The 2006 Thunder on the Gulf speedboat races had to be held on the hottest day of the year.  My wife and I walked for what seemed to be miles through the white scorching hot sand to the Gulf.  Orange Beach was filled with thousands of people – who were smarter than us Yankees – and brought their own umbrella shades, and refreshments.  Companies rent lounge chairs with umbrellas, along the beach, and we couldn’t wait to get out of the sun.  The beauty of the Gulf filled with the beach umbrellas and the sound of waves on the shoreline was captivating.  This piece shows some of the activities that can be done at the beach, whether you want to be in the water, on shore tanning, or playing with your kids.  I completed this picture to illustrate that even though there may be a million different things going on around you, you can still find your own personal getaway.