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Hi Reader,
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Last year I joined the Coastal Alabama Leadership League (CALL), and over the past few months, we’ve had some incredible, eye-opening experiences. We've seen the new tower built at Baldwin Health, got to go behind the scenes (that means jail) with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department, and toured the Baldwin EMA. It’s been amazing to witness firsthand the dedication required to keep Baldwin County and Alabama’s Beaches running smoothly and beautifully.

This month, we embraced the idea of “living like a tourist” for a day—and let me tell you, it was GREAT! Too often, we get caught up in our daily routines and forget to appreciate the beauty and attractions right in our own backyard.

Our day started with Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, where we had the opportunity to choose from hundreds of amazing restaurants and local businesses to visit. From there, we made our way to OWA for an up-close look at indoor water park at Tropic Falls. Did you know the indoor water park was designed to use natural southern winds for cooling instead of air conditioning? Or that some of the slides actually finish underground?

After an insightful tour, we enjoyed a fantastic lunch sponsored by Zach Estes with Ariss Financial Group fueling us for our next adventure—the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. This zoo has an inspiring story of resilience, overcoming hurricanes, floods, a complete relocation, and even COVID closures. Despite the challenges, the nonprofit continues to thrive. We explored the new butterfly exhibit, and my personal highlight of the day—feeding the giraffes! They are having a Cheers to Five Years: The Wine & Whiskey Stroll on March 29th if you're into things like fine wines, whiskey, and delicious bites while strolling through the wild side with animal meet and greets, training demonstrations, music, and an incredible silent auction.

Each CALL class is tasked with completing a community project, and last year’s group built an impressive goat structure that has become a favorite at the zoo. This year, our class is proud to be working on the Giving Hands Community Garden in Gulf Shores. The vision is to provide fresh, homegrown vegetables to those in need. So far, we’ve built and filled six of the planned eleven raised beds, and we’re currently collecting donations of starter plants and topsoil. Our goal is to have everything planted by March!

This experience reminded me of why I love what I do—exploring, discovering, and sharing incredible places, whether it's across the world or right here at home. If you’re a local, I encourage you to take a day to be a tourist in your own town. And if you’re visiting our beautiful coast, know that you’re stepping into a community filled with heart, history, and hospitality. Until our next adventure,

HIPPIE HAPPENINGS ✌️

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Are You #REALIDReady?​
Mark your calendars: Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID will be required for domestic air travel and access to federal buildings. Now’s the time to upgrade! Visit tsa.gov/real-id to check the requirements and start the process.