Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful and Protected

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!

Welcome back!

School is back in session. Cool evening breezes are blowing. Mornings are seemingly darker.

All indications that fall is sneaking up on us. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter and begs for last minute outdoor activities before the cold, dark days of winter are upon us.

If you have young, school age children, chances are you will need to collect some autumn leaves for art projects and science lessons. So why not get a head start and make your child look like an over-achiever (even if they’re not) and get out and explore where the best species and colors are found?

Garrett County’s Autumn Glory Festival would be the perfect place to gain inspiration with their fine arts exhibits and craft shows.

 Plus, it’s a great time to relish the recreational activities and get outdoors!

You can spend plenty of time indoors sorting your finds and counting all the money you saved with Deep Creek specials after you’ve worn yourself out with biking, hiking, golf and a plethora of family activities.

So, RUN don’t walk!

Fall colors!

Fun activities!

Affordable, comfortable vacation homes!

Plan your arrival before the cold winds of winter begin to blow.

Are you dreaming of a Maui vacation  but can’t get over the language and pronunciation of some of those Hawaiian words? Perhaps you’re dreaming of sounding like a kamaaiana but don’t know the jargon. Or perhaps you’re trying to reserve a Maui condo rental, but you can’t figure out one resort name from the other.

Although some Hawaiian words can be intimidating just by the sheer number of letters contained in them, lauwiliwilinukunukuoioi for example,   

   it’s interesting to note that the language consists of only 5 vowels and 7 consonants! Practicing breaking down the syllables and applying the correct pronunciation can be vital to not getting your okole kicked and not making you sound like a haole.

Once you’ve mastered the Hawaiian alphabet and syllable breakdown, get ready to learn how to speak Hawaiian with a local flair so you can avoid sounding aznuts. You’ll find it to your advantage to know the difference between a lua and a luau so you don’t inadvertently look like a lolo buggah and get asked in a heated fashion, “Like beef?”

So, practice wiki wiki, enjoy the island paradise without sounding like a malihini and have planny good times on your vacation.

Many tourists dream of an island vacation but are turned away by high prices and crowded beaches. Nearly everyone knows the main beaches and attractions that draw people to the islands. But the island paradise of Kihei remained relatively unknown and uninhabited until the government began selling off its property in the 1930’s.

The turning point for Kihei was in the late 1960’s when water was piped in and developers saw the area’s potential to draw in beach dwellers with affordable Maui condominium rentals. Once visitors began foregoing the lush landscapes of other Hawaiian locales for the opportunity to save some dough, it wasn’t long before this became the turning point for Kihei and its tourism draw. 

Today you can create a turning point in your vacation planning and again pursue the dream of a tropical island vacation. Less crowded beaches, golf and water sports allow visitors to experience the wonders of the island without sacrificing the Maui experience or the budget. Kihei has also become known for offering craft fairs, music and concert events, and plenty of family fun.

There are many reasons for choosing a fun-filled, family vacation to the pristine sands of Maui such as the great food, fun activities and amazing weather – it’s no wonder thousands flock to Maui’s shores each year. All of these reasons aside, many will tell you the most appealing aspect of the magical island, are the world-famous beaches. Whether you want to ride the waves on your surf board, bask in the sun and work on your tan or walk the smooth sand with a loved one, there is surely a beach in Maui to fit your needs. If you want to be close to the best beaches in Maui, check out the sweet vacation rentals from Maui Vista Condos. Read on to discover a Maui beach that will perfectly complement your warm island escape!

• Kama’ole Beach Park I – One of Maui’s most popular beaches, this island gem has an exquisite stretch of sand parallel to cool, emerald green grass. With a lifeguard on duty during the day, parking and bathrooms, this beach is a premium family-friendly location.

• Kama’ole Beach Park II – Like its sister beach, Kama’ole I, Kama’ole Beach Park II provides beach-goers with the assurance and comfort of an on-duty lifeguard during the daylight hours. This particular beach in particular offers pleasant snorkeling waters as well as majestic scenery.

• Kama’ole Beach Park III – The last of the beach triplets, Kama’ole III is a popular option for those who prefer more space on the grass to enjoy the sweet humidity and white capped waves of the Pacific Ocean. Before you head to this bustling beach, put together a fresh picnic to enjoy between swimming and tanning.

• Charley Young Beach – This fun little beach is actually an extension of Kama’ole Beach Park I. If you want to try your hand at fishing but you’re not ready for a sea excursion, cast your line at Charley Young. Swimming and snorkeling are also awesome water activities that guests and locals enjoy at this beach.

• Keawakapu Beach – If you brought Fido along on your family vacation, feel free to bring him/her to this beach! Keawakapu is a dog-friendly beach, perfect for walking your four-legged companion anytime of the day. As with other top Maui beach selections, Keawakapu is full of luscious sand and open for a great swim.

The peaceful elegance and intriguing scenery of the island’s beaches allows locals and guests the opportunity to experience the gift that Mother Nature has bestowed upon the treasured island of Maui.