CarolWeaver

The Alabama Gulf Coast is known as a wonderful place for birding. In addition to natives, migratory guests make the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach a stopover or temporary home.

Of all the many types of birds that come and go, my favorite type is, of course, the snowbird! (For those who might not know, “snowbird” is the affectionate nickname given to those who spend the winter months in the South and the warmer months elsewhere; since they “fly south for the winter,” they are dubbed “snowbirds.”)

Any area visited part of the year by travelers welcomes guests during its off-season because that helps the local economy. But with snowbirds, there's so much more ...

Remember how we moms are always (always!) saying, “Turn off the light when you leave the room!”? Well, now we have even more proof that we're right. If you won't do it for us, for the sake of the household budget or for the environment, do it for the sea turtles.

That's right, sea turtles.

The Alabama Gulf Coast is home to several species of sea turtles, including some species that are threatened. It turns out, one of the biggest threats comes from a seemingly innocent source: artificial light. Scientists call it “coastal light pollution.”

Female turtles return to the beach where they were born to nest and lay their eggs. Bright lights on beaches can cause ...

I love to be a great hostess, and I love to have people come stay at my home. Sometimes, circumstances don't allow that. Maybe there are too many people and not enough house; maybe there are friends (and we do have some of these types) who just feel more comfortable in their “own” accommodations. They love to spend time with us, hang out, catch up, shop, sightsee, whatever – but then be able to feel as if they aren't “overstaying their welcome” by going to a hotel, condo or other rental facility. Hey, if it means they come more frequently and stay an extra day, we're good with it.

We know we have friends we'll see a lot more this time of year than during the summer. They will ...

With the holiday season here, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the shopping and the cooking and the wrapping and the baking and the decorating and the stuff. So make a pact with your best gal pals to spend an afternoon or an evening – a day, if you can – just hanging out together and having a good time.

Maybe you'll go shopping; maybe not. Maybe there will be mani-pedi appointments; maybe not. Maybe there will be pasta, coffee and chocolate; maybe ... OK, there will be pasta, coffee and chocolate!

You'll trade recipes. You'll admire shoes and handbags. You'll brag – just a bit – about the kids. And for a few hours, you won't be somebody's mom, or wife, or boss, ...

Some folks think you have to book weeks or months at a time to take advantage of winter rates along the Alabama Gulf Coast, but that is not the case. You don't even have to make it a long weekend (although, frankly, I can't imagine why you wouldn't) to come for a visit during the winter months.

And what a great time to come! Everything seems to be just a bit more refreshing. Sunrise is an awesome display of colors, with hues of gold gradually brightening the sky. During the day, the steady rise of the sun is complemented by the steady rise of the temperatures, making the outdoors so appealing. And when dusk begins to set in, the blue sky turns to red and the sun slips behind ...