Hurricane Damage still requires major work

I lost my planned month stay at Four Seasons due to the damage to their pier and to the condo complex. I did not want to be in the way so we waited awhile before driving down and spending a couple of nights in a local hotel and sightseeing the area this week. The amount of damage is much more significant than what I was expecting based upon our local news coverage in the greater Birmingham area. I stopped by and talked with the guard at Four Seasons and he informed me they were making good progress on their pier repairs and would finish it fairly soon. His opinion was that it would be a couple of months before the condos would be available again for occupancy. It appears there was a significant amount of interior water damage caused by the rain blowing in from various sources and much dry wall is having to be torn out and replaced. I also went by the Shipwatch Condos on Perdidio Key which I have used for spring trips and they are still closed and undergoing repair both on the beach side as well as the condo on the Ole River side. Their pier on Ole River was also significantly damaged and will require a lot of work before it will be safe for use again. My wife spent the second day shopping at Tanger Outlet and I unloaded a couple of rods and tackle at Perdido Pass and fished all day. Only the gulf side is partially open to fishing and I have always done best on the bay side. This trip produced only two fish for me and that was more than I saw most people catch. I still enjoyed a beautiful weather day by the water and will not complain. Our prayers and best wishes for all of you local people as you deal with the aftermath of Sally and Delta. I hope to come for a few weeks in the spring.

We came down today (Friday 10/23) to look at a condo to buy and got here from Auburn around five thirty PM. I saw a LOT of downed trees on the way. I got to fish the sea wall at the bridge at orange beach a little bit tonight. Lots of current, and not much else. Lost one complete rig to a solid snag right where the block off fences start. Something big down there. Rocks?
Caught one small whiting, and two small catfish. LOTS of pinfish to steal the shrimp and I anticipated this so I tipped with fish bites too so as to have something in play after the shrimp feed. Hooked Up had only frozen shrimp because their tanks are shut down. I got some anyway, to support them, and also because we got there just before they closed and I didn’t want to look elsewhere tomorrow for bait.

Staying at the Red Roof Inn right next to the ICW bridge on 59. The ground floor is totally wasted and under renovation. Second floor is great. We had a HARD time finding any room vacancy anywhere in Gulf Shores for a reasonable rate. Sure, the big money places had rooms, but the normal places are slap full,...all the construction workers here to get things back to normal. Not complaining,..glad to see em.

Tomorrow I’ll likely hit the beach in the early evening. Last time I was here (the Sunday before the storm) I found a lot of whiting right near the pier in the surf. Maybe tomorrow will produce similarly.

Bottom line is,...Gulf Shores is recovering, but it’s gonna take some time.