Good morning Crew! It’s Christmas week and that always seems to carry a little extra weight, but in a good way. The year behind us, the new one just over the horizon and a reminder to slow down and soak it all in. Let’s ease into the week and enjoy the season.

The sands of Gulf Shores saw a heart-warming moment when a nearly 100-pound loggerhead sea turtle was gently returned to the Gulf after a long journey of healing. Beach volunteers and wildlife rescuers watched as she slipped back into the salty blue at West Beach, once again free from the fishing line and hooks that had once tangled her up. It was one of those scenes that makes you stop and tip your hat to Mother Nature’s stubbornness and our community’s care.

What makes her story especially wild isn’t just that she got rescued here, but that this wasn’t her first brush with trouble. About eight years ago, off the coast of the Canary Islands, she was found hopelessly tangled in a fishing net before being rehabilitated there and given a tracking chip. Somehow, this ocean wanderer made it thousands of miles across the Atlantic only to wash up again here, reminding us that the ocean’s highways are long and life can be both fragile and fierce.

After ending her beach detour and finding a rip current to carry her back into deeper water, volunteers said goodbye with a mix of awe and relief. It’s stories like this that reassure the folks who wake up early to patrol the shoreline or report an injured turtle: your effort matters, even across oceans and years. Bon voyage girl!

Last call! If you still haven’t been out to see some of the great lights around the area, I rounded up some of the best Christmas light displays and put all the locations on a Google map so you can easily get directions and plan your route.

Golf Course Views + Backyard Pool & Garden
Gulf Shores | 6 beds | 5 baths | 4,553 sq ft | fore!

Fully Furnished Bayfront Condo
Orange Beach | 3 beds | 3 baths | 1,745 sq ft | bayside living

Charming Cottage with Chef’s Kitchen
Foley | 3 beds | 3 baths | 1,944 sq ft | take a look

Another amazing Gulf Coast sunset captured by a member of the Crew and shared so we could all enjoy.

Capture any sunsets, wildlife or cool shots around town?

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FORECAST: A mild, mostly sunny stretch is ahead, with highs in the low 70s most days and overnight lows in the 50s. Expect some patchy morning and late-night fog through Christmas, then plenty of sunshine Friday and Saturday. A small chance of showers arrives late Sunday, followed by a cooler turn Sunday night.

TROPICAL OUTLOOK: Nothing to worry about, winter is here.

NIGHT SKY: The Ursid meteor shower is your one to watch over the next 7 days. It peaks the night of Dec. 21 into the early morning of Dec. 22 and stays active through about Dec. 26, with typical rates around 5–10 meteors per hour(sometimes more during brief bursts).

Let’s help these little guys find a place to call home — for good!

Bayou the dog
A sweet, soulful buddy with an easygoing charm who’s ready to trade rescue life for a forever home filled with love, patience and plenty of tail-wagging moments.

Charlotte the dog
A gentle, senior girl with a calm presence and a big heart, ready to settle into a loving home where she can finally relax, feel safe and be someone’s loyal companion.

Crabby Pants the cat
He may have a funny name, but underneath it is a sweet, independent kitty who’s looking for a calm, loving home where he can feel safe, respected and adored just the way he is.

Trivia Answer: Silent Night