Hello 2010

As the year draws to a close, it is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. When that is done, it is time to find a great New Year’s Eve party and we have plenty to choose from on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast.

One of the best deals on the beach is with Brett/Robinson and The Hangout. You can stay at Phoenix All Suites Hotel, get two tickets to The Hangout’s New Year’s Eve party and a bottle of champagne from The Hangout for only $160. It is a perfect deal, you can walk to the party and not have to worry about a designated driver. Contact Brett/Robinson at 800-221-0258 for details on this package.

If you want a place for the family to celebrate or just need to know where to ring in the new year, there are some great options. The Wharf’s 4th Annual New Year’s Eve Block Party Blowout is free and has something for the entire family. Starting at 11 a.m., a children’s area will feature inflatable attractions and amusements. Later in the day, the fun shifts to adult amusements with great food, televised football and live music. The day ends at midnight with a fireworks display.

Another celebration with the kids in mind is Noon Year’s Eve at LuLu’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The famous Gulf Shores restaurant opens early every New Year’s Eve day for a children’s celebration. The whole family will enjoy clowns, face painters, games, sand castle contests, live music and a huge balloon release at noon. It is also free. Of course, LuLu’s has the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration starting at 7 p.m. as well. Tickets are $25 and $35 and include live music, champagne toast and New Year’s breakfast.

For the adults, celebrations can be found up and down the beach and all through Orange Beach and Gulf Shores with prices ranging from $15 per person to $55 per person. Whether you want to go casual or “dressed to impress” is up to you. Check out the details under “news” at www.Brett-Robinson.com.

I have not decided where I will be New Year’s Eve, but I know as long as I am on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, I will be having fun.

Happy New Year!

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Merry Christmas from Brett Robinson

Angels and kites on the beach. It must be December

December is an unusual time of year on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. The traffic is light and the atmosphere is very relaxed. The businesses and condominiums are all dressed for Christmas and a few people are walking on the sugar-white beach looking for shells. You just never know what you will see on any given day at the beach.

On a recent Saturday, I was having lunch with a friend at The Hangout on the beach in Gulf Shores. It was not a beautiful day. It was a little cool, the sky was gray, there was a mist in the air and the wind was strong out of the east. Not ideal beach conditions, but there were still a few people walking on the beach or sitting at the pavilions watching the waves.

After my friend and I ordered our meal, I noticed a large blue kite in the air just south of us. I started watching the kite until I saw the operator, a young man in a wet suit and harness. He was running along the sand and jumping in the air occasionally and letting the kite lift him a little higher. Soon, another young man appeared with a green and black kite shaped like a bat wing. He was also carrying a kiteboard. I knew we were in for a show.

My companion and I watched the kite surfer while we ate fried shrimp and fried oysters from the comfort of The Hangout. We were mesmerized. The energetic young man was using flying lines and a control bar to travel in a zigzag pattern in the surf. The wind was strong from due east and he was moving almost due north and south. At times, it seemed as if he was actually coming back into the wind. When he turned north and rode the waves, he would literally sail 10 or 15 feet in the air. Most of the time his landing would be perfect and he would continue on his zigzagging way. Other times, he had the appearance of a pelican diving for a fish. Either way, he was keeping us under his spell. When he reached the western end of the public beach, he started his journey back on foot. Walking into the wind with a huge wing on his back, he had an uncanny resemblance of an eerie green-winged batman.

Wednesday of the same week, I was driving west from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores. It was around 10 a.m. when something in the sky caught my eye. At first, I thought it was three pelicans gliding on the wind drafts around the condominiums. Then I realized the formation was a little too perfect. Since I was driving straight toward the unidentified flying objects, I could watch them and not place other vehicles on the street in danger. After a few seconds, I saw a trail of smoke from each object and realized I was seeing the Blue Angels. Three jets from the famous Navy Flight Demonstration Team were performing over the beach in Gulf Shores. I watched them until I had to turn north on Highway 59. The guests in Phoenix All Suites and Island Winds East and West were getting a grand show.

I started thinking about life in coastal Alabama and the everyday happenings on the beach. Even on cool gray days, there is something to make you smile. December is a good month to be here. Come to think of it, so are the other 11 months. I love living on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Christmas on the coast

I love Christmas on the Alabama Gulf Coast. I guess most people don’t think of the beach when the holiday season is near. For those that don’t, they don’t know what they are missing. From “Nutcracker” ballets to boats draped in Christmas lights, the coast comes alive during this season.

The first time I stood on the pier at Bear Point Marina in OrangeBeach and watched the glow of lights glide past Bear Point, I was hooked. The fishing vessels, pleasure boats and sail boats with lights wrapped around or dangling from the masts and bows lit up the dark horizon for what seemed like miles. The Nautical Night of Lights Parade winds around the bays and Intercoastal Waterway from Zeke’s Marina in Orange Beach to LuLu’s Homeport Marina in Gulf Shoresevery December. This event is scheduled for December 11 this year.

The Fish River Christmas Boat Parade is set for December 19. This smaller parade (but no less spectacular) will start at the Highway 98 bridge and end at the Highway 32 bridge. Big Daddy’s Grill on Ferry Road (off of Highway 32) is a great place to watch the parade and have some good food, too.

Mobile Ballet’s annual Christmas treat, “The Nutcracker” is set for December 12 and 13 at theMobile Civic Center. Each year, the ballet company brings in guest dancers. This year, there are two former Joffrey Ballet dancers starring in the production.

The City of Orange Beach is really getting in the Christmas spirit this year with “Christmas on the Coast.” The city has asked all businesses, residents and neighborhoods to decorate for Christmas to transform Orange Beach into a “Christmas Town.” The “Christmas on the Coast” is from November 30 to January 8. The Phoenix Condominiums always do their part to bring cheer to the beach. All of the building entrances and fences are tastefully decorated for the season.

Speaking of lights and decorations, one of the most spectacular presentations in the southeast is across Mobile Bay at Bellingrath Gardens. Magic Christmas in Lights is a holiday tradition with more than 3 million sparkling lights and 902 displays throughout the 65-acre garden estate. This runs nightly through December 31. They are closed Christmas Day.

I have much more to talk about, but I will save it for next time.

I love Christmas on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

post provided by Luanne Burnett

The holiday season is here

I start feeling “the season” when the time changes back to standard time. Driving home in the dark seems to bring the “Christmas is getting closer” feeling. The lights on the runways of Jack Edwards Airport on Highway 59 even remind me of Christmas lights.

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas always seems to be the most hectic time of year for most families. We are all bombarded with advertisements for “holiday sales” and the latest and greatest technology has to offer. Children see television commercials for all the new walking, talking, squawking, rocking and rolling toys and add them to their wish list. None of this helps me get out and buy presents for family and friends any earlier. I have been known to go to a mall or the local corner drug store on Christmas Eve to get the last of the gifts on my list.

For family and friends that aren’t lucky enough to live on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, I like to give gifts that have a “coastal feel.” We have so many wonderful, unique gift shops in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, I can usually find the perfect gift for anyone on my list. One year, I gave my North Mississippi friends star fish ornaments painted like Santa Claus. That’s something you don’t run across every day in the Mississippi hill country.

