We can’t think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day, April 22, than by taking a drive along the Scenic Byway through the diverse ecosystem of the Alabama Gulf Coast.
For some ideas as you plan your excursion, take a look at our Connecting with Nature sample itinerary.
Your journey begins in the rural Mobile County farmlands and continues through Bayou La Batre, the “Seafood Capital of Alabama.” When you reach Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, stretch your legs with more than a mile of walking trails that take you through a variety of habitats. Next up, the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab presents a showcase of the natural resources in the surrounding area.
Take your car across the bay on the Mobile Bay Ferry to Baldwin County. The 30-minute trip on the water gives you time to relax while you enjoy wildlife and views of Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. A few miles from the ferry on State Road 180, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to get out of your vehicle and enjoy a nature walk on one of the many trails. The Pine Beach Trail takes you through a maritime forest, bogs, and the sugar-white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
That’s just Day One of your adventure. You’ll find a variety of gulf-front accommodations in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for a good night’s rest.
Day Two of the suggested itinerary takes you to marinas, Weeks Bay, beautiful downtown Fairhope and finally the scenic Eastern Shore Trail.
Connecting with nature on Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway gives us a better understanding of how important it is to care for our environment on Earth Day and every day.