days until we hit the beach!
✅ Reservation Confirmed
Property: The Commodore East — Beachfront Duplex
Confirmation: HMEW3A89BH
Location: 5292 Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Total Paid: $3,875.16 (all families reimbursed)
Check-in: Mon, Mar 16 @ 4:00 PM
Checkout: Sat, Mar 21 @ 10:00 AM
Host: Coastal View Vacations
Host Phone: +1 251-318-9088
👨👩👧 Our Crew
| Family | Adults | Kids | Notes |
|---|
| Nehemiah & Brenna | 2 | Simon (4), Ezekiel (2), Barnabas (6 mo) | 3 kids + infant |
| Jay & Shelby | 2 | Carter (~4-5), Cale (~8-9) | 2 kids |
| Emily & Kobe | 2 | Amberly, Camden | 2 kids |
💰 Cost Summary (Per Family)
| Expense | Total (3 families) | Per Family |
|---|
| 🏠 House (The Commodore East, 5 nights) | $3,875 | $1,292 |
| 🚗 Gas (3 SUVs, round trip) | $634 | $211 |
| 🍽 Food & Groceries (est.) | ~$750 | ~$250 |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | ~$5,259 | ~$1,753 |
🏠 The House
The Commodore East — Beachfront Duplex, Fort Morgan
- 5 Bedrooms, 12 beds, 4 Bathrooms
- 3 floors — plenty of space
- BEACHFRONT — walk right out to the sand
- Pet-friendly
- Full kitchen for cooking meals
- Address: 5292 Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
- Fort Morgan peninsula — quieter beach area
- Host: Coastal View Vacations
- Phone: +1 251-318-9088
⛱ Beach Chairs & Shade
We decided to BYO chairs and canopies instead of renting. Here's what we've got covered:
| Family | Bringing |
|---|
| Jay & Shelby | Own chairs + parents may have a canopy |
| Emily & Kobe | Towels; Kobe's parents may have 2 canopies |
| Nehemiah & Brenna | TBD |
💡 Budget option: If anyone needs chairs, solid backpack-style beach chairs run $25-40 on Amazon (Rio, GCI Outdoor). Kids' chairs are $15-25. Order before the trip so they're ready to go!
⛱ Rental prices (Beach Bum Services) if anyone changes their mind:
• Umbrella + 2 lounge chairs: $175/week
• Single lounge chair: $45/week
• Umbrella only: $90/week
• 10'x10' canopy + 4 chairs: $300/week ($100/family)
• 10'x20' canopy + 8 chairs: $600/week ($200/family) — voted down
They handle daily setup/breakdown so you don't have to.
FYI: Gulf Shores has a "Leave Only Footprints" ordinance — all gear must come off the beach each night. Rental services handle this for you. Ike's Beach Service and Beach Bum Services both serve the Fort Morgan area.
🚗 Driving Plan
Route: Tonkawa, OK → Gulf Shores, AL
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| Distance | ~930 miles one-way |
| Drive time | ~13-14 hours (with stops) |
| Route | I-35 S → I-44 → I-40 E → I-65 S → I-10 W → AL-59 S |
| Vehicles | 3 SUVs — $211/family gas |
Suggested Departure
Leave Sunday, Mar 15 around midnight-2 AM to arrive by check-in (4:00 PM Mon). Or leave very early Monday morning (~2-4 AM). Kids sleep through the night driving.
🚨 Emily & Kobe: Leaving Sunday morning early and stopping at a hotel overnight so the kids don't have to do the full drive in one shot. Smart move with little ones!
Suggested Stops
| Stop | Location | Approx. Distance |
|---|
| Fuel + bathroom | McAlester or Eufaula, OK | ~150 mi |
| Breakfast / stretch | Little Rock, AR area | ~350 mi |
| Fuel + lunch | Jackson, MS area | ~580 mi |
| Grocery stop | Sam's Club, Daphne, AL | ~850 mi |
| 🏠 ARRIVE | Gulf Shores, AL | ~930 mi |
🛒 Grocery Stop
Sam's Club — Daphne, AL
29770 Frederick Blvd, Daphne, AL 36526
~30 miles from Gulf Shores, right on I-10 — last major stop before the beach!
