Time to Shop

There are two reasons why I desperately need to shop. First, and most important, my mother’s birthday is in two weeks. I actually enjoy shopping for my mom. She’s like me—she likes fun, interesting gifts. This gives me several shopping options in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach: stores with unique gifts, custom designed jewelry, antiques and fine art. I’m sure to find something she’ll love (and doesn’t already have).

The second reason I need to shop is I’m anxiously awaiting spring. In my mind I’m already past winter, and I feel like if I start shopping for some new spring/summer outfits, the warm weather might arrive a little faster. Several shops and boutiques with much-needed beach clothing and swimwear are calling my name!

Chilly Day Activities

Winter in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach beats winter anywhere else in this country, in my opinion (and I’m sure visiting snowbirds will agree). Not only is the temperature much more tolerable than further north, but there is so much to do than just lie on the beach and swim in the Gulf—because comparatively “warm” as it may be, swimming outdoors in 50- and 60-degree temperatures just isn’t that comfortable.

And the area does get its cold snaps. If you happen to be visiting during one of these chilly days, I recommend the activities listed under Rainy Day Fun on OrangeBeachToday.com. Whether it’s a rainy day or a too-cold-to-go-outside day, there are lots of indoor sites to see. Check out the area’s rich history at one of the many museums, or explore a little science at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. If you have kids—or just feel like a kid—you might visit the arcade at Adventure Island, or Shrimpy’s Mini Golf & Arcade.

Don’t let the weather get you down! If you just don’t feel like going anywhere, there’s always the indoor pools, saunas, fitness rooms, racquetball courts, and other amenities at the Brett/Robinson condos.

Golf Lessons

One member of our upcoming guys’ golf trip is complaining that he’s not up to par (no pun intended) with his golf game lately. I would like to be able to reassure him…but after playing a round with him this past weekend, I have to admit he’s right. In his defense, though, he couldn’t play for several weeks due to an injury.

He thinks it’s going to ruin the big group trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this spring (maybe for him—not for me). But his little issue gave me an excellent idea: we should all take golf lessons while we’re down there.

A couple of the courses we play tout PGA professionals as part of their features; Kiva Dunes even offers golf clinics. And in my opinion, you can always benefit from some instruction—especially from a PGA professional.

Pick a Month, Any Month

Financially, this is a difficult time of year for me: car taxes are due, my home warranty is up for renewal, and then of course the dreaded income tax has to be dealt with (I always end up owing something). Meanwhile, I’m also trying to plan my vacations. And yes, they are a priority.

Fortunately, I’ve caught a break concerning vacation financing, thanks to Brett/Robinson’s latest deal. If you book a condo for stays during certain arrival and departure times in March, April, May, June, July, or August, you get an additional 20% discount. The deal involves a four-night minimum stay, and you have to book by 11 p.m. on January 28th. That gives me about a week and a half to decide which months I want to pick. I see discounted spring and summer vacations in my future!

More information about this deal is available on the Brett/Robinson website.

Funny Money

What would you do if you came across a briefcase full of money? Would you spend it? Turn it over to the authorities? Maybe both? I like to think I would turn it in; I have way too much of a guilty conscience to go spending someone else’s money.

No, I’m not asking for advice—the only money I’ve found lately is a ten dollar bill that had been hiding in my winter coat pocket since last year. South Baldwin Community Theater is putting on a production of “Funny Money,” based on the book by Ray Cooney. The storyline is just as I’ve stated: the main character mistakenly picks up the wrong suitcase, which contains a million pounds in banknotes. According to the description of the play, “he has to deal with the changes it brings.” Sounds very intriguing.

Funny Money is playing next month. I won’t be there to see it, but I think I’ll check out what other plays will be showing when I’m there this spring. OrangeBeachToday.com is a good place to look for both plays and other events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Looks like there will be a lot to do this spring!

Hanging Out with Old Friends

Oh boy, it’s on now. I just got word that one of my good friends will be in town for the Hangout Beach, Music, and Arts Festival in May!

He’s visiting with his family, and they’ve managed to reserve a condo with Island Winds West, which overlooks the Hangout Music Fest. I know who I’m bunking with that weekend!

They are going to have a blast at this place: besides being right there in the Music Fest action, it’s really close to the downtown Gulf Shores area—they can walk to all the restaurants and shops if they want. They got a good deal, too: four nights for the price of three.

Can’t wait until May!

Thinking Warm Thoughts

I may be living in the south, but I have experienced more cold weather so far this winter than I really care for. Snow, ice, below average temperatures…spring really can’t get here fast enough.

And yet I know that spring really will get here fast—maybe faster than I’m ready for if I don’t start planning now. For starters, I like to start working early toward getting myself in shape for the warm weather. But more important, I want to get the details of my spring getaway squared away as soon as possible, partly because I just enjoy the planning process. Simply thinking about the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach helps keep me warm during these chilly days. And partly because I want to be sure I can take advantage of vacation packages and deals.

Brett/Robinson offers some good ones, including their free night specials. You can book a stay with them and get 20% off three nights, four nights for the price of three, five nights for the price of four, etc. They even offer ten nights for the price of seven.

