Attention Rick and Bubba Fans

This Friday, April 30th, is going to be quite an entertaining morning at The Hangout in Gulf Shores. The Rick and Bubba Show will be broadcasting live from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (CST).

Anyone who’s listened to this show knows what a comedy trip these two are, and to add to the fun, animals from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will make an appearance and Lisa Christian will perform live during the show. The comical crew will also be interviewing representatives from the Alabama Gulf Coast CVB and The Hangout Beach, Music and Arts festival.

The public is invited to attend the broadcast. Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix All Suites Hotel and both of the Island Winds properties are really close to The Hangout, so if you happen to be staying there this Friday, you’ll be in a good position to go check it out.

Get Lazy

The countdown to my first vacation of the year has begun. The weather is warm (and even warmer at the Gulf), and life has gotten a little too hectic lately. To say I’m ready to make the trek down to Orange Beach is an understatement. And when I get there, I’m not going to relax—I’m going to get lazy.

Because there is nothing more relaxing to me than letting a nice cool current carry me along while I gaze up at the sky and at the palm trees lining the path of the lazy river (which is what’s carrying me, of course). I always look forward to my trips around the lazy river. I’ll be staying at Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix West, which pairs a water slide with its lazy river. So if I get a little too lazy, I can make a run down this winding slide.

Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix on the Bay and Phoenix on the Bay II also feature lazy rivers.

Commune With Nature

There are so many things to do and see in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area; some cost money, some are free. For those who are trying to save a little money (and here I raise my hand emphatically), free is always a good option to have.

Nature trails and wildlife observations are a personal preference for me, and the Alabama Gulf Coast has some amazing nature and wildlife. The Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge is a 6,000 acre preserve with hiking trails, lots of wildlife, and free admission. The Biophilia Nature Center is another option, with a butterfly nursery, carnivorous plants, and a giant alligator—and only a $5 donation for admission.

Both locations are within easy driving distance of Brett/Robinson properties. Learn more about these and other nature excursions here.

Putting Greens

Even though we consider golf to be a leisurely activity, for many of us it brings out our most competitive characteristics. No matter how “leisurely” I tell myself any given golf game is going to be, I always play with a particular goal in mind: to beat my lowest score.

And there’s no vacation from this competitiveness. If it’s golf, it’s competition—even if only against myself.

So I love to take advantage of the putting greens that are available at many of the Brett/Robinson properties. I find that my short game needs the most work (not that my long game doesn’t), so practicing on the putting greens is a good warm-up. Plus it truly is relaxing and makes a nice addition to an already enjoyable golf vacation.

Visit the Brett/Robinson website for more information about their luxurious golf vacation packages.

Plenty to Do at Phoenix on the Bay

A well-rounded experience makes for a well-enjoyed vacation, and this is why I enjoy Phoenix on the Bay in Orange Beach. First, because this condo is located at Terry Cove on the Bay, it’s a prime spot for boaters. The property has its own marina and rents boat slips, which makes it so easy to access the Gulf right from the condo.

Second, it’s really close (just a few miles) to the Wharf Amphitheater—meaning it’s really close to concerts. And the Wharf hosts some amazing concerts.

This is in addition to Phoenix on the Bay’s indoor and outdoor pools, lazy river, tennis courts, putting green, hot tub and sauna. You’re not missing out at this place.

Check out the virtual tour and other information about Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix on the Bay.

A Good Cause

What do people who spend a night camping out and walking around a track have in common? Quite possibly they’ve had cancer, know someone who has had cancer, or survived cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is an event where teams of people take turns walking or running around a track or path for up to 24 hours. The continuous walking signifies the fact that cancer never sleeps, and the event raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

Brett/Robinson is a proud supporter of Relay for Life. On April 8th, the Brett/Robinson Relay for Life team held a fundraiser golf tournament at Craft Farms and managed to raise a nice chunk of change—$11,000 to be exact.

Hats off to the Brett/Robinson Relay for Life team!

Mother's Day

I have always struggled with the process of coming up with gift ideas for my mom. Many factors play a role in this decision: the gift should be meaningful, something my mom would enjoy but that I can afford.

So I am completely excited about Brett/Robinson’s latest vacation special—the We Love You Mom package. Visitors can stay at the Phoenix All Suites Hotel (arriving either May 7th or May 8th) for two nights for only $154.29 per night. Also included is a bouquet of spring flowers in the room and a $50 shopping spree at Tanger Outlets.

I, of course, will accompany my mom on this little excursion. Now I have to decide if I want to invite the rest of the family to be in on the gift. It could make for a fun little family reunion, and the other option for this package is to stay at a condo and still get the flowers and shopping spree for an extra $80.

Reservations need to be booked by May 5th to take advantage of this deal, so start planning!

Three Days of Fun

We’re a little more than a month out from The Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival. If you love music and the beach, this is the event for you. There’s still time to book accommodations with one of Brett/Robinson’s properties—the Phoenix All Suites Hotel, Island Winds East, and Island Winds West—which are right there where all the fun will take place.

It’s a three-day event (May 14th, 15th, and 16th), which coincides nicely with Brett/Robinson’s minimum three-night stay for festival site accommodations. Since it’s an inaugural event, it will be pretty cool to look back and know you were part of the first festival if this thing takes hold and becomes an annual affair.

Learn more about Brett/Robinson and the music festival here.

Easter sunrise in the gardens of Bellingrath

Easter Sunday, I marked two items off of my list of things I have not done. I attended an Easter sunrise service and visited Bellingrath Gardens and Home. This was accomplished all at once.

We got up around 4 a.m. and were out of the house by 5 for the drive to Theodore, Ala., south of Mobile. An hour later, we parked under the massive live oaks in the parking area of Bellingrath.

It was still dark and we were told to follow the lighted path. We couldn’t see much around us in the darkness but the scent of flowers was surrounding us. The lights on the path and volunteers stationed along the way, kept us moving in the right direction. We reached the house and folding chairs were set up facing a makeshift stage and a wooden cross adorned with Easter lilies. We chose our seats and wiped the moisture off with a towel that was provided. It wasn’t long until most of the seats were occupied and a few people were standing behind the seats.

The service started at 6:30 a.m. and sunrise was at 6:38. It was a little foggy, so we were not able to see the beauty of the dawn, but the setting around us more than made up for it.

After the service, we took a path towards the Fowl River. I had my camera and around every turn, I found something to take a picture of. The colder-than-normal winter delayed the peak of the azalea blooms this year which worked to our advantage. Instead of catching them near the end of the season, the colorful array of blooms was just getting started.

We walked the Bayou Boardwalk first. The cypress trees were intermingled with flowering trees making for an unusual combination rising from the dark gray mud. We made our way to Mirror Lake and the beauty of spring unfolded as we followed the flower-lined path. Although the sky was still gray, the azaleas and trees were bursting with color. The air was still, so the lake was truly a mirror, reflecting the glorious colors of the surrounding grounds.

We walked through the Fountain Plaza, the Grotto, the terraces and around the house. The Southern Belle was leaving the dock for a tour of Fowl River, so we watched as it made its way around the bend of the river. We didn’t see everything that morning, but what we did see was amazing. It left me with a hunger to return to see the rest. I did take 150 pictures before we headed back to Mobile and across Interstate 10 to Baldwin County.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home first opened to the public year-round in 1934. It is in full-bloom with camellias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in summer, chrysanthemums in fall and Magic Christmas in Lights during the holiday season. For more information on what is in bloom, the gardens and events, visit www.bellingrath.org.

I can’t believe it took me so long to visit. I will definitely go back soon. Next time, I will add to the experience by taking the ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island.

