LOCATION:
431 Benard Court East, Ft. Morgan area of Gulf Shores
TELEPHONE NUMBER AT BEACH: 251/543-1115
DIRECTIONS FROM GULF SHORES: As you come into Gulf Shores on Highway 59, cross the Intracoastal Canal Bridge (high bridge over canal) and go to the 4th traffic light. This will be the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 180 (the Ft. Morgan highway). There will be a Wallgreens on one corner and a Burger King on the other corner. Turn west (right) between Wallgreens and Burger King and go 18 2/10 miles to BENARD
COURT EAST EAST. Turn left on Benard Court East and CASTAWAY 2 is the 5th house on the right.
OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
GULF SHORES MARINA AND TACKY JACK’S 2 RESTAURANT
There is a full service marina, Gulf Shores Marina, about ½ mile further down the Ft. Morgan Road. It has a grocery store, bait and tackle, ice, boat ramp, gift shop, and a Tacky Jack’s 2 Restaurant and a beach bar. Great food, and some might nice people run the place and work there.
FT. MORGAN
Ft. Morgan, a historic Civil Was fort, is about 2 ½ miles from our house. This historic fort played a major role in the War Between the States (also fondly known down here as the War of Northern Aggression). Take a tour of the fort and museum. It’s very interesting and entertaining.
FT. MORGAN-DAUPHIN ISLAND FERRY
Every hour and a half the ferry departs from Ft. Morgan across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island. This is a short cut to Mobile and the Mississippi casinos. Many people take a ride on the ferry even if it is just to cross Mobile Bay and come back. There is a special reduced price for walk on’s as opposed to crossing with your vehicle.
THE ESTUARIUM ON Dauphin Island
The ESTUARIUM over on Dauphin Island is an exhibit of large tanks containing most of the species of fish found in our area of the Gulf and Mobile Bay. It is quite informative. It’s a few minutes walk from the ferry landing on Dauphin Island, and most folks walk on the ferry and walk to the Esturium from the ferry landing. It takes several hours to view the exhibit.
GOLF
There are about 15 golf courses in the Ft. Morgan, Gulf Shores Mobile area. Three of them are located on the Ft. Morgan road, and each of them is a very fine golf course.
SURF FISHING
For those who like to fish, surf fishing is a fun way to spend some time. We have several rods and reels for your use. We do not supply the hooks, sinkers, swivels and bait, but you can get that at the Marina Store just down the road. Be careful about handling the catfish. If their fins stick you, it is very painful. Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, Pompano, Lady Fish, and speckled trout are some of the varieties caught from the beach.
DEEP SEA FISHING
Because our area has so many natural and man made reefs, we have some of the finest deep sea fishing along the whole Gulf of Mexico. There are several charter boats based at the nearby marina. And, I also am a US Coast Guard licensed and insured captain, and we always have a good time and usually have very good catches aboard my boat, the CASTAWAY. I have a special reduced rate for guests staying with us at Castaway 2.
DOLPHIN WATCH
I also offer our guests a special rate for a sea view of our area aboard the CASTAWAY. This boat ride shows our guests Ft, Morgan from the water, the site of the Union Flagship the Tecumseh which was sunk by the Confederate forces at Ft. Morgan, the historic and very much photographed Sand Island Lighthouse guarding the entrance of Mobile Bay. Many times we will get a close up view of some of the ocean liners as they travel into and away from the port of Mobile. We always have good views of our many dolphins. If you think you might be interested in this boat ride, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can arrange time.
SHOPPING
The Tanger Outlet stores in Foley, about a 25 minute drive, lets you shop until you drop. There are over one hundred name brand factory outlet stores, and you can find just about everything you might want.
DINING
Our area has some of the best dining found anywhere. Our local Tacky Jack’s 2 has some very good seafood and a real good Rib Eye steak and the world’s best hamburger.
Right back up the road form Castaway 2 you can find a hot dog stand that has good hot dogs and sandwiches, and you can get a good pizza at Morgan Plaza grocery store.
There are so many restaurants that have delicious menus. Some of my favorite are: King Neptune’s about ¼ mile on the right from the intersection of highway 59 and 180. Just a
little further down highway 59 past King Neptune’s is the Original Oyster House. Great seafood. But, just about any place down there is good. You can’t go wrong with any of them.
AMUSEMENTS
There are several amusement parks nearby with fun things for all ages. If you have time, visit the Gulf Shores zoo. They have an alligator that is supposed to be one of the largest in captivity. He escaped during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and made national news when he was found and brought back to his home at the zoo.
Gulf Shores also has its own water park very near the zoo.
BON SECOUR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Located on the Ft. Morgan road, this national wildlife refuge has several hiking trails where you can see the natural beauty and plants and animals that inhabit our area. You will see how it looked before there were any people or building. You will see what Columbus would have seen if he had landed here.
BEACHES
The beautiful Ft. Morgan area beaches are our main attraction!
Beautiful and uncrowded, you’ll almost think you have your own private beach. If you take an EARLY morning walk along the beach, chances are that you’ll find sand dollars and very pretty sea shells.
REAL ESTATE
So many guests who vacation in Ft. Morgan inquire about property there. We’re not paid to do this, but our choice for real estate dealings is with Frank and Lynn Reed at Reed Real Estate about a mile back towards Gulf Shores. They actually live in Ft. Morgan, and are great people to work with. We bought our lot from them. They are honest and friendly. Their phone number is 251/540-2306 or 1/800/678-2306.
Our Ft. Morgan area has so much to offer!
We think that it’s the best place to vacation, so come on down and stay with us at Castaway 2!!!!! The very best beach vacation value along the whole gulf coast!
Relax and enjoy the beach away from the crowds and traffic!!!!! AT CASTAWAY 2!!
