New Year's Eve

The Beachin’ clan will be attending the New Year’s bash at The Wharf. The festivities will include music provided by The Tip Tops on the main stage as well as a juggler, magician, unicyclist, caricaturist and much more. They’ll have big screens showing highlights of the celebration from other parts of the country as well as starting the tradition of “dropping the anchor” at midnight. It’s likely we’ll try out one of the Wharf’s new tenants for a New Year’s Eve dinner, the Ginny Lane Bar & Grill, which has been getting rave reviews from some of the locals.
From all of us to all of you, have a safe and Happy New Year.

The Perfect Last Minute Gift

Still struggling to find the perfect gift for that hard to buy person on your list? Here’s an idea. Call the nice ladies in Reservations at Brett Robinson at (800) 211-7892 and get a gift certificate for a stay at the beach. What better gift can you receive than some time along the sugar white sands of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? Especially for our friends and family who are dealing with a different kind of white on their lawn.
From the entire Beachin’ Bob clan, we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas.

The Nutcracker - Review

I’m a pickup truck driving, NASCAR watching, college football loving Son the South. I spend a lot more time in sandals and shorts than I do in long pants and good shoes. But I enjoyed the Nutcracker. Great costumes and music as well as some top notch performances by the dancers and the local talent. I can only imagine the amount of effort involved in coordinating the efforts of the dancers and 50 local talented people, most of whom are children. It was an evening well spent. There will be an encore performance on Jan. 30th. Was it worth putting on long pants and my good shoes? Absolutely!

The Nutcracker

Gulf Coast Ballet of Orange Beach will present two performances of "The Nutcracker" this holiday season. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and Jan. 30 at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores. The performers are 50 students of Gulf Coast Ballet, three guest ballerinas and seven actors. The performers range in age from 2 to 67 years old and have been rehearsing for three months. The Nutcracker is based on the novel "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" written by E.T.A. Hoffman of a girl receiving a toy nutcracker from her mysterious godfather, then slips off into a magical dream world
The Beachin’ clan will be in attendance and I’ll report on the show.

Southern Fried Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving week here on the Coast. Thursday we'll be dining on the Southern staples for Thanksgiving - fried turkey, dressing and giblet gravy, sweet potato casserole, macaroni & cheese, etc. Friday night we'll attend The Southern Fried Jam at the Wharf Amphitheater highlighted by The Charlie Daniels Band. Also appearing will be the The Outlaws, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet. It’s a collection of great Southern fried rock bands, a day after taking in some Southern fried turkey.
Don't forget to give thanks (and say a prayer) for our service men and women who won't be home for Thanksgiving because they're abroad protecting the greatest country in the world.

From the whole Beachin' clan, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Sand & Song

So you're hanging around the stretch of coast between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and there's gentle music everywhere you go, and you get the feeling that something's up but you can't quite put your finger on it? Fret no more: You've been surrounded by the most low-key festival the coast has to offer, the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Following kick-off ceremonies held Thursday, it runs through Nov. 19 with performances in more than two dozen venues. There's no mystery to the Frank Brown faithful. And these are numerous, from the dozens of songwriters who make an annual pilgrimage from Nashville and other locales to the scores of listeners who come from all around the country to hear them in intimate settings packed by respectful fans. The event began nearly 30 years ago as a tribute to its namesake, the longtime night watchman at the famed Flora-Bama Lounge & Package. And though it has grown by leaps and bounds, particularly in the last decade, the focus has remained squarely on the songwriting experience. Here it's not about the celebrities who turn the songs into hits, it's about the craftsmen and -women who catch that initial inspiration and put it into words that resonate.
Check the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival site for up to date information on artist’s and venues.

