Only a few months from the two year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, and it’s in the news again. Or is it still? Either way, the news is all good; for residents, business owners, and travelers!

• Damage claims resume
• Required 6% hold-back on claims no longer applies retroactively (good decision, Your Honor)
• Victims won’t be required to give any portion of their received monies back (which means they don’t have to stick it to the consumer to get it back)
• The beaches have been clean for awhile                         
• TRAVELERS RETURNED to give many businesses a much-improved 2011

A lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears went into returning the beaches to their former pristine beauty.

Now residents and holiday visitors can help to further restore the beaches and dunes by

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS TREES!   

So, if you’ve been vacationing in one of the many Gulf Shores condo rentals, staying in a rental home or reside in the area year round, you’ll want to drive by the Gulf State Park Pier and drop your Christmas tree at the parking lot toward the east end.  This effort will not only help preserve and protect these fragile beaches, but it will bring new meaning to ‘Take only pictures. Leave only memories.’

Bring the family back next year and remember how you helped to build the secondary dune line.
Or go to Middle Lake and create stories about how your Christmas tree  may be one of those that were sunk under the dock to attract fish!

I’ve often left my Christmas tree out for the birds to have protection during the cold, winter months of the Midwest. I never imagined you could have the same sense of satisfaction in a warmer climate!

Imagine my surprise to learn that the Alabama Gulf Coast also has a rich history where the landscape was inhabited by sloth, mammoth and mastodons!

How can it be that the same creatures were able to survive (well for a time, at least) in two such different and opposing climates?

Visitors can further their understanding of the Gulf Shores, Alabama sea life and land creatures with the help of the Weeks Bay Foundation.  This intricate landscape encompasses over 6,000 acres of land and water in and around the Weeks and Mobile Bay areas. Visitors should take advantage of the free educational interpretive center and two boardwalks.

As you’re enjoying the beachfronts, waterways and local eats, can you imagine what it would’ve looked like 11,000 years ago with mastodons, sloths and mammoths roaming the neighborhoods?

Do you think you could trace their steps forward to see what has evolved as modern day creatures inhabiting the area?

How many of them are now celebrated with local festivals or served regularly at the nearby restaurants?

Rev up your imagination, grab the kids and begin exploring the Gulf Shores of Alabama with the mindset of a paleontologist or archaeologist and create your own stories of evolution and adaptation of the species on the daily menu or strolling the beaches.

The area offers the same gorgeous coastline and comfortable climate as it’s neighboring Florida, but with a much lower price tag.  Return visitors love the great deals on Gulf Shores vacation rentals, golf packages, fishing charters, and area attractions.

Nature enthusiasts will love the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, offering miles of nature trails.  Hikers can take both guided and self-guided excursions and are encouraged to set out in search of turtles, red fox, alligators, and more!

For those looking for something a bit less wild, the area offers endless shopping, dining, golf, and entertainment opportunities!  Watersports enthusiasts will love the variety of boating, scuba diving, parasailing, and dolphin cruises available throughout the year. 

Not into adventure?  Not a problem!  Step outside your rental with a good book, some sunscreen, and a fruity drink.  Stick your toes in the sand and watch your worries wash out with the tide.  When you’re on Gulf Time, it’s all about you!

Images Courtesy SouthernTabitha 

                History buffs and speed demons can step back in time with a ride in the Bird of Paradise.  This open cockpit biplane built in 1928 is sure to please the thrill seeker.  I will offer this one bit of advice, however. It may sound good to have the wind in your hair until you land and have to pull a comb through it!  One of my first flights was in an open cockpit airplane when I was about six years old and the most lasting memory I still have (many years later) is the drama of getting my long hair combed out upon landing.  Don’t let this be the only memory you take away from this high-flying experience.  Instead take away a certificate and photo that is awarded to all who fly in this historical machine.

                If staying on land is more your family’s style then be sure and plan a trip to the Track Family Recreation Center.  Plenty of action for kids of all ages whether you’re a speed demon on the go-cart tracks or prefer the slower pace of miniature golf.  You’re family will have so much fun here they may even forget that there are beautiful beaches to play on too!

                Does your family enjoy music and want to take advantage of fewer crowds?  Then bring them down for the annual, 10 day Frank Brown International Songwriter Festival held every November.  Venues all along the coast offer up a unique opportunity to see and hear songwriters perform the songs that became some of America’s biggest hits.  Songwriters perform in restaurants, bars and hang-outs along the coast, so porta-potty festival this is not!  Add to that little to no cover charge and you have the makings for a wonderful beach vacation full of Orange Beach, Alabama Concerts.  What a great way to get the wiggles out before hunkering down for the winter.