Even traditional souvenir stores have a treasure-trove of gift possibilities for the creative shopper. One year, all the kids and young adults in the family received Orange Beach hooded sweat shirts. They all loved them and I had fun picking the best color for the dark-haired boys and fair-haired girls. Most visitors to my household come in the summer and the sweat shirts are not readily available.

One of my favorite ideas for anyone, is a gift of the beach. Brett/Robinson offers gift certificates that can be purchased in any amount and used anytime of year. It is the perfect gift for someone who has everything. It can be used during vacation time or for a quick weekend getaway. If you are lucky, they will invite you to stay, too.

Happy shopping…

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Our little zoo that could

One of the treasures on the Alabama Gulf Coast is a little zoo in the heart of Gulf Shores. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is only blocks from the beach, but a little off of Highway 59 and not easy to see. When you find it, you are truly finding a treasure.

I was talking to a friend recently and mentioned going to the zoo to take some pictures. He asked me what kind of zoo I was talking about. Of course, I had to explain that there is a “real” zoo in Gulf Shores and it is also famous.

The Animal Planet did a 13-week series in 2006 called “The Little Zoo That Could.” The series documents the trials and tribulations the zoo crew faced when evacuating for Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina in 2004 and 2005. The show about the little zoo was broadcast around the world and people everywhere fell in love with the zoo and its more than 300 inhabitants.

Last week was my first trip to the zoo and I fell in love with its up-close and personal feel. I’ve been to zoos before in Memphis and San Diego. You could see the animals, but there was a distant, antiseptic feel to the experience. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is like the rest of our coast, friendly. We didn’t have time to tour the entire 17 acres so that means I have to return soon to see the rest of the more than 300 animals that walk, crawl, jump, fly, swim and slither.

I admit, I was there on business and the zoo director, Patti Hall, gave my co-worker and me a wonderful tour. Patti allowed us in the barrier area between the fence and public viewing area. We blew our breath in the face of enormous Bengal tigers (through the fence, of course) and our palms were licked by tigers and black leopards. Camels stuck their heads out to have their noses rubbed. It was an amazing experience. But, like I said, we were getting special treatment. Or, were we? As we were watching two rare Bengal tiger cubs (one is snow-white with beautiful blue eyes), a family with two boys came by and were looking at the tigers, too. Patti asked if they had a camera and when she received a positive response, asked if the boys wanted to come where we were to interact with the almost-grown cubs.

The two boys were very excited and a little nervous. There was a very strong chain link fence between us, but the big cats were fast and had very big teeth. The boys greeted the female like a tiger by puffing breath into her face. She rubbed against the fence and they were able to feel her soft fur. It was definitely something they were going to go home and tell their friends about.

I am telling you this to show although this is a serious business with big animals and big responsibilities. Patti Hall, her crew and volunteers have big hearts. The community loves the zoo and the zoo loves the community. The menagerie will be moving a little north and opening a beautiful new zoo on 25 acres of donated land on Baldwin County Road 6 in early 2011. The new location is on high ground and the animals and keepers will be much safer from Mother Nature.
According to Patti, although the park will be larger with more attractions, the zoo will keep the “small park” feel everyone has come to expect from “The Little Zoo That Could.”

November Fishing Report from Capt. Randy Boggs

Inshore there a quiet a few flounder still around. King and Spanish mackerel are still biting trolling inshore.

Red fish have shown up around the bridge and rocks at Perdido Pass and just outside the pass. These fish are being caught trolling with planers with spoons behind them.

Fishing continues to be good offshore in the 100’ plus depths for vermillion snapper which are being caught on cut squid and small pieces of cigar minnow. There has been a huge showing of trigger fish. A lot of the fish are short but there are plenty of keepers mixed in with them.

The grouper and scamp are beginning to bite in the 200’ to 300’ depth range. Live baits seem to be working for the scamp, and smaller pin fish and larger baits for the grouper.

The black fin tuna have shown up at the rigs and are being caught at night on diamond jigs. There have been good reports of yellow fin tuna caught trolling ballyhoo or chunking.

Capt. Randy Boggs

Reel Surprise Charters @ SanRoc Cay Marina

www.reelsurprisecharters.com or www.sanroccay.com

There’s always something going on

I hear people say there isn’t anything to do on the coast this time of year. I don’t agree. There is always something going on somewhere. All you have to do is look.

This past weekend, our neighbors to the east on Perdido Key had a martini festival. This was the third annual, I somehow missed the first two and I am sorry I did. It was actually a lot of fun. More than 20 booths from liquor distributors were set up in the shopping center around The Jellyfish Bar in Perdido Key. Each booth had at least two different versions of a martini to sample, most had three. For the price of a ticket, you could sample any of the tiny martinis as often as you wanted. What a great festival.

Alcohol wasn’t the only thing available. There were also barbeque plates, fine art, water, soft drinks, extreme bartending demonstrations and entertainment. A live band played most of the afternoon and then came the fun part, The Gulf Coast Bartender Competition. Bartenders from across the Gulf Coast set out to prove they were the best on the coast. It was a big deal. The winner received $500 and the proceeds from the sale of the martinis created for the competition. These martinis were auctioned when they were made and some went for more than $50.

It was a great way to spend a warm, beautiful November afternoon. I left just before the winner of the competition was announced, so I can’t tell you where to buy the best martini made on the coast. All I can say is that all of the bartenders were very creative and some of the presentations were very entertaining. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants were well represented and their concoctions went for a pretty high price.

The proceeds from the festival and golf tournament go to local charities. Here’s to martinis and good causes. Cheers.

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Oysters, oysters and more oysters

The Gulf Coast is the best place in the world for fresh oysters. The Gulf States supply about two-thirds of U.S. oysters. So, we know what we are doing when it comes to eating and preparing the delicacy. For oyster lovers, the next two weekends are the best time to be on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

To start the bivalve celebration, the second annual Oyster Cookoff at The Hangout in Gulf Shores is Saturday, November 7. The free event features teams of chefs and individuals competing in four categories – Barbeque, Gulf Coast Cajun, Classic Rockefeller and Create Your Own. While sampling the luscious fare, you can watch the LSU and Alabama game. What more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon. A team of three judges will determine the category winners. The first prize is $1,000. The favorite of public attending the event will receive a People’s Choice Award.

If that isn’t enough oysters for you (it isn’t for me), Saturday, November 14, make your way out County Road 10 to the Tin Top Market, Restaurant & Oyster Bar. The first Bon Secour Oyster & Wine Festival will take place on the grounds from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be live music, wine samplings from Sonoma and Napa Valley and all-you-can-eat baked oysters. Admission is a bargain at $10. There is also a competition for teams with a grand prize of $1,000 and $500 people’s choice prize. The categories are Classic – Oyster Rockefeller and Oyster Bienville, Barbeque and Open. This creates more great oysters to sample.

If you aren’t already here, make plans to come on down. We’ll try to save a few oysters for you. If you haven’t eaten fresh oysters from the Gulf of Mexico, you are in for a treat!

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Blue Angels homecoming in November

Each November the Blue Angels come home to roost. After a hectic show schedule, they come to their home town to close the tour. This year’s homecoming event is November 13 and 14 at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The Blues fly over the Pensacola area twice a year, once at Pensacola Beach in July and then at the Pensacola NAS in November. The latter is my favorite. There is something about watching the show from the tarmac of the base that makes me really feel involved.

