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Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Valentine greetings have been popular since the Middle Ages. The first commercially printed Valentine cards in America appeared in the 1840s. Today, an estimated one billion cards are sent each year, often accompanying the popular gifts of candy and flowers.
Make Valentine's Day even more special when you bring your valentine to the beach.
Those gestures are wonderful, sweet, and certainly appreciated by anyone who receives them. But wouldn’t you like to do something a little different for your sweetheart this year? Say “I love you” by creating a wonderful memory together at the beach.
We can help by offering some love to your budget. When you take advantage of the Valentine Special through Meyer Vacation Rentals, you’ll receive TWO free nights. Rent a romantic 1-bedroom beach or bay property for four nights, but just pay for two. That’s a 50% savings!
If you prefer to celebrate the occasion with spacious, private accommodations for the whole family, rent a house for seven nights and get the sixth and seventh nights free.
Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use them for an early check-in and late check-out, allowing for more leisure time along the coast.
So instead of thinking red or pink this Valentine’s Day, think white sands and blue water—and a little extra green in your pocket. Your sweetheart will love you for it.
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.
Posted in Alabama, Beaches, Florida, Holidays | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, condo, couple, destination, Florida, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, getaway, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, house, island, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, rental, romance, sale, saltwater, sand, shoreline, special, Vacation Tips-Discounts, Valentine's Day
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
The environmentalist. The volunteer. The nature lover. The person who has everything. The proud local. The appreciative visitor. The ecotourist. The science teacher or student.
Your gift to a friend or family member also supports Weeks Bay Foundation programs.
Many of us fit into at least one of those categories. And we know of one particular gift item that will satisfy any or all of these folks.
When you give someone a 2011 Weeks Bay ornament that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the designation of the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, you give much more than a simple gift to a friend or family member. You also support the natural environments of our area and beyond.
Current programs of the Weeks Bay Foundation include submerged equipment, weather stations and sampling projects to monitor water quality. And their ongoing objective is to purchase land in the Weeks Bay watershed that may be added to the National Wildlife Reserve, or be set aside with a conservation easement such as to preserve a wildlife habitat, or create a buffer to conservation lands.
You have four options for securing this decorative item that depicts a fisherman in a kayak. The best value is a combination ornament and one-year membership in the Weeks Bay Foundation for just $50. Send an ornament with a holiday card that includes your personal greeting for just $20, shipping included. Ornaments alone are $15 online, or you may purchase them in person for $12 at Fairhope Pharmacy’s Christmas ’Round the Corner or the Weeks Bay Reserve at 11401 U.S. Hwy. 98 in Fairhope (251-990-5004).
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.
Posted in Alabama, Birding, Boating, Businesses, Charity, Educational, Fishing, Fundraisers, Gifts, Holidays, Nature and Wildlife | 1 Response »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, charity, destination, exhibit, family, Fishing, Fort Morgan, fundraiser, gift, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, History, holiday, island, Orange Beach, saltwater, sand, shoreline
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
The 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama is known not only for our favorite crustacean served any way you can imagine, but also juried art and arts & crafts booths, and two stages filled with live music throughout all four days.
Put your creative skills on display during the Shrimp Fest Sand Sculpture Contest on Saturday, October 15, 2011.
One of the lesser-known attractions of Shrimp Fest, though, comes by way of the beach. The white-sand setting of the festival makes it a perfect venue for a sand sculpture contest—and you are invited to participate.
Registration and building of masterpieces will begin Saturday, October 15, at 11:00 a.m., with judging starting at 3:00 p.m.
Competition is grouped into age categories: 5–10 years, 11–15 years, 16 years and older, or Family (mixed ages). Each group will compete for trophies and ribbons, and all participants will receive a sand bucket. The contest is sponsored by Ike’s Beach Service, Inc.
From basic shapes molded by buckets or by hand to complex artistic renderings, let your creativity shine as you enjoy a picture-perfect day at the beach and at Shrimp Fest 2011. Festival hours are Thursday–Saturday, October 13–15, 10–10 and Sunday, October 16, 10–5.
