| High-flying adventures await in Gulf Shores, | | | | of a break from the heat. In the evening, though, |
| Orange Beach and surrounding communities on | | | | sun gives way to starry vistas, cool winds and a |
| the Alabama Gulf Coast. From Ferris wheel rides | | | | bit of romance. The best bet? Take a daytime |
| to hot-air balloon trips to sky-kissing parasail | | | | ride, then come back for an evening circuit. |
| journeys, many ways to get a new perspective | | | | If being more than 100 feet off the ground |
| of the Alabama Gulf Coast are available. That | | | | seems too tame, perhaps it is time to move |
| new perspective can give visitors a new | | | | from one type of gondola to another -- the kind |
| appreciation of the beauty, majesty and serenity | | | | attached to a hot-air balloon. While hot-air balloons |
| of the Gulf of Mexico and her stately ivory | | | | are more than 200 years older than the first |
| coastline. Hovering heavenward is the only way to | | | | Ferris wheel (and were invented by the French), |
| fly! | | | | the modern hot-air balloon and the technology |
| One if by land, two if by sea. If Paul Revere's | | | | that makes it safe and accessible for passengers |
| famous signal system were being used to denote | | | | still is shy of its 50th birthday (but was developed |
| ways to enjoy the Alabama Gulf Coast, it would | | | | in the United States). |
| need another option: Three if by air. | | | | To get a taste of ballooning, some might opt for |
| A bird's-eye view of any area reveals the | | | | a tethered ride. This allows passengers to board |
| enormity of its beauty, the scope of its charms. | | | | the gondola, then ascend a few hundred feet off |
| But flying high above the Alabama Gulf Coast can | | | | the ground as the pilot, or aeronaut, controls the |
| help even the most ardent fan of the region | | | | heated air released into the balloon. The balloon |
| appreciate how truly spectacular the ivory sands | | | | can move vertically, but has little room for |
| and azur waters are. | | | | horizontal travel and returns to the same landing |
| One way to gain a overview of the area is to | | | | spot. |
| take a ride on an invention that is a tribute to | | | | In an untethered flight, the pilot and ground crew |
| American design and ingenuity. The Ferris wheel, | | | | meet up with passengers at a predetermined |
| named for inventor George Ferris, carries its | | | | takeoff spot. But the landing zone is determined |
| passengers skyward and back as they ride in | | | | by the wind currents. The ground crew will follow |
| cars attached to giant steel circles. Ferris created | | | | the balloon's flight path and help the pilot secure a |
| the design for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, | | | | safe landing site. Passengers, meanwhile, can |
| and it was an answer to the French Eiffel Tower. | | | | enjoy seeing bays, rivers, islands, inlets and, of |
| The Ferris wheel at The Wharf, like its ancestor, | | | | course, the majestic Gulf of Mexico. |
| is designed to make a statement. At 112 feet tall | | | | If your objective is the ultimate aerial perspective, |
| and bedecked with lights, it is visible from | | | | parasailing is the only way to fly. After a boat ride |
| throughout the area, beckoning riders and | | | | away from the shore, parasailers are fitted with a |
| admirers. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in the | | | | harness, then attached to a parasail. When the |
| Southeast, sporting twenty-four gondolas capable | | | | wind catches the sail, the passenger is lifted away |
| of squiring one-hundred-forty people for a | | | | from the boat and into the air to fly as high as |
| skyward journey. One of the gondolas is | | | | 800 feet above the Gulf of Mexico. The trip |
| handicap-accessible, making it the perfect way for | | | | allows one some time to appreciate the serenity |
| any visitor to experience the sense of freedom | | | | of flight as well as the proximity of wildlife, as fish |
| that flight can bring. | | | | can be spotted through the clear Gulf waters. All |
| While the Ferris wheel at The Wharf is open both | | | | too soon, however, the descent begins and the |
| days and nights, arguments can be made in favor | | | | ride comes to an end. |
| of rides at particular hours. In the daytime, the | | | | Any vacation to the Alabama Gulf Coast is |
| bright sunlight allows views of trees, wildlife and | | | | memorable. But to magnify that experience, take |
| the surrounding countryside, which includes the | | | | it to new heights. Let your imagination soar, and |
| famed Intercoastal Waterway of Gulf Shores and | | | | then follow through by visiting the Ferris wheel at |
| Orange Beach. Riders can see boats of all sizes | | | | The Wharf, finding a pilot to take you on a hot-air |
| making their way up and down the waterway, all | | | | balloon adventure or hooking up with a captain |
| the while enjoying the breeze that provides a bit | | | | who can take you parasailing away from it all. |