Admission is free. The gates open at 8 a.m., the show starts at 9:30 a.m. and the Blue Angels are scheduled to fly at approximately 2 p.m. With thousands of people converging on the base, you would think it would be a traffic nightmare. But, with military personnel directing the traffic, it flows very smoothly.

According to a recent press release, this will be the last year for Fat Albert and the JATO demonstration. This saddens me. For those of you not familiar with the Blue Angles, Fat Albert is a Lockheed-Martin C-130T Hercules. The plane is operated by an all-Marine Corps crew of three officers and five enlisted personnel. Fat Albert has been thrilling spectators since November of 1975 with its jet-assisted takeoff (JATO) capability. Eight solid-fuel rocket bottles, four on each side, thrust the enormous plane skyward. The JATO bottles allow the aircraft to takeoff within 1,500 feet, climb at a 45-degee angle and propel it to an altitude of 1,000 feet in about 15 seconds. It is absolutely amazing to watch.

he team is researching several alternatives to the JATO. I guess we will have to wait and see what the 2010 team prepares for us. But, for this year, I plan to be on the base to bid farewell to Fat Albert’s JATO November 14.

Good Eats on the Coast

“Where do the locals eat?” When I have out-of-town visitors, this is the question I am asked most often. They want me to take them where I eat. When I head towards the beach, I get confused looks, but some of the best food to be found is right in the middle of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

When my brother and sister-in-law visit from North Mississippi, they claim they are coming to see me, but what they are really after is the tasty gulf seafood. To be more specific, oysters. They visit a few times a year, so we have had the opportunity to sample the oysters at numerous restaurants. Their favorite for fried, baked or raw is The Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores.

For a great seafood lunch or dinner, some of the old stand-bys in Gulf Shores can’t be beat. Desoto’s Seafood Kitchen and Doc’s Seafood Shack both offer very affordable lunch specials. For a great view of the gulf while you dine, Bahama Bob’s, Sea and Suds, The Pink Pony and The Hangout will fit the bill.

There are only a handful of restaurants in the area that I haven’t lifted a fork in. (Don’t worry, they are on my list of must-eat-there places.) Because there are so many great eateries in the area, my favorite changes almost monthly. At this moment, I am sticking with one of our newcomers, Cobalt. Sitting on the water’s edge in the shadow of the Alabama Point Bridge in Orange Beach, this restaurant has so many things going for it. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is somewhere between casual and elegant and the view is fantastic. I have had the fresh catch (grouper) blackened and the seafood pizza. Both were very good, but my favorite was the peppercorn encrusted prime filet. I haven’t had dinner with anyone at Cobalt that didn’t enjoy the meal.

The outside dining area of Cobalt overlooks Perdido Pass and a sunset dinner has the built-in entertainment of watching the boats come in from a day of fishing and the sun sinking over the horizon. There is also an outdoor bar, stage and plenty of room for sitting and listening to live music with your favorite cocktail. The restaurant opened in December of 2008 and has all the kinks ironed out.

I can talk for days about food and the great restaurants the Alabama Gulf Coast has to offer, but I’ll save some for another time.

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Golf & Gladiolas

It started with a field of gladiolas. That’s right, gladiolas. R.C. Craft, owner & founder of Craft Farms, had 870 acres of gladiolas and a dream of building a world class golf facility with home sites. Who to call? None other than the King himself, Arnold Palmer. As they say, the rest is history.

Today Craft Farms is home to two of the finest golf courses on the coast, Cypress Bend and Cotton Creek. Cypress Bend is links style course that features wide open spaces for the occasional errant shot. However, with water in play frequently, and numerous bunkers, it can also be challenging for a mid to high handicapper (like yours truly). The greens are generally spacious and gently sloped. The par four #2 generally is the toughest for me, a good drive and second shot are required to reach the green.

Cotton Creek is generally considered the more challenging of the two courses. It has fairways that are a little more confining and requires better shot making to score well. My favorite hole is #6, which requires two shots over water to reach the green.

The clubhouse houses the Cotton Creek Grill, a well appointed restaurant and locker room facility by anyone’s measure. They serve a full menu, but the Cotton Creek Club sandwich is my favorite. The clubhouse overlooks a lake and the 18th green of Cotton Creek. They also have several big screen TV’s, perfect for viewing the college football games during your after round meal. The food and the atmosphere are strictly top shelf.

If you’re planning on visiting the coast in the fall (and you should , the weather and the golf around here is unbelievable) make sure you pack your golf clubs and hit one of our excellent local courses.

Love this weather

We had our first little “cool spell” this past weekend and it reminded me again how much I love our weather. When an afternoon high of 65 degrees makes you look for a winter sweater, you know you are in the right place. Of course, by mid-week, our temperatures will be back in the high 70s and short sleeves and shorts will replace our sweatshirts and shorts.

Fall is a great time to visit the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. The temperatures are moderate, the sand is still sugar-white and the gulf waters sparkle as the sun circles the earth a little more to the south. Speaking of the sun, in the fall and winter, the sun rises and sets over the Gulf of Mexico. It is a great time to get up early for sunrise pictures in Orange Beach with breakfast afterwards at the Island Pancake House in Gulf Shores. The best view of the Gulf for breakfast on the island.

Walking on the beach is great this time of year. A late afternoon beach walk has the extra benefit of a beautiful sunset over the water. Just before sunset, the world takes on a new hue. It almost takes my breath every time I am on the beach at sunset. The water turns a beautiful, deep turquoise blue just before the sky is painted with the glorious colors of the setting sun.

The summer crowds have gone home to wait for their next vacation and the local people come out of hiding to enjoy the many amenities the area has to offer. Some of the best eateries offer specials for lunch and dinner this time of year and a table with a view is easier to come by.

More about great food and where to find it next time…

post provided by Luanne Burnett

Sausage Festival & Halloween Happenings

This year, there is a special treat on Halloween on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Elberta German Sausage Festival is October 31. This free, twice-yearly festival is a great way celebrate fall.

The Elberta Fire Department owns the special recipe and orders 7,000 pounds of the German sausage each festival. It is almost as much fun to watch the firefighters cook the sausages as it is to eat them. They have a great system in place and can serve the more than 30,000 people without much of a wait. The festival is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the sausages usually sell out by 3 p.m., so plan to arrive early to get your taste of Germany. There are other food vendors as well as music, dancing, arts and crafts, children’s rides and games.

After your German Sausage Festival experience, be sure to check out some of these spooky happenings in the area:
• Annual Halloween BooLu’s Haunted House, Gulf Shores – LuLu’s recruits local middle and high school students to create an amazing haunted house at the world famous restaurant on the Intercoastal Waterway. There is a spooky maze for adults and older children and age-appropriate Halloween games for the younger kids. All proceeds go directly to the art departments of several local schools. For info: 251-967-5858.
• Maizing Family Fun Farm, Elberta – This farm has something for everyone and incorporates a little history in with the fun. They are open until midnight Halloween and will have a haunted corn maze, hay bale maze (for little ones), hay rides, u-pick garden, pumpkin patch, antique tractors, live farm animals and a corn cannon (you can shoot ears of corn at targets across a field). For info: 251-747-1368
• Trick or Treat TangerStyle, Foley – Tanger Outlets is holding a “spooktacular” event for Halloween with trick or treating and costume parade. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with the parade and a prize for all children who participate. Trick or treat “TangerStyle” in participating stores from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Scream for the Arts! Haunted House at The Wharf, Orange Beach – This haunted house takes you into the bayous and beyond. You’ll experience what really happens to the pirates and scoundrels when they’ve turned away from the light to live in the shadows. The event benefits the Fine Arts program at Gulf Shores High School. Located across the street from the Ferris wheel behind Sand Dollar Lifestyles, spooky family fun (all ages) from 6 to 8 p.m. and spine tingling scary (not for small children) from 8 to 10 p.m. For info: 251-224-1015.

post provided by Luanne Burnett

October Fishing Report by Capt. Randy Boggs

Inshore the flounder are being caught on a regular basis on jigs and live bait in almost all areas of the bay and around shallow water reefs.

