My parents have been RVing for 40 years and have stayed all over," Wes Darwin says, "And one year we went down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. We went to stay at a campsite and it was completely booked - it was one of those places you had to book a year in advance or something like that. We went all around town and it was the same story. We decided starting a campground is a great idea for investment." The timing was right for them, too. His parents were recently retired and Wes was laid off from his software job a year before; so they decided to start the campground together.
The name of the campground is Foley Oaks RV Resort in Foley, Alabama. Foley is about 5 miles away from the gulf beaches of Alabama and is a quiet, rural small town. "We think we found the perfect property," Darwin says, "So we brought all the utilities in and we finished phase one of building 2 weeks ago." They are planning an open date of August and already have generated a lot of interest. "We get a good mix of people interested in staying. Snowbirds for the winter, vacationers coming for the beach, and locals that want to camp for the weekend," Darwin says. They are hoping to accommodate everyone and have many plans in order to do that.
Of course the beaches of the area are a main draw to the locale. People comment on the beautiful white sands and the lack of crowds that are associated with Alabama beaches. Many say that even in prime season, it is easy to find a spot on the beach and enjoy life for the whole day. The area has many other activities for people to enjoy, too.
“The annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival located at the Foley Soccer Complex near Foley Oaks brings hundreds of visitors to the area .” [Photo Credit: Foley Oaks RV Resort]
One is kayaking. There are a variety of kayak tour companies in the area, two worth mentioning are WildNative Tours in Gulf Shores and BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals in Foley. WildNative has many tours, the most popular being the delta tours and the harbor tours. On the delta tours, it is common to see a lot of different animals, including, of course, alligators. One reviewer on TripAdvisor says about the alligators, "It was rather scary to watch them catch fish but at the same time amazing. My daughter said, Abort, abort abort!" The harbor tours often include close encounters with dolphins, an experience that many hope for on Gulf vacations. Many tourists get the opportunity to see dolphins and comment on the experience and knowledge of the guides, so it’s a simple decision for visitors to choose from.
BeachnRiver has more of a backcountry vibe. It is located in Foley and kayakers leave from the owner’s house and go through small, shallow streams that are canopied by trees. The website suggests a strong respect for the culture and the Bon Secour River and a desire to show others the beauty of the area. People comment on the peacefulness, the quantity of wildlife, and seeing the homes on the river as highlights. On the website it says, "Home-styles ranging from historic, columned Southern estates and hurricane-ravished shacks to newly-built beach-style cottages and million-dollar-mansions, offer you a glimpse of a collective history representing a lifestyle that can best be appreciated quietly by water."
An interesting tidbit about Foley is the Foley Tunnel. It was essentially an urban legend for locals that turns out to be true. Underneath the old downtown, from the Magnolia Inn to the telephone company is a bomb shelter like tunnel. It was built by John Snook, whose wife Marjorie still manages the Magnolia Inn. John owned both the telephone company and the Magnolia Inn. He decided to build a tunnel to connect the two, because they were across the street, so he could access both of them without being exposed to inclement weather. It was built during the Korean War and John had a very real fear of Soviet attack on the gulf coast with Cuba so close, so he built it to serve as a protection for the people in the town, also.
He also decided that it wasn’t enough to have protection; people should be trained to fight if necessary. So he trained women to do just as much as men, as well as pistol training. The women became known as Snook’s Nylon Army to the Russians, as their training was publicized in Russian newspapers. While digging out the tunnel, which is now sealed, the Snooks found a cannonball, which they assume is from the Civil War, and is currently on display in the Magnolia Inn.
The beaches, the activities, and the history make Foley Oaks a great place to stay while on the gulf coast. Having access to all of these attractions, as well as the amenities the Darwin’s are building, make the campground ideal for any RVer. The Darwin’s are adding a clubhouse, a playground, a dog play area, and more that you will have to go to see, to make sure everyone’s stay is perfect. They are also making a community garden for everyone to participate in and enjoy. They mention that they are from a farmer family and intend to continue that tradition in this way. And then there are the oaks. About a dozen 100 year old Oak trees are on the property, and as the owners believe, “Once there, we believe you’ll understand why it’s considered the crown jewel of the park.”