Jelly fish and snorkeling

We are planning a trip to Gulf Shores the middle of october. Are the jellyfish bad around that time and where are some decent snorkeling areas? How is the weather during that time?

Jelly fish and snorkeling

This website has all the info you are looking for including average weather throughout the year and local dive shop addresses. As far as the jellyfish, we don%26#39;t even know if they will be here tomorrow, much less in October. They move around on their own schedule.

http://www.gulfshores.com/

Northern Alabama - Where to stay/visit ?

My wife %26amp; myself are visiting the Southern States from the U.K this Fall and plan to spend about 3 days touring the North of Alabama. We have visited Birmingham previously, this time we would like to experience ';small town'; Sweet Home Alabama, any suggestions please ?

Northern Alabama - Where to stay/visit ?

One option would be Guntersville State Park. The lodge there just re-opened after major renovations. The scenery will be beautiful in the fall (actually it is all the time). Another would be Wheeler State Park. The lodge isn%26#39;t as new as Guntersville, but it is nice. It is also close to Florence in northwest Alabama. Places to see in North Alabama include: The Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro; US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and the Renaissance Tower in Florence. Hope you enjoy your time in my beautiful state.

Northern Alabama - Where to stay/visit ?

North AL is beautiful. Especially all those places along the TN River.

But if I may, I%26#39;ll add to the list of suggestions that you visit Cherokee %26amp; DeKalb Counties. Cedar Bluff on Weiss Lake, Mentone, Little River Canyon, DeSoto State Park... more beautiful scenery and plenty of Soutnern Hospitality and good eats to go along with it.

This area is mainly North of Gadsden, AL, south of Chattanooga, TN, and East of Interstate 59.

Have a great trip,

Miller

Huntsville and the US Space %26amp; Rocket Center. http://www.spacecamp.com/museum/

Dismals Canyon near Phil Campbell. A very unique forest with trees and plants found nowhere else in the south. A hideout for the likes of Jesse and Frank James and Aaron Burr. In the summer months you can see the Dismalites (glowworms) seen few places outside of New Zealand. http://www.dismalscanyon.com/

Wall of Jerocho in Jackson County. Beautiful scenery in what is being called the Grand Canyon of the South. Beware the hiking can be strenuous but worth it. www.alapark.com/press/release.cfm?ID=322

Lynchburg Tennessee home of the Jack Daniels Distillery. While not technically in north Alabama it%26#39;s only a 1hr drive from Huntsville. http://www.jackdaniels.com

myrtle beach

Hi can any body recommend a hotel on myrtle beach that is family orientated, I%26#39;ve looked on google maps and there are so many but would like some advise of where to stay from people who have had a vacation here

thanks.

myrtle beach

You might have some luck posting this on the South Carolina forum.

Tropical Storm Fay

I was just wondering if the storm had hit Gulf Shores yet? We are supposed to be there on Thursday and hoping the storm doesn%26#39;t ruin it for us.

Tropical Storm Fay

We were quite fortunate. The storm ended up going above us into North Alabama. Yes, we did have a misting rain and a little wind most of the weekend, but we%26#39;ve had worse thunderstorms. Should be beautiful by Thursday.

Tropical Storm Fay

Fay has been a bust so far. Didn%26#39;t even bring up the water level in my pool.

Now we get to watch for Gustav

advice my marriage

Beware

Don%26#39;t usually post but felt like I needed to warn others about a dishonest owner on vrbo.com.

The house is called Thearpie and is located in the Surside Shores area of Fort Morgan. Stayed over the summer-she accused us of stealing a vaccum. It was in the bedroom ( I used it several times during our stay) Her maid couldn%26#39;t locate it and jumped to conclusions. She cashed my deposit check without checking with me about the vaccum.

After finding the vaccum(and not apologizing) she still proceeded to keep our money by saying that we had used too much water, electricity, etc.? Also tried to state that we exceeded the number of people that she permitted. We did not. We love the area and now many of our friends come for vacation, too. We did have everyone over one evening for dinner. They were there maybe 2 hours?? We were actually under the limit on people.

We%26#39;ve used vrbo.com for 6 years when coming to the area and have NEVER had a problem with an owner. We%26#39;ve always been thrilled with our accomodations and have always received our full deposit.

That%26#39;s why I believe this owner was looking for a way to keep our money no matter what.

Beware

Is there a forum on VRBO? If not , maybe everyone who rents from VRBO should contact VRBO and request that they post a forum. That way, people who have had problems, or who have had a great experience could let others know about it. I see a lot of postings about VRBO on these forum on TRIPADVISOR and they are very helpful. What was the number of the listing?