An Interesting Find

Last week, the remains of a wooden ship were uncovered near the surf line about six miles east of Fort Morgan. After high tides and waves last week, residents said they noticed the bow and part of the outline of the vessel emerging from the sand. The ship is about 150 feet long and 36 feet wide at its widest point, based on what could be seen, said Jack Friend, author of "West Wind, Flood Tide: The Battle of Mobile Bay," after looking over the vessel Monday.
Friend cautioned against any speculation about the identity of the ship. "It's a fairly big vessel, but it's hard to say at this point," Friend said. "There have been shipwrecks in this area for 500 years and while it's tempting to say it's this ship or that, it's hard to know. We may not ever know exactly which vessel it was, but if we examine it carefully and go back and check what we find, we can get a pretty good idea of the era and some general information."
You never know what you'll find walking the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Elberta Sausage Festival

It’s a beautiful fall week on the Coast. It’s certainly golf and outdoor festival weather here, with highs in the upper 60’s & low 70’s, and lows in the 50’s. This weekend we’ll be playing a round of golf at Soldiers Creek Golf Club then going to the Elberta Sausage Festival . There will be booths for arts & crafts, live music, carnival rides for the kids, baked goods and some of the best sausage dogs you’ll ever find. So good in fact they expect to sell over 7,000 lbs. of sausage at the single day festival. The sausage festival is a town fund-raiser, spearheaded by Elberta's Volunteer Fire Department since 1978, whose proceeds are used for improving not only the fire department, but the town as well. Additionally, local non-profit organizations also benefit from the festival through proceeds from their booth sales and parking lot fees. Due to its huge success, the festival is now held twice a year on the last Saturday of March and October. Come out and enjoy for a good cause.

ShrimpFest

The Beachin' clan had a blast this weekend at Shrimp Festival. Grabbed some Cajun Pistols ( a small French roll stuffed with cheese, shrimp and crawfish) and enjoyed Emerson Drive & Mark Wills. Brett had to build up some service hours for the Key Club so while he served up cold drinks at the Gulf Shores High School booth I was very entertained by Dr. Zarr's Amazing Funk Monster. They're a Memphis based 70's and 80's dance and party band, and well worth seeing. They had great weather, great food and great music.
I'll be there next year,shouldn't you?

BayFest

The Beachin clan stayed at Gulf Shores Surf & Racquet this weekend and made the just over one hour drive to Mobile a couple of times to take in BayFest. BayFest is Mobile’s annual music festival and they feature a wide variety of musical acts on the various stages. Friday night Mrs. Beachin’ and I grabbed an excellent Conecuh County Sausage Dog with onions and caught a couple of country acts: Keith Anderson & Gretchen Wilson. Rock acts Hinder, 10 Years and Shinedown provided the music on Saturday when Brett joined in. I enjoyed some cold beers and a fried turkey leg (you heard it right, a fried turkey leg). Brett enjoyed a non-alcoholic pina colada from the Maui Wowi Smoothies booth. It’s a great weekend of music, food and fun.
This weekend: The Shrimp Festival!! See you there !!!!

Shopping, shopping and more…shopping

I’m not much of a shopper. I’m more of a buyer. I need a shirt, I see a shirt, I buy a shirt. When I am forced to shop, I like to get it all done at one time, at one place. With that in mind, Brett and I headed to the Tanger Outlet Center in Foley Saturday to pick up a few desperately needed items. Being a guest at Brett-Robinson’s Island Winds East we received some discount coupons which made the great buys even better.
Brett took in some of his favorites: American Eagle, Aeropostale, Fanatic Fanz, Reebok and the Nike store. I headed to Rack Room Shoes for some shoes, followed by Las Vegas Discount Golf & Tennis, Music for a Song and Big Dog Sportswear. It’s great to be able to go to many stores in a single trip. Not to mention the fact that we were able to get a bite to eat at the Texas Mesquite Grill before heading home.
If you like shopping it’s a great place. If you’re like me and don’t like shopping it’s a great place to get it all done quickly in one spot.

My Favorite Web Sites

Everyone does a top 10, so here’s the Beachin’ Bob Top 12, in no particular order:
Dave Barry's Blog ,THE 9, DRUDGE REPORT, BR Web Cams, LifeHacker, AL.com, Google News, YouTube, CNN, Calendar of Events, MSN and SI.com.
Check them out and email your favorite sites to Beachin' Bob.

