Sunset Properties Blog – Gulf Shores

August 11, 2011

2011 Sunset Properties Photo Contest Winners

We wanted to say a special Congratulations to our Winners and Honorable Mentions for our 2011 Photo Contest. We appriciate your time an efforts in entering this contest and sharing your beautiful memories and great talent! Enjoy these great photos below.

1st Place: Jessica Mooney ” Baby Jake”

2nd Place: Jennifer Hill – ” Crab Hunting”

3rd Place: Angela Allred – “Fishing Lesson”

Honorable Mentions in no particular order

Amanda Snipes- “Family Beach Photo”

Christie Arthur – “Mr. GQ”

Kevin Ware – ” Sunset from Pier”

Toni Fahler – ” Lucy buried in the sand”

August 2, 2011

147th Commeration of the Battle of Mobile Bay

The 147th Commemoration of the Battle of Mobile Bay will be held at Saturday, August 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the park at the end of Fort Morgan Road (AL Hwy. 180). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 6-18 and free for children under 6. (Active duty military and families also admitted free.)

To read more about the history of this event, see our feature article: No “Petty” Battle

The Commemoration: Lots of Reasons to Attend!

Michael Bailey, cultural resource coordinator at Fort Morgan, said events at the park are growing in significance leading up to the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay in 2014. So far this year the fort has marked other Civil War-era events such as the peaceful seizure of Fort Morgan from the federal government by Alabama troops in January.

Bailey said the schedule for Aug. 6 is as follows:

· 8:30 a.m. – Raising of colors (the Confederate Second National Flag, which flew in August 1864)

· 10:30 a.m. to noon – Drilling and firing artillery (32-pounder and 6-pounder)

· 9:30 to noon – Rifle firing by reactors

· 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Second round of artillery firing

· 3:30 to 4 p.m. – Second round of rifle firing

· 4:30 p.m. – Lowering of flag

Throughout the day will be living history exhibits of soldiers and laundresses, along with two non-firing artillery pieces. Also, guides will give oral histories of the Battle of Mobile Bay.

The Mobile Bay Ferry will operate all day between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island. A concession stand will sell hot dogs, snacks and drinks throughout the day.

For more information, call the Fort Morgan Museum at 540-7127.

To get there:

From Mobile (or take ferry — https://www.mobilebayferry.com/— from Dauphin Island)

– Take I-10 E toward Pensacola – go 16.5 mi

– Take exit #44/LOXLEY/BAY MINETTE onto N HICKORY ST(AL-59 S) toward Gulf – go 28.6 mi

– Turn Right on HWY 180 – go 19.9 mi

– Arrive at the center of FORT MORGAN, AL

From Pensacola

– Take FL 292 W to Alabama line – go 19.8 mi

– FL 292 W becomes AL 292 W – go 10.6 mi

– Turn Right on Gulf Shore Parkway (AL-59) – go 1.1 mi

– Turn Right on HWY 180 – go 19.9 mi

– Arrive at the center of FORT MORGAN, AL

Thanks Coast360.com for the info on this fun event!

July 28, 2011

Here they come! Baby Sea Turtles in Ft. Morgan

It is that time of year, and we are so excited!!! It is baby Sea Turtle time. We have 33 nests so far and they have been laid throughout the summer. They are just beginning to hatch and it is an amazing sight to see. 100 baby turtles the size of your palm, fighting their way out of their nest under the sand. Then they rest for just a bit while sniffing the air. Soon they are ready to begin scurrying to the water in unison. They traveling down a tarped pathway put up by The Share the Beach volunteers. Once the get to the end of the tarped pathway they stop and sniff the air again. Their instinct kicks in a and they move straight toward to the water. Visitors and volunteers alike work together to make sure these babies avoid crabs and sea birds.

If you have a chance come down and try to see this unique event. Give us a call to book today! Special thanks to Chris Edlin for sharing his photo with us!

July 23, 2011

Body Surfing in Ft. Morgan

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.

July 21, 2011

Ft. Morgan Beach Update July 21st

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day on the beach. Today the water is the clearest I’ve seen it in years. You can see everything on the bottom from seashells to fish swimming by. It is so great to see families enjoying the beach and water this summer. Today the water is great! The temperature is great! Everyone is having fun! Where are you???? Give us a call to book today? Check out our Beach update 7/21/11 See you soon!