              No matter what your family enjoys, you’re sure to find something to please everyone.  Don’t forget that there are also beautiful beaches, lots of shopping and restaurants to complete your vacation planning.

photo courtesy MistyDays / CB

The event is held right on the beach, creating the perfect setting for some fun in the sun while enjoying the freshest seafood available!  The festival features over 300 vendors offering shrimp in every imaginable form, arts and crafts, and much more.  There are two stages offering continuous live music for guests to enjoy, so head on down to Gulf Shores and get your groove on!

The whole family is welcome to the National Shrimp Festival.  Amidst all of the shopping, eating, and entertainment there is a village dedicated to the younger members of your group with face painting, games, free arts and crafts, and much more!

Gulf Shores is widely known for its amazing vacation rentals -great rates, beautiful properties, and miles of pristine beach are the perfect recipe for an amazing vacation! There are a variety of Gulf Shores condos available at nearly every price point, making Gulf Shores a locale with a little something for everyone!

If you’re looking for unspoiled beaches, relaxation, and a great time, look at Orange Beach when you’re planning your next vacation.  The area offers an excellent combination of fun and relaxation.   Go down to the Wharf for an amazing meal and some shopping or an outdoor concert, or do some deep sea fishing with one of the many charter services in the area.  Be sure to visit the beach to experience the feel of powder-fine white sand between your toes.  After a few days of Gulf Shores, you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed, and you’ll never want to leave!

Images Courtesy Diamondduste

Going to the beach for a family vacation just seems to be much more effortless than say going to New York perhaps…  While the kids are playing in the sand and burying dad on the beach mom can go shopping, hit the salon or day spa, check out the local art galleries or go catch a movie in the laid back town of Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Of course mom could be getting buried right next to dad if we were talking about my family J.

If everybody is getting tired of the salty Gulf, there’s Waterville USA to visit.  This park has amusement rides as well as water slides, a wave pool and the new Flowrider which is a wave pool where one can surf the “endless” wave.  The park has two seasons of which either both the water park and the amusement park are open (summer) or only the amusement park is open (spring and fall time).  Waterville USA is great way to spend a day individually or with a large group.   

Another fun way to spend a day “away” from the beach is to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.  Located just blocks away from the Gulf and home to almost 300 animals, the zoo is a place to visit for all ages.  Check the website frequently for upcoming events and activities.  The zoo offers a “Zoo Camp” where kids from 3 to 11 get to spend a full day learning about the zoo and what it takes to keep the doors open to the public. 

If you are thinking of going to the zoo then you might as well head on over to Alligator Alley in Summerdale, Alabama which is only 30 minutes away from Gulf Shores.  This gator farm is home to “Captain Crunch” who is over 13 feet long, weighs over 800 pounds and holds the record for the world’s strongest bite.  Now that must something to see…  Other marsh and estuary wild life can be observed like owls and turtles while you are keeping your eyes peeled for the alligator(s).

Doing all of these fun activities will make the vacationing family sleep well at night.  Gulf Shores, Alabama really does accommodate and cater to the needs of families who choose to spend quality time and an adventurous time on their vacation.  Looking for a Gulf vacation destination that brings young and old together?  Give Gulf Shores, Alabama a try on your next trip down South.

Gulf Shores Sunset by beggs 

Riding the Waves by nola.agent

2 month old Bengal cub by The Pug Father

I recently just got back from the Big Easy ~ New Orleans and I of course imbibed in my usual gluttony of seafood.  Oysters on the half shell, charbroiled, fried and stuffed inside a Po-Boy, etc…  I tend to indulge in oysters way down south just because I cannot get them at home.

Well, not too far (about 3 hours east) from New Orleans is Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Also known for celebrating the upcoming Mardi Gras festival, Gulf Shores shares in the fun and food that is locally harvested from the Gulf of Mexico.  Dixieland as many call the deep south offers fun in the sun for all ages.

Gulf Shores is home to the Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival or also known as The Annual National Shrimp Festival.  Held every fall in October over 200,000 shrimp obsessed people come to Gulf Shores to take part in the festivities which all revolve around the yummy crustacean; the shrimp.  With shrimp being prepared in a multitude of ways, festival goers get 4 days of free admission to get their fill.

Music is also an important part of the festival and there are two back to back stages offering country and rock every day starting at 10 am.  With names of musical acts like “Liquid Chicken”, “Catfish Flats” and “Bid Muddy”, you cannot go wrong listening to music outside, eating shrimp and of course, washing it all down with some cold beers.

I know that most people think of seafood as being fried most of the time but in Gulf Shores there are options.  Gulf Shores Steamer & Grill stands behind their motto of “NO FRIED” and serves up delicious steamed shrimp, snow crab legs, oysters and mussels.

Another cool eatery is known as “The Hangout” where locals would come in the late 50’s and early 60’s to enjoy the beach scene and be with friends surfing and just hanging out.  These days one can still come to “The Hangout” and enjoy great Gulf Shores’ seafood and cuisine.  From raw oysters and catfish to crab and corn “chowda” one can easily quench their seafood appetite in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

So, remember Gulf Shores in planning your next Southern beach excursion where the locals like to eat, listen to live music and eat some more.

