You made it! The sunny shores of the Alabama Gulf Coast beckon you with their siren song of crashing waves and seagull cries. In your haste to enjoy all that our beautiful beaches have to offer, make sure you take a few things with you:  LOF march blog flag

 

  1. Sunscreen. Don’t leave home without it. Seriously. Put it on 30 minutes before arriving at the beach to allow the ingredients to bind to your skin. Reapply at least every two hours or after swimming to make sure you stay protected.

 

  1. Hat and/or sunglasses. Protecting your eyes, your face and the top of your head is important for your health, and it will make your day much more comfortable.

 

  1. Plenty of beach towels. Plan for all the uses, such as a mat while soaking up sunshine, drying off, as a cover-up or pillow, etc.

 

  1. A lot of snacks. Being on the beach makes you hungry. LOF April Beach Checklist 4

 

  1. A lot of beverages. Bring refillable water bottles or beverages in recyclable aluminum cans.

 

  1. Ice and ice packs. A combination of the two is usually a good mix. You want to make sure your water bottles, drinks and other snacks have plenty of chill to make it through a warm beach day.

 

  1. Paper towels and hand sanitizer. You might be able to do without one or the other, but it’s nice to have them both.

 

  1. Iced fruit. A great snack that also keeps you cool.

 

  1. Beach umbrella or canopy. Anchor it deep into the sand for stability.  LOF April Beachlist 6

 

  1. Beach chairs. Lightweight, easily portable chairs make your day more enjoyable.

 

  1. Sheets or blankets. These are handy to use while lying on the beach.

 

  1. Beach toys. Shovels, buckets, rafts, footballs, Frisbees, kites . . . whatever you like to do to pass the time on the sand.  LOF April Beach Checklist 7

 

  1. A trash bag. Or several.

 

  1. A wagon or beach cart for toting all of your supplies. Some have wheels especially designed for going through sand.

 

  1. Flip flops. You don’t want to walk across a hot parking lot, or for that matter, really hot sand, without something to protect your feet.   LOF April Beach Checklist 5

 

  1. A camera. Photos help preserve your memories and become wonderful conversation starters upon returning home.

 

  1. This list. As the organizer of the day’s activities, you have to be the wrangler of all things beach. At the end of your visit, be sure to pack up everything you brought, put the trash where it belongs, and take your memories with you.