July 18, 2011

Tiki Beach, Luxary Gulf Front home Beautiful view

We have a gorgeous new home called Tiki Beach. It is located just to the east of The Dunes community and it is a walk out the back door on to the beach home. Luxury at every turn, this home is a joy to be in because comfort was key in every purchase. With 6 bedrooms and 5 baths you have enough room for your entire party. You have 3 master bedrooms with views of the gulf. The other 3 rooms you have a queen bed and then two rooms with bunk beds. One has two sets of bunks and the other a single set of bunks. This home sleeps 16 people total. With sweeping views and limited visitors to that area, this is the perfect house for your getaway. Take a look at the sneek preview! Sneak Peek of Tiki Beach

July 8, 2011

Ft. Morgan Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles are our favorite local wildlife. This time of year the Loggerhead Sea Turtles are in nesting mode. Currently we have 27 nests in Ft. Morgan alone. different government organizations have been stopping mother sea turtles this year and affixing tracking devices to their backs. You can see the Sea Turtle Tracking on line. Unfortunately it is not real time there is a 10 day lag time to when it is posted online. That is not the only exciting news with Sea Turtles this year we have had several live releases of injured turtles this year as well.

In 55 Days after the nest is laid in the sand the babies start to emerge. Baby Turtles making their way to the water is a site not to be missed! Our first nest in Ft. Morgan will be hatching out in the next week and then we should have at least one a week until October. Check with us at the office and we can let you know where the next nest open to the public will be! See you soon!

July 8, 2011

Tennis Time at the Beach!

For all of you tennis fans, Gulf Shores is now part of the Alabama Tennis Tour. This means there are outstanding courts within 20 minutes of your vacation spot. Oh, and did I mention they are, FREE!!!! Gulf Shores has an immaculate 5000 square foot state of the art facility right in the heart of town. These courts are located at the George C. Meyer Tennis Center which is on West 2nd Street, just behind the Post Office.

This Center boasts 12 hard surface courts, 6 Rubico courts, 4 covered courts, and 2 open. There is seating for 150 and the courts are lighted so you can enjoy evening games and bring your cheering section along. There are also covered pavilions a tennis lounge, restrooms, and observation decks.

The hours of operation are as follows; courts are open 7 days a week 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. The Tennis center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5p.m. So pack your rackets don’t forget your tennis shoes, and get ready to enjoy cool gulf breezes while you play a match or two. Special thanks to Pam Livingston for the great photos!!!

July 5, 2011

Surf Beagle

As most of you know we have a dog friendly beach in Ft. Morgan and a dog in our office most days! Skyler, is our office Beagle / greeter / boss. We all tend to work our schedules around what the dog needs during the day, and he is spoiled to say the least! We really think that he is of the opinion, that people come to the office just to visit with him. Skyler is not just a lazy lump looking for the next snack or belly rub though. He loves the beach and trying to catch the birds is one of his favorite past times and he is a great surfer. All we have to say is “lets surf” and Skyler is ready to go! Check out our Surf Beagle in action!

July 1, 2011

SSP 1st Annual Photo Contest

2011 Summer Photo Contest

Win a $ 300.00 gift certificate!

We have an exciting announcement to make. Sunset Properties is holding our first annual Summer Photo Contest giveaway, and everyone is invited to enter. So, make sure you spread the word to your friends and family.

Details for the giveaway are simple. Email us at Contest@SunsetProperties.comwith your favorite “beach vacation” picture and a maximum of five sentences describing it. Submissions will be processed within three business days of receiving. Any photo submissions posted on the Sunset Properties Facebook wall will be deleted—your official entry has to be emailed to us.

The winning entry will receive a $ 300.00 gift certificate towards a stay with Sunset Properties. There is also a 2nd prize gift certificate of $100.00 and a 3rd prize gift certificate of $50.00.Pictures don’t necessarily need to be posed. We want GREAT pictures and GREAT stories. If you want to know how we define GREAT keep reading. There is a two picture entry limit per person, per email address so make sure you pick the best pictures you have. Here are examples of GREAT picture ideas/themes:

This is a BEACH themed contest!!! Beach Fun, Beach Views, Beach wildlife, Gulf Shores Fun, I think you guys got the Theme. So send us your beach photos!!!!

Please no other cities or photos that do not obviously show you are at the beach or at a Gulf Shores land mark or hot spot.

A funny picture of your family playing at a Gulf Shores water or amusement park on vacation
A beautiful sunset as seen from the balcony of your condo or house in Ft. Morgan
Your family at the beach during your 4th of July getaway
Anything that’s cute, fun or pretty at the beachThe best photos will be the ones that make us laugh, cry, sigh, move us, or make us want to be in at the Beach.

Are you convinced you should win? We’ll be posting entries in an album on our Facebook Fanpage entitled “2011 Summer Photo Contest.” Please encourage your friends and family to “Like”their favorite picture. In order for a photo to be in the contest it must be submitted to us via email so we can place it in our contest photo album on our Facebook page. The amount of “likes” will be considered in our decision making for the winners. So participants should spread the word to friends and family and ask them to “like” their pictures. Ultimately, our office staff will choose the final winners.

The contest starts on July 1, 2011 and ends on July 31, 2011 @ 11:59 pm. Winners will be announced via Facebook on August 8, 2011. We’re excited to see the entries!

Click here for Official Rules!