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!

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.

Blue Angels

Oh my, its Wednesday morning and the Blue Angels just made a pass over my house.  Wow!  If you would like to experience a hair raising event

attend one of the Blue Angels practice sessions over NAS Pensacola.

The Blue Angels practice on most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am behind the museum on the Pensacola Naval Base. (Maybe a 1/2 hour drive from most Phoenix locations.)

Practice is free and open to the public. Bleachers can accommodate up to

1000 spectators but you may want to bring your own chairs for comfort. 

Hats, sunscreen and water are essential.  I guarantee the whole family will enjoy this hair raising show!  After Wednesday practice sessions the pilots are available to sign autographs in the museum. 

This fascinating museum is world renown and the largest Naval Aviation Museum in the world. You and the kids can climb in and out of cockpits and let your imagination fly. Not only is this one of the best ways to spend a day it is FREE.  For additional info here

See You Soon!

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.

The Wharf Packs Them In

The Wharf has announced several top of the line acts for this spring. On Saturday March 1st, they’ll host country superstar Alan Jackson. I’m sure you’ll hear some songs from his soon to be released album “Havin A Good Time”. The next night, March 2nd, the Amphitheater will be rocking with Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin & Seether. I’ll be taking in that show accompanied by my son Brett. We’ll be staying at Phoenix on the Bay II, a short drive down Canal road from the Wharf. In April Widespread Panic will return to the Gulf Coast. After a very successful 2 show stand last year the band returns for 3 shows this year, April 18th – 20th.
It’s time book your Spring Break vacations, and a weekend (or week) at the beach or bay highlighted by a concert is a great way to kick off Spring.

It's Mardi Gras Time !!

It’s one of my favorite times of year on the Gulf Coast, Mardi Gras. From our perch at the fabulous new Phoenix 9, we’ll hit the streets for the parades for the next two weeks. There are parades in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, as well as the larger parades in Mobile (a short one hour drive to the home of the Original Mardi Gras). The festivities will peak on Fat Tuesday, February 5th. On Fat Tuesday we’ll catch the Gulf Shores Parade at 10 AM, followed by the Orange Beach parade at 1:30. There’s nothing like the view with a parade on one side and the beach on the other! After the parade we'll head down to Zeke's landing to catch a zydeco band.

See you at the Beach!!

Starting the New Year with a Bang!!

Beachin’ Bob and friends will start the New Year on Pleasure Island will a full calendar. First it’s the “Noon Year” celebration for the kids at Lulu’s at Homeport. Then later we’re off to the Wharf for their annual New Year’s Eve street party. We’ll take advantage of something unique on the Gulf Coast, their ice skating rink (hopefully with a minimum of spills). Later on one of my favorite bands, The Molly Ringwalds will take the stage with their brand of classic 80’s music. In between we’ll take advantage of all the amenities at Brett Robinson’s newest addition, Phoenix 9. Phoenix 9 has an indoor pool on the sixth floor, overlooking the Gulf, as well as an indoor tennis court. It’s a beautiful building with magnificent units, and all are brand new.
As always, see you on the Beach!