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°