s Fish Camp again and then really hit the road.

Some vacation survivals:

These cooling cloths are the best and I carry them on vacation because I can get overheated pretty fast.

My fave sunscreen- it smells great and keeps me and hubby from regretting time on the beach.

A fully stocked Kindle. Mood readers never know what they will want to read.

This water bottle because I drink LOTS of water at the beach.

Papa John’s app. Because never having to call to talk with them will save your soul.

Jersey Mike’s app. It’s a great app. Very easy to use.

 

In conclusion:

Orange Beach was just what my soul needed and I cannot wait for our next trip there. Considering a trip in March for a nice spring break type getaway. Fingers crossed!

 

 

*Have you ever visited Orange Beach, Al?*