Check out the Brett/Robinson website for more information on the free night specials.

Dreaming of a Boat

I often dream of getting my own boat—a big boat. Maybe a yacht. I think I would give up my house and live on this yacht, and spend my days cruising along the Gulf Coast, fishing, and just relaxing.

Alright, so that’s a bit far-fetched, unless I manage to win the lottery. But a small, reasonably priced boat is not as much of a stretch, and is actually part of my long-term goals (actually, it’s been a long-term goal for a while, so it’s becoming more of a short-term accomplishment). I do intend to own my own boat one day, and I know the perfect place to take it: Gulf Shores Surf & Racquet Club.

One of the many benefits of this condo is it’s located on a lagoon and allows boats and personal watercraft. So once I get my boat, I can haul it down there and go boating right out of the lagoon. Plus the condo has several other amenities, like a pool and lighted tennis courts, hot tubs, and a putting green. Can’t wait to spend my first weekend down there as a boat owner!

Karaoke

One of my cousins got a karaoke machine for Christmas and shared it with the family on New Year’s Eve. Honestly, I had never done karaoke before. I think I am officially hooked.

Even though it was a small gathering of family, belting out some of my favorite tunes gave me a little bit of a rush. They may disagree, but I think my voice isn’t half bad. I just need a little practice—perhaps my own karaoke machine?

This could be a fun vacation activity, too: a karaoke machine in the condo on the buddies trip this spring would make some interesting memories. Then perhaps we could step it up with some public karaoke. The night life in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is active, and several places offer karaoke—check out the music and nightlife calendar on the OrangeBeachToday website. Now to work on my nerve…

Valentine's Day

Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day is close—February will be here before we know it. If you really want to wow that special someone, start planning now; being caught empty-handed on the big day is no fun (and, unfortunately, I speak from experience).

If you really want to make the holiday special, plan a trip to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Book a condo with Brett/Robinson and you’ll have a couple great options. First, the romance vacation package: in addition to your condo, you get a gourmet basket and beverage, dinner for two at the Sunset Cork Room in Gulf Shores, and a private one-hour boat cruise.

For those of you who are already married, Lulu’s and Brett/Robinson’s vow renewal celebration may be the way to go. With this package you get a two-night stay at the Phoenix All Suites Hotel, a gift basket and flowers. Then there’s the vow renewal ceremony on Saturday, February 12th and breakfast at Lulu’s on Sunday, February 13th.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to really get romantic! Visit Brett/Robinson’s website for more information.

Golf and Hot Tubs

I’m getting old. I’m not that old yet, but I feel myself getting older. The two rounds of golf I played this past weekend—after not playing in several weeks—really took a physical toll on me. Guess I really need to whip myself into shape before my first big golf trip of the year.

I’m also looking at ways to ease my sore muscles after a good long game of golf. One method that often helps when I’m vacationing in Gulf Shores is a soak in a hot tub. That makes for a nice day, too—eighteen holes followed by a relaxing dip in the hot tub. Steaming in the sauna is nice, too. Fortunately, my favorite Brett/Robinson condominiums offer both of these amenities—which is a big bonus when planning my golf getaways.

In the meantime, I’m contemplating getting my own hot tub…Then again, I think my money would be better spent on trips to my favorite vacation spots on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast.

Mardi Gras

Getting back into the swing of things after the Christmas holiday is always tough for me. I had a nice visit with family complete with several days of celebrating and over-eating. Now the decorations have come down and regular life is setting back in.

But there’s always something to look forward to, and right now I’m setting my sights on the next big celebration: Mardi Gras. If you’re looking for a good place to party during this time, you should visit Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Several parades and events will take place in the area throughout the Mardi Gras weekend. And on Fat Tuesday—March 8th—LuLu’s Mardi Gras 6th Anniversary Celebration and Boat Parade will take place starting at 10 a.m., with live music from 1 to 9 p.m. Laissez les bons temp roulet!

Snowbird Activities

Imagine starting off the New Year with an ice—I mean nice—cold dip in the Gulf of Mexico. I’ve imagined it for years, and I still don’t think I could do it. But come Saturday, January 1st, the “polar bears” of the south will be doing just that at the Annual Polar Bear Dip at the Florida/Alabama line. The snowbirds from up north may consider the Gulf Coast warm this time of year, but my skin will have to be significantly thicker to handle a January swim in the Gulf!

But I have heard that it’s an exhilarating experience, albeit cold, and it’s just one of several winter activities that the visiting snowbirds may enjoy. Snowbird men’s coffee clubs and card games are held weekly in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area, as well as senior events such as softball and potluck lunches. There are also state-specific snowbird clubs. You can check out some ongoing and upcoming events here; the events calendar at OrangeBeachToday.com also lists some winter events.

Golf Groups and Condos

The new driver was an excellent Christmas present, but even better was the phone call from one of my annual golf trip buddies. It was questionable whether he was going to be able to make this year’s trip to Gulf Shores, but he managed to work things out and has guaranteed that he will be there.

