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.

Quintessential moments

Ms. Beachin' checks in.

Yesterday was so gorgeous I was easily lured to the beach. Throwing on my shorts, tee shirt and favorite running shoes before I left the office I figured I’d skip the treadmill and run on the beach.
Parking at the main beach near Phoenix All Suites something pink caught my eye. Hmmm, was that the Pink Pony ? And was it calling my name? For sure it was. The Pink Pony is your classic beach bar ( beer, sand, surf, laidback) and a longstanding part of the beach-scape.
Quickly casting all thoughts of running aside I called hon’ aka hubby and gave him an option. Meet me for a burger and beer OR have a can of soup for dinner. As tempting as soup can be the burger and beer won out.
The beach was settling down. The little Gidgets and gromets had gone home and the gulls silently floated on the beach breezes. The sun began to set and we grabbed a viewing spot on the deck.
Bud lites, and sourdough burgers with a side of fries arrived and the pressure of the day slid away. It was date night and it wasn’t even Friday!
Sitting on the deck during the glomming hour is magical. The calmness of the moment combined with the pink cast of the sun on the sand….. wait a minute….
Pink skies at the Pink Pony…now I am sure a Hollywood writer could describe the moment. But, since I’m not a Hollywood writer you’re going to have to get down here and experience it for yourself because writing about a sunset in paradise is way beyond my skill set…..

See you on the beach or hopefully see you at the Pony !

The Spring Golf Tour continues...

If I hit it right, it's a slice. If I hit it left, it's a hook. If I hit it straight, it's a miracle. - Author Unknown

The standard foursome was in place: Beachin’ Bob, Beachin’ Brett, "Uncle Terr" and “Money” McVay. A Saturday morning tee time was selected. This week’s venue was Glen Lakes Golf Club. Glen Lakes is one of the most unique courses in the area. The Vista- Dunes course offers a true links style course experience. The course features undulating fairways and greens, extensive mounding and numerous bunkers. Water comes into play on several holes. It’s a challenging course for all skill levels of players and offers a full set of tee options. The signature hole is #16, a difficult par 5 with an island green. A misplaced approach shot (or two, or in my case, 3) frequently results in the dreaded “snowman”. Glen Lakes also sports a third 9 hole course, The Lakes is a traditional American style course. Appropriately named, The Lakes has water hazards on 6 of the 9 holes.

Under duress I must state this week’s clear winner was Money McVay. Which leads me to this quote:
Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle.

Ghost Crabs

Squeals and shrills fill the air as night sets on the Alabama Coast. You would think that someone had seen a ghost. Well in most cases they have seen ghosts, ghost crabs. They are sometimes called sand crabs and are often seen scurrying along the shoreline between sunset and dawn and are a blast to catch. Zooming at speeds up to 10 miles per hour these crabs know how to make tracks!. So gear up with a flashlight and a bucket and head to the beach after dark for a ghostly fun time. Fits of giggles and screams of delight are typically the result when trying to temporarily capture these ghosts. We do urge you to use a gentle hand when observing these amazing little creatures and to definitely use the catch and release system.

Ghost Crab Quick Facts:
• Two black eyes, with sharp 360° vision, help them capture flying insects.
• Ghost crabs cannot see directly up, so they burrow into the sand to prevent birds from catching them.
• Ghost crabs tunnel down for about four feet at a 45° angle, creating one- to two-inch wide holes.
• At dusk, these crabs sprint into the ocean to obtain oxygen from the water, which washes over their gills.
• Females release their eggs into the ocean around the month of June.
• Ghost crabs hibernate during the winter, "holding their breath" for six months by storing oxygen in sacs near their gills.


Next time you visit our beautiful beaches and would like a thrilling experience take a walk down on the beach at night. The ghost crabs will send chills down your spine and everyone will love watching one of these small wonders on our coast. We look forward to seeing you here real soon.

Sugarland

This is going to be an awesome weekend to visit the beach. The weather is marvelous. The temps are in the 80’s, the skies are sunny, and the water is cool and clear. If that’s not enough to get you to the beach, we also have Sugarland coming to our sugar white beaches right here in Orange Beach. They are nominated for Duo of the Year, Video of the Year, and Performance of the Year. It is sure to be a fantastic show and there are still plenty of great seats left. Their concert is on Friday, May 15th. We have our tickets and our tailgate assignments, and plan to get there early for a guaranteed great time. I for one cannot wait!


Since the concert is on Friday that leaves Saturday and Sunday for some fun in the sun. Your options for what to do are only limited by your imagination. Take your pick from a few of my favorite activities:

• Relaxing under an umbrella reading a great book
• Walking on the beach
• Flying a kite on the beach
• Floating down the lazy river
• Taking in a few games of tennis or racket ball
• Going for a workout in the fitness center – Phoenix West’s is incredible
• Cooling off in the pool
• Soaking in the hot tub
• Renting a great movie
• Searching for sand crabs
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Cycling
• Add your own ideas to the list


I hope you have an incredible weekend here with Brett/Robinson. So grab your sugar and come on down to hear Sugarland in concert! We will be there waiting for you.

Show Those Toes

Note: Clearly, this is a blog entry by Ms. Beachin'.

Spring is here and summer is just a few short weeks away which means showing off your toes in cute open toed shoes or flip flops.  Me…I love a great pedicure. So this weekend for Mother’s Day I was off to the spa.

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores offer a great choice of places to be pampered while vacationing.  My favorites are Davis White Salon in Gulf Shores, Studio 3 in Orange Beach and Jewels Beach Salon also in Orange Beach.  Each has their merits but Cindy Clements who does my nails recently set up shop at Jewels Beach Salon across the street from San Roc Cay.  It is very close to Phoenix East and Phoenix East II.

Cindy overflows with southern charm and once you become a regular she’ll be calling you boo and honey all day long.  She’ll help you find the perfect color for your nails steering you away from anything that doesn’t match your skin tone or anything she deems “not appropriate for your profession”.  (no blue nail polish on these toenails!) And if you like a good foot rub, you’re gonna love Cindy!

Jewels Beach Salon is charming and cozy.  The ladies who work there are hard working professionals who throw in their southern charm at no additional cost.  

So while hubby is watching the kids at the pool, escape for an hour of relaxation and enjoy how adorable your feet look in your sandals.

May Fishing Report from Capt. Randy Boggs

Offshore vermillion snapper are being caught in the 120’ to 200’ depths on cut squid and minnows. The Trysler Grounds and rock bottom are your best bets for catching these fish. Trigger fish are making a strong showing on cut bait in the 120’ to 200’ water depths.
Red snapper are easy to catch on any type of structure, but they are catch and release only until June 1st. Red snapper has been set for June 1, 2009 to August 2, 2009.
Grouper and scamp are biting if you can get past the red snapper. Scamp are biting live pinfish on the bottom. Larger live baits are the choice for grouper.
Amberjack have shown up on the deep water wrecks. They are biting live baits. REMEMBER the new size limits – 30” fork length, 1 per person with no bag limit for captain and crew.
Further offshore, black fin tuna are being caught around the rigs at night with diamond jigs. A few yellow fins have been caught trolling with high speed lures.
Inshore trout are being caught on live shrimp around the docks and the grass beds. Red fish are showing up at the Perdido Pass Bridge and rocks. They are biting live shrimp and cut bait.
Trolling with spoons on top and with planers will catch you a Spanish mackerel.
If you would like to book a great day of fishing, please contact our friendly staff at 251-981-7173 or 1-800-806-7889. We can accommodate any fishing needs.

Capt. Randy Boggs
www.reelsurprisecharters.com

Blue Angels

Oh my, its Wednesday morning and the Blue Angels just made a pass over my house.  Wow!  If you would like to experience a hair raising event

attend one of the Blue Angels practice sessions over NAS Pensacola.

The Blue Angels practice on most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am behind the museum on the Pensacola Naval Base. (Maybe a 1/2 hour drive from most Phoenix locations.)

Practice is free and open to the public. Bleachers can accommodate up to

1000 spectators but you may want to bring your own chairs for comfort. 

Hats, sunscreen and water are essential.  I guarantee the whole family will enjoy this hair raising show!  After Wednesday practice sessions the pilots are available to sign autographs in the museum. 

This fascinating museum is world renown and the largest Naval Aviation Museum in the world. You and the kids can climb in and out of cockpits and let your imagination fly. Not only is this one of the best ways to spend a day it is FREE.  For additional info here

See You Soon!

Cinco de Mayo

This week we will have the 1st annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Orange Beach, and I will have to say that I am looking forward to it.  It is at the entertainment district on Canal Road and sponsored by several of our local establishments.  It is May 5th of course and starts at 3:00 pm and lasts until you have had your fill.  I cannot wait to sink my teeth into some enchiladas, tacos, chips and salsa, and don't forget the margaritas.  Do I have to tell you that talking about food gets me excited?  There is sure to be plenty of food, music, and fun for everyone.  

You know, I just may have to have a Quatro de Mayo celebration to warm up for Tuesday.  There are many great local Mexican restaurants in the area, but my favorite by far is Tequilas in Gulf Shores next to Brunos.  They can surely satisfy my cravings and I do have a few at this time.  Come on down and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us at the beach.  Phoenix on the Bay is right in the heart of the action, and I hear that lazy river calling your name.  Well, until next time. 

Adios Amigos