And the Winner is...

Strike that.

And the Winners are...

We recently compiled all the great photos submitted for our Gulf Shores Plantation Photo Album contest and tried to select a winner. We just couldn't select a winner.

The problem was that two great images kept coming to the top. We just couldn't decide which one to select. Finally the decision became clear - have two winners!

Both winners will receive a three-night stay at Gulf Shores Plantation and a gift bag of beach goodies.

Congratulations to TJ and Nicole Freeman of Temple, Georgia. Their winning entry is a black and white shot of their daughter enjoying the beach. When we caught up with TJ last week, we surprised him with the news on his wedding anniversary.

And congratulations to Mike and Kara Gross of St Louis, Missouri. Their winning entry captures their son Kyle on the beach at sunset. It was Kyle's first trip to the beach and the final night before the family drove back home. Kyle turns six next week.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo. We enjoyed seeing your vacation memories from the Gulf Shores area.

While it is certainly true that the view of the beach at Gulf Shores Plantation is enough to calm weary souls and that a stroll on those same sands at sunset can wipe away tension in stressed out muscles, sometimes you need just a little bit more.

And I found it. On a recent stay at Gulf Shores Plantation, I was spoiled beyond compare with a visit to the spa right next door at The Beach Club. The nearby  location was so convenient. After all a spa is about calm, not stress from driving mile after mile to get there.

And once inside the peaceful surroundings of the spa, I was pampered with an organic facial. My sensitive skin never once complained. From there it was on to the massage that dared any tension to remain in my back, my arms, my legs.

Later, a mere puddle of soothed muscles and calmed nerves, I made the short trip back to Gulf Shores Plantation and back to my condo. I opened the balcony door to let the sounds of the waves come inside. And I proceeded to enjoy an afternoon nap.

When your soul and muscles need soothing, come enjoy some beach therapy here on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Today was jammed packed with activities. We began the day with a stunning beach sunrise. At first we could only hear the sounds of the waves from our balcony. Then slowly the pinks and yellows of the sunrise took over the sky and the gulf waters became visible.

After spending yesterday enjoying the beach here at Gulf Shores Plantation, we ventured out to see the other beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

We began our beach tour at the main public beach in Gulf Shores. From our post at The Hangout we enjoyed watching people as they soaked up the sun on a warm fall day. The volleyball nets were ready for action.

Later in the day we stopped at the pavilion at Gulf State Park.  It was nice to have a shaded area to take a break from the sun.

On our final stop of the day, we pulled in to the Florida Point beach area on the eastern side of the Perdido Pass Bridge. The boardwalk was long, but the views at the end were so worth the extra steps. We sat and watched the boat traffic go by. We saw fishing charters, individual fishing boats and even a sail boat.

Now we are back at Gulf Shores Plantation in time to enjoy sunset at the beach. It has been a perfectly busy beach day here on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Waking up at Gulf Shores Plantation means starting the day with a stunning view. From the 7th floor balcony at Plantation Dunes, this morning the view brings a peaceful, overcast morning.

If you think of overcast as gloomy, think again. The shades of grey in the sky are amplified in the gulf waters below. Small batches of blue sky in the distance hint at the sunny conditions to come later in the day.

Opening the balcony door, I'm greeted with the sounds of the waves, the beach breeze and the hint of rain in the air.

I watch as the rain arrives and softly falls on the lush green grass and manicured shrubs. Maybe I'll enjoy the DVD I picked up at registration last night. Plantation guests are given a DVD pass that allows them to check out DVDs during their stay.

We've all heard of aromatherapy - scented candles and lotions to sooth or energize. But how about a session of beach therapy?

Sure! Beach therapy - the rhythm of the waves as they race to shore creates a calming effect. The scent of the salty air transports us back to childhood memories of building sandcastles. And the soft sand relaxes our tired feet.

Combine all this with a beautiful autumn day and the setting is complete. Souls are rejuvenated. Energy levels are restored.

So pack your bags and head to Gulf Shores Plantation for your beach therapy session.

The journey began back on the night of June 21st when a mama sea turtle came ashore in front of Gulf Shores Plantation. Her crawl width was 31 inches.

Once onshore, she dug a nest and laid 141 eggs. Then she made her way back to the gulf waters and left her eggs to the care of nature.

