FloraBama - the past revisited

Seriously, who among us hasn't spent some time at the legendary FloraBama.? You know the place, sitting squarely on the Florida - Alabama line, just a quick walk from Phoenix X. The 'Bama is clearly the most legendary watering hole in this area. Mrs. Beachin' and I found ourselves there this past Saturday night to meet up with some friends. Needless to say, it brought back some great memories of our days of frequenting the place. Some of the memories are cloudier than others. I'm sure you understand. It's good to see it's still a great place for kids of all ages to enjoy some great music, good friends, cold drinks and good times.

See you on the Beach!

Christmas Shopping with Beachin' Brett

Christmas Shopping at the Cobb, baby!!

Wat up people?? I’m lovin’ the holiday season, but, shopping for the females can be difficult sometimes. It wasn’t that bad for me this year, because I got almost ALL of it done at the Pinnacle Cobb Shopping Center here in Gulf Shores. On County Road 4, its only a 5 or 10 minutes ride to the beach and the Hangout. Its got everything you could possibly need for a vacation!!

I got there and went straight to the girl store mecca; Kay Jewelers. But, I did that last year, so I just left. Next, I went to Kay Jewelers’ back-up as the girl store mecca; Bed, Bath and Beyond. I’m still surprised I left with my masculinity in tact. I had to escape!!! Nothing that a quick stop in Hibbett Sports can’t solve!!! Books-A-Million didn’t have anything, but Target did!! Hard to believe this is all in the Pinnacle Cobb Shopping Center, right?? Plus, there are restaurants EVERYWHERE. Longhorn Steakhouse, Cold Stone Creamery, Incredible Candies (locally owned), Starbucks, Indigo Joe’s Sports Grill and Bar, and the works!! Plus, they’re expanding!! A new sushi shop just opened recently, so there’s something new for ya!! I’m out, gotta shop for another Beachin’ Family tradition I’ll tell ya about on my next blog. Keep it cool!

Bass Pro Shop

Beachin' Brett and I took the short ride to the Bass Pro Shop store in Spanish Fort. For any outdoor activity - fishing, hunting, camping, boating - you name it - they've got everything you could ask for. They feature a huge aquarium filled with the fish found naturally in this area. If you're looking for a hunting and fishing supplies and can't find what you need please let me know. They even have a really good restaurant right in the store - The Fish Company Restaurant.
It's an amazing store, and a short 30 minute drive from our house. It's well worth it.
See you at the Beach!!

New Year's Eve with Beachin' Brett

New Years Eve Partay!!!!!!
I’m sure if you’ve seen any of my previous blogs, you’ve heard of the multi-attraction Wharf in Orange Beach. They always have a big New Years’ Eve blowout which I have gone to every year, but this year’s looks better than every other one before it. This year, they have two separate music acts planned to perform until we hit 2009, for no charge!! (gotta love free concerts!!) The planned music acts are country musician John Stone and the Motown musical act Crystal Clear.
The Block Party officially starts at 7, but you will probably see people there partying earlier than that. We gotta bring in 2009 right!!

This year’s New Year’s party promises to be the best ever, and I especially am looking forward to the firework show. It was awesome last year and I expect it to be even better this year. I can’t wait to count down the dropping anchor.
Keep it cool people!

December Fishing Report by Capt. Randy Boggs

Inshore the red fish have been biting quite well on cut bait, live bait, and trolling with spoons. Quite a few sheepheads have shown up around dock pilings and have been surprisingly large, at 4 -6 lbs.

There has not been much action on flounder. Speckled trout are being caught in Mobile Bay on the shell bars and around the rigs with live croakers being the bait of choice for the larger trout.

Offshore in the 110’ to 120’ depths the vermillion snapper are plentiful. They are being caught on cut squid. If you are on a small boat with a just a few people, try cutting cigar minnows in to ½” pieces using a small hook to get the them biting.

Lots of catch and release of red snappers are being reported on the wrecks.

There have been good catches of king mackerel being reported. Most of these fish have been in the 20 lb plus range around the larger artificial reefs and oil rigs.

There have been no reports of wahoo or dolphin. The yellow fins are biting around the offshore rigs - trolling, chunking or jigging. There are good catches of black fin being reported around the rigs, especially jigging at night with diamond jigs.

