Good Vibes, Great Outdoors is the perfect theme for our Gulf Coast July edition. It inspires me to get outside and enjoy the beauty our region has to offer. My husband and I enjoy our daily walks along Mobile Bay, just a few blocks from our house. Spending time on the water—whether on my paddleboard or alongside my husband in his kayak—is especially rewarding and offers a calming respite from the everyday hustle of work, house projects and daily chores.
Water has been woven throughout my life story. Growing up in Memphis, I was never far from the Mississippi River. Summers at Moon Lake were filled with swimming, fishing, water skiing and carefree days outdoors. Family vacations often took us to the Gulf of Mexico, where I developed a love for body surfing, snorkeling and spending hours in the water.
Becoming a competitive swimmer at age 10 and a triathlete at age 40 deepened that connection and sparked a lifelong appreciation for lakes, rivers, bays and oceans. Today, living in Fairhope keeps me close to both Mobile Bay and the Gulf, and many of our vacations still revolve around the beach. In fact, I met my husband at Pensacola Beach!
Whether I’m paddleboarding on the bay, swimming in open water or simply watching the waves roll in, I continue to find peace, joy and renewal whenever I’m near the water.
As our July feature story, “Wellness Without Walls,” conveys, it’s important to appreciate and participate in all that our local landscape has to offer. Here on the Gulf Coast, waterways, trails and beaches invite us to slow down, reconnect and enjoy the outdoors.
This month’s content celebrates the benefits of water, nature and outdoor recreation. Articles such as “Embracing Water’s Magic,” “Sustainable Water Features” and “Beyond Swim Lessons” invite us to become active participants in the natural world around us.
As you enjoy this beautiful Gulf Coast summer, I encourage you to step outside, breathe deeply, soak up some sunshine and spend time in nature. Explore a local trail, visit a favorite park or discover a new watering hole, whether that’s a quiet creek, a peaceful lake, Mobile Bay or the Gulf. The memories we create outdoors often become the ones we treasure most. So, grab your paddleboard, kayak, fishing rod, beach chair or walking shoes and make time to enjoy all the natural beauty that surrounds us.
To your health,
Michelle