Gulf Shores, Alabama by beggs

Gulf Shrimp by inuyaki.com

Gulf of Mexico Oysters by Kent Wang

Gulf Storm by nola.agent

I’d have never thought that Birmingham, Alabama would have so many good Martini Bars, but if you’re in the mood for a cocktail that looks pretty and still packs a good punch, try one of the favorite hangouts of the locals:

Amani Raha Martini Bar is in the historic Martin Biscuit Building in Pepper Place (2901 2nd Avenue South. This trendy club, whose name means peace and happiness in Swahili, is co-owned by the Dallas Cowboys Terrell Owens and has a smooth, mellow atmosphere – just like their martinis!

The Birmingham Martini Bar in the Hotel Highland is simply called The H. You’ll find 1023 20th Street South in the lobby of a stylishly renovated hotel in the popular Five Points South neighborhood. It’s a convenient venue to see and be seen or to meet up with friends before a night on the town.

Base Camp Lounge at 1024 20th Street South is a livelier venue with pool table, karaoke and local bands playing on one or both of their stages most weekends. Martini offerings include both the classics and more exotic mixtures, like the Black Eye and the Kilted Yak.

Well, you’re right, Britney and Mariah and Justin don’t perform here – not yet, anyway. But Steppenwolf, ZZ Top, Widespread Panic, The Black Crows and Hank Williams, Jr, did in Summer 2007 at the 10,000 seat Ampitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace – with opener Seether – will kick off the 2008 concert season on Sunday March 2nd.

At the other end of the spectrum, The Orange Beach Art Center holds more intimate musical events on the third Sunday of most months. These acoustic events are part potluck, part entertainment, with two 60 minute music sets separated by a “munch and mingle” break. A local restaurant provides the main dish and concert goers bring a dish to share. The usual non-alcoholic libations are provided, as well, and you may bring whatever else you’d like to drink.

The Erie Meyer Civic Center, next door in Gulf Shores, offers something in between, with acts like Pam Tillis, Roger Williams, the Les Brown Orchestra and Men of the Deeps (a Coal Miner’s Choir) scheduled for 2008.

For places to stay, Orange Beach vacation rentals are very popular and allow the most flexibility for hosting your own weekend party with friends and family. You’ll also find the usual chain hotels and, hopefully. the town’s only a bed and breakfast will reopen soon after being badly damaged by a hurricane.

The Emerald Coast is the section of northwestern Florida and southern Alabama that extends along the Gulf of Mexico – an area of silky white sand beaches that runs roughly from Mobile to Apalachicola.

How did it get it’s name? If you ask a local, they’ll likely tell you it’s due to the clear, emerald-green waters they enjoy. My bet is a crafty marketer needed something to call it other than the Redneck Riviera, as it’s also known.

The area is a driving destination for vacationers from all over the southeast and offers something for everyone. However, it’s important that you do a little research before you pack, as different areas of the coast have very different personalities.

Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is one of the most affordable and best known vacation resorts along the Emerald Coast and offers a wide variety of accommodations, from cozy cottages to high rise luxury condos. Be certain to get knowledgeable, professional help in choosing the vacation rental type and location that’s right for you to insure either a quiet family vacation or a more exciting spring break experience. There’s something for everyone in Panama City Beach!

Destin
This is a more sedate, upscale area for an Emerald Coast vacation. It occupies the tip of a peninsula laden with golf courses. Destin is a world famous deep-sea fishing and sea-shell collecting area. It offers respite for families and others who are interested in a quiet and relaxing trip to the beach. Your best bet for lodging along this stretch of shoreline is a Destin vacation rental, where you can enjoy all the comforts of home at a reasonable price. Condos, villas, townhomes and private beach houses are all available and many offer most of the amenities of a hotel. You get much more room and privacy than a hotel at about the same price.

Apalachicola
This is the place you want to go if you’d like to experience Florida the way it used to be. The laid back atmosphere compliments the historic district, which is undergoing revitalization. This is also where you should go if you love fresh seafood-especially oysters- and want to eat it everyday. Nearby are miles and miles of undeveloped beaches, a national forest, nature preserves and several state parks.

Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores, at the opposite end of the Emerald Coast from Apalachicola is a family destination resort for southern Alabama, particularly nearby Mobile. It offers a variety of beaches, along with boat rentals and fishing and natural areas preserved in a pristine state. Kids love seeing the nesting sea turtles that visit each year.

The clear green waters and perfect white beaches of this popular vacation area, just west of the Florida-Alabama border, make it a vacation destination and a weekend getaway spot for all of southern Alabama. Only recently has the rest of the country begun to feel the tug of its attraction.

