Did I have time to squeeze in a restorative paddle? Earlier this week, I cooked Salubrious Turnip Greens and Roots. Luckily I knew Grill Man would love greens served along side a fresh skillet of cornbread. Any Southern girl can whip up a pan of hot crusty cornbread without a lot of fuss. Before you know it, dinner is ready with fresh homegrown sliced tomatoes, Vidalia onions and turnip greens.

Fresh vegetables are good but Grill Man is an unabashed meat-eater. He believes that it should be present and accounted for on every plate. However, fresh home cooked greens served with hot cornbread is enough to make him forget about a meatless plate. In my book, this is a win for a number of reasons including our health.

Pay attention to the world around you

A win that would also help lead me to my Dauphin Island restorative paddle. After dinner the gloomy rain clouds blew away from our little spot on the island. Rains from earlier in the day had tamped down the heat of August.

On the porch, I could hear the birds chirping my Dauphin Island restorative paddle harbinger song. It almost sounded like, “Day is almost over, get out here if you want to paddle”. Who am I to argue with Mother Nature’s harbinger chirps? Once I decided to squeeze in the paddle I could not get out there fast enough.

I will try to describe the utter joy I experienced. My pink paddle board slid quietly into the water and off we went. Water and wind conditions totally impact the type of paddle that you may experience on any given day. I have paddled in still water, rolling waves, choppy waves and washing machine water. Any day that the weather, wind and water conditions are paddle friendly is a good day.

At the same time, if stars are lining up in your favor the water is almost still and shiny as glass. As I paddled, the reflections in the water started to mesmerize me. Blue and white fluffy clouds were dancing on the water as my pink board shattered the images as I paddled. Occasionally I looked up from the dazzling array of colors, clouds, trees, grasses, birds flying and mirrored images on the water.

Images sped by at the speed of my paddle. If I stopped paddling and lifted the paddle from the water my board would wind its speed down to a complete stop. With no one else on the water it appeared as if I was standing on the largest piece of glass capturing a fading sunset with hints of orange and pink.

Of course, I didn’t have my camera with me on the board. And yet I wasn’t sure that the stunning beauty that I witnessed could be captured with a camera. With intent I studied the scene so that I could at least try to remember natures panorama of sights and sounds.

Be present in the moment

Occasionally, a greeting party surfaced to announce dominion over a water spot. As I share this, it seems silly to get excited about seeing a jelly fish floating or a crab swimming in the water. As I paddled alone on the water near sun down the day light started fading so I started my return home.

My board slid easily across the water with minimal effort. At the edge of a days end the surroundings and still water change. Night beckons in the distance as fish are feeding. Bait fish move just beneath the waters surface to create a break in the glassy water. This slight movement always make me wonder what else is moving in the water.

As I was paddling home, I noticed what looked like a small fin in the water. With purpose, I paddled a little bit closer to identify. In horror movies, this is where the audience screams at the actress to go the other way. As I edged slowly closer to the fin, the Jaws theme song crept into my airwaves. As I looked down a very large fish near the waters surface ate his late afternoon snack. In fact he seemed surprised by my attention, turned around quickly and swam away.

As I paddled back home birds started swirling high in the sky above the grassy areas near the waters edge. A symphony of crickets and frogs increased their volume to drown out the birds. Just then a mullet jumped out of the water and hit my board. I confess I screamed like a girl but a girl that stayed her board.

I paddled on back but a little faster. Nature had lured me into her domain with falling temperature, promise of sunset and glassy water. My Dauphin Island restorative paddle had provided movement and a diversion for my mind and body. Yet, clearly nature had sent me a sign and it read, “Day is almost over, get your ass back home.”

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Mix up your life and work with  a change of address

Relocating allows you to leave your chores and routine at home while you head off to parts unknown. Yet work is still around hanging about like a fog. With the necessity of work, family and play must be managed. Of course, this is before you add in the laundry, cleaning and never-ending errands to keep up your household. All of these things are weaved into our fabric of life.

Occasionally necessities are postponed or avoided but even the dust bunnies will take over if you let them. Learning to unwind is vital to your sanity. Our brain and bodies want  a respite daily even if we don’t want to slow down long enough. If you can’t get away for a longer vacation, select something close to home. You too can unwind on Dauphin Island!