Unfortunately she had selected a nest location that was too close to the shoreline and the nest became flooded with water.

Volunteer Caregivers
To give the eggs in this nest a fighting chance, local volunteers carefully removed the eggs and moved them to a new location safely away from the shoreline.
                                           
Volunteers also marked and tarped the nest area with black material. The tarp helps to block the light from area buildings. These lights can confuse the hatchlings when they emerge from the nest, causing them to travel in the wrong direction.

Then the waiting began. Hatches typically occur between the 55 and 75 day mark.

Hatchling Time
After such a rocky start, volunteers were concerned about the nest, wondering if any of the eggs would hatch because they had been covered with gulf water and relocated.
           
Happily on August 22nd the nest began to hatch. Initially 37 turtles were counted heading toward the gulf waters. Later volunteers realized that despite their tarping efforts, some of the baby turtles had manage to head off in the wrong direction, lured by the lights from area buildings.

They quickly searched the surrounding dunes and rescued 39 turtles and got them safely to the water. The following day two more turtles emerged and headed for the water.

On August 25th the volunteers returned to excavate the nest and collect the final data.

The results:
Escaped from nest 78
Live pipped 1
Dead pipped 2
Infertile 25
Dead embryo 9
Hatched Eggs 105
unaccounted for 26 (but we think these went to the water the night of a storm)

Pipped means the turtle has broken through the egg but is not free of the shell.

For a nest that was submerged in water and then moved to safer location, the hatch rate is tremendous. All volunteers involved did an outstanding job helping these young turtles come into this world.

Sea Turtle Hatching Video and Photos
We don't have video from our Gulf Shores Plantation nest, but this video was shot nearby and captures the wonder of nature as the nest erupts with tiny turtles.

Great Sea Turtle Video

For more sea turtle photos, click here.

Learn more about our local sea turtle population from the Share the Beach program.

Our thanks to volunteer Sherry Weaver for sharing updates and photos and to Phil Steele for his photos of the mama turtle.

Sure - we've got plenty of places to relax and be lazy in style, but if you want a more invigorating vacation, we've got that covered too.

Start your day with an energetic walk or run on the beach. Hit the tennis or basketball courts or go for a swim.

And when you make your reservation, be sure to ask for details on our state-of-the-art Exercise Room. We are renovating the facility to bring you the top features, including a new Jacuzzi to relax those tired muscles.

Being on vacation doesn't mean you have to forego your exercise routine. At Gulf Shores Plantation, we've got all the amenities you need to keep up the pace.

Learn More.

We all love a good party. And the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores is a great party. Over the years, the festival has grown and so too has the fun.

Visitors can enjoy a great selection of art from local, regional and national artists. Kids can have loads of fun in the activity area set up just for them. The music keeps the energy going with well-known names like LeAnn Womack and Foghat and local favorites like Brent Burns and Top Hat & Jackie.

And you won’t have to fight the traffic when you make Gulf Shores Plantation your home base. Take a short drive into town, park your car and catch the shuttle. After a day of merriment, relax and recharge amid the tranquil surroundings of the Plantation. It’s the best of both worlds.

Make reservations now and take advantage of these special offers.
3rd Night Free: Stay three nights & pay for two!
7 for 4: Stay seven nights and pay only for four!
www.gulfshoresplantation.com/specials

Let's recap - great food, music, arts & crafts, the beach and an awesome special deal from Gulf Shores Plantation - that's a winning combination!

One of the biggest compliments we receive is simply when guests and their families return for another visit. This tells us that they enjoyed their experience and felt comfortable coming back.

Often we welcome the same families year after year for their annual summer vacation or fall getaway. We truly appreciate becoming part of their family tradition.

And it is an honor we don't take lightly. They have entrusted their precious vacation days with us and we have a serious obligation to do everything in our power to make those days ones to treasure.

We know we can't control the weather or many other factors, but where we can, we do our best to ensure that everything is in order and everyone on staff is motivated to welcome our guests with genuine hospitality.

We hope you'll come experience what we have to offer - again and again.

“We love the Plantation. We have been coming every year for over 20 years. Would not consider going anywhere else.”  - J.D., Kosciusko, MS (07/25/2009 - 08/01/2009)

“This is our 4th year to stay with you. That says it all!” - R.S., Murray, KY (07/22/2009 - 07/26/2009)

More testimonials.