Haunted Fort Morgan!!!!

My boss recently forwarded me a blog recounting the experiences of people who have visited Fort Morgan and had supernatural experiences. These experiences included hearing voices and noises, seeing apparitions and lights, and having doors slam or reliving long over battles as they exit the Fort. The most common experience was an uneasy feeling or a feeling of dread or fear. I for one and very

skeptical of these experiences! Not to discount anyone’s personal experience as we all are on very individual journeys that are make up who we are and are built on an individually unique history for each person. I for one have never had anything even close to what these people are describing. Far from feelings of dread or fear the feelings that I experience here are mostly ones of peace, joy and contentment, and restfulness. This area has a long history of battle and lives lived in difficult circumstances. The end of the island was long inhabited by a native population prior to the military presence which began early in the 1800’s.

The natives were adept at living in this harsh climate but the settlers who came with the military struggled with the constant storms and lack of fresh water. They did thrive however after utilizing several fresh water springs in the area and fortifying the structures to withstand the seasonal storms that pummel the peninsula.

Unfortunately, many lost their lives as this was a military installation and battles were inevitable. Some lost their lives in naval battles while some were lost in accidents or in battles near the fort. People have mentioned seeing soldiers, slaves who built the unique star shaped Fort, and even spirits of women who may have lived at the fort with the officers.

As I mentioned I have never had experiences like this when exploring the beaches or the Fort in the decade I have lived and worked in this area. I have heard echoes that were a surprise but were explained and doors closing because of the constant high winds that pop up any time of the day and night. I have even seen lights there were unexplained by the average visitor. The locals know some are boats in the bay and some are from the light house beacon that flashes through periodically. The weather also adds to the mystery of the area. The island near the fort is only about half a mile across so more often than not in the winter months we get fog that will hang over the end of the island for days at a time. It seems more like you are vacationing in the old movie Brigadoon than it does a beach vacation. My husband chalks the other worldly experiences to the drinking habits of the visitors and the distance between the local “watering hole” to Fort!

No matter your beliefs or experience whether they are peaceful, sunny like mine or a little creepy and exciting like some of the visitors to our area Fort Morgan they are all worth a visit! Check out our specials and make your way to the Alabama coast this year. Spring is almost over so we have some great last minute deals. Summer is booking fast and the days are full of

sunshine here and the nights well you might get a little fright or you could experience the most breathtaking sunset you have ever seen off of the end of the peninsula. Fall weather is PERFECT the crowds are small and the prices are low and you can’t get a better time to visit! Looking for ward to seeing you soon or hearing your ghost stories from your visit to Fort Morgan!!!!

Preserve at Soldiers Creek NEW Partnership!!!!

We are so excited to announce a new partnership with Preserve at Soldier’s Creek Golf Club! What does this mean for you? Well if you are a golfer this is for you! All you have to do is contact us at the Sunset Properties office and we can book a reservation for you for only $49.00 total for a morning or afternoon tee time!

Give us a call for this special offer only through Sunset Properties!!!! We look forward to seeing you and making your tee times for this Spring.

The Orange Beach Festival of Art

Mar 14, 2015 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Other Dates: 3/15/2015

Dates & Times
Location
Waterfront Park
Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, 26389 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Admission
Free to public.
Event Info
The Orange Beach Festival of Art is held each year on the second week-end of March. Come and See Visual Arts, Fine Art and Crafts, Glass Artists, Potters, Painters, Sculptors, Watercolorist, Textile Artists, and Wood Artists. There will also be a Kid’s Art Alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare and a music and songwriter’s stage. Public parking is located at The Wharf in Orange Beach and shuttles will be provided for $2.00 each way. No public parking will be available on site. For a complete schedule visit our website.

Jimmy Buffett is coming in April!!!

For the first time ever, The Amphitheater at The Wharf is pleased to welcome JIMMY BUFFETT AND THE CORAL

REEFER BAND to Orange Beach on Friday, April 24th!  Tickets go on sale next Friday, February 27th at 10am.  Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets,

Charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees. Sunset Properties has a special for you to come on down for the concert. Our one bedroom, 2 bath condos start at $299.00 total for 2 nights for this concert! Call before they are all gone!

2015 Gulf Coast Half Marathon Series

Grab your shoes and running gear and come on down to the beach. March 1st starts the Gulf Coast Half Marathon Series. All avid runners get ready for beautiful sunrises, gulf breezes, bridge runs, and amazing views as you run half marathons all over the Gulf Coast. Join Mindy our guest blogger at the race or follow her at her blog Road Runner Girl. She gives the best updates and goals for each race! We are so thrilled to count her as part of the Sunset Properties Family!

