Visiting An Old Friend

On rare occasions, you get to visit an old friend. You haven’t seen this friend in a while, but as soon as you’re together the time that has passed seems to fade away.

I renewed a friendship last week with the Golf Club of Gulf Shores. The Golf Club of Gulf Shores is the oldest course in the area, having been established in the 1968. The course underwent a complete renovation from tee boxes to greens. The course was lengthened by 300 yards. The par 71 course plays just less than 6000 yards from the white tees. From the “tips”, the course stretches to a robust 6800 yards. The multiple tees allow for an enjoyable experience for all levels of skill. This course has a little bit of everything, doglegs left and right; a few forced carries over water, numerous bunkers also come into play. The greens roll true and fast.

A new clubhouse, restaurant and pro shop are also on site. Try the burgers or the BLT in the restaurant; you’ll be glad you did.

As always, it’s good to see an old friend. Especially a friend that is new and improved. I wish I could say the same for my golf game!

Fishing with the Reel Surprise

A bad day fishing is better than a good day _____________ (you fill in the blank).

I love the water. The bigger the “pond,” the happier I am. So, you know I am ecstatic when I’m floating on the Gulf of Mexico. I recently had the great pleasure of fishing with Captain Randy and Susan Boggs and their crew on the Reel Surprise.

In north Gulf Shores, the sky was blue when I stepped out of my door at 7:15 a.m. with my little cooler of ice. I had taken my generic less-drowsy formula Dramamine and was ready for the day. A quick stop at a beach road convenience store to purchase bottles of water, soft drinks and snack crackers put me at the marina just on time. I was excited; I had not been out with these great people in more than a year.

This time of year, the boats are not as crowded. Red Snapper season is over and folks like me not looking to catch that prize winner can have a great time just fishing. There were less than 15 people on board this morning and it was almost like having a private charter.

Capt. Randy told us we would be going about 20 miles south to some good fishing spots. When we left the marina and passed under Alabama Point bridge, we could see dark clouds south of us. We went through the pass and turned east to avoid the morning thundershowers. The water was a little choppy for a while, but I had experienced much worse and knew the captain would head to smoother waters.

After a pleasant ride, the seas were much calmer when we made our first stop. The deck hands already had the rods and reels rigged and the bait buckets spaced around the rail. We were ready to catch some fish. The man next to me dropped his line in the water and let it go down for what seemed like a long time. The next thing I knew, he was pulling in a nice trigger fish. I just barely gotten my line wet when I felt the faint tell-tale vibration. I starting turning the reel and could feel the fish trying in vain to escape the hook. I finally got it to the surface and it was a nice red snapper. The deck hand unhooked it and back to the water it went. After all, red snapper season was over. That was my first fish of the year. It felt wonderful!

We had a great day of fishing. When the fish would stop biting, we would move to another place. Capt. Randy kept us on fish all day. Someone even caught a queen trigger, a rarity for our part of the world. The queen trigger fish is usually found in the tropical Atlantic waters.

When we pointed northwest and started back to Orange Beach, a couple of the deck hands rigged two rods for trolling. I was sitting on a side bench watching the water go by when I heard the first yell. I walked to the rear of the boat and Susan had picked one of the rods up and was slowly turning the reel. She had a big smile on her face when she landed a king mackerel. It wasn’t too long before the other reel was singing with a catch. It was also a king mackerel.

When we arrived at the marina, we were all a little tired but very pleased with our trip. The next day, I had a few sore muscles, a nice bag of fish in my freezer and some wonderful memories added to my collection.

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!

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.

Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail

One of the many hidden treasures here along the gulf coast is the Back Country Trail. It is a nature lover's paradise, and a fitness enthusiast's dream. Several years ago, the City of Orange Beach teamed up with the Gulf State Park to start a backcountry trail system that goes through the wilderness part of the park. The total distance is 7.8 miles which locals and visitors alike walk, run, and bike. Beautiful oak hammocks, wooden bridges, and flora and fauna will take your breath away. The trails meander along side marshes, secondary sand dunes, swamps, and creeks.
One of my favorite spots on the trail is Gulf Oak Ridge. During trail construction a Native American settlement more than 4000 years old was discovered. An old-growth maritime forest runs along a 38 foot high ridge offering you a scenic view of the gulf. A picnic area and swings make this a great place to take a break from your wilderness hike.
The trail system provides opportunities to explore beyond the fringe of the vast 6,500-acre Gulf State Park. Whether you are searching for blooming plants on a savanna, or tracking animals in the woods, the park has a ideal location for you.
Deer, wild hogs, wolves, coyotes, gopher tortoises, bobcats, snakes, foxes, alligators, armadillos and many other animals are spotted while hiking the trails.
On Saturday I spied a flock of red tanagers and painted buntings migrating back north when I hiked the trail. It looked like the Easter Bunny had thrown Easter eggs up into the trees, and scattered them onto the ground. You just never know what you may see on any given day. It's a new adventure each time I ride or walk the trails. It is a feast for your senses. Nature lovers this is a must see before you leave our beaches. Pack a lunch, binoculars and a camera, there are many picnic tables along the trail and a beautiful screened pavilion next to a butterfly garden. For those exploring with children, those all important restrooms are located along the trail.
A 2 hour guided eco-tour is available and reservations are required. This is not a walking tour, a knowledgeable guide takes you along the trails in a golf cart sharing unique points of interest.
To schedule your tour, call 981-1063 or email lellis@cityoforangebeach.com.

Until next time - Happy Trails to You!

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!

March 2008 Fishing Report from Capt. Randy Boggs

Slowly but surely the water is heating up along with the fishing.

Inshore, the sheepshead are biting around the inlets, jetties and docks. The best baits are live shrimp or fiddler crabs. A few speckled trout are starting to show up. The surf fishing has been slow. This is sure to change when we get an east winds and an east tide.

Offshore, the vermillion snapper trigger fish and amberjacks are biting well in water in depths of over 100’.

We have not had any reports of the offshore fishing for tuna, dolphin or wahoo. We did see a boat coming in last week with tuna flags flying.

The first King mackerel have shown up in the last week.

Cobia season is just around the corner. The fist fish is generally caught around the 20th of March. The peak of the cobia migration will be here in late April to early May. Site fishing along the beach with live bait is the most popular way to catch these fish.

Capt. Randy Boggs
Reel Surprise Charters
http://www.reelsurprisecharters.com/

Editors Note:
Don’t forget these events too:

Spring Saltwater Series
Price: Anglers: $10.00 daily; No boat entry fee. Spring tournament fishing will be in full swing with the inaugural Spring Saltwater Series. Their will be a $150,000 in cash and prizes to the winners. The 11-fish tournament will include king mackerel, tuna, wahoo, grouper, amberjack, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, cobia, speckled trout, red fish and sheepshead. More fish to catch means more anglers winning prizes. The $10 daily ticket qualifies anglers to compete in all 11 categories.
Weigh Station is Zeke's Landing MarinaOrange Beach, AL
251-981-4044
www.orangebeachsnapper.com/

42nd Annual Labor Day Tournament
August 29, 2008 - September 1, 2008
Price: $175.00 per angler. Minimum of 4 anglers per boat for boats over 32 feet and 3 anglers per boat for boats 32 feet and under. Entry forms received by August 26th, $150.00 per angler. There is a $1 million prize to anyone who sets a new Alabama state record for Blue Marlin in this tournament. See website for complete details.
Waters of the Gulf of MexicoOrange Beach, AL
www.mbgfc.org/