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

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.

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!

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!

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.

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 

Emerald Coast Coffee and Grille

A note from Ms. Beachin' for all you java nuts.
What a magnificent weekend. I would have to say that it was near perfect. I have found a new coffee shop that I just adore. I am also very excited that it is right here in Orange Beach and very convenient to just drop by whenever I get that sudden urge for caffeine. The name of it is Emerald Coast Coffee and Grille. They have their own coffee roasting facility here in Alabama.

Emerald Coast Coffee and Grille is a cafe that focuses on distinctive specialty coffees. They also offer a wide variety of teas and fruit smoothies. They have a breakfast menu which features burritos, pastry sandwiches, breakfast casseroles and baked goods. I tried the Sonrisa Sandwich which is sausage, egg, and cheese wrapped in a wonderful flaky pastry. It was delicious! I cannot wait to try some of the other breakfast items, and they are available all day. They also have a lunch and dinner menu that includes: soups, salads, Pannini’s, and a variety of kebab platters. Free WI-FI is also available. This is definitely on my list of favorite places. I dropped by twice this weekend to have a vanilla skinny latte mmm scrumptious. Next time you are in the area make sure you give them a try. It’s quite possible that you will see me there. They are located at 4725 Main Street, right next to the Rave Theater. Well, I am off to get my coffee buzz.

Mullet Toss

Hey it’s the 24th Annual Mullet Toss this weekend at the Flora-Bama. The weather couldn’t be better for tossing mullet. I am warming up my throwing arm. I wonder, should I go underhand, overhand, spear throw, double handed granny, or just chunk it? Oh well, I will be practicing and see which is most successful.

I am making my list and checking it twice for a perfectly fishy fun weekend. I will let y'all in on a little secret. The very best place to stay for Mullet Toss is Phoenix IX and Phoenix X. All you have to do is check in, park your car and let the fun begin. Everything you need is within walking distance, and you will not have to touch your car again until checkout. I have heard that there are a few more reservations available, but with this gorgeous weather they will not last long. So you better grab them fast.

If you have never had the privilege of attending a Mullet Toss you may want to go check out this website to see what’s in store for you . Let the fun flinging frivolity begin. The fish will be flying while we are waiting on you.

A Pirate's Life For Me

Large sails, cool waters, sandy beaches, and live music – Ahhh, that’s the life for me. Pirate’s Cove is an all time favorite spot for our entire family and we were fortunate enough to be able to slip away and go this past weekend. There is absolutely no reason to fret about what to wear – just come as you are. This is a place that can take you back in time. You cannot find a more laid back place to just relax and enjoy the day. Picnic tables, playful pooches, sandy wooden floors, and swinging doors are all apart of the ambience at Pirates Cove. It is steeped in 50 + years of tradition and built where Spanish Pirates once moored their vessels.

Well, have you ever wondered what whets a pirate’s appetite? Our crew filled up on cheeseburgers, steak fries, onion rings, and brick oven pizzas. It was all delicious and cooked to order. The kids gobbled theirs up and headed to the beach to play with the resident pooches. They are always a real treat. (To fully enjoy Pirate’s Cove you need to be tolerant of the pooches.) All of us adults kicked back and enjoyed the food, live music, conversation, and all too interesting scenery.

If you are up for an excursion next time you’re at the beach then Pirate’s Cove is the place for you. There are daily dolphin cruises that drop in for lunch 251-968-4FUN and there are also boat rentals available in the area. If you are more of a landlubber you can get there by car through Elberta, AL, 6664 County Road 95. Check out their web site.

Oh yeah! By the way there is a Wooden Boat Festival there on May 2nd and 3rd. So grab your crew and head on down for a fun filled time.

Spring On the Coast

It's all beginning to happen here on Pleasure Island. There's Widespread Panic this weekend, and upcoming in April is the Mullet Toss, a Brent Burns concert, the 2009 Alabama High School Track Championship.
In May there's the 311/Hinder/Theory of a Deadman concert, the Pink Rubber Boots Ladies Fishing Rodeo, the Sugarland concert and the EVP Pro Beach Volleyball tournament. All of these and much more, and all before memorial Day Weekend.
It's a great time of year, and it's definitely time to make your beach plans if you haven't already.

See You on the Beach!

Big O's

Big O’s has been around since before Ivan (this is the way locals way measure time) and is know for an off- track place to grab a bit to eat.