No matter what you fancy in a beach vacation, you’ll find it here. Surrounded by water, anglers get the best of all worlds – bay, surf, lake and deep sea fishing . The climate is mild enough to permit golfing year round and some of the course, like Kiva Dunes, roll right up to the beach.

There are historical attractions, like Fort Morgan and plenty of places, to immerse yourself in and learn about the tidal ecosystem, including the amazing nesting sea turtles. And, of course, there are the awesome beaches.

To get the most from your visit, stay at a Gulf Shores condo resort complex. Look for one that offers full resort amenities, is close to what you like to do and offers enough fun activities to keep the kids busy while you lounge.

Personally, I never thought of Alabama as a great beach vacation, but boy was I worng. I suspect the natives would like to keep this secret to themselves. The sands are fine white “sugar”. The waters glow in cool emerald and the combination is irresistable.

In addition to ocean beaches, this intricate tidal area is laced with rivers, deltas, back bays, lagoons, lakes and bayous. To get you started, here a few of the most popular places for sun, surf and sand:

Fort Morgan

The main attraction in this area is the Bon Secour (safe harbor, in French) National Wildlife Refuge, which has 6800 acres devoted to habitat for native plants, migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and, yes, the endangered Alabama beach mouse. You can park at the end of Mobile Street or approach the all-natural beach through the sea palmettos and dunes of the Pine Beach Trail.

Gulf Shores

The most popular beach is at the end of Highway 59, where most of the action is. You’ll find a large parking lot, boardwalk, pavilions, beach volleyball, restrooms and places to eat and drink. This is also where the National Shrimp Festival is held – an enormous seafood celebration that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every October.
Public parking and beach access is available at 2nd, 5th, 6th and 13th Streets. if you’re lucky enough to be staying at one of the many condos in the Gulf Shores section, there’s also convenient pedestrian access at 4th Street.

Gulf State Park

Elbow room and every imaginable facility are the highlights of this coastal playground. Besides about 2 miles of ocean beach, there are two large lakes and a long lagoon to fish and frolic in. The park is outfitted to accommodate large groups, with an enormous pavilion on the beach and a picnic area on Lake Shelby. There’s a nature center with interpretive trails, camping, RV spots and nice cabins you can rent by the night or by the week.

Orange Beach

Perdido Point, with over a mile of shoreline, and Cotton Bayou Beach are the best public beaches in this area. Both offer parking and Perdido Point has long boardwalk for strolling, as well. Surfers congregate at Alabama Point just inland from Perdido Point.

Ask anybody and the typical answer you will get is that there is nothing in

The key to Alabama’s attractiveness as a tourist destination is above all its rural and agricultural orientation punched with great hospitality, delectable cuisine, top notch Alabama motels, hotels and resorts, and a globally well-known events calendar with many festivals and performances thrown in.

For tortured souls tired of city lights, Alabama is the place to reclaim your sang-froid. From the fresh, crisp air of the mountains and lakes of north-central Alabama to the glistening sun-soaked beaches of the state’s southern Gulf coast, the state has a whole dazzling array of attractions to offer to the tourist seeking solace in Nature’s arm. It is also a state with a rich history and heritage. So, whether it is just a weekend trip or a longer vacation, smart folks check out Alabama before deciding where to head when the well-earned break comes. And I say ‘smart’ folks, because a vacation in Alabama doesn’t hurt your pocket – you can have a wonderful time at a much lower cost than comparable vacation spots!

From museums to flea markets, from golf to motor sports or greyhound racing, from battleship Alabama to the US Army Aviation Museum, and even natural history museums and the estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama has something to offer to tourists of every taste and predilection.

For bargain hunters, Fleamarket Mobile offers the biggest opportunity with it being the largest such market on the Gulf Coast. Similarly for those interested in education and museums, there is something for everybody. Natural history, political history or military history – you name it and there are museums that will satisfy your curiosity.

For culture lovers there is the Alabama Shakespeare Festival which is the only professional theatre in the United States that has a live-in acting troupe which stages a rotating repertory of classical works. Then there is the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Musuem. Don’t forget Ivy Green, the birthplace of the legendary Helen Keller.

There is a lot for sports lovers too. While the Alabama Sport hall of Fame highlights the feats of such sporting greats as Jesse Owens, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Park and Museum are a must visit for auto freaks. And, of course, there is the Birmingham Greyhound Race Track for those interested in dog racing.

For a state that has given us such literary masterpieces as To Kill a Mockingbird, there is a lot for the literary minded. But leaving aside the more serious stuff, the stout-hearted tourist looking for literary entertainment of the macabre kind can also try their luck at collecting the innumerable ghost stories that Alabama folks are wont to tell. So, if you are looking for an outing that you can enjoy without bothering too much about the hole in your pocket, think Alabama!