Think ahead to February 5, 2012. It’s the height of the winter season. You need to escape to the beach for a bit of warmth, a change of pace, relaxation . . . and football.

Imagine watching the biggest football game of the year while looking out over the beach. Meyer Vacation Rentals can help make that happen for you!

That combination may not be top of mind, but why not? On Super Bowl Sunday, wouldn’t you love to chuckle at the idea of parkas, hats and gloves to get to and from the stadium as you admire the beach view from your condo?

Let us help you make the decision by sweetening the pot with FREE nights. Pay for 2, 3 or 4 nights in a condo and get an extra night free, or book a house for 3 or 4 nights to get another night free. Better yet, come enjoy the beach life for a week—pay for 5 nights in either a house or condo, and we’ll give you TWO more free nights! (Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use those as a late check in or check out.) You’ll find the details at our Lazy Winter Special page.

If you’d like to watch the big game among a cheering crowd AND play some games (how about a grand prize of $5000?), join the folks at The Hangout for their Super Bowl Sunday party. The first 200 people in the door an hour before kickoff will receive free tailgating food, and the regular menu also will be available.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

What’s your favorite color? You likely have one or two favorites that show up often in your wardrobe and your home décor. No matter what those colors may be, Monday, January 9, you’ll be bragging that your favorite colors are either purple and gold or crimson and white.

The more the merrier as you cheer your favorite team in the BCS football championship. Food, prizes and lots of fun at The Hangout.

You may typically cheer for another team throughout the season (gasp!), but you’ll be choosing sides for this epic rematch of Alabama and LSU. The next best thing to being at the stadium in New Orleans is enjoying it with lots of food, plenty of TVs and a large group of fans representing both sides. And The Hangout in Gulf Shores is making that happen, with assistance from BP.

The first 400 people who arrive for the 5:00 watch party will receive free tailgating food, and the regular menu will be available to everyone. The 20+ TV screens will all be tuned to the championship game that begins at 7:30, but in-house games begin much earlier. Wear your best “Fantastic Fanatic” attire to win the costume contest. Try your hand at trivia, corn hole and football toss challenges. Compete in the frozen T-shirt, plasma car and square board games. You might even win a pair of 3-day passes to The Hangout Music Festival (May 18-20). And be sure to register to win one of four vacations along the Gulf Coast, from Florida to Louisiana.

The regular-season match-up between LSU and Alabama was decided by an LSU field goal in overtime. And this is the first BCS championship to feature two teams from the same conference. So this is not just any football game, or even any ol’ championship game. It’s THE game of games, so be sure to make it a full-blown event by partying big at The Hangout.

Make it even more fun by staying at or near the beach for a long weekend. Save money by checking out the great prices you can find with our Hot Deals on Gulf Shores condos or Fort Morgan houses.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The Hangout in Gulf Shores is wonderfully active in the community, whether supplying entertainment (such as The Hangout Music Fest), hosting contests (including the Oyster Cook-off), or welcoming organizations that choose the restaurant as a home base for special fundraising activities.

All-day fun at The Hangout on Saturday, November 19, to benefit breast cancer research and offer a safe haven for children.

This Saturday, November 19, 2011, combines two different causes into one fun event to benefit breast cancer research and to provide a safe home for needy, neglected and abused children.

The 1^st Annual Ta Ta Ride is to raise awareness and money for UAB’s breast cancer research. Ta Ta Towing donates 10% of every tow to this program, so it’s fitting that they are presenting the motorcycle ride/poker run. Register Friday evening at The Hangout’s pre-party between 5 and 8 p.m., or sign up Saturday morning between 9 and 11 a.m. for the 11:00 ride that begins and ends at The Hangout. The fee for each bike is $30, and $10 extra for a passenger. It’s a good thing the weather should be in the mid-70s, as it is strongly suggested that all bikers – gals AND GUYS – dress in a bikini top.

The after party at The Hangout runs from 5 until 9 p.m., and is open to the public. Included will be games such as a frozen T-shirt contest, a men’s bikini top contest ($200 prize!), a cash raffle and a Dyna Super Glide 100^th Anniversary Edition raffle. A $500 prize will be awarded for the best poker hand collected during the ride. Music will be provided by Foxy Iguanas, fronted by Smokey Otis; their family-friendly show begins at 7 p.m., with an adult show following at 11 p.m.

You can party all day or evening, but be sure to arrive before 6 p.m., as a pair of Iron Bowl tickets will be up for grabs in a live auction. The Iron Bowl (just a small contest between Auburn and Alabama) will be played Saturday, November 26, so this will be quite a competitive auction so close to the event date. And your bid supports the Alabama Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch in Summerdale—100% of the money raised will help give school-age children a better life.

Plan for a full day of fun that will benefit good causes. You are promised an enjoyable and appropriate start to your Thanksgiving week. Need more details? Call 251-752-1110 or 251-978-3990.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

Orange Beach, Alabama, may be best known for its fishing and beautiful white beaches. But this week it also boasts a family movie, baseball tournament and tennis matches.