Dauphin Island is the perfect island getaway place for a family that enjoys  water activities. Whether it’s boating, fishing, skiing, beaching, skateboarding, paddle boarding, surfing or sunset critiques the island offers it all.  White sandy beaches with salty water that lures you in for a dip or fishing.

Inshore or offshore fishing is amazing on or near the Island. Gulf Coast waters hosts the best fishing in the world. With a large variety of species you can catch your limit before you know it. Research before you go and don’t forget to pack everything from sunscreen, hats and fishing license. Outdoor Alabama has lots of information to help you plan.

What to expect while visiting Dauphin Island?

Life on Dauphin Island is typical to what  you would expect on most islands. Everything is island casual and ultra laid back every where. People are super friendly and happy to help or direct you as needed. Dauphin Island is a small community of locals with a steady stream of visitors.

Public Beach has plenty of parking and easy access to the water’s edge for your enjoyment. Availability is limited on the amount of selections offered on the island. Stores on Dauphin Island offer island-pricing at some locations.

Bring everything that you may need while on the island. If you forget an item just go buy it.  It is not like you pay $3.87 for a dozen of eggs all the time. Yes, $3.87 plus tax for plain jane un-cage-free eggs. My chickens would be appalled.

Most importantly, remember while  visiting you’re on Island-Time. Settle in and grab a cocktail whether it’s on a dock or beach side. The island offers many water spots to grab a great view of sunsets and slowly sip a cocktails. Although work managed to weave in and out like a loose thread stuck to your clothes that you never seem to get rid of, I relaxed.

Can you unwind on Dauphin Island? If quiet coastal living is your goal, Dauphin Island is your place.  City Council and founding Fathers have managed to keep away  big business and big box stores. Unlike Destin or Gulf Shores, traffic is non-existent everywhere you go. Yet, Dauphin Island is a different speed than Destin or Gulf Shores.

Dauphin Island is 14 miles long and its widest point is 1 3/4 miles long. No matter where you step,  water is never too far away with multiple public beach access points. Plenty of rental options with an assortment of amenities designed to fit most budgets.

Our crew certainly took full advantage of the water sports. I managed to paddle multiple times but still could not get enough. It was true joy to take my nephews and their Momma paddling for the first time. Everyone paddled like pros and no one fell off the board.  My mischievous nephew jumped ship but his Momma was quick enough to pull him back in without falling over.

Water is a great family friendly place to discover and share time fishing or boating.  If you  wait long enough you may see jellyfish, jumping fish or dolphins.  Dolphins came out to greet me on several occasions which always makes brings excitement. Especially if you notice the fin first without seeing that it’s only a dolphin. And yes I hear that music occasionally you know the one, it starts with duunnn dunnn.

Happily all of my fins have been dolphins! Baywatch came over  for the day and we paddled all over the west end Gulf side of the Public Beach.  Paddle, paddle and more paddling for a couple of hours until we were starving.

The day before we paddled Grill Man and Bama Beau had caught plenty speckle trout for us to cook and eat.  My girl and I whipped up dinner while Grill Man battered the fish with a Zatarains fish fry. Bama Beau moved in the kitchen as fry-daddy until the fish were hot and crispy. Dinner turned into a group effort. I highly suggest this as always a good idea to share kitchen duties to make it easier on kitchen Momma and great way to spend time together.

Baywatch and I were happy for the leftovers  after our long paddle along with my favorite Zipper Peas . Cold glass of wine paired along well with our meal and much deserved after our long paddle. Sitting by the water staring off into space and chatting with friends is a great way to spend the afternoon.

Natures beauty is all over the island in lots of nooks and crannies. Plenty of things to see and photograph on the island. From the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Sea Lab, Fort Gaines, Shell Mound Park and many sandy beaches  to share  with your family. Good idea to step away from crowds, technology and get back to basics.

After family time is over for the day,  whip out the  blender and mix up a frosty concoction like pina colada or daiquiri. Rum and fruit juice with a cute little umbrella will put you in the mood.  Whether you choose to unwind on Dauphin Island or any other quick get away spot, pick a place to Shake It Off, relax and recharge.

Everyone needs the battery recharged. Sadly, in the US we have a tendency to go-go-go to work-work-work. Our friends overseas plug-in downtime more than we do.  I for one am ready to change that in my world. How about you? Are you ready to unwind on Dauphin Island?

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