The Gulf Coast Half Marathon Series returns to Gulf Shores! Beautiful course, great support, awesome finisher medals, spectacular views, nearly world famous post race party at Lulu’s! Don’t miss the fun, register today!
Mar 1, 2015
Location

LuLu’s at Homeport Marina

PHONE: 850 325.0131

WEBSITE: https://www.gulfcoasteventgroup.com

Congratulations, John Bobe, on the Trulia Top Agent Award!!!

Congratulations to John Bobe who received Trulia’s Top Agent Award. This is based on client reviews, ratings and sales in 2014. John is not only one of the owners of Sunset Properties, he is one of our Brokers and a Real Estate Agent. So while you are here on your sunny vacation and are considering a beach property of your own just give us a call 251-543-1370! John will offer a no hassles sales list or meet and show you whichever property that interests you.

Girls’ Getaway to the Gulf

Aching for some serious girl time? Need to catch up with friends and just relax? About to break out into “Girls just wanna have fun”? Head to Fort Morgan, Alabama, and enjoy a girls’ getaway on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast. From fine dining and relaxing spas to great shopping and beach fun, there are plenty of things to make your time with the girls memorable! Here are just a few ideas for a girls’ getaway to Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Pamper yourselves.
Can you think of a better way to spend a girls’ day out than getting massaged, primped, and pampered? Hit up one of the area spas to give yourselves some much-needed unwinding time. Some spas in and around Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores include:

Massage Therapy of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
3645 Gulf Shores Pkwy. Suite 109
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-223-7838

https://www.beach.massagetherapy.com/

Fusion Spa Salon
4778 Main Street
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251-224-4247

https://fusionspasalonaveda.com/

Emerald Coast Esthetics, Inc.
1574 Gulf Shores Pkwy
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-752-3223

https://www.eceagelessbeauty.com/

The Spa at the Beach Club
453 Beach Club Trail
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
866-348-9112 or 251-224-2772

https://thebeachclub.spectrumresorts.com/spa/

Play in the sun.
Of course, there are tons of fun things to do at the beach, especially when it comes to outdoor activities. Take walks on the beach, set out a beach chair and soak up the sun, take a dip in the water, go on a dolphin cruise, go deep sea fishing, visit historic Fort Morgan, or take a walk along the many beautiful nature trails.

Shop ‘til you drop.
Just down the road from Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores offers tons of fantastic shopping. There are outlet shops, high-end boutiques, and shops boasting one-of-a-kind gifts. If you want to do some shopping but are looking for a little more than the beach stores, check out:

SanRoc Cay
27267 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251-981-5423

Pelican Place at Craft Farms
3800 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-968-3638

Original Oyster House Boardwalk
701 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Tanger Outlet Center
2601 S. McKenzie
Foley, AL 36535
251-943-9303

The Wharf in Orange Beach
4830 Main Street
Orange Beach, AL 36561
877-942-7325
251-224-1000

Wine and dine.
Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores boast a wide variety of restaurants to meet any tastes. You can grab a quick bite to eat, indulge with dessert, or dress up for a night on the town and a fancy dinner. Some top picks in the area include:

  • Tacky Jack’s 2 – just across the street from our condos!
  • The Hangout
  • Original Oyster House
  • Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s
  • Shrimp Basket
  • Mikee’s Seafood Restaurant
  • Louisiana Lagniappe at SanRoc Cay
  • King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant
  • DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen
  • Cobalt the Restaurant
  • Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar

Be Dolphin SMART

Gathering crowds and pointing fingers often mean one thing on the beaches of Fort Morgan – a dolphin sighting! It’s so exciting to see dolphins traveling through the waters along the Gulf Coast, especially when they’re “performing” for the crowds. You may see them splashing, circling, playing, jumping, or flipping out of the water. They truly are beautiful and magnificent creatures, and we must keep them safe in order to continue enjoying them. Being dolphin SMART is about knowing how to react around dolphins for the safety of yourself and the animal.

The Dolphin SMART program was created in Key West, Florida, and promotes responsible dolphin viewing. You can enjoy the dolphins, but at a safe distance! The acronym “SMART” is an outline of basic dolphin etiquette. SMART stands for:

Stay at least 50 yards from dolphins
Move away slowly if the dolphins show signs of disturbance
Always put your vessel engine in neutral when dolphins are near
Refrain from feeding, touching, or swimming with wild dolphins
Teach others to be Dolphin SMART

In October 2008, Orange Beach, Alabama, hosted its first Dolphin SMART training session. The hope is to create a safe and healthy environment for the dolphins in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Orange Beach.

Dolphin viewing in and around Fort Morgan

If you want to spend the day, or just a few hours, out on the water, check out these area dolphin cruises and tours. The professionals guiding these trips are sure to provide you with a fun and scenic day – hopefully with lots of dolphin sightings! If you’re out in the water along the beaches of Fort Morgan or Gulf Shores, remember to follow the proper etiquette. It will ensure the safety of these wonderful animals and of yourself and your family!