Beware

I contacted vrbo.com but the owner of this house has now removed her house from that site??? Like I said, we%26#39;ve used vrbo.com many times and have always been pleased. I don%26#39;t want to scare anyone off of using the site. Not sure how we could have avoided the problems-the owner just wasn%26#39;t willing to ask about things before jumping to conclusions.

That%26#39;s why I prefer ON Site Management,and to deal with a company. Perferably with my Master Card.

I wonder if it%26#39;s possible that VRBO removed this property from their listings because they had had problems with other consumers. There are so many websites now other then VRBO that owners can list their properties with and continue taking advantage. I think it%26#39;s important to share this info with others. You wouldn%26#39;t want it to happen to someone else! Thanks for taking the time to post.

scars

Suggestions on place to stay in Huntsville or Decatur

We are heading to Panama City Beach and are thinking about stopping in Huntsville or Decatur just to sleep one night and get back on the road first thing next morning. This area would be about halfway. We want something clean, not to expensive and safe. Any suggestions? Thanks

Suggestions on place to stay in Huntsville or Decatur

Huntsville is way off the interstate. There are several options at exit 351 in Athens and a couple at exit 334 in Decatur/Priceville. My preference would be the Athens exit - lots of options for restaurants and shopping. Or, if you want to go another hour or so south, there are several options in Gardendale (exit 271) or Fultondale (exit 267) just north of Birmingham. Anything (except the Days Inn in Fultondale) would be fine at any of these options.

Suggestions on place to stay in Huntsville or Decatur

There is a relatively new Holiday Inn Express in Athens at the Hwy 72 exit off I-65. Lots of dining including Cracker Barrel, Clarks, Logans Roadhouse, Lawlers BBQ and many fast food options. Holiday Inn Express has an OK free breakfast.

Best route from St. Louis to Gulf Shores

We have driven this a couple times and taken 55 all the way down to Jackson, MS, 49 to Hattiesburg then 98 to Mobile. I was just looking at AAA and Mapquest and they both recommend taking 45 down. Looks like you would take 55 down and get on to 412 around Hayti, Mo and take that to Jackson TN and head south on 45 the rest of the way.

Looks like it is more direct and about 35 miles less, and according to their (automated) estimation, it’s a full hour shorter (11 hours %26amp; 5 mins. compared to 12 hours %26amp; 5 mins.). The route on 45 looks pretty sparse and probably 2 lane highway for a long ways, but if it really saves and hour it may be worth a try.

Anyone out there familiar with this 45 route?

Anyone travel both and could compare?

Side note;

Best of luck with Gustav, hope it fades away.

Best route from St. Louis to Gulf Shores

Interesting...I did the route on Rand-McNally and they recommended that same route. When we lived in St Charles we always just came the way you have been using. Might be worth a try to check the other one out. I have been on 45 from Tupelo south and, while it is two-lane in some sections, the two times I%26#39;ve been on it there was very little traffic. Check it out and let us know!

Best route from St. Louis to Gulf Shores

We live north of Jackson Tn on 412 and have made the trip to GS many times down 45. It is now 4 lane all the way to the MS/Al state line. About 50 miles of 2 lane in AL. Most of the towns in MS have been bypassed with the new 4 lane. It is definitely a good way to go. Traffic is rarely heavy and most of the 18 wheelers are on the interstates. It is a piece of cake compared to driving on an Interstate. Just dont expect a lot of places to stop for food etc once you get south of West Point. Have to get off the 4 lane and detour into town most places.

Also 412 is good divided 4 lane all the way from Hayti to Jackson. Getting through Jackson will slow you down a little because of a few stop lights on the south side of town but nothing serious. When you get to Mobile be sure to get on the I65 spur that takes you downtown. When it ends just stay straight ahead for a few blocks and you will get on I-10. Only a few blocks of downtown traffic and usually not heavy.

Just dont slow down when you pass the Alamo/Bells exit on 412 cause I might try to hitch a ride ;-).

I havent ever been down I-55 but we used to go over and hit I-65 before they finished the 4 lane on 45. Wouldnt even think of going that way now.

Hope you have a good trip

Thanks for the info. I think we should give 45 a try.

I have a couple small children and in the past we%26#39;ve driven overnight while they sleep. Since we can%26#39;t get into our house until Sunday at 4:00 pm, I%26#39;m considering breaking this trip into two. Tupelo is pretty much the half way point. Is there anything to do in this town for a Saturday evening for two families with kids. Any unique restaurants or sites?

Anyone out there familiar with Tupelo?