Bellingrath Gardens a must see when you visit the Beach

We’ve talked about this several times in the past, but we wanted to call attention to one of the most beautiful sites to see in the area. We visited their website and found this useful information. This is a definite “must see” for anybody with a green thumb!
Bellingrath Gardens

If you decide to venture over to Dauphin Island via the Mobile Bay Ferry, be sure to head on over to Mobile to smell the flowers at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. The garden features 65 acres of fragrant flowers that bloom year-round.
Belingrath Rose
Bellingrath Gardens and Home was the creation of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath. The Gardens were first opened to the public in 1932 while a national garden club meeting was taking place in Mobile, Alabama. Mr. Bellingrath placed an ad in the Mobile newspaper announcing that anyone who would like to see the spring garden could do so free of charge. After an overwhelming response, the couple decided to keep the gardens open year-round beginning in 1934. Throughout the year, this 65-acre garden estate is in full bloom with camellias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and Magic Christmas in Lights during the holiday season.
Bellingrath Christmas
In addition to the self-guided walking tour through the gardens, you can also enjoy a 45-minute cruise aboard the Southern Belle, and a tour of the 10,500 square foot home with its original furnishings. You can experience the Bayou Boardwalk, Mirror Lake, the Great Lawn, the Asian-American Gardens. Don’t forget to stroll through the Butterfly Garden and view the formal garden terraces. For more information, visit https://www.bellingrath.org/home/ for events, admission rates and hours of operation.

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”

Jessica Mooney - Baby Jake

2nd Place: Jennifer Hill – ” Crab Hunting”

Jennifer Hill - Crab Hunting

3rd Place: Angela Allred – “Fishing Lesson”

Angela Allred " Fishing Lesson"

Honorable Mentions in no particular order

Amanda Snipes Family Beach Photo
Amanda Snipes- “Family Beach Photo”

Christie Arthur - Mr. GQ
Christie Arthur – “Mr. GQ”

Kevin Ware Sunset From Pier
Kevin Ware – ” Sunset from Pier”

Toni Fahler - Lucy buried in the sand
Toni Fahler – ” Lucy buried in the sand”

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 150th 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!

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!

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!!!