Answering The Call

I'm an American soldier, an American,

Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight.
Toby Keith --- “American Soldier”

I had a big lift this morning. I got a call from my son, who’s stationed in Afghanistan. It’s always great to hear from him, especially when it’s been a few weeks. It’s amazing how much better it makes you feel just to hear his voice, to know he’s okay. It’s a tough deal for him, and our whole family, to be separated from him. If you get a chance, take a minute and express your thanks in some way to a member of our Armed Forces or their family. Say a prayer, send a card, make a contribution to a support organization, perform an act of kindness for a family member who’s missing a loved one.
God Bless America, and those who serve her.

Southern Fried Thanksgiving

The Wharf has announced a concert for Thanksgiving weekend at The Amphitheater. The Southern Fried Jam, to be held on Friday November24th, will be highlighted by The Charlie Daniels Band. Also appearing will be the The Outlaws, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet. It’s a collection of great Southern fried rock bands, a day after taking in some Southern fried turkey.

Make your reservations and get your concert tickets now. Tickets start at only $11.50!! Look for the Beachin’ family to be at the Island Winds condos.
See you at the show!!

Alabama Coastal Cleanup

This Saturday, Sept.16th is the 19th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. The Coastal Cleanup is a project where the local citizens and visitor volunteers band together to clean trash and debris from the local waterways and beaches. Over the past 18 years the Alabama Coastal Cleanup has had 46,294 volunteers remove 843,710 pounds of marine debris from a total of 2,573 miles of coastline! It has grown from a few hundred volunteers to almost 4,000!! The Cleanup is more than a fun day in the sun. It is a time to keep "Alabama the Beautiful" by getting the Trash out of the Splash!
Come join the effort to keep the Alabama Coast beautiful and debris free. For information go to the Alabama Coastal Cleanup web site.

Shrimp Festival

The 35th Annual Shrimp Festival will be held this year October 12th -15th. The festival always includes fine art, a variety of music, arts and crafts, an international marketplace and of course, shrimp! Fried, grilled, broiled or steamed, you can find it all at the Festival along with other delicious seafood and non-seafood dishes. The Festival annually attracts over 200, 000 people over the 4 day period.
If you’re there on Saturday, don’t forget to check out one of my favorites, the sand castle contest. Some of the designs are amazing! Food? You bet! My favorite is the Cajun Pistols from Rockin Roger's Cajun Cuisine. You gotta try one.
The musical acts that I’ll be sure to catch this year include The Tip Tops, Mark Wills, The Michael Warren Band and Drivin N Cryin. Don’t forget to check out a local band that’s sure to please, The Wes Loper Band. The Shrimp Festival has three stages to keep the music and good times flowing throughout the day.
Book your reservations early, the sell out gets earlier each year. Beachin’ Bob will be staying at Phoenix All Suites, right next door to the Festival.

Unofficial End of Summer Blowout

This weekend is Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial end of summer. It’s been a great summer here on Pleasure Island. The skies have been clear, the water has been blue and the shores have been full. Now it’s time to ease into the less hectic time of the year. Actually, fall on the coast is my favorite time of year. The water is still warm, the beaches are less crowded and the days and evenings will begin to cool down. It’s a great time to visit our area.
There will be plenty to do to close out the summer. Most importantly, Alabama and Auburn kick the football season off this weekend. You can catch the pay-per-view games at many of the local watering holes. Ready for some music? Try one of my favorites, The Foxy Iguanas, at Pappa Rocco’s on Friday or Saturday night. You can catch Brent Burns at Lulu’s on Monday.

A Special Guest

The Beachin’ family welcomed a special guest for the Thunder On The Gulf weekend. My eldest son, Robinson, was home on leave for two weeks. He’s a medic in the US Army, stationed in Afghanistan, and we hadn’t seen him since last Christmas. It was great to see him walking towards us in the airport and even better to give him a big hug. We had a great time visiting the dry pits at The Wharf to see the big boats up close. He stayed at Phoenix V for the weekend and had a great view of the races.
It was heartwarming to see so many people stop us at the airport and thank him for his service. If you get a chance to express your thanks to anyone in the Armed Forces or their families please do so. It’s tough for him, and us, to be separated for so long. But as Americans we are blessed to have such fine young men and women who answer the call. God Bless America.