Some red fish are showing up as well as trout. Red fish are being caught on cut bait around the Perdido Pass Bridge and rocks. There are quite a bit of blue fish and Spanish mackerel too. Spanish mackerel are being caught on jigs or slow trolling a silver spoon usually with a planer. There have been some really large Spanish mackerel being caught – 4 lbs to 5 lbs. Be very careful to make sure that they are not small King mackerel as the enforcement officers are doing a great job of checking catches.

Red snapper are being caught around almost any structure on cigar minnows and live bait. This is catch and release only as the season is closed.

There have been a lot of trigger fish show up from little bitty ones to very nice ones. The small ones are quite a nuisance stealing bait. Don’t forget the new size limit is 14” fork length.

Vermillion snapper are being caught in the 100’ to 150’ depths. They bite best on good quality white squid or cigar minnows cut into small rings about ¾ of an inch in size.

Gag grouper, red grouper and scamp are starting to bite this fall. Rocks or wrecks in 200’ depths or deeper seem to be the best.

Some really nice amberjack are being caught on the oil rigs offshore or deep water rocks. Live bait is the key with a lively blue runner being the top choice.

Offshore at the oil rigs there have been good reports of black fin tuna being caught on diamond jigs. Yellow fin tuna have been being caught chunking or trolling.

There have been some good reports of Wahoo about 45 to 50 miles due south of the Perdido Pass Bridge. The top color choices for catching Wahoo seem to be purple and black or red and black.

Capt. Randy Boggs

Reel Surprise Charters @ SanRoc Cay Marina

www.reelsurprisecharters.com or www.sanroccay.com

Baldwin County Heritage Museum

If you drive east from Foley on U.S. 98 to Elberta, a hidden treasure awaits. In an unassuming wooden building with a windmill and few pieces of antique farm equipment out front, a wealth of ordinary and extraordinary treasure is hidden.

“…it holds bits and pieces collected from the daily lives of the men and women who built this county,” is on their website.

That statement says it all. I made my first visit to the Baldwin County Heritage Museum recently and once inside I wished I had been there sooner. It is not your typical stuffy museum. There are a few displays behind glass and a few “do not touch” signs, but most of the articles are within reach and can handle the touch of a hand or two.

The museum sits on 5 acres and has more than 20,000 square feet of display space. Outside of the main building, there is a school, a church, a potato shed, pole barns and a blacksmith shop along with numerous pieces of antique farm equipment and tractors. I’m talking about a real school and real church, not replicas, which were donated to the museum and moved to the property.

Back inside, there are so many small things to see that made up life in years past. One corner is furnished as a 1920s parlor. Exhibits include fishing tackle, tools, wooden wagons, scrub boards, antique sewing machines, clothing, children’s toys and so much more. Every room is filled with beauty, history and humor.

The BCHM is also home to Odyssey’s Shipwreck! Treasures from the SS Republic. This unique exhibit opened in August 2008. The SS Republic, a Civil War-era side-wheel steamship was lost in a hurricane off the Georgia coast en route from New York to New Orleans in October 1865. It was carrying a fortune in gold and silver and other goods to help rebuild the south after the Civil War. The crew of the Odyssey discovered the wreck in 2003. With videos, interactive exhibits and actual artifacts, you can relive the excitement of the discovery of the treasure-laden ship.

I recommend making this little museum a stop while you are enjoying the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. It will give a little insight to early years of Baldwin County and how its future was shaped.

The 38th Annual National Shrimp Festival

Starting October 8, 2009, the boardwalk at the public beach in Gulf Shores will be filled with the tantalizing smells of culinary delights. For four days, vendors of food, fine art, arts and crafts and entertainment will take their spaces in the public parking areas and souvenir T-shirts, caps and trinkets will be sold. It is Shrimp Festival time.

Out of all the festivals I have been to in my life, the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores is my favorite. I don’t know if it is because it is on my favorite beach, or if it is the variety of delicious food, the impressive art or all of the above. I do know another 300,000 (or so) people feel the same way.

For the last 38 years, locals and visitors have gathered on the second weekend in October to enjoy one last fling on the beach with great music food and art. This year’s entertainment includes Lee Ann Womack Friday night and Foghat Saturday night. Favorite local and regional acts will keep two stages “humming” all four days. The kids have their own entertainment as well with live music, games, face painting and too much other fun stuff to list. For those that are artistically inclined, or just love playing in the sand, there is a sand sculpture contest on Saturday.

I always find something I can’t live without at the festival and my visit is not complete until I have at least one Cajun pistol, a pastry filled with crawfish, cheese and spices (among other things). If you haven’t tried one, you haven’t had the full Shrimp Festival experience.

October is a great time to visit the coast and the Shrimp Festival is a good excuse. Plus, during this time of year you can live like the locals and see why we make the Alabama Gulf Coast our home.

Gulf Shores Golf Club video

Visiting An Old Friend

On rare occasions, you get to visit an old friend. You haven’t seen this friend in a while, but as soon as you’re together the time that has passed seems to fade away.

I renewed a friendship last week with the Golf Club of Gulf Shores. The Golf Club of Gulf Shores is the oldest course in the area, having been established in the 1968. The course underwent a complete renovation from tee boxes to greens. The course was lengthened by 300 yards. The par 71 course plays just less than 6000 yards from the white tees. From the “tips”, the course stretches to a robust 6800 yards. The multiple tees allow for an enjoyable experience for all levels of skill. This course has a little bit of everything, doglegs left and right; a few forced carries over water, numerous bunkers also come into play. The greens roll true and fast.

A new clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop are also on site. Try the burgers or the BLT in the restaurant; you’ll be glad you did.

As always, it’s good to see an old friend. Especially a friend that is new and improved. I wish I could say the same for my golf game!

Fishing with the Reel Surprise

A bad day fishing is better than a good day _____________ (you fill in the blank).

I love the water. The bigger the “pond,” the happier I am. So, you know I am ecstatic when I’m floating on the Gulf of Mexico. I recently had the great pleasure of fishing with Captain Randy and Susan Boggs and their crew on the Reel Surprise.

In north Gulf Shores, the sky was blue when I stepped out of my door at 7:15 a.m. with my little cooler of ice. I had taken my generic less-drowsy formula Dramamine and was ready for the day. A quick stop at a beach road convenience store to purchase bottles of water, soft drinks and snack crackers put me at the marina just on time. I was excited; I had not been out with these great people in more than a year.

This time of year, the boats are not as crowded. Red Snapper season is over and folks like me not looking to catch that prize winner can have a great time just fishing. There were less than 15 people on board this morning and it was almost like having a private charter.