If you are bringing the entire family to Shrimp Fest—and we hope you are!–you’ll want to know what there is for the kids during the festival. Check out another page on this blog to learn about the Children’s Activity Village, including the kids’ stage schedule of entertainment.
While at the festival, you won’t want to miss the wide variety of musical acts at both ends of the festival grounds. Take a look at the full line-up, including links to many of the performers, on our Shrimp Fest—East Stage and Shrimp Fest—West Stage pages.
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.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Arts Visual, Beaches, Children, Concerts, Dining, Events, Food, Gifts, Nightlife, Shopping | 1 Response »
Tags: Alabama, art, band, Beaches, children, competition, concert, contest, destination, exhibit, family, festival, Florida, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, gift, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, island, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, saltwater, sand, sand sculpture, sandcastle, Shopping
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
The 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival is here, filled with great food, live music on two stages, amazing fine arts and arts & crafts vendors, Children’s Village and more—all with a backdrop of our gorgeous white-sand beaches.
Save the parking hassle and fees—ride the shuttle to and from the Shrimp Festival.
As with any large public gathering, parking can be tricky. But the festival folks have made it easier to get around with the help of the Baldwin Rural Area Transit System (BRATS).
The transportation service will run Thursday–Saturday, October 13–15, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., and Sunday, October 16, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. A one-way ride is just $2 per person.
Multiple stops allow you to park away from the site and ride to the main entrance. The buses will run a continuous loop, so you won’t be waiting long at any pick-up point:
Running north/south along Hwy. 59 in Gulf Shores
Winn-Dixie
Bruno’s
Walmart
Running east of the main beach through Orange Beach
Gulf State Park Campground
Gulf State Park Pavilion (you MUST return BEFORE 10 p.m., as the pavilion lot is locked at 10 p.m.)
Winn-Dixie
Walmart Market
Flora-Bama
Publix
Running west of the main beach in Gulf Shores
Pier 33
Let BRATS take care of your transportation so you can soak up all the Shrimp Fest fun without the parking hassle.
Don’t forget to take time to hear some top-notch live music while at the festival. Take a look at the full line-up, including links to many of the performers, on our Shrimp Fest—East Stage and Shrimp Fest—West Stage pages.
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.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Arts Visual, Beaches, Children, Concerts, Dining, Events, Food, Gifts, Nightlife, Shopping | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, band, Beaches, bus, concert, destination, exhibit, family, festival, Foley, Fort Morgan, free, gift, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, island, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, sale, saltwater, sand, Shopping, Shrimp Festival, shuttle
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
You are never the wrong age and it’s never the wrong season when it comes to S’mores. (Your mouth is already watering just thinking about this warm, gooey, sweet sandwich, isn’t it?)
Bring your family to the beach for free S'mores and music Friday, April 29, 2011.
To celebrate families and this renowned treat, the City of Gulf Shores is offering a free, tasty opportunity along our shoreline!
This Friday, April 29, bring your family to the west end of the main public beach, lifeguard tower #4. There you’ll find a number of campfires and all the makings for the best-ever S’mores. (After all, everything tastes better at the beach.) The event runs from 6:30 until 8:30, but don’t wait too late—S’mores will only be available as long as the ingredients last.
There’s more to do, though, than just eat and run. Bring your blankets and beach chairs and relax to the music of Top Hat and Jackie from 6:30 to 7:30, then DJ music by Shawn Weaver until 8:30. And of course, the beach is a beautiful place to be on a warm evening!
S’mores at the Shores is the first of the 2011 Gulf Shores Outdoor and In series, bringing you music and activities to bring people together. See the full schedule at the city’s website.
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.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Beaches, Children, Concerts, Events, Food | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, band, Beaches, children, concert, destination, family, festival, free, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, island, music, Outdoor and In, s'mores, saltwater, sand, Top Hat and Jackie
Monday, April 25th, 2011
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.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Beaches, Businesses, Events, Nightlife, Other Sports | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, destination, family, festival, Florida, Foley, Fort Morgan, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, island, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, saltwater, sand, shoreline