His addition will make for a nice group this year, which makes me even more grateful for Brett/Robinson’s condos and golf packages. The condos are such an ideal setting for a group of friends. The multiple bedrooms and fully furnished kitchens make it easy to live with several other people for an extended amount of time. Then of course there are the amenities: pools, hot tubs, tennis courts (a nice complement to golf), and, at some locations, the putting greens, which are much appreciated when it comes to a golf getaway.

And with nine golf courses to choose from, customizing a golf package to fit the needs of our group is easy, and the deals are phenomenal. Plans are already under way for this spring’s trip—this should make for a much more tolerable winter.

New Year, New Condo

It’s been a long time since I’ve actually wished for something for Christmas. I feel slightly childish, but there is something particular that I’m hoping for: a Brett/Robinson gift certificate. I can think of no better gift than that of the beach (which is why I am actually giving this very gift to my parents this year).

And I know exactly how I’ll use it (if I do get one). In honor of the New Year, I will book a stay at a new condo—the Phoenix West. It’s the newest of Brett/Robinson’s Phoenix properties, and I have yet to stay there. I’ve heard it’s pretty amazing: fully furnished condos, indoor and outdoor pools, lighted tennis court, hot tubs, saunas, and, my favorite, a lazy river with a water slide. Gift certificate or no gift certificate, I will be checking out the newest condominium in 2011.

Visit Brett/Robinson’s website for more information on this and other properties.

New Year's Eve

There is no place I’d rather start the New Year than on the Alabama Gulf Coast. For anyone who has this same idea in mind, you really should check out The Wharf’s New Year’s Eve Block Party, complete with dining, live music, and a midnight fireworks display.

The music starts at 5:00 p.m. with Lee Yankie and his soulful R&B tunes. Next up is The Rez at 7:30 p.m.—oldies, rock, and the Top 40. Finishing up the night is Fuego’s Motown and oldies.

Plus there’s still time to take advantage of one of Brett/Robinson’s specials—stay five, six, or seven nights and one night is free, or stay for ten nights and only pay for seven. Start the New Year with a rockin’ party and a hot vacation deal!

Valentine’s Day and Easter…Already?

I went to the store today and saw Easter candy. Yes, those creamy little eggs are already out in some stores (or at least in my store) even before the Christmas fudge has been baked. Part of me was shocked, and part of me thought longingly of Easter and spring weather. And yet another part of me was hungry for chocolate and bought the candy.

Even closer than Easter is Valentine’s Day, and though I didn’t see any candy or other merchandise for this holiday, I do know of one worthy purchase for Valentine’s Day weekend: Lulu’s and Brett/Robinson’s Vow Renewal Celebration. The package is $298 per couple and includes a two-night stay at the Phoenix All Suites Hotel, a gift basket and flowers, a vow renewal ceremony on Saturday, February 12th, and breakfast at Lulu’s on Sunday, February 13th. The package is valid for stays between February 12th and February 14th.

It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day getaway. Visit Brett/Robinson’s website for more information.

Winter Golf Packages

Golf is the best pastime no matter what time of year. I can think of several benefits of playing golf in each season. For winter, I can think of two main reasons: the weather and the deals.

Yes, I said the weather. I enjoy playing in the cooler weather—such a change from summer’s heat. And the “cold” weather along Alabama’s Gulf Coast doesn’t compare to what people experience further north. I’ll take 50 over 15 any day!

Then there are the deals, particularly Brett/Robinson’s lower rates on golf vacation packages. The two sample packages they offer—the Masters and Championship golf packages—quote the lowest per person/per night rates during winter ($100 for the Masters package and $86 for the Championship package). Even if you don’t love winter, you have to love those prices!

Of course, you can also customize your golf package to fit your specific vacation. Just visit the Brett/Robinson website for more information.

Order Some Grits!

Christmas parties and parades, Santa Claus events, holiday concerts—these are all excellent events that make me love this time of year and the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. (Santa vs. the Snowman at the IMAX was also pretty awesome.)

But if you really want to get into the southern spirit of Christmas, check out Cinnamon Grits: Christmas in the South on Monday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m. Whether you’re from the South and can appreciate an entertaining tribute to southern holiday traditions or you’re just visiting and would like a humorous glimpse of how it is down here, you’ve got to check out this foursome of Girls Raised In The South.

The show is at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

Gulf Coast Gospel Showcase

‘Tis the season for good will and inspiration, and thanks to the Gulf Coast Gospel Showcase, one particular good will gesture will extend all the way into April 2011.

The Gulf Coast Gospel Showcase is a series of gospel concerts presented by Lighthouse Gospel Productions of Romar Beach Baptist Church in Orange Beach. The concerts will feature several well-known gospel singers from around the country and will benefit the Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund. The concerts begin this Friday, December 10th, and will run periodically through April.

For only $10 (or $20 for VIP tickets—rows 1 through 10) you can help support the Gulf Coast and enjoy some inspirational music by some very talented artists. Tickets and more information are available at LighthouseGospelProductions.com, or call 251-981-8966.