Capt. Randy told us we would be going about 20 miles south to some good fishing spots. When we left the marina and passed under Alabama Point bridge, we could see dark clouds south of us. We went through the pass and turned east to avoid the morning thundershowers. The water was a little choppy for a while, but I had experienced much worse and knew the captain would head to smoother waters.

After a pleasant ride, the seas were much calmer when we made our first stop. The deck hands already had the rods and reels rigged and the bait buckets spaced around the rail. We were ready to catch some fish. The man next to me dropped his line in the water and let it go down for what seemed like a long time. The next thing I knew, he was pulling in a nice trigger fish. I just barely gotten my line wet when I felt the faint tell-tale vibration. I starting turning the reel and could feel the fish trying in vain to escape the hook. I finally got it to the surface and it was a nice red snapper. The deck hand unhooked it and back to the water it went. After all, red snapper season was over. That was my first fish of the year. It felt wonderful!

We had a great day of fishing. When the fish would stop biting, we would move to another place. Capt. Randy kept us on fish all day. Someone even caught a queen trigger, a rarity for our part of the world. The queen trigger fish is usually found in the tropical Atlantic waters.

When we pointed northwest and started back to Orange Beach, a couple of the deck hands rigged two rods for trolling. I was sitting on a side bench watching the water go by when I heard the first yell. I walked to the rear of the boat and Susan had picked one of the rods up and was slowly turning the reel. She had a big smile on her face when she landed a king mackerel. It wasn’t too long before the other reel was singing with a catch. It was also a king mackerel.

When we arrived at the marina, we were all a little tired but very pleased with our trip. The next day, I had a few sore muscles, a nice bag of fish in my freezer and some wonderful memories added to my collection.

September Fishing Report by Capt. Randy Boggs

Inshore the trout are being caught with shrimp and a popping cork. Red fish are biting cut or live bait around Perdido Pass.

King mackerel are being caught off the Gulf State Pier as well as trolling with planers and spoons in the Gulf.

Flounder fishing is getting better everyday. We are waiting for the first hard north winds to drop the air and water temperatures and hasten the migration of the fish.

Off shore there a lot of red snapper to catch and release. They are on almost any structure and will bite live or cut bait readily. Vermillion snapper are being caught on the rocks and larger wrecks in over 100’ of water on cut squid and small pieces of cigar minnows.

Trigger fish have shown up in large numbers on most all reefs. The fish large enough to keep have generally been found on reefs that hold larger fish as a general rule. Trigger fish readily bite cut squid, minnow pieces, shrimp, and we have discovered they have quiet a taste for the new Berkley Gulp! ® baits.

Quite a few grouper and scamp are being caught in 200’-300’ of water on large live baits or larger size dead bait. Amberjack have showed up this month on the off shore rigs and the larger wrecks. They are being caught jigging or with live bait with a blue runner/hard tail being much preferred.

Black fins have made a big showing around the oil rigs this fall. Good catches are being reported with quite a few fish over the 20 pound mark. The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s Labor Day Invitational brought great catches of yellow fin tuna. These fish were being caught in over 1,000 feet of water at most rigs trolling with small ballyhoo and dusters.

Wahoo have made a good showing off shore. Most of these fish have been between 20 and 50 pounds and are biting almost anything you troll.

Dolphin are a very scattered catch with not many reported.

To sum it all up, there are fish in the water, and if you put a put bait on a hook, and put it in the water, you will most likely catch one.

Capt Randy Boggs
Reel Surprise
gonefishn@gulftel.com
Reel Surprise Charters

The Hot Shop

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Sunday on the Coast

Beachin' Bob's friend Luanne is stepping up and providing blogs while BB suffers an extended case of writers block.

Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week on the Alabama Gulf Coast. There is something about the day that brings a sense of peace. After a hectic Saturday, Sunday is a day for relaxing.

For those lucky enough to stay through a Sunday, it can be the best day of your Brett/Robinson vacation. While most visitors are traveling north and back to their everyday lives, you can be sitting on the beach, enjoying the sun, sand and surf. There are also churches of most denominations in the area that have contemporary services where shorts and flip flops are not only welcome, but considered normal dress for visitors and locals. Traditional services are also offered for those that prefer a more formal worship.

Ok, so what is it I think is so great about Sundays? It is the day I spend with my grandchildren. We make the early contemporary service at church and then head to one of our favorite restaurants on the beach for lunch. I love to eat and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer a variety of great restaurants in all price ranges. If Sunday brunch is your cup of tea, some of the best brunches can be found on our little island.

After lunch, we decide what the rest of the day will hold. It could be a trip to the beach, swimming in the pool, a movie, cooking dinner for the rest of the family or driving up to the Tanger Outlet in Foley for a little shopping spree. No matter what we decide to do, our time together is what matters. Of course, every day is special on the Alabama Gulf Coast, but there is just something about a Sunday.

Girlfriend Getaway

A note from Ms. Beachin':

Early Saturday morning, I gently slid the glass door open, stepped out on the eighth-floor balcony at Phoenix West and took in the view. Just before sunrise, the blue of the lazy river with the golden glow of the artificial lighting on the deck offered a surprisingly pleasant contrast. The concrete was cool under my bare feet but the slight breeze off the Gulf of Mexico felt warm on my face. It was a beautiful start to a beautiful day.

“What a great idea,” I thought to myself while I was trying to decide if making coffee would wake my friends.

Just a few days before, I was at my desk when a co-worker/friend asked if I wanted to stay the weekend at a condo on the beach with two other friends. Of course, I am always ready for an adventure, so the answer didn’t require any thought. The four of us finalized our plans and took the plunge, so to speak.

Our weekend home was a 1958 square-foot premium unit at Brett/Robinson’s newest property. We had three bedrooms and four baths. The master bedroom was furnished with a king-size bed; my bedroom had a queen-size bed; and the other room, two double beds. The unit was perfect for four women.

It wasn’t too long before everyone else was awake and discussing breakfast and plans for the day. We decided to allow children and grandchildren to visit during the day, as long as they were gone before the sun went down. Nights were for adults only.

After a morning walk on the beach, the pools and lazy river beckoned. The lazy river was wonderful. Floating between palm trees with the sun on my face and talking to my friends was a great way to spend a Saturday. So far, the weekend was everything we had imagined it being. Little did I know, the best was yet to come.

After a fun day of hanging out on the pool decks and floating the river, we were all pretty hungry. The spacious, well equipped kitchen in the condo was perfect for preparing a meal. After dinner, it was time for a movie on the 42-inch flat panel television. It was almost like being at the movie theater, only much more comfortable. We ended the evening together on the balcony listening to the waves and watching the beams of flashlights dance around on the sand at the water’s edge.

Sunday morning was as beautiful as Saturday. As I sat on the balcony with my camera in hand, the western sky held my attention. The white fluffy clouds had taken on the color of a summer sunrise. As the sun’s light touched the clouds tops, the reflection in the gulf waters painted a coral-colored path to the horizon.

