Right. But I talked to Eglin from about 40 miles north of Gulf Shores all
the way to when I reach the Gulf Shores airspace.

Or am I not remembering correctly?

I no nothing about piloting procedures....

But given where gulf shores is....I imagine you could talk to either Eglin-the
farthest east, Pensacola Naval air station -east but closer, Pensacola Reginal
Airport - east about the same as Naval Air station,or maybe even Mobile
Regional Airport -west but maybe closer than Eglin...

And my WAG is that Mobile would be the closest if your talking Daulphin
Island....

And as previously mentioned .....ALWAY bring lots of effective bug
repellant...the HIGH powered stuff! in addition to long sleeve shirt, long
pants, even hats that you can DRENCH with bug spray...

OH yeah, if you are even remotely an aviation buff the Naval Air Station museum
is a MUST see....second only to the National Air and Space from what Ive been
told...you can definetly spend all day there...and they even have a decent
resteraunt on the spot to take a break for lunch....and if you manage to see
all you want before the end of the day.....there are two really neat forts on
base worth spending and hour or so at each....

I think the museum closes at 4 or 5 pm....so dont expect it stay open late....

take care

Blll