Capt. Randy Boggs
Reel Surprise Charters

Beachin' Brett at 3 Doors Down

Gotta Love Rock Concerts!!!
Wat up people?? I recently went to the 3 Doors Down, Switchfoot, and American Bang concert with my dad, Beachin’ Bob, and it ROCKED!!!!
We got there a little late, so we only caught the last two songs of American Bang, and they were awesome. I’d like to see them again in 5 or 10 years when they can go on a tour of their own and not have to open up for someone. Switchfoot was pretty good, but it wasn’t exactly smooth. I say that because Switchfoot’s lead singer Jon Foreman tried to jump up and bust a move on Chad Butler’s (Switchfoot’s drummer) drum set, but he missed the bass drum and knocked over his crash symbol and his tom-tom!! It was hilarious!! He didn’t try that one again!! Smooth move!!
3 Doors Down came on after Switchfoot, and the first thing I noticed was that the 3 Doors Down drum set had stairs leading up to it, so I said, “Hopefully he doesn’t pull a Foreman.” It was after that that I realized I accidentally made a That 70’s Show reference, which was awesome, cuz I love That 70’s Show!!
But 3 Doors Down rocked it, and they played a 3 song encore, which was sweet.
But man, the Wharf Amphitheater at the Wharf in Orange Beach, where this concert was held, is always having good acts coming through. We’ve already had Hank Williams, Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Kid Rock, Three Days Grace, Seether, Staind, Saliva, and many more!
When you make your visit to Gulf Shores, take a break from the beach and get yourself some tickets to the next concert. There are concerts pretty much twice a month, at a minimum. The Wharf website will surely give you the hook-up on the next few music acts coming through.
Well, that’s it for me, I’ll post again soon, see ya’ll at the Party!!

Getting Ready For Christmas

It’s time for the Beachin’ family’s annual Christmas excursion to the Tanger Outlet Mall in Foley. It’s a great place to shop, with over 120 brand name outlet style stores. They’ve got it all, from Calvin Klein to Nike, from Brooks Brothers to Black & Decker, and all points in between. It’s a one stop shopping experience for all the needs of Beachin’ Brett and Robinson, as well as a fine selection for me and the boys to get some nice things for Ms. Beachin’. And what about for me? Well, I’ve got it all already, but if you must Las Vegas Golf & Tennis has some nice “big boy toys”. Don’t forget to visit their web site and print out some coupons for really nice savings.

Coming soon, the Christmas plans revealed for Beachin’ Bob and the whole extended family.

See You at The Beach!

Teen Beachin' Brett checks in!

Bloggers Note: After repeated requests (that are now becoming demands) the entire Beachin' clan will have input in the blog. This is the first of a series of teen related blogs provided by Beachin" Brett.)
Hey, I’m Beachin’ Brett. My dad has been bringing you the word in Gulf Shores for a while, but what about the kids? We need some down time, too! As a teenager in Gulf Shores, I know EVERYTHING the kids and the teenagers need to see and do in the good ole’ South. As a teenager, I’m going to give up all the spots in town that you need to hit in your visit to Gulf Shores. Plus, I have to entertain my little brother, Beachin’ Robinson, every now and then, so I got the hook-up for the little kids as well.
Gulf Shores is crawling with hot spots aimed at the entertainment of us minors. I’ve got the best places to go and the best things to do for us kids coming to you. After chilling out at Phoenix 7 indoor pool all day, later the kids can be jamming at the teens only Hammerhead’s Club at the Wharf, or bowling at Gulf Bowl, partying at the Hangout, and everything else to do here in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama. And let’s not forget the beach!!
Well, I’ve got some places to hit and people to see, so check out the blog regularly to find out the teen hotspots of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama. Keep it cool and See You at the Beach!!

Phoenix West Now Open!!

I just heard that Phoenix West is now accepting daily, weekly and monthly rental reservations. The Beachin' clan can't wait to be one the first to stay at the newest of the Brett Robinson condominiums. It's a magnificent structure of 27 stories of the most luxurious condos on the coast. The glassed in parking is perfect for housing the Chevelle during our stay. This building has great amenities including heated indoor/outdoor pools, fitness room, a sweet color TV in each bedroom, a lighted tennis court and much more.
I'll be watching the SEC Championship with a perfect view of the beach this Saturday.

As always, See You On The Beach!!