This was our last morning to spend in the luxury of Phoenix West, so we decided to make the best of it and hit the lazy river early. There were only a handful of people in the pool area when we made our way through the gate. I grabbed a tube and started floating on the river. As I floated around the eastern turn, I realized there weren’t any kids on the water slide. I quickly changed my course and headed towards the ladder. I haven’t been on a water slide of any kind in more years than I care to mention. I have to admit, I was a little nervous climbing the steps to this one. When I reached the top, I took a deep breath, sat down and let go. I came out of the water with a big smile on my face and headed back up the ladder again, a little more confident than before. I sat down, but this time when I started to slide I lay all the way down and held my nose. To coin a phrase from my teen years, “what a rush!” By then, my friends had made their way around and we were all lined up on the steps of the slide. One after the other, we were zipping down the slide and laughing so hard at ourselves and each other, we almost couldn’t get our breath. It was the best ending imaginable to a great weekend. Sadly, we had to pack our stuff and get back to our regular routine.

It was only the second girlfriend getaway I had ever been on, but I assure you, there will be plenty more. Splitting the costs four ways made the stay very affordable. But, being able to get away from everyday life and spend time with great friends is priceless. The four of us will be talking about our girlfriend getaway for years to come, especially the waterslide.

Perdido Bay Golf

The Beachin' Foursome headed just across the state line Saturday for a round at the Perdido Bay Golf Course. For starters, it's only a 10 - 15 minute drive from Phoenix 10. They have a complete practice facility featuring a large driving range, putting green, chipping green, greenside bunker, and a fairway bunker. The course is well maintained and the greens roll true. A full set of tees will offer a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. It's a well bunkered course and water comes into play frequently, but with forced carries at a minimum. The rates are very reasonable all day and you can play a full 18 holes after 3:00 PM for only $29.
The Legends Bar & Grill is perfect for an after round meal and beverages, as well as a complete menu for fine dining in the evening. The French Dip sandwich is one the best anywhere.

We'll definitely be returning for another round with our new friends at the Perdido Bay Golf course.

August Fishing Report from Capt. Randy Boggs

I wanted to share this video as it is rare sight to see fish feeding on the surface. With the short fishing red snapper season, there are many reefs not being fished. We were fishing a public reef and had caught 12 – 15 red snapper, and the other red snapper followed to the surface. There a lot of red snapper for customers to catch and enjoy.

I, being the true southerner that I am, believed the only way to eat red snapper was fried. Lately, I have had this fish grilled, broiled and even steamed, and when the fish is fresh, I have found you can eat other than fried. Many of the restaurants in our area will prepare you fresh catch to your liking. Ask us about participating restaurants, and we will “hook” you up.

Tight lines,

Capt. Randy Boggs
Reel Surprise Charters @ SanRoc Cay Marina
www.reelsurprisecharters.com

Sweetie Pies

I am so excited! One of the areas most popular eateries has moved farther south to the beach area. I could not believe my eyes when I walked out of Target and saw the big pink pie across the parking lot in the Pelican Place Shopping Center. Sweetie Pies has moved to Gulf Shores. It is a sandwich shop that makes award winning pecan pies, and has meringue pies that absolutely defy gravity. They make sugar free pies for special orders - when you are trying your best to be good, but just need that little special treat. My all time favorite pie is the chocolate peanut butter meringue pie yummm! My mouth is watering as I type. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads and a soup of the day. The sandwiches include everything from the Rajun Roast Beef to the Happy Ham. My favorite sandwich is the Talking Turkey. It has smoked turkey, mozzarella, alfalfa sprouts, tomatoes and Italian dressing. I am telling you it is great. Sweetie Pies has been one of my favorite lunch spots for years, and now it will be much more convenient to just drop in for a bite. Next time you are in the area, be sure to check out the new location of Sweetie Pies for a real treat.
We’ll see you real soon!

Gulf State Park Pier

Happy Days are here again… The day has finally arrived!  The new Gulf State Park Pier is having its’ grand opening this Thursday, July 23rd.  The old pier was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and it has been sorely missed by all.  Our family has many fond memories of fishing all night on the old pier.  It is one of our favorite topics at family get togethers. 

Well, families can once again start making memories on the new State Park Pier.  On the day of the grand opening there will be a charge for fisherman, but spectators will not be charged a fee.  The new pier will have new features such as indoor seating for the concession area, an indoor retail area for tackle and souvenirs, comfort stations at the midpoint of the pier and wheelchair accessible rail fishing areas.  There will be 2448 feet of fishing space available.  The pier is 20 feet wide and 1512 feet long.  It is the only public pier on the gulf in Alabama, and we sure are proud to have it back.  So make sure to bring your rods and tackle on your next trip down, because for the first time in five years we have a pier for everyone on the gulf.  Hip Hip Hooray!  I am definitely going to check it out and see if I still have what it takes to reel in a few.  See you at the pier. 

Triple Whammy

July 31st will be another unbelievable line up for a concert here in Orange Beach. We have had a whirlwind of a summer with one awesome concert after another. The Bob Dylan Show will feature Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and John Cougar Mellencamp who together have 135 years in the business. Any of these performers could easily headline the show, but have joined together for only the second time in 24 years to knock us all out with a triple whammy. I for one cannot wait.

Willie Nelson will open the show with his sister on the piano and his son on the guitar. I will tell you that he never lets us down. His show will feature songs such as: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time, Whiskey River, and Beer for My Horses. I can just see him now with his trademark braids and easy going southern drawl playing his guitar that has holes worn clear through it. He always delivers a great performance.

Following Willie will be another headliner John Cougar Mellencamp, at 57 he is the baby of this bunch. He definitely has had his share of hits across the years with: Pink Houses, Authority Song, and Small Town just to name a few. His heartland rock will fill the amphitheater on this night to thrill us all.

Bob Dylan will close out the show. He has received numerous awards over the years, and has been a major influence on popular music for five decades. His hits include: Like a Rolling Stone, Hurricane, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Lay Lady Lay, and Mr. Tambourine Man. Opportunities come few and far between to see a legend like this one and I am counting the days till he hits the stage.

We are readying the troops for the triple whammy of the summer. Not one, not two, but three major stars. I hope you have your tickets and will join us. If you do not – I have heard there are a few left, but they are going fast. This one is sure to be a sell out, and will certainly be a night to remember. See you there!

July 2009 Fishing Report from Capt. Randy Boggs

Bottom fishing for red snapper, vermillion snapper and trigger fish is as good as it gets. Everyone is reporting limits of fish in every direction to near shore waters to well offshore. There have been some nice grouper and scamps being caught on longer trips in the 200’ to 300’ water depths on live bait and cut bait.

Blue water is still way offshore (120 miles plus) out of reach of the 1 to 2 day charters. There have been no reports of wahoo, tuna, or dolphin.

Look for daily updates on the fishing with some video soon to come.

Tight lines,
Capt.Randy Boggs
Reel Surprise Charters @ SanRoc Cay Marina
www.reelsurprisecharters.com

Current water temperature: 78°

4th of July Fun

Ready or not the 4th is here. Myself I am so ready. I have been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time now. There are so many things going on here on the coast I just hope that I will be able to squeeze in all that I want to do. I may have to let my 4th celebration span a few days. I am sure that you have similar predicaments at hand. If on the other hand you do not know what to do for the fourth, I have listed a few ideas here.

