Sometimes the best memories are made on the road, and our recent family trip to Orange Beach was exactly that, one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had as a mom and a wife.
Mr. B was our official driver for the trip. According to him, I drive like a turtle 🐢, so I gladly accepted my role as the ultimate passenger princess and wing woman, handing him snacks, sweets, drinks, and keeping the vibes right for the journey.
Driving straight from Houston would have been exhausting, so we decided to break the trip up with a stop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We checked into a cozy room at a Hilton Hotels, unpacked a bit, relaxed, and headed out for dinner. It was simple but special, family laughs over food, then back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.
The next morning we were refreshed and ready to continue the adventure.
Of course, we had to make the legendary stop at Buc-ee’s. If you know, you know. Snacks, drinks, random things you didn’t plan to buy, but somehow absolutely need. After that quick stop, we hit the road again and finally arrived at our destination.
Pulling into Orange Beach was breathtaking. The layout of the buildings by the water and the scenery actually reminded me a little of Blouberg, Cape Town, that beautiful mix of ocean views and lively surroundings.
It was incredibly windy though, which made everything feel much colder than expected. I get cold very quickly, so of course I was bundled up while everyone else seemed perfectly fine.
The kids were immediately excited.
We unpacked quickly, barely settled in our apartment, and headed straight downstairs to the pool. The kids swam like they had been waiting their whole lives for that moment. There were photo ops, videos, laughter, and then they moved to the indoor pool, which was still cold for me, but that didn’t stop me from getting into the hot tub and documenting every second like the family photographer, that I am.
Later that evening we headed out for dinner at a waterfront spot in Gulf Shores.
Watching boats glide across the water and even seeing planes in the distance reminded me of the elegance of the The Grand by the waterfront in Capetown, The atmosphere was beautiful, the food was amazing, and the entire dinner felt like one of those moments you wish you could freeze in time.
After dinner we headed back to the apartment and called it a night.
The next morning, like always, Mr. B was the first one awake.
He made breakfast for everyone, and we took our time easing into the day. After resting for a bit, we headed out to explore the area.
We explored the amphitheater looking at stuffed animals and exhibits. Meanwhile, I sat there trying to survive the cold air. My tolerance for cold is almost nonexistent. Kids and Mr B played some basketball of which as usual i documented.
We walked over to see the alligator area, which was supposed to be fun… except Sam was absolutely not amused. She was convinced the alligator might come out and eat her, and nothing we said could convince her otherwise. 😅
Later, one of Mr. B’s friends stopped by to visit us. It was refreshing meeting another person from his circle. I genuinely enjoy meeting his friends because he lights up when they’re around.
Watching how he interacts with his friends and family is always interesting to me. There’s a warmth and excitement in him when his people come around, and that energy always makes me smile.
While the kids continued swimming in the pool, I went upstairs for what I thought would be a short rest… and ended up taking a full nap.
Honestly, I needed it.
For our last night, we headed to The Wharf at Orange Beach for dinner and a little evening stroll.
The atmosphere was lively, lights reflecting off the water, people walking around enjoying the night. The highlight for the kids, and honestly for us too was riding the Ferris wheel. It was the perfect way to close out the trip.
When we got back to the condo, we made sure the kids showered and went straight to bed because the next morning we had a long drive ahead of us.
The plan was simple: leave early and get back to Houston the same day.
And somehow, Mr. B pulled it off, driving ten hours with regualr stops like a champ.
By the time we got home, the feeling of climbing back into our own beds was pure luxury. There’s truly nothing like coming home after a beautiful trip.
This trip reminded me how special family time can be. The laughter, the road snacks, the cold beach air, the kids’ excitement, the quiet moments in between, it all mattered.
And Mr. B… he made it all possible.
From driving the entire trip, making breakfast, coordinating everything, and still keeping the energy light and fun—he really is the kind of husband everyone deserves.
And I’m grateful he’s mine. ❤️
Add comment
Comments