Fins and Family Fishing Charters
4170 Spinnaker Dr. Unit 1223i
Gulf Shores, AL
251.979.2691
https://www.finsandfamilyfishing.com/

Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports
29603 Perdido Key Drive
Orange Beach, AL
251.980.5222
https://www.florabama.com/

Dolphin Fun Dolphin Cruises
27844 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL
251.971.1893
https://dolphincruises.net/

Cetacean Cruises*
25991 West Perdido Avenue
Orange Beach, AL
251.550.8000
https://cetaceancruises.com/

*Certified Dolphin SMART business

Fun for Snowbirds in Gulf Shores

While summer is the most popular time to visit Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, the winter months also offer plenty of events and fun for snowbirds! Parades, art exhibits, tournaments, and exciting series fill the Gulf Shores calendar, providing tons of entertainment for guests in our Fort Morgan condos and beach houses! Check out some of these events for snowbirds during your winter at the beach!

What: Winter Camellia and Cold Hardy Annual Displays
When: Now – February 28
Where: Bellingrath Gardens
Bellingrath Gardens is beautiful year-round, with fantastic winter displays featuring Camellias, ornamental kale, pansies, violas, cabbages, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, primrose, and more! Stroll the 65 acres and take in the beauty of a Southern estate.

What: Acrylic Painting (Beginning and Intermediate classes available)
When: Now – March 30
Where: Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery
Learn more about acrylic painting from professional artist Kathleen Tucker during classes this winter. Each class is $40 with all supplies included.

What: Pottery, Hand-building and Glazing
When: Now – February 11
Where: Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery
Anne Webb, professional potter, will offer her expertise during classes this winter. The six-week course is just $160 with all supplies included.

What: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
When: January 9 – February 13
Where: Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery
Professional artist May Lou Nicolai’s six-week class will encourage students to explore a new way of thinking and drawing. The six-week course is $130.

What: Prayer Shawl Group
When: every Tuesday from now – March
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores
Snowbirds who love knitting and crocheting will appreciate peaceful Tuesday mornings with the Prayer Shawl Group. Participants can make shawls for themselves, as gifts, or for those in need while enjoying some time with like-minded people.

Along with many events, the areas in and around Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores offer many clubs for snowbirds. There are state-specific clubs where people can gather with those from home, and there are snowbird luncheons held often!

Snowbird Potluck Luncheons
260 Clubhouse Drive
Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Located at 200 E 25th Avenue in Gulf Shores, AL:
Illinois Snowbird Club
Indiana Snowbird Club
Ohio Snowbird Club
Minnesota Snowbird Club

Located at 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach, AL:
Iowa Snowbird Club
Missouri Snowbird Club

Located at 27235 Canal Rd in Orange Beach, AL:
Wisconsin Snowbird Club

Located at 25311 Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach, AL:
Pennsylvania Snowbird Club
North Dakota/South Dakota Snowbird Club

Located at 26189 Canal Road in Orange Beach, AL:
New York Snowbird Club

Located at 344 W 19th Avenue in Gulf Shores, AL:
Michigan Snowbird Club

Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast

While many consider New Orleans the hub of Mardi Gras in the U.S., you might be surprised to learn that it actually began in the Gulf Coast town of Mobile, Alabama. Mardi Gras has been celebrated with parades, balls, food, drinks, and overall revelry for years…and that tradition continues today. Not too far from Gulf Shores, this celebration is unlike any other, and it offers something for both adults and children.

One great thing about staying with us in Fort Morgan while you’re here for the Mardi Gras celebration – you can avoid the crowds when you want, but join in on the fun anytime! If you’re heading to Gulf Shores for Mardi Gras, read on to see what’s in store for you.

The Mardi Gras parades in Mobile features a huge lineup of guests, including many local groups and societies. The parades will run from Friday, January 30, until Tuesday, February 17, with exciting events each day. Groups will parade through this Gulf Coast town with their best float work, offering tons of entertainment along the way. Each day, many of the groups will also host balls to celebrate Mardi Gras. While some balls are by invitation only, some groups sell tickets to the public, so you can join in on the fun! Another interesting part of Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast is the throwing of MoonPies®. It’s a long-standing tradition at the parade that children will especially love. Of course, there will be plenty of other booty tossed out, so get ready to take home some fun mementos.

For more information about Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebrations, check out cityofmobile.org. Here you’ll find parade routes, schedules, and more. You can also visit the Mobile Carnival Museum and learn all about the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama!

If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras but want to stay a bit closer to Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan, LuLu’s will be hosting its 3rd Annual Birds of Paradise Mardi Gras Ball on February 11. Admission is $60 and the celebration will include a buffet dinner, open bar, and entertainment by The Tip Tops! It’s just for those 21 and over, and it’s sure to be a fun night to remember. For more information, call 251.967.LULU (5858) or go to www.lulubuffet.com. The “Krewe De Lu Roux’s Mardi Gras Ball” will be one event you won’t want to miss!