The Fennels: Sweet Vacation Alabama

FINALLY.

The post about our actual vacation!

It was seriously perfect.

The house we stayed in was BEAUTIFUL - and shortly after checking in, I learned that it was the exact same house that the designers stayed in from "Beach Flip" on HGTV while they were renovating other houses. I LOVE HGTV!

Other than Alligator Alley (click here) and the Dolphin Cruise (click here) - we laid out by the beach or pool most of the time. Super low key - and very relaxing. I actually went IN the ocean (which is a BIG deal), but only after having three pina coladas and a couple glasses of wine.

I don't know what it is with me and the ocean. I think it's breathtaking and I'm always in awe at the sight when at a beach - BUT I have never, ever had any interest in actually going in the water. Sharks? Sure. Stingrays? Why not?

But what ~~scares~~ intimidates me the most is just the unknown. It's so massive, powerful, and mysterious. I have so much respect for the ocean and sealife inside of it, that I'd rather admire it from afar (with a frozen drink in my hand) or on a boat/ship. Nonetheless, I went in the ocean - shoulder deep - with Matt by my side. I kept asking him if he'd leave me behind in the event of a shark attack... so yeah. I guess I am sort of scared of sharks.

Speaking of shark attacks: they had this really yummy cocktail at "The Hangout" called (shocker) the Shark Attack - and it was normally a blue drink - but then they would dive a grenadine filled shark into the glass and the red liquid would mix in with the blue - and it would look LIKE A SHARK ATTACK. Yummmm.

Each night there was a STUNNING sunset. And I probably have 10+ pictures of just the sky. It was so peaceful, beautiful, serene. I could have stared at it forever.

AND THE BEACH - itself was super nice: soft, white sand. Warm water. Compared to all other beaches I've been at in the U.S. - this was by far the best. With all due respect though, below are pictures of the first beach I ever stood on. So, I may be a little biased.

Take me baaaaaccck

We were terrified to leave the pups. But as always, Sharon was absolutely amazing - and we are so thankful/lucky to have to her. And of course - she outdid herself and we arrived home to a beautiful arrangement of flowers from our yard. THANK YOU SHARON!

My only complaint about the entire trip is that Gulf Shores was NOT AT ALL vegetarian friendly. Which left us ordering off the appetizer menu or making food at home. Otherwise, our trips was all SUNSHINE, COCKTAILS, AND SELFIES with my selfie stick.

Enjoy the pics/videos: