Local's Night in Gulf Shores

Beginning Thursday (October 11, 2007) as many as 300,000 visitors will migrate to the public beach in Gulf Shores (Alabama) to experience the excitement of the National Shrimp Festival (Oct 11-14). The majority of visitors will not be aware that local residents and business professionals head to the Shrimp Festival on Thursday night for what we consider "Local's Night."

We throw on our jeans and let our hair down to feast on shrimp and other festival delights. We carefully survey the rows and rows of art, crafts and commercial merchandise and often purchase what appeals to us this year. Of course we'll buy our souvenir T-shirt, hat, visor, etc. to add to our yearly collection of Shrimp Festival memorabilia. Most of us will volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce to work in the retail booths or some other needed job at some point in the 4-day event but tonight is our night. We run into one another up and down the boardwalk and talk about how delighted we are that the festival has grown to this size and received awards and national recognition. We'll also comment that we are happy that we can still enjoy this night. Large groups of locals will mix with visitors to dance and sing to the bands at two music stages. My choice will be the Tip Tops, a high-energy band from Mobile. Don't be mistaken about our claim for this beginning night at the Shrimp Festival. We are thrilled that the crowds for this first day and night have grown but forever it will considered local's night.

By the way it's not too late to join us and receive a Shrimp Festival Special from Meyer Real Estate. The weather is going to be perfect festival weather with sunny days in the 80's and cooler nights in the 60's. The gulf front condos in Gulf Shores are reserved but there are gulf front houses still available as well as near-beach condos. Plus you'll find available vacation rental properties in Orange Beach that are just a shuttle ride away. Properties in Perdido Key, Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island provide other great getaway choices.

How's the Weather in Gulf Shores?

One of the biggest considerations for a visit to the beach is weather, especially if you want to make a last-minute trip. I've lived near the beach my entire life and although I choose not to disclose how long that is, I can say with confidence that it is long enough to know the area very well. I can also say with confidence that the weather at the beach is often different than conditions just to the north of the coast. I grew up in Loxley, Alabama, which is a farming community 25 miles north of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. Many times I would leave my home in the rain and arrive at a sunny shore. I'm not implying that this is always the case but it often occurred. The other weather phenomenon is how brief the rain usually lasts when we have the typical afternoon thunderstorms.

So my message is that the weather at the beach in the fall of the year is wonderful. I strongly urge you to make your plans for a fall vacation in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island (Alabama) or Perdido Key (Florida) so that you can experience the glorious fall weather that we are having right now. By the way the forecast for this weekend (Sept 28-30) is fantastic with clear skies and great temperatures in the 80's. The gulf water is also still warm enough to enjoy and the vacation rental rates are GREAT!

Come on down the weather is fine! Choose your vacation rental from over 2000 beautiful beach houses and coastal condominiums.

Labor Day Wishes from Gulf Shores

Have a safe and happy Labor Day. Our coastal area is anticipating good weather for the weekend and a big influx of visitors. I'll be in the mix when I visit The Wharf on Sunday for dinner and the Taylor Hicks concert at The Amphitheater. Come on down and check out the coastal experience if you want to have a good time.

Anytime you want to relax at the shore remember that Meyer Real Estate has the best selection of vacation rentals on Alabama and Florida's gulf coast. We have vacation rentals in beautiful beach homes and coastal condominiums in Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida.

American Idol Up Close in Gulf Shores

I must confess that I am an avid American Idol watcher each year. During 2006 when a contestant who had frequented our local Orange Beach and Gulf Shores clubs began to rise to the top my interest peaked. The fact that I am friends with his grandmother, who lives in Gulf Shores, made the weekly excitement even more special. When he won, oh my goodness, it was such a thrill. And now in just a few days I will see him perform on stage in Orange Beach, Alabama at The Amphitheater at The Wharf. By now you've guessed the object of my adoration - Taylor Hicks - who will hit the stage on September 2 for a memorable performance. It will be quite unusual to have Taylor Hicks back on his old stomping grounds, so to speak, now that he has made it big in the music industry.

Tickets are still available for the Taylor Hicks Labor Day Weekend concert. In fact, Meyer Real Estate has a great vacation rental special for Labor Day that includes four FREE Taylor Hicks Concert tickets. For more info call 866-948-3261.

Orange Beach Boasts More Fast Boats

The Thunder will roar this weekend (August 17-20) in Orange Beach when the Thunder on the Gulf powerboat racers hit the gulf waters. Prior to the race you can meet the racers at the dry pits at The Wharf in Orange Beach. There are VIP parties and other fun activities.

This is year six for the Thunder on the Gulf Powerboat races that are held on Sunday each year - this year's date is August 19. This year there are additional boats from the Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association based in California. This group of 40 powerboats will race on Saturday (August 18).

It's not too late to head to the Alabama gulf coast and find accommodations at Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Perdido Key. Plan to witness the astonishing power of 4800-plus horsepower engines that will exceed speeds of 170 mph on the six-mile track in the Gulf of Mexico. With two days of racing action you'll find even more entertainment. Another weekend delight happens because The Amphitheater at The Wharf will be hosting a fun concert on Friday, August 17 featuring the Doobie Brother and Peter