A recent trip to Gulf Shores ("The Redneck Riviera"); that's me in the green chair, plunking on the guitar. It was an enjoyable weekend, although somewhat wet. As a kid (some 40 years ago), my family came here often, camping out in this huge tent that weighed several hundred pounds and slept 40. Of course, there was nothing there then--no condos at all, a string of local mom and pop motels, and a few places to eat. It was truly beautiful then, and it still is, now, just a bit more crowded.