Michael C Finke" wrote in message
...
Anybody have tips for my planned flying/camping trip to Gulf Shores or
Dauphin Island? Which is the better destination? Can one tie down for
several days at the latter?


Gulf Shores: Great destination! Airport is busy as hell and really out to
have a tower. It's surrounded by restricted areas. The first timer (and
second and prolly third timer) will need to flight plan pretty carefully.
Stay in touch with Eglin AFB approach and all should be well.

The airport is in the middle of everything but I have no idea about close-by
camping. It's also not really walking distance to the beach from the
airport. I'd reckon it's probably two to three miles to the beach.

Dauphin Island: I never got to make it there but have researched it when I
was considering it. You camp right by your plane. The runway juts into the
Mobil Bay and I'm sure would look like a carrier landing. The runway is
supposed to be really nice.

I was told that, after landing, you go to a phone booth, call up the local
Sheriff and they'll give you a lift to wherever you need to go.

Not much to the island. It's really just a sand bar with houses on it and a
few touristy places to visit.

For what it's worth, I think I'd have to choose Dauphin if I were looking
for a easy in/out, on-site flying/camping experience.

Please post a review if you visit Dauphin. It's still on my list of places
to go once I start flying again.

--
Jim Fisher