You traveled hundreds maybe even a thousand miles to take a vacation at the beach, and its RAINING!!!! Ugggg, the kids are getting stir crazy, good grief you are getting stir crazy!  What are you going to do???  Watching the rain is definitely something to see from your balcony but for most it can only keep occupied for so long.  So what do you do???

 

Don’t panic!  There is plenty to do!  First, take an inventory of your groups interests?  Do have kids interested in science, shopping, art, planes, animals, nature?  If you kids are interested in any of these there are things to do in the area!

 

Before you head to the beach also check out the website www.gulfshores.com they have a list of area activities!  Well the easiest of these is probably shopping,  Tanger Outlet is 40 minutes away.  Just jump in the car and find some great deals.  Happy hunting!!!  If your guys are with you there are several hunting , camping, outfitter stores for them as well.

 

For your animal lovers there are so many places to go!  My favorite is the Estuarium.  Drive your car down to the ferry and turn left once you get off the ferry.  It is only about a half a mile from the to the Estuarium. The Estuarium is a sea lab run by Auburn University  where students come to study through out the year.  There is also a section for the public to learn all about the local area and marine wildlife.

 

Just a few miles away on Ft. Morgan road is the Bon Secour Refuge office.  In this office there are all sorts of information and displays to capture and enthrall the minds of your young nature lovers.  For the young hunters in your family take a trip to Summerdale and visit the Spearhunting Museum.  You are guaranteed a great time and maybe even a lesson in throwing a spear.

 

For your little scenic lovers, The Estuarium, and Refuge office are close stops that would entertain.  If you are willing to go a little farther try The Explorium in Mobile! This is a fantastic place to spend the afternoon.  The exhibits change regularly check out the website to see what is showing for the time you are here.

 

In the heart of Gulf Shores there are several different souvineer shops.  Each shop has an airbrush artist.  Take your artistic child to design his or her own shirt on a rainy afternoon.  Be sure to let them use the camera and catch some beautiful shots from their point of view.

 

Definently don’t panic all of things mentioned above and much more to do at the beach when it rains.  Don’t forget the rain usually passes in just a few hours and with a little planning you have made some great unique memories with your children!

 

See you soon guys!

 

You can’t plan for everything and often times the unplanned things are what turn vacations into memories that last a lifetime.  So of my favorite beach memories are when things went a little wrong.  As I child instead of catching fish I caught a fire worm!

This is not at all what we wanted to catch but it is the one of the most fun memories I have fishing.  It still makes me love fishing.  Not for the fight of it but for the beauty of what will come out of the water.  It is always an adventure.

Then I think about the time I got sunburned so badly and the wind was blowing really hard so we got sand blasted too.  But the water was perfectly clear and we could pick up huge shells we could see rightbelow us.  It is always the crazy things that give you the best laughs or most vivid memories when you look back.

So how do you have the best most perfect vacation.  My suggestions are do some planning but roll with the wacky unplanned things as well.

1. Plan an adventure or two.

2.  Try some new or differnet  food

3.  Learn a little history

4.  Be Brave, try something new don’t let fear hold you back from an amazing adventure!

5.  Don’t count out the cheesy stuff  The cheesy goofy tourist stuff is popular for a reason!

6.  Also don’t count out the simple stuff.  sometimes a day in the sun listening to the waves or just a walk on the beach is just what you need.

7.  Mostly comfy shoes, and comfy clothes.  ! night out in fancy clothes and uncomfortable shoes.

8.  Family time is always a plus!  Get as much as you can.  Cook together, play together,  adventure together!

9.  Rest!  It is no fun to come back from vacation tired and in need of  another vacation.

10.  Take some pictures and let everyone tell you their favorite parts of each day.  Don’t forget to write it down.

Most importantly,  if things don’t always go as plan try not to loose your cool.  You are here to have fun.  It is never fun for kids to see their parents yelling nor is it a great example to embarrass or belittle the person you are dealing with.   Get to the beach make some memories!  We’ll see you soon!

We rent several different sizes of condo but in the Indies there are a few that are quite a bit larger.  We rent a couple of these large Indies condos.  One is one the east end and has a city view and the other is one the west end and it has a Sunset View!  The west end condo is Indies 410 it sits on the end of the 4th floor of the Indies building.  Not only is this condo a beautiful mix of cozy and kid friendliness it has some of the most gorgeous views on the island.

This condo sleeps eight comfortably.  Each bedroom has its own bath attached.  The bathattached to the twin bedroom is a bath shared by the living room which is the first bedroom to your left as you walk in the front door.  If you continue straight down that happy you will find yourself in the living room.  The tan sofas and dining room set welcomeyou and your family to come and relax.  While the beautiful kitchen behind you has everything you need to make wonderful meals together.  The master bedroom has a king size bed with a large garden tub and separate shower.  The third bedroom has a queen sized bed and there is a shower only in this bathroom.   