Suggested Shopping List
Breakfast
- Eggs (2-3 dozen)
- Pancake mix + syrup
- Cereal (2-3 boxes)
- Milk (2 gallons)
- Fruit (bananas, berries, apples)
- Juice boxes for kids
- Coffee + creamer
Lunch
- Bread (2-3 loaves)
- Deli meat + cheese
- PB&J
- Chips / goldfish crackers
- Fruit snacks
Dinner
- Ground beef (taco night)
- Taco shells, salsa, cheese
- Spaghetti + sauce
- Chicken breasts or thighs
- Hot dogs + buns + burgers
- Rice or pasta sides
- Salad mix + dressing
Snacks & Drinks
- Water bottles (bulk)
- Capri Suns / juice pouches
- Goldfish, pretzels, crackers
- Fresh fruit
- Ice cream / popsicles
🍽 Meal Plan (5 Nights)
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|
| Mon (Arrival) | Road food | Road food | Easy: hot dogs, chips, fruit (unpack night) |
| Tuesday | Pancakes & eggs | Sandwiches at the beach | Taco bar |
| Wednesday | Cereal & fruit | Leftovers / PB&J | Spaghetti & salad |
| Thursday | Eggs & toast | Beach picnic sandwiches | Grilled burgers & chicken |
| Friday | Pancakes round 2 | Leftovers / light lunch | 🍽 Eat out — family dinner! |
| Sat (Checkout) | Quick cereal, clean & go | Road food home |
💡 Tip: Cook in bulk (taco meat, grilled chicken) and reuse for lunches the next day. With 13 people, cooking at the house saves hundreds compared to eating out.
❤ Date Night Rotation
Each couple gets one date night out while the other two families watch all the kids. 3 couples = 3 date nights. Kids get a fun "cousins sleepover" vibe!
| Night | Couple Out | Babysitting |
|---|
| Tuesday | Nehemiah & Brenna | Jay/Shelby + Emily/Kobe watch kids |
| Wednesday | Jay & Shelby | Nehemiah/Brenna + Emily/Kobe watch kids |
| Thursday | Emily & Kobe | Nehemiah/Brenna + Jay/Shelby watch kids |
Budget: ~$60-80 per couple for a nice dinner out
🍴 Restaurants
Gulf Shores
The Hangout — On the beach, live music, seafood
LuLu's — Waterfront, arcade, ropes course
Woodside — Gulf State Park, Southern food, outdoor games
Pink Pony Pub — Beachfront classic
Bahama Bob's — Beachside bar & grill
Orange Beach
Original Oyster House — Waterfront seafood, great gumbo
Moe's BBQ — BBQ, sandy outdoor area, cornhole
Luna's Eat & Drink — Southern seafood
Tacky Jacks — Casual waterfront
City Donuts — #1 donut shop (breakfast!)
Cobalt, The Restaurant — Upscale date night spot
🏖 Activities & Attractions
Free / Low Cost
- 🏖 Beach! — right outside the house
- 🚶 Gulf State Park trails (hiking, biking)
- 🐚 Shell collecting on the beach
- 🌅 Sunrise / sunset on the shore
- 🎣 Fishing from the Gulf State Park Pier ($9 day pass)
- 🚲 Biking the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Paid Attractions
- 🦁 Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo — Adults $24, Kids (3-12) $16, Under 3 free
- ⛳ Zooland Mini Golf — Adults $10, Kids $5 (shaded, play all day)
- ⛳ Shrimpy's Mini Golf — Adults $14, Kids (4-10) $10
- 🐬 Dolphin cruise (Orange Beach) — from $29/person
- 🛶 Tropic Falls at OWA (Foley) — Theme park only $30, Theme + Water park $60, Kids under 3 free
- 🎠 The Track Family Fun Park — Points system: $55/60pts, $110/125pts, $215/250pts (go-karts, bumper cars, mini golf, arcade)
- 🛍 Tanger Outlets (Foley) — 120+ stores, free
📅 Day-by-Day Suggested Itinerary
Loose schedule — go with the flow! Beach days are the priority.