1. Where – There is no better place to spend the fourth than on our beautiful beaches. I will have to say that we have something for everyone here.
2. Grilling – No matter what is going on that day you know you will have to eat. I suggest ribs, chicken, potato salad, corn on the cob, and of course watermelon and don’t forget the homemade vanilla ice cream to top off the dessert of your choice.
3. Swimming – There are many choices for this option. You have the beach, the pool, the bays and the lazy rivers. Maybe this option should be swimoating for those of us who prefer to float.
4. Shopping – Oh yes! There will be a sidewalk sale at Tanger, and I am sure that I will not miss this.
5. Fishing – It is the Red Snapper World Championship Saltwater Series. Check it out at www.redsnapperworldchampionship,com I must say I have been a few times this year, and the fishing is awesome this summer.
6. Golfing – You can definitely get your swing on here. There are over 10 fabulous courses to choose from in our area.
7. Spas – Pamper yourself at one of the many spas in our area.
8. Concert – I know that you must know by now that Montgomery Gentry will be performing in Orange Beach on the Fourth of July. Tickets are still available for as low as $16.50 and a fireworks show is included.
9. Fireworks – There will be 3 fireworks shows to choose from in our area. July 3rd there will be fireworks in Orange Beach visible from Phoenix 6, 7, 8, East and East II balconies. July 4th there will be fireworks with the Montgomery Gentry concert and in Gulf Shores that will be visible from Phoenix All Suites and Island Winds balconies.
10. Movies – We have not one but two great movie theaters in our area. The Cobb Theater in Gulf Shores and the Rave Theater in Orange Beach. There is also a Coastal Video in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to rent movies and games.

Well, that will be enough I am sure to get you started. I hope that whatever you do on the fourth that you will take the opportunity to realize how fortunate we are to be a part of such a wonderful country. We are truly blessed with all of our freedoms. Take care and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Fort Morgan Candlelight Tour

A blog entry from our friend Luanne, aka Sunny.
The sun was hanging low in a hazy sky as I was driving west on Ft. Morgan road. My car was filled with excited chatter from three kids in the back seat.

“Grandmother, did you know ghosts feed off of energy?” My 12-year-old granddaughter asked. This question started a flurry of conversation between all of the occupants in my car.

I just shook my head. My daughter, the aforementioned granddaughter, one of her friends, my 8-year-old grandson and I were on the way to Ft. Morgan for the Candlelight Tour. Somehow, the imaginations of my back-seat passengers had conjured up ghost tales. I think it had something to do the stories they had heard from their friends about all the restless spirits that inhabit the old structure.

For anyone who hasn’t visited Ft. Morgan, it is a magnificent brick fort completed in 1834 to protect the entrance to Mobile Bay. The fort was manned, off and on, until 1946 when it was turned over to the state of Alabama

When we arrived, a large group of people were gathered outside the tunnel that leads to the interior of the fort. It was still very bright outside and I was wondering where the “candlelight” came into play. It didn’t take long for that question to be answered. There were lanterns containing candles spaced a few feet apart on both sides of the dark tunnel.

We emerged from the dark onto the fort’s courtyard and were greeted by interpreters dressed in Civil-War-era uniforms. The men looked right at home in their period clothing and didn’t look as hot as I would have imagined in the Gulf Coast heat and humidity. After a brief history of the fort and a few funny stories, we were guided to the laundry. Two women, also dressed in period clothing, explained how all of the clothing was washed in sea water. The cisterns on top of the fort collected rain water to be used for drinking and cooking and it could not be wasted for laundry services.

After looking through windows at the barracks and storage areas, we were guided outside the fort to a cannon pointed at Mobile Bay. By this time, the sun was touching the skyline across the bay and turning the calm water the color of fire. The solders quickly packed the cannon with powder and the lanyard was pulled. The crowd cheered and applauded as the plum of black smoke rose in the still air.

The fort remained open for another hour for visitors to explore the area in the twilight. The kids wanted to walk to the water and look across the bay. As the last of the light faded from the western sky, we explored the beach area. I asked if they had wandered through the dark recesses of the arched tunnels and was given a wide-eyed response of, “No.” The negative answer was almost in unison. The subject of ghosts did not come up on the way back to Gulf Shores. I guess the kids weren’t really disappointed with the shyness of the ghosts, I know I wasn’t.

The evening was fun and informative. I enjoyed the family time and seeing the fort at a different time of day. I recommend visiting the fort during the normal daytime hours, also. The view of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are breathtaking and the fort itself is an amazing example of architecture.

The tours start at 7 p.m. and continue every Tuesday through July.

Hey Y'all Hey Y'all!!

Ms. Beachin' checks in.
Guess What! Montgomery Gentry has rocked Orange Beach for the last three years and has decided to come back for a fourth time this July 4th - just for me. It’s almost more than I can stand. Since I am such a nice person, I have made the decision to open up the concert to the general public. Well, you know what they say the more the merrier. The concert will include performances by Little Big Town, A Tremendous Fireworks Show, and Montgomery Gentry.

Little Big Town will be opening the concert in Orange Beach. Their harmonies will draw you in immediately. Then you're hooked and it's then that you realize that it's not just the harmonies. Everything about Little Big Town is unique to the country music world. Comprised of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Roads, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet, Little Big Town's configuration of two men and two women is unique. Their hits include: – A Little More You, Boondocks, and Fine Line.

I have had the opportunity to see Montgomery Gentry perform in concert three times now and they are by far the best entertainers you could ever see. Eddie Montgomery with his trademark black hat and coat is known for running up and down and across the stage with his microphone and stand in hand getting the whole crowd fired up. I will tell you the man does not stand still. Troy Gentry is known for being a little more reserved, but what he lacks in physical actions he makes up for in rockin the whole place with his guitar. I am telling you they are so hot that you can hear them sizzle on the stage. I cannot wait!! Go and check out their website here.

Take my word for it this is a concert that you do not want to miss. Their genre may say country, but they will rock your socks off guaranteed. Just a few of my very favorite songs are: - Gone, My Town, Something to Be Proud of, The Big Revival and One in Every Crowd. Go get your tickets today and be a part of the biggest 4th of July party on the coast. Tickets are still available and are as low as $16.50. We will be looking for you, because as they say “there’s one in every crowd that brings a party in the south”, and we need for you to complete this party. So, we will be waiting for ya!

Father's Day

An exciting weekend is ahead. I cannot think of a better place to be for father’s day this weekend than our beautiful beaches. There is something out there for every dad’s taste and style.

If your dad loves to rock then this is a great place to start off the weekend.
We have not one but two awesome concerts. Thursday night .38 Special, REO Speedwagon and Styx will be here to rock our socks off. It is sure to be a blast with hits like: Hold on Loosely, Caught Up in You, Take it on the Run, Time for Me to Fly, Mr. Roboto, and Renegade. We will be there for this one. Then on Friday night we have Steely Dan hitting the stage with a full orchestra. Their hits include: Do it Again, Reelin in the Years, Hey Nineteen, Dirty Work, and Rikki don’t lose that number. Wow, it is going to be hard to stay home for this one. I am sure that we will manage to make it to hear Steely too.

If your dad’s style is more of the flying high type, then the 5th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival will surely get him excited. It all begins on Thursday, June 18th and continues until 5pm on Sunday, June 21st. There will be balloon glows, tether rides, flight competitions, arts and crafts, a children’s village and fireworks. You can go to www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com for a complete schedule. There will be 50 balloons in our area this weekend, and the weather should be great for this event.

Now, if your dad loves to fish. It is Snapper Season here on the coast. We have had the opportunity to go a few times already and I will have to say that we have not been disappointed in our catch. Our biggest to this point was a snapper we named bubba. He weighed in at 15 lbs. What a catch. We have also pulled in a couple of groupers and a King Mackerel. Just talking about it makes me wish I was back out there now.

Your dad might just like a relaxing weekend. We have that too. There can be a beach umbrella with his name on it waiting for him each day. Take a cooler with his favorite beverage, maybe a book or magazine, and just allow him to sit and soak up the sights and sounds. There are also three different lazy rivers to choose from if that suits his style. He can hop on a tube and float the day away.

Decisions, decisions. What should you do? Well, I personally do not think there is a bad decision here. I am sure that the dad in your family will love whatever you may choose. As Bill Cosby once said, “Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap on a rope.” I hope that all of you wonderful fathers out there have an exceptionally great day. We are looking forward to your next visit with us. There are always plenty of activities happening around here.

Golf on a Budget

Sometimes you need to save a little money on the round for that new driver, right guys?
I've got a spot for you the next time you're in town. The Alabama Gulf State Park has a nice little 18 hole course, nestled in the center of the state park, with very reasonable rates. You can play 18 holes, with cart for $40. They have a small pro shop and snack bar as well. The course gets a lot of play, but it's in pretty good shape year round. Water comes into play on several holes, but there's no forced carries. It's a player friendly layout, with multiple tees.
There's plenty to do at the Park, so maybe the wife and kids can take in a nature hike while Dad plays 18?
See you on the links!

Lunchcation

A note from Ms. Beachin'.
Well, I went on a lunchcation today. I went to one of my very favorite places, LuLu’s. You are swept away the moment you step out of the car. From the giant Adirondack chairs to the tropical music you will know that you are not in any ordinary place. It’s no wonder that it is one of the most popular places here at the beach. Everyone needs to experience it at least once.

Here are a few pointers to make the most of your visit.
• Arrive early – 11:00am for lunch and between 4:00 and 5:30 for dinner
• Ask for seating near the water, it’s the best
• If you have to wait, make the most of it. Order a drink or snack from the outside bar and try out those Adirondack chairs.
• Enjoy the music
• Let the kids enjoy the sand pile
• Check out the neat gift shop

When you are seated, order some L.A. Caviar – MMMMM (recipe to follow), and if you would like to know my favorite item to order that would be the Mahi Tacos. They are a party for your mouth. A couple of other greats to try are the Fried Green Tomatoes and the Crab Claws, YUM!

Okay, it’s back to reality for me - until next time. Hope you enjoy your visit. I am leaving you with a recipe from LuLu’s Crazy Sista cook book. It’s a must have if you love cook books.

L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar
Dressing- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup sugar, 2 t salt, 1 t black pepper
4 (15oz) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained,
1 cup chopped green bell pepper,
1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper,
1 cup chopped red bell pepper, and 1 cup chopped red onion,
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, quartered, 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1. Combine all dressing ingredients and shake vigorously to dissolve sugar. Set aside.
2. Place peas in a large glass or stainless steel bowl.
3. Add all other ingredients. Pour dressing over top and toss well. Transfer to a plastic container, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
4. Serve with tortilla chips or saltine crackers.

June Fishing Report by Capt. Randy Boggs

All of the rain we have had north of here has pushed a lot of fresh water into the creeks and rivers pushing some of the largest speckled trout into the bays where they can be caught. They are being caught on jigs, shrimp or croakers.
There have been a lot of red fish being caught around the pass on cut bait and trolling with planers and spoons. One of my favorite fish, the Spanish mackerel, have made a descent showing and are being caught trolling with planers and spoons as well. The larger Spanish mackerel can be caught by chumming and drifting live bait back into the chum.
Quite a few King mackerel are being caught - school size near shore to some really big ones off shore. We have caught three over 30 lbs in the past week.
Red snapper season has finally opened. We have heard reports of great catches. Trigger fish are being caught on a regular basis on cut squid. Grouper are good in the deep water on live bait or larger cut bait.
In all of my years of fishing, the bottom fishing is as good as it gets. I have never seen the fishing better as well as the quality of the fish being caught.
Further offshore, yellow fin tuna are being caught jigging or trolling around the rigs.
Visit our dock store at SanRoc Cay Marina. We have fuel, bait, ice, drinks, snacks and much more. Transient boat slips are also available for rent. We are open 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily to serve you. We monitor Channel 16 or you can call us at 251-981-6167.

Capt. Randy Boggs
www.reelsurprisecharters.com

Gulf Coast Green Market

What a way to start off the day. Whether you are a resident here on the island or just visiting on vacation the Green Market is a must to experience. I went this past Saturday morning, and it was so much fun. The Green Market is an open air market located at Lake Shelby and it helps support our local farmers and merchants. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, honey, wine, and shrimp are just a few of the goodies that were available this past Saturday. One of the biggest hits of the day was the home-grown tomatoes, and believe me they did not last long. The honey from Silverhill was also a sweet treat.

I had just as much fun talking with the vendors as I did shopping at the booths. Did you know that there is a star squash? Well, I sure did not. I found out all kinds of neat little trivia about everything from shrimp to wine. The Green Market is a win/win situation for the vendor and the customer. It was just a fabulous morning.

The Green Market is every Saturday in June from 7:00-11:00am. It is located right off the beach highway at beautiful Lake Shelby. It is a definite that the early bird gets the worm here. It is also so pleasant in the early hours with the gulf breeze and the warm sun. I will be back next Saturday to stock up on my supply of home-grown tomatoes de-lish. I also look forward to seeing what other goodies will be in store for me. I will see you bright and early on Saturday.

ARRRRRRR there’re pirates everywhere….

Ms. Beachin's initial foray to Pirates Cove.
Local boat owners talk about Pirates Cove as a great place to motor or sail to while away an afternoon Jimmy Buffet style.

Boat-less and a tried and true landlubber I decided to venture to Pirates Cove in my car. Checking out the website. I figured shorts, flip flops and a tee shirt would be dressed up enough. I have to say I was overdressed (swim attire and beach towel is standard uniform).

Driving by car you’ll be able to creatively park under trees nearby “the clubhouse”. There’s a roped off swim beach and wooden picnic tables scattered about, a boat dock, and if there is no room at the dock, skippers just drive the boat onto the sandy beach and park. Visitors wade through the water and walk into the bar.

Less of a restaurant and more of laid back hangout come ready to socialize and relax. Bushwhackers and beer complement the menu of burgers and pizza. Moms this place is actually kid friendly. Babies of 6 months to great-grand parents in their 80’s blend in nicely.

The burgers were good and the pizza looked tempting. Order early, on a busy afternoon it can take about an hour to get your food. There are three bar areas at Pirates Cove, for faster service go to the bars on the right or left hand side of the building. The bartender runs your credit card, so order at which ever bar is closest. Waitresses yell your name as they stroll about the decks with your food in hand. If you don’t respond, the band calls out names between verses.

One more thing….the dogs, you gotta love dogs or don’t go. Dogs are everywhere and have free run on the beaches and decks. We made friends with Cheezie, a short mutt about 10 pounds and low to the ground. Cheezie preferred the cheese burger over the onion rings, but munched on a few fries as well. I really liked the onion rings so I think Cheezie was being a little too picky.

After three beers and a burger it was time to go. I handed by keys to hubby and gave Cheezie one last scratch behind the ear and hummed along with the band for as long as I could hear them.

Ahh, another great day in paradise.