Alabama Road Trips: Fort Morgan Beach from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Sink your toes into the deliciously warm sand at Fort Morgan Beach and you’ll be convinced you’ve found your own little piece of paradise. As lifelong resident Debi Gholson puts it, Fort Morgan Beach “isn’t the end of the world, but you’ll feel you can almost see it from here.”

Traveling from Birmingham, it’s about a five-hour trip down Interstate 65 South. For a snack on the way, the Priester’s Pecans retail store in Fort Deposit, off exit 185, is convenient. Open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., it seems that Priester’s is always packed with shoppers. Kids young and old will enjoy a round of free pecan samples: praline, cinnamon, frosted and other flavors – and yes, second samples are allowed. Priester’s coffee can help revive the driver during the remaining 175 miles to the beach.

Considered “one of the finest examples of military architecture in the New World” by some scholars, Fort Morgan figured heavily in several wars.

Making haste to AL Highway 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway), euphoria kicks in: There’s something about going to the beach that makes one feel as giddy as a kid. As we drive to pick up the keys to our rented beach house, the peace and quiet is palpable. Both are conducive to a great beach vacation and the making of some of the best family memories. Those who travel with pets will be happy to know dogs can romp around on Fort Morgan Beach – it’s best to bring a leash.

Carry beach shoes to protect your feet from the scorching-hot sands. A beach umbrella or canopy will offer respite from the sun, and a travel cooler filled with water and fruit drinks can help keep beach-goers healthily hydrated.

Compared to other sites on the Gulf Coast and in Florida, you’ll quickly note the quiet atmosphere at Fort Morgan Beach. Surveying the beach in the early morning, we were thrilled to see three dolphins swimming playfully. It was amazing how fast they skimmed through the water – and we were thankful for their presence because dolphins deter sharks.

The beautiful beach offers a rich ecosystem, said Gholson, a longtime volunteer for Alabama’s Share the Beach program. During the early morning of July 18, Gholson helped put 34 baby sea turtles in the water. She and other members of the Fort Morgan Beach team patrol 14 miles of seashore, monitoring sea turtle nests. Gholson expects another round of sea turtle hatchlings on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Delicious seafood is a prerequisite for any good beach trip. A quick jaunt to nearby Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill supplies good food in an unfussy, colorful atmosphere. Located at 5160 AL-Highway 180, Sassy Bass Market Place offers snacks, drinks and other supplies. Nearby Gulf Shores offers a plethora of options for lunch and dinner.

After you’ve had your fill of fun in the sun, take advantage of your proximity to historic Fort Morgan on Highway 180.

John Gurner, a historian for Fort Morgan, enjoys describing the deadly rain of shot and shells during battles on Mobile Bay.

Uniformed interpreters at Fort Morgan such as Living History and Education Coordinator John Gurner bring the fort to life by demonstrating period drills at the fort’s parade ground and an artillery demonstration at the water battery. One recent twilight show – held on Tuesday evenings in the summer – drew some 350 visitors. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to climb steps to reach the fort’s highest areas for a birds-eye view of Mobile Bay.

“The one requirement to join the Confederate Army was that volunteers had to have their two front teeth,” said Gurner, who earned a master of science by research at the University of Edinburgh in 2009. “That was owing to the need to quickly open a gunpowder pouch and pour powder down the barrel of a rifle.”

Gurner’s talk provides insight into events that transpired during the Civil War. The cost to tour the fort is $7 for adults and $4 for children. The cost per family is $18, consisting of two adults and two children.

For a bit of adventure, consider a ferry ride to nearby Dauphin Island, whose tropical feel is reminiscent of Key West, Fla. The 30-minute ferry across Mobile Bay will shave an hour and a half off the trip. Once your car is stationed on the ferry and the ride begins, you can exit your car and watch your progression across the bay. Using GPS on your cell phone, amaze the kids – and yourself – by watching your ferry trek on the water.

Check out Mobile Bay Ferry for more information about hours of operation and fees, or call 251-861-3000.

Breathtaking floral scenery awaits visitors at the beautiful Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore, Ala.

Dauphin Island and nearby Theodore offer many sightseeing opportunities. Seeing the beautiful, historic Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The 65-acre estate in Theodore offers gorgeous landscapes: a Japanese garden, a greenhouse with exotic plants and a bayou boardwalk are among the sights. The 15-room museum home, with hundreds of antique objects lovingly collected by Bessie Bellingrath, provides an interesting perspective about one of the bay area’s wealthiest families.

For more information about Bellingrath Gardens, call 251-973-2217. Garden admission is $12.50 for adults and $7 for children. A $20 ticket provides entrance to the gardens and home.

The Bellingrath Home, occupying 10,500 square feet, features handmade brick salvaged in Mobile.