The Little Things That Count

Small, interesting features always intrigue me, and those concerning golf are no exception. My favorite feature about Cotton Creek at Craft Farms, one of the many golf courses Brett/Robinson can set you up with, isn’t its Arnold Palmer design or its full-service clubhouse. It’s the mango-scented ice cold towels they offer.

We all know just how brutally hot it can get out on the course. A cold drink is nice, but doesn’t always do the trick; a cold towel will. And mango-scented—for me, nothing is more “beachy” than mango. The only other thing that could be more refreshing would be to jump into a cold pool with a tropical drink in hand. And since that’s not an option during a game of golf, I’ll take the cold towel hands down.

There are a number of golf courses in the Alabama Gulf Coast area, each with its own set of characteristics. Book a golf vacation package with Brett/Robinson and discover what your favorite course and feature is.

A Vacation Night Saved is a Vacation Night Earned

Spring is finally here: trees are in bloom, the weather is warm, department stores are fraught with summer clothing and the summer-spending fever has hit. Many of us are already revamping our warm weather wardrobes, and we have two important questions to answer: where do we wear this new wardrobe, and how do we save money after our spending spree?

The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is an excellent choice. There’s something about the pristine, white-sand beaches that makes wearing a new bathing suit that much more invigorating. Then later on you can sport some stylish fashion while checking out the local night life.

As for saving money, check out the hot deals on the Brett/Robinson website when booking your vacation. Deals include free night specials, which range from 20% off of 3 nights to “10 for 7” deals, and specialized vacation packages. Spend the extra money on one of the many area attractions (or do some more beach shopping!).

No Need for Improvement

Golf always makes my beach vacation better. Not that a vacation along the Gulf Coast needs much (or any) improvement—golf is more of an enhancement. I love the game, I love trying out new courses and re-visiting old favorites. And it’s a great way to spend quality time with certain family members (or escape family altogether for a little “me” time).

Brett/Robinson golf vacation packages make interspersing golf throughout my vacation that much easier. The packages are personalized and include green fees and cart fees for multiple rounds of golf, as well as accommodation expenses. Everything is already planned by the time I arrive at my vacation spot, so all I have to do is check in, relax, and play golf.

More information about Brett/Robinson golf vacation packages and area golf courses can be found here.

So Many Options

Having options is a necessary and important part of vacation planning: where visit, when to go, what to do—the possibilities can seem endless. Maybe the most important decision to make, once you’ve figured out where and when, is what type of accommodations.

Hotels and condos can be fun, with their pools and other amenities. Houses, on the other hand, offer a more personal, private feel. The right choice varies from vacationer to vacationer, and Brett/Robinson Vacations offers many choices.

A couple planning a last-minute Gulf getaway will do fine with a simple one-bedroom hotel room at one of the Phoenix All Suites hotels, whereas a family planning their annual retreat may need the convenience of a rented beach house. Or for a middle-ground option, vacationers may choose a condominium—Brett/Robinson offers many selections of this type.

Start planning your next trip to Alabama’s Gulf Coast with Brett/Robinson.

Work It at the Beach

We call them “getaways” for a reason: they’re our chance to get away from our everyday lives, an escape from work, monotony, and, for many of us, dieting. Part of the fun of being on vacation is getting to eat the things you normally don’t get to eat—particularly in the Alabama Gulf Coast region, where there are so many delectable restaurants and local flavors to choose from.

You could just let loose and resolve to lose the weight once you get back home. You could also vow to stick to your diet. Or you could book a fitness package and have the best of both worlds.

Brett/Robinson offers packages that involve working with a personal trainer during your Gulf Coast stay, allowing you to work off those extra calories. The fee is $35 for individual sessions and $50 for partners.

Call 1-800-497-6238 to book a fitness package; click here for information on additional Brett/Robinson vacation packages.