Monday, Mar 16 — Arrival Day
- 🚗 Drive through the night / early morning
- 🛒 Stop at Sam's Club Daphne for groceries
- 🏠 Check in at 4:00 PM
- 🏖 Quick beach walk to see the ocean!
- 🌭 Easy dinner: hot dogs, chips, unpack and settle in
Tuesday, Mar 17 — Beach Day
- 🥞 Pancakes & eggs breakfast
- 🏖 Full beach morning — sandcastles, wading, shells
- 🥪 Sandwiches on the beach for lunch
- 🏖 Afternoon beach or naps for little ones
- 🌮 Taco bar dinner
- ❤ Date night: Nehemiah & Brenna out
Wednesday, Mar 18 — Explore Day
- 🍜 Cereal & fruit breakfast
- 🦁 Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (morning)
- 🍔 Lunch out or back at the house
- 🏖 Afternoon beach time
- 🍝 Spaghetti dinner
- ❤ Date night: Jay & Shelby out
Thursday, Mar 19 — Adventure Day
- 🍳 Eggs & toast breakfast
- 🚶 Gulf State Park trails or pier fishing
- ⛳ Mini golf in the afternoon
- 🔥 Grilled burgers & chicken dinner
- ❤ Date night: Emily & Kobe out
Friday, Mar 20 — Last Full Day
- 🥞 Pancakes round 2
- 🏖 Beach morning — soak it all in!
- 🛍 Optional: Tanger Outlets or OWA Park (Foley)
- 🍽 Family dinner out! (The Hangout, LuLu's, or Oyster House)
- 🌅 Sunset on the beach — last night together
- 📦 Start packing
Saturday, Mar 21 — Checkout & Drive Home
- 🍞 Quick breakfast & cereal
- 🧹 Clean up, pack cars
- 🏠 Checkout by 10:00 AM
- 🚗 ~14 hour drive back to Tonkawa
🧳 Packing Checklist
Beach Gear
- Beach towels
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
- Swim diapers (Barnabas)
- Floaties / puddle jumpers
- Sand toys (buckets, shovels)
- Beach chairs
- Pop-up shade tent / umbrella
- Cooler for beach snacks
Kids Stuff
- Pack-n-play / travel crib
- Stroller
- Car seats
- Diapers & wipes
- Favorite toys / books
- Tablets + chargers (road trip)
- Snacks for the car
Kitchen Staples
- Aluminum foil & plastic wrap
- Ziploc bags
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Dish soap
- Spices (salt, pepper, garlic)
- Cooking oil / spray
Essentials
- Chargers & power strips
- First-aid kit
- Medications
- Rain jackets (just in case)
- Flashlights
- Cash (some spots are cash-only)
- Confirmation info (printed)
⚠ Important Info
🚫 Alcohol Ban: Beach alcohol is banned starting March 1 in Gulf Shores / Orange Beach. Keep drinks at the house!
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Check-in | Monday, March 16 @ 4:00 PM |
| Checkout | Saturday, March 21 @ 10:00 AM |
| Host | Coastal View Vacations — +1 251-318-9088 |
| Confirmation | HMEW3A89BH |
| Address | 5292 Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 |
| Weather (mid-March) | Highs: mid-60s to upper-70s°F. Water is cool but OK for wading. |
| Spring Break Crowds | Tail end of spring break season — busy but manageable |
| Nearest Hospital | South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Foley (~20 min) |
🚗 Transportation
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| Vehicles | 3 SUVs (one per family) |
| Gas cost (round trip) | $634 total / $211 per family |
| Route | Tonkawa → I-35 S → I-40 E → I-65 S → I-10 W → Gulf Shores |
| Drive time | ~13-14 hours each way |
🎓 Spring Break Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|
| School | Tonkawa Public Schools |
| Spring Break dates | March 16-20, 2026 (Mon-Fri) |
| Travel window | Sun Mar 15 evening → Sat Mar 21 |
💬 Comments & Suggestions
Have an idea, suggestion, or question about the trip? Drop it here and Nehemiah will review it!
🛠 Admin — Manage Comments