I love Gulf Shores and I love tourist season. BUT I must say I don’t like waiting for my dinner. Tourist season in Gulf Shores can lend itself to long lines. For my hubby and I, Big O’s has always been the “place we know we can get into and not wait a long time”. Our primary craving at Big O’s has been their burger, fries and beer.

Imagine my surprise when I decided to read the menu Friday night and realized there was more offered than my routinely ordered burger!

Feeling feisty, we both honed in to the AUCE (that’s all you can eat in restaurant talk) flounder or shrimp… fried, and accompanied with French fries and hush puppies (more fried) and of course sweet tea. Wow, I’ll be eating lettuce and oatmeal for at least two weeks to counter act all this wonderful grease.

The shrimp was great, perfectly cooked and the breading did not over shout the shrimp, and the serving sizes were major. By our lack of conversation that night I think the flounder was also an A+, we just ATE for about twenty minutes and then ordered more. Our topic of conversation on the way home was “ That was really really good and you should have stopped me at the second serving”. Ah… husbands, you can’t live with them and you can’t live with out ‘em.

Big O’s is not a fancy place but Owen offers good food at reasonable prices and the waitresses always come back to your table to make certain you are fat and happy. Big O’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ah…..I can hear those cinnamon buns calling my name. Maybe you’ll be reading about them in future blogs.


Ms. Beachin' says ...See You at the Beach!!

Girls Weekend at the Gulf

Note: A blog entry by Ms. Beachin' about her annual Girls weekend at the Gulf. It's a pretty good time for the guys too, as we're left all on our own for a weekend!

Great values are available for a beach front condominium and Timing is everything

For example I can save more than $1200 renting a 3 bedroom condominium for a week at Phoenix V simply by vacationing in August instead of July. Personally I enjoy the more laid back quiet on the coast in the month of August. The waters are warm enough for swimming, the shops offer great discounts, and it is easier for me to get into my favorite restaurants.

This is the time when my girlfriends and I say “ hasta la vista baby “ to our hubbies and children and really enjoy down time with the girls.

I just love looking at my new manicure done in the latest color as I wrap my hands around that oh, so ever great, peach margarita sitting on the deck of my favorite beach bar, watching the sun go down.

Come on girls, get to the beach!

A Word from Beachin' Mom

As a mom I am always looking for a way for me to relax and the kids still have fun. My latest scam (sorry I meant plan) is to book a beach vacation in Gulf Shores AL for the family. I am tired of staying in a hotel room where I don’t get a lot of personal space so renting a condo is looking really good to me.

The door to the master bedroom gets quietly closed while the kids hang out in their own bedroom or the living room.

My children are old enough to make cereal for breakfast and pour their own milk from a premeasured glass I leave in the fridge. (This is a great spill prevention trick I learned with my oldest son Brett). My children are early risers especially when the beach is calling them. On the other hand, mom, likes to sleep in late (hopefully 9AM).

The vacation rule is “let mom sleep” and you can wake her up only after you ate all of your breakfast. This usually works out well for me. Dad may have to wake up and supervise TV watching but he’s really good about it and as long as SportsCenter is on he’s a happy camper.

It is so much easier for the family to eat-in in the mornings and we save money by using the kitchen to store snacks and munchies.

Dinner is usually out on the town and the family looks forward to trying a new place each night.

If we eat in, I have lot’s of heat ‘n eat recipes that gets me in and out of the kitchen really fast, and then we all have ice cream out on the patio.

Me, my family and Ben & Jerry…..hmmmmmmmm what a great way to end the day!

2008 in the Rearview

2008 was a great year. Great concerts, great weather, no majorstorm activity for our area, a mild winter. But I think 2009 will be even better. There'll be friends and family visiting as always, great weather in the greatest place to vacation (or live, if you're as lucky as me) in the South. There will be good times, good friends and much more.
I hope to see you here this year.
As Always, See You on the Beach!!

Family Reunion

Beachin’ Bob is bringing in the whole extended family for the Fourth of July weekend this year. Aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, in-laws, the whole gang. We’ll be at Phoenix on the Bay II. It’s got a lazy river (which is perfect for someone like me who’s…well..let’s say uninspired to undertake rigorous activity while vacationing), wireless access throughout the building for blogging and web surfing, and a great view of Terry Cove and the Perdido Pass bridge. We’ll of course be renting a boat slip for the Beachin’ cruiser for our family boat rides. We’ll cruise to the Wharf to take in the fireworks and the Lee Greenwood concert on the Fourth. And follow it upwith the Montgomery Gentry concert on the 5^th. We’ll even work in some beach time too, as we always do.

See you at the Beach!!