Dauphin Island appeals to beachcombers

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Jul 12, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Dauphin Island sits at the edge of Alabama just waiting for visitors. Generations of families have played there leaving little but footprints in the sand. The barrier island has survived many a storm and still it stands, calling to beach lovers.

This summer, visitors will find a new public beach on Dauphin Island’s West End. Palm trees offer shade just feet from the powdery white sands. Trained lifeguards keep  watchful eyes on swimmers and the surf.

There’s a beach resort feel to the area. Island style Tiki Bar and Rentals, run by the uncle and niece team of Phillip Patronas and Ashley Pitts, provide personal watercraft and inner tube rentals, parasailing and a bar including frozen cocktails. Chaise ’N’ Rays, owned by Gary and Virginia Bratt, offers beach chair and umbrella rentals.

It’s a far cry from the Dauphin Island of yesteryear. The new West End beach has been engineered to weather storms far better than the past. The town’s project manager Joyce Allen and consultant Liberty Duke with ERIS Inc. designed the area to limit replacement costs in the event of a tropical storm. The clean, new multi-stall bathrooms are housed in a trailer that can be easily hauled to a safer location. Also, the vendors’ tiki huts, lifeguard stand, tents and picnic tables can all be lifted onto a flatbed and safely stored away from the effects of an oncoming storm.

Dauphin Island mayor Jeff Collier said that the new beach design has limited some of the risks posed by Mother Nature. The public beach is designed for use by families and visitors, and is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. with lifeguards on duty between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Up to 185 vehicles can be accommodated for a modest parking fee.

For information on the island and the beach, call the Town of Dauphin Island, (251) 861-5525. For more info on visitor attractions, visit http://www.gulfinfo.com/ditown.

ATV Safety
During summer, millions of Americans are enjoying family holidays outings behind the handlebars of all-terrain vehicles. The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute joins manufacturers and distributors of the vehicles to follow the eight golden rules of ATV safety:

• Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
• Never ride on public roads — another vehicle could hit you.
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
•  Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.
• Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
• Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
• Ride only on designated trails, and at a safe speed.
• Brush up on your safety skills. Take an ATV Rider Course. Call (800) 887-2887 or visit http://www.atvsafety.org.

CityPass discounts
If you’re visiting one of America’s big cities this summer, check out the CityPass program that helps travelers save dollars while visiting famous museums, aquariums, thrill rides and other attractions. If you are in or near New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, Hollywood or Southern California, the ticket booklets are valid for nine days from the time of first use.

Purchase any CityPass in advance online at http://www.citypass.com and have it sent to your home, office or hotel address. Also, you can save shipping fees with a print-at-home voucher offer. Vouchers are redeemed at a participating attraction.
For info, click on the above Web site. Recorded info is available at (877) 843-7277.

Orlando discount
The JW Marriott in Orlando is offering a summer package valid through Sept. 3. Rates start at $189 per room, per night and include deluxe room for two, breakfast for two at Citron Restaurant and a $25 resort credit per night, and are guaranteed an upgrade to a lake front view at time of booking. Contact (407) 206-2300.

Mango Madness
Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia is planning a Mango Madness Festival July 18-20. Chef Allen Susser, author of The Great Mango Book, will host the event featuring a mango chutney workshop, mango cocktail party and mango cooking class. Participants will join mango field trips to the resort’s organic and historical plantations of Anse Mamin and Emerald. A farewell brunch wraps up the weekend. A three-night stay at the resort for the Mango Madness events and all meals and beverages starts at $2,079, per person, per double occupancy. For details and reservations, contact (800) 223-1108.

San Diego Yacht Fest
San Diego’s Shelter Island will be the setting for YachtFest Sept. 11-14.

Presented by the San Diego Marine Exchange, the event is the West Coast’s premier yacht show. In addition to previewing yachts, attendees can view the newest in yachting products and luxury toys for the sea cruising enthusiasts. The event will be open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily at Island Palms Hotel and Maringa, 2051 Shelter Island. Ticket prices will vary. Visit http://www.yachtfest.com or (858) 836-0133.

Delta partners with TSA
Delta Air Lines has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration to launch paperless mobile check-in for domestic travel on Delta and Delta Connection flights departing from Delta’s main terminal at La Guardia in New York.