In addition to beautiful beaches, Orange Beach has plenty of non-beach events to enjoy.

Starting Wednesday, July 6, the USSSA Baseball World Series 9–14 teams will play at Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley diamonds. Approximately 150 teams will compete to reach the July 9 Bracket Games and then the July 10 Championship Games. Check out the USSSA website for each day’s schedule. It is open to the public at no charge. This is the Session I tournament; Session II runs July 13–17.

On Thursday evening, July 7, the Orange Beach Public Library will host the popular PG-rated family movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Popcorn will be supplied at this free event, but you are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks. The movie will be shown from 5:30 until 7:15.

Tennis fans will enjoy the NTRP Combo Classic on Saturday, July 9. More than 80 players from the Southeast will compete in this national ratings challenge. You may participate for a fee of $23, or observers are welcome to enjoy the games at no charge at the Orange Beach Tennis Center.

So if you are in the Orange Beach area this week and are looking for non-beach activities, these would certainly fit the bill. Squeeze in as much fun as you can without worry, as there will still be plenty of new experiences available for your next visit!

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

You’ll hear it called “naked running,” but before your imagination gets too involved, I should probably clarify. The real meaning of this term is that your feet are naked. Yes, barefoot. (Sorry to disappoint.)

Join Born to Run author Christopher McDougall for a 90-minute evening beach run and a book signing party Tuesday, April 26 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The concept of running with no shoes is certainly not new, but doing so for a long-distance marathon is a bit unusual. With a strong new influence by Christopher McDougall, though, it may become more commonplace.

Chris, a former AP correspondent and now author of the bestselling book Born to Run, is here at the beach to promote his running concept as well as his book. He explains why form is more important to running than the footwear you choose, and even offers cautions about shoe styles meant to be helpful that actually can cause difficulties. But perhaps his most important idea to share is that running should always be fun—not work, not exercise, not an obligation, but just pure enjoyment.

I have not read the book yet (it’s on my list!), but I’ve spoken with others who have read it and are giving it high praise, even though they aren’t runners themselves. One of the most fascinating aspects of the book comes from Chris’ experiences and observations of his time spent with the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, known for their running skills. They run everywhere, even into their 70s, using thin sandals made of tires or no foot covering at all—and with virtually no injuries.

For your chance to experience a 90-minute naked run along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico shoreline with Chris McDougall and other world-class runners (including Scott Jurek and Eric Orton), come to The Hangout in Gulf Shores by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26—but don’t miss the presentation at 4:00 to learn the barefoot running techniques. Beginning at 7:15, a book signing and discussion will be hosted at The Hangout by Fairhope’s Page and Palette bookstore. Event tickets are $5, but for only $15.95 you will receive an autographed copy of the paperback book, a temporary tattoo, an event T-shirt and access to the run if you choose.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

For two days, November 5 and 6, 2010, Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope, Alabama will be flooded with the sounds of motorcycles revving, musical entertainment, and lots of folks having a great time.

The annual Angel Ride & Concert raises funds for children's unmet health care bills. Enjoy performances by Blake Shelton and more November 5 and 6, 2010.

Bringing everyone together is a mutual desire to help children. The annual Rileigh and Raylee Angel Ride event is organized to raise money to help families of children who have medical needs that insurance won’t cover. The contributions raised so far have allowed for 548 disbursements to grateful families.

Friday’s musical lineup starts with The Tip Tops on Stage 1 from 7:00 until 8:15 p.m., and returning with another set at 9:45. The Barn Stage will feature Grits ’n’ Pieces 7:30–10:30, while Mustang Sally entertains on Stage 2 from 8:15 until 9:45 p.m.

Saturday concerts begin at 10:00 a.m. with Ronnie Levine, followed by Grits ’n’ Pieces at 2:00. Noon brings Darlawan to Stage 2 for two hours, and Travis Murray Band will continue the action at 4:00. Stage 1 will take the evening to its close with The Leavin Brothers at 7:00 and winding up with the grand finale by Blake Shelton at 9:00 p.m

In addition to the outstanding performances, visitors can enjoy a bike show and judging plus more. Food and trade vendors provide opportunities for meals, snacks and a variety of artistic treasures. The carnival will open Saturday at 9:00 a.m., and Sponge Bob and Patrick the Starfish will make an appearance, keeping young ones entertained in the children’s area between 10:30 and 2:30.

The non-stop, escorted Angel Ride beings at 2:30 Saturday. What an impressive site it is to see such a large mass of bikes make the loop around the eastern portion of Baldwin County!

The grounds open Thursday for campers and vendors, and Friday for everyone. For ticket prices and more details about the event, as well as information regarding the Angel Ride Foundation, please visit www.angel-ride.com.

During the Angel Ride weekend or any time of the year, enjoy the sunshine and sand at the beautiful beaches of the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast. With the help of Meyer Real Estate, you will find generous specials and Hot Deals that create an ideal combination of fun and affordability.