The balcony is definitely the showplace in this balcony!  You have beautiful views of the bay and the Gulf from this wraparound balcony.  Our Favorite part of this condo you have a view that is ideal for taking sunset pictures, or just enjoying  a quietevening with your sweetie watching the sunset.

The living room has a little secret in it!  There is a sleeper sofa for a couple of extra friends!  You can view Indies 410 here!  This beachy condois large enough for you and your friends or you can bring the grandparents along for a beach vacation.  Either way you are sure to enjoy a great stay in its comfy, beach setting with the amazing views just out the window!  Keep in mind this great big beautiful condo only books for seven night stays.  If you need a shorter stay just give us a call we are happy to help you find the perfect fit!

Every Sunday you have a chance to hear one of our local treasures, Brandiwine, not just once but twice.   Sunday mornings starting at 11 Brandi sings along with Jim, Eric and Luther and of course the crowd sings along at a gospel brunch until 2.  They are sure to preform your favorites along with all the great classic gospel songs.  You can get the best bloody mary, a fantastic breakfast and hear Brandiwine sing crowd favorites for Sunday Gospel Brunch.  Breakfast choices are traditional brunch and southern fare such as Eggs Benedict, and Steak and Eggs.

Sunday evening the crowd and the music amps up a step or two with Sunday Blues at behind the Pines.  Brandiwine sings Blues and is accompanied by our own head of maintenance Jim.  Blues starts at  4 and goes until close.  Come by have a ” Nookie”  burger, home fries  or the best Shrimp and Grits in the south.  The dance off your dinner with blues that will get you moving.  Take a sneak peek at Brandiwine!

An Awesome Day-Excursion to Dauphin Island, AL

Traverse Mobile Bay by Ferry and Arrive on a Fun, Island Getaway

by Mike Turner | July 26, 2011

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Here is a great, day trip that will be a boat load of fun (literally) for the entire family.

It begins with a family style breakfast at Hazel’s Nook in Gulf Shores. Pancakes, yup, Waffles – yup, and my favorite- made to order omelets. (Bacon, onions, cheddar cheese, and salsa for me please).

Next, is a stop at the local store to stock up on munchies, water, soda, and sunscreen for the day of adventure, followed by a leisurely 25 mile drive down State Road 180 (West Fort Morgan Rd.) to the Dauphin Island Ferry Terminal. The Ferry runs every 45 minutes, and here is a link for specific times, etc. https://www.mobilebayferry.com/schedule.html

Cost runs $30 for a car plus $10 per passenger over the age of 12. If you want to save some dough, you can park at the terminal and walk on or take a bicycle with you for $5. I have taken the bike route and it was a blast. Or if you have a Harley, you can grab a round trip ticket for $8. But you need to plan ahead and take some rain gear, just in case. Dauphin Island is very bike/motorcycle friendly.

The boat ride is a treat in itself, taking in the sights of other boats, maybe a tanker, or perhaps if you are lucky a dolphin playing in the boat’s wake.

As you arrive onto Dauphin Island, you feel like you have been transported back in time. It is 17 miles long and ¾ of mile wide barrier island that is parallel to the Gulf of Mexico.  It is a sleepy, fishing village with tons of charm, miles of undiscovered beaches, quaint eateries, and another great attraction – The Dauphin Island Sea Lab, home to the State of Alabama’s Marine Science Institute.  https://www.disl.org/

Here you will find a treasure trove full of adventure. Huge aquariums, touch-tanks, The Living Marsh Boardwalk, and Weather Station.

At the west end of the beach, there are vendors providing umbrellas, jet ski rentals, parasailing, water slides and certified lifeguards, clean restrooms and showers. Entrance fees are $2 to park, and $3 for each person over the age of 12. No alcoholic beverages, pets, glass or grills are allowed however.

There is also the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, https://www.dauphinisland.org/bird.htm  Dauphin Island has been recognized as one of the ten most globally important sites for bird migrations. The Sanctuary includes more than 150 acres of maritime forest, marshes, and dunes, including a lake, a swamp and a beach. It is located on the Eastern end of the Island and has walking trails and boardwalks in which to experience this unique natural treasure. Migrating birds utilize this area after their long flight across the Gulf from Central and South America to rest up before heading on. They also utilized the Sanctuary as their final feeding and resting area before their return flight. (And you thought the Atlanta Hub was busy).

And if that isn’t enough to do, don’t forget to check out Fort Gaines for an awesome view of Mobile Bay, and you can image yourself as a sentry watching out for enemy ships!

Have fun!

Have you ever been surfing?  What about Body surfing?  There is a big difference between the two but both are worth trying. If you want to start out on easy waves Ft. Morgan is the place to try.  Of course, surfing is standing on a surf board riding a wave.  Body surfing is using your body like a surf board and riding a wave in.  My boss took a great video body surfing in Ft. Morgan.  Give us a call to book a trip and try out your surfing skills.