Thunder On The Gulf

This weekend is the big Thunder On The Gulf weekend in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. We’ll welcome the Offshore Super Series to the Gulf Coast. The Thunder On The Gulf activities includes VIP kick-off parties, dry pits at The Wharf, the All American Jam Saturday night and, of course, the races Sunday just 100 yards off the beach. If you’ve never been it’s a weekend full of amazing sights and sounds as the big boats race just off the shore. Nobody throws a better party than the folks on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Come on down and enjoy the area and the festivities. If you can’t make it this year, make sure to book early for next year. The Phoenix Condos are right on the course.
And don’t forget, the annual 2006 National Shrimp Festival is slated for October 12th through the 15th. It’s right next door to Phoenix All Suites in downtown Gulf Shores. Book now!

Back To School

It’s hard to believe that Beachin’ Bob’s youngest son is going to high school. Brett starts at Gulf Shores High School this year. It’s unbelievable how time flies. The Baldwin County schools begin their school year Thursday, August 10th. It seems to come earlier every year. Am I the only one who remembers school ending at Memorial Day and beginning right after Labor Day? But I digress…..the end of summer always brings a flurry of activity at the Beachin’ Bob household (mostly directed by the lovely Mrs. Beachin’). There’s school supplies to purchase (the Target at Craft Farms or the Gulf Shores Wal-Mart). And of course, you have to find the “right” clothes and shoes for the return to school, found at the Tanger Outlet Center.
The kids will soon all be back in school which leaves a little more free space on the beach for the more leisurely crowd. Come on down and join me.

A Day at Waterville

This weekend the family and I, along with a few friends, spent the day at Waterville in Gulf Shores. Of course we started with the high speed water slides like the Kamikaze and the JetStream. Then we progressed onto some of the “tube” rides like the Black Widow and the Hurricane. As my energy faded after numerous rides we took it easy in the Wave Pool and of course the Lazy River. Later we had a great time riding the “Nascarts” and enjoying the video arcade.
A fun and busy day for all, but we sure worked up an appetite and headed to Live Bait for dinner. We capped off the day at our condo at Gulf Shores Surf and Racquet with a cheesecake from Hope’s Cheesecakes.

Starbucks on the Island

Need a great cup of coffee to take with you on your sunrise stroll on the beach? Now you can enjoy one of Starbucks delicious coffee beverages, listen to street entertainment, and shop in some of the area's best boutiques-all in one location here on Pleasure Island. The island's first Starbucks is now open at The Wharf from 10am-10pm daily. Starbucks has also opened a location in the new Target store in the Colonial Pinnacle at Craft Farms development, which also features a Cobb theater. Starbucks is also open at the Tanger outlet and has a drive thru. Talk about a caffeine fix !

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

This weekend was the 74^th Annual Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. In this area there’s an abundance of snapper, ling, mackerel, wahoo, grouper, and dolphin close inshore while a southerly course into deep water soon puts you in one of the hottest bill fishing areas in the country. The Rodeo attracts over 100,000 spectators and over 3,200 fishermen per year to its current Dauphin Island site. Many of the large charter boats depart from Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, some from the Orange Beach Marina. The winners this year included a 59 lb. king mackerel, a 329 lb. bull shark and a 179 lb. yellowfin tuna. Make your reservations now to attend next year’s tournament, or plan a visit to see the big boats and big fish come in at the tournaments check-in point.

It's Not Just Me

Don’t just take my word for the beauty of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Check out the review of this area on the AOL Travel Guide in an article called “Bodacious Beach Towns”. Here’s a review on TripAdvisor on Phoenix X. Here’s some opinions on Epinions. Check out some of the tips and photos at The Virtual Tourist. There’s also some reviews from travelers at OpenList.
Want to take a look for yourself? Try viewing our webcams or our Photo Gallery.

NASCAR on the Water

Thunder on the Gulf, held Aug. 17th – 20th in Orange Beach, really is like NASCAR on the water. The fastest boats on water, some equipped with 4 engines generating 4,800 Horsepower and reach speeds up to 170 MPH, will be racing a course that stretches from Phoenix East to Phoenix I. It’s an incredible sight to see machines that powerful and fast racing just 100 yards off the shore. Viewing from the beach is free, but it’s better from the comfort of a Gulf front condo.
As part of the celebration of events, The Wharf will host the All American Jam concert at the Amphitheater on Saturday, August 19th. Performers include the Marshall Tucker Band, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and the Georgia Satellites.
Make your reservation soon, rooms will book early for this big weekend.
And remember to look for Beachin’ Bob at the festivities.

A Flurry of Activity for the Fourth

It was a busy Fourth of July Weekend on Pleasure Island. It started, as it nearly always does, with a great round of golf. This weekend we played at Kiva Dunes, a great course designed by Jerry Pate. That started a weekend of fun in the sun, that concluded with a great meal at Bahama Bob's. On Monday the 3rd of July, we attended the Montgomery Gentry concert at the Wharf’s Amphitheater, followed by a quick boat ride to Perdido Pass to see the City of Orange Beach’s fireworks. On the Fourth of July, we saw the City of Gulf Shores fireworks from our balcony at the Phoenix All Suites. I’m told that the Wharf also had a very nice fireworks show that night.
If you missed it this year, make sure to make your reservations early next year. This is the place to be for the Fourth of July.

Lazy Rivers

I love Lazy Rivers. These unusual water-features are just as the name implies: narrow, long and languorous imitation rivers that allow people on rafts to leisurely float. They're perfect for someone like me, because I don't quite have the energy level I used to have. They're called Lazy Rivers for a reason. There are several in the Gulf Shores/ Orange Beach area. There's one at Waterville, located in Gulf Shores. My favorite one is at Phoenix On The Bay, which all the guests get to enjoy. Check out the Lazy River via a webcam by clicking here.

Come down and enjoy a "lazy" vacation day.

P.S. The fishing isn't very good in the Lazy River. I fished all day and didn't get a single bite. For a better experience try a fishing package from Brett-Robinson.

Johnny Rockets

One of the new places that recently opened at The Wharf is a restaurant called Johnny Rockets. It’s a 50’s styled American diner, complete with a jukebox at the table (that plays songs for a nickel!!) and “the food, fun and friendliness reminiscent of feel-good Americana.” It’s a blast from the past, something I appreciate more as I … mature. Good food, a great atmosphere and some great old songs playing make for a great break from today’s hectic pace. It’s a perfect fit for the relaxed atmosphere here at Pleasure Island. And ladies, poodle skirts are not required .....
I think this Friday, when Three Dog Night is playing at the Amphitheater at the Wharf we’ll stop in for a Route 66 burger and a chocolate malt.
Come on out and join me.

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

This weekend I attended the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. The festival was a great free family event with 40 Hot Air Balloonists, 120 Arts & Crafts booths, food vendors, gumbo cook-off, live entertainment, display of hot-rod cars, and a children's village.
I was fortunate enough to be able to take a hot air balloon ride, courtesy of a sponsorship with Brett/Robinson. I rode on “Ol’ Blue”, piloted by Pat Harwell of Shreveport, La. Pat and his crew did a great job, taking my son Brett and I on a great ride. It was truly thrilling and will be a cherished memory for us both. The sight of the balloons in the air was really something to behold, especially from a balloonists’ view. If you ever have the chance, definitely don’t pass up an opportunity to take a flight.
If you missed this year's festival, make sure you plan to attend next year's edition of this annual event.

Blogging

I may have “relaxed” a little too much Friday night at Pirates Cove which led to a Saturday best suited for cruising the web looking at other people’s blogs. It’s amazing the amount of people who come to this area and blog about it. Like ZebraMan from Nashville, Tennessee who obviously enjoyed his trip. See the photos from his trip here. Or read about the trip Carolyn and her family took to Phoenix On The Bay. Take a look at the blog hosted by SailNet, an online community for sailing. Take a quick visit to SherryLand.
Or even better, make your own trip to Orange Beach & Gulf Shores. Write about it in your blog and send me a link. I’ll post it here.

P.S. Tropical Storm Alberto is well east of our location. The surf will be up to the delight of our surfers, but the weather is great and we likely won’t even see a drop of rain.

Grease at the Beach

I attended the Broadway musical Grease this week at the George C. Meyers Theatre Arts Center in Gulf Shores. The musical was performed by SummerTide, the University of Alabama’s professional summer theater company. It was great family entertainment, and judging from the crowd’s reaction I wasn’t the only one to feel that way.
The cast features students and alumni of the UA Department of Theatre and Dance including Meagan McNerney as fresh faced Sandy, Jason Keef as bad-boy Danny, and Sara Catherine Thomason as naughty-girl Rizzo. Rounding out the cast are fellow University of Alabama students Emily Etheridge as Frenchy, Allison Wilkes as Marty, Jeff Ingram and Kenickie, Ben Holmes as Roger, and Taylor Bridges as Doody. The performances run 6 days a week throughout the month of June. Get more details by visiting the SummerTide web site.

The next outing for the Beachin’ Bob clan? The GrassRoots concert at The Wharf on June 7th. If you’re already in town look for me on the putting green or in the lazy river at The Phoenix On The Bay.

Come visit, and tell them Beachin’ Bob sent you.

The First Ride at The Wharf

On Thursday May 25th I attended the Wharf’s First Ride Day with the lovely Mrs. Beachin’ and our two sons Brett and Robinson. The highlight of the day was a free ride on The Wharf’s ferris wheel, the largest in the Southeast. At the top of the ferris wheel you get a great view of our entire lovely area and beaches. I could even see my room at Phoenix X. The Wharf also provided free food, tours of their facility and free movies at the new Rave Theater. The Wharf opens their amphitheater this weekend with a concert featuring Hank Williams, Jr. and Rhett Akins on Saturday night. Click here to see a list of future concert events at The Wharf.
This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional beginning of summer on Pleasure Island. The weather’s great, the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico are as beautiful as ever and we’re ready for your visit. Come on down, and as always, tell them Beachin’ Bob sent you.

Beach Music

Every now and then when I don't have an early morning tee time to play golf I hit the hot spots of Gulf Shores at night. Me and my buddies (with our wives permission) start out at the Flora-Bama for brewskis and tunes.You can walk to the FloraBama (and we all know why that’s a good thing) from Phoenix X. Or maybe the official Gulf Coast Taylor Hicks “Soul Patrol” American Idol viewing party at LuLu's At Homeport Marina . You may see Taylor’s proud Grandmother taking in the festivities. Perhaps you’d like the hearing the Foxy Iguanas or Jeff Ruby at the The Undertow. Or try to catch Brent Burns, who’s “Living the Life Jimmy Buffett Only Wrote About”. All of these are a short drive from Phoenix All Suites Hotel.
Whatever your taste in music and atmosphere, it’s all right here.
Come on down, and tell them Beachin Bob sent you.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is this weekend and I have some special plans for me and my mom. First, I am putting her up in a Phoenix Condo (my wife is happy about that) and then she is going to go to the spa for some pampering. (she needs that after cooking all my favorite dishes in the condo). Then we are going out to dinner on Sunday. Mom loves seafood. There are so many places I can pick from that I haven't decided which restaurant to take her to yet. I told her to go to the Things to Do page at http://www.brett-robinson and pick one out.

My mom is really special and I am so glad to have her visit me during this special weekend. Bring your mom to the beach and let her know she's special to you.

Mullet Toss

This weekend at the FloraBama the World Famous Mullet Toss will be held. Mullet Toss? You bet! A Mullet Toss consists of individuals on the beach throwing a mullet from a 10-foot circle in Alabama across the state line into Florida. Not to mention a great excuse to throw a weekend long party, with lots of fun activities, great music and food! This year's event will feature local celebrities tossing out a few fish at Noon, Saturday April 29th”.
It’s a great time and a contribution is made to a local charity for each mullet tossed. For more details check the the FloraBama’s web site.
The best place to stay for the Mullet Toss? Without a doubt, it’s one of Brett-Robinson’s Phoenixes, especially Phoenix 10. If you missed it this year, book early and be at the Coast’s biggest party next year.

Once In A Lifetime

Some times the improbable, the implausible, the nearly impossible, happens.

I’m a golfer. Not a great golfer mind you, but an avid golfer nonetheless. Maybe it’s the thrill of a well struck shot, or maybe it’s just what my grandfather called the “fellowshipping” that draws me in. But I seldom miss a Saturday on the course with one of my sons and friends. This Saturday was special. We were playing Cotton Creek, a Craft Farms course. It was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies. On hole #8, a 115 yard par three, I hit a lob wedge shot that miraculously went in the hole. A hole in one! It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, made all the more special because I was able to share it with my son and a great friend.

For others, their once in a lifetime moment comes in different ways. It’s the perfect wave for a surfer, a rare species sighting for a bird watcher or a perfect sand dollar for the beachcomber. It’s the perfect dress and shoes for the Prom, it’s the shot that lands right on the line to win the big tennis match. It’s seeing two young people beginning their lives together in the sunset on the beach.

Luckily, all of those moments, and many more, can be found right here on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Come on down, and make your own once in a lifetime memory with your family and friends.

Daylight Savings Time

I’m pretty sure that Daylight Savings Time wasn’t created just for the Alabama Gulf Coast, but we sure take advantage of it. Our sunset time is already creeping toward 7:30 PM. That’s nearly three hours of daylight after 5:00 PM. That’s a lot of time, especially if you have to work while in paradise, which I do. That’s plenty of time to stroll on the beach, play golf or whatever suits you in the early evening. It’s also makes for a great dinner setting, watching the sun go down during your meal. We’ve got plenty of beach to share, come on down. And tell them Beachin’ Bob sent you.

Webcams

One of my favorite things about the Internet is webcams. Especially those at the beach. Some of my favorite webcams are here. The Island Winds and Phoenix All Suites cams are in downtown Gulf Shores. The Phoenix on the Bay cam gives you a great shot of the Lazy River and the Perdido Pass leading to the Gulf of Mexico is in the distance .

My favorite is the cam at Phoenix East. It’s a nice look at the Perdido Pass and you can frequently watch the surfers when the surf is up. Or see the boat traffic as they head out through the Pass into the Gulf, or return home. Take a look! I can't wait until the power boat races during Thunder on the Gulf I hear the camera will be turned towards the course!

No matter how nice the pictures on the web are, you really gotta put your toes in the sand to be really beachin' it.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Another beautiful weekend here on the coast. I’ve been staying at Phoenix on the Bay and as I sat on the balcony with my morning cup of coffee, it struck me. It’s hard to decide what to do when you’re here. There’s great shopping and restaurants. Great golf courses. My boat is docked here and it’s a quick ride through “The Pass” and into the Gulf for fishing or sightseeing. There is plenty to do without ever leaving Phoenix on the Bay. They’ve got a putting green, a Lazy River, pools, a hot tub and a tennis court right here at the condo. You can see it on the webcam here. I decided to give one of the golf courses a try.
I worked on my putting skills on the practice green here before heading out to play a round at Craft Farms. They have two great courses, both designed by Arnold Palmer. It’s a beautiful course with grass so green it’s makes you wonder if it’s ever winter here (and by the way, what passes for winter here is something like spring most places) They also have great food at the Cotton Creek Clubhouse, just off the 18th green. A great day of relaxation and fun on the Coast. You should stay here some time, and tell them Beachin’ Bob sent you.

Beachin' Bob hard at work on his blog! Here I am staying at the new Phoenix All Suites Hotel West, right on the beach in downtown Gulf Shores. Another beautiful day here in paradise. Behind me is the pool, to my left the beach on a gorgeous day! How much better can it get? Take a look at the beach for yourself here

Beachin' Bob