AAA Members can save this month at Tanger

The vivacity of spring makes it hard to resist a good shopping spree, and the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast has one of the best places to shop just a few minutes up the road. Whether you need a new bathing suit or you’re looking for furnishings for your beachside condo, you can find almost anything you are looking for at The Tanger Outlet Center in Foley.

For the month of April, Tanger is offering a great deal for members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their partnership. All you have to do is register your visit at the Tanger Shopper Services Center and you will receive a Tangerstyle 20% off Spring Bonus Savings Sheet.

I’ll be headed that way to get my discount. New summer clothes, swimsuit and sandals are on my list. It is a great way to start the beach season.

Nature Tour Video!!

An eco-adventure on the water

I had been looking forward to this day since mid-winter. The weather was warm, the sun was shining and I was going kayaking. Not just any kayaking, but an eco tour with a guide. How much closer to nature can you get than in a long, narrow fiberglass boat literally inches above the water? I loved it.

I never have tried to kayak before and neither had my co-worker, Jill. I knew Captain Chris and Laurel of Alabama Kayak Adventures would take care of us.

We met our two guides at Pirate’s Cove at 1 p.m. The temperature was hovering just below 70 degrees and there was a bit of a breeze so I kept my light jacket on. When all the kayaks were off the truck and in the water we picked one and climbed in. I chose a yellow one and Jill sat down in the shorter mango-colored one. Chris and Laurel went over the basics and safety information and gave each of us an orange whistle to blow in case of emergency.

Chris gave us a little shove off of the beach and we were floating. It only took a couple of minutes to get the hang of paddling the craft around. The kayak was comfortable and light-weight and pretty easy to maneuver. We started our five-mile adventure heading west across Stone Quarry Bayou. While everyone was perfecting their paddling skills, Chris told us a little folklore about the channel markers being in stone under all that sand. And, speaking of sand, he explained the reason our sand is so white is because it is quartz that washes down the rivers from the Appalachian Mountains.

We headed across the cove and into the Intercoastal Waterway, hugging the shoreline as we rounded a point. I looked up at the trees and saw two osprey cruising the sky above a nest. One had a fish in its talons. Soon we glided into the smooth waters of Ingrams Bayou. A little ways in, it was time for a break. We found a sandy beach and slid the kayaks in so we could stretch our legs. The cool water and soft sand felt good under my feet as I walked around the edge of the shoreline. When I walked back to my kayak, I noticed a hermit crab scavenging for food. Chris and Laurel talked about some of their adventures while kayaking the area and how the land on each side of the bayou is privately owned, so it is undisturbed.

When we were moving again, Laurel called out that she heard a dolphin. I looked ahead and saw a dolphin splash the water near the shoreline. We all sat still and watched for a few minutes hoping they would come back, but they were moving away from us.

We crossed the stream and entered a tributary surrounded by tall saltwater grass. In places, the grass was bent over where deer, raccoons, fox, wild boar and even bears make their way to the water. A little ways in, we reached the estuary (where fresh water meets salt water) and the grasses were a mixture of salt water and fresh water and then only fresh water. Laurel pointed out an alligator nest and we looked at the different plant life surrounding us. The trees were budding and wild flowers were pushing their way up through the damp ground. I knew the place would be even more beautiful in the coming weeks.

As we weaved our way back towards the mouth of Ingrams Bayou, we spotted the dolphin again. This time we could see three of them and they weren’t too far away. They crossed in front of me and headed toward Chris. He said they came beside him just under the surface. One was swimming on its side and he said it looked like a white ghost passing him. Watching the dolphin swim and play at their level was magical.

It was a great trip. No one had to blow the little orange whistle. I loved the kayaking and the guides were fabulous and informative. I am ready to go back when the weather is a little warmer and more sea and land creatures are swimming and roaming the shorelines.

Brett/Robinson offers packages with Alabama Kayak Adventures. The price is only $35 per person (minimum age 10) for approximately three hours of fun and learning about our coastal habitat and the creatures that inhabit it.