Gulf Shores delivered the beach fix winter had denied Des Moines. They booked a beachfront RV resort with a boardwalk to sand—splurge justified by Marla’s expression at first sight of the Gulf.

Mornings: coffee on the beach. Afternoons: kayak rentals and dolphin tours. Evenings: grilled snapper and neighbors comparing tow vehicles like sports fans comparing quarterbacks.

A afternoon thunderstorm rolled in fast—classic Gulf weather. Doug retracted the awning in record time; everyone clapped. They learned “pop-up storm” is not metaphorical here.

Silver Trekker verdict: Family-friendly Gulf camping—reserve beachfront early, watch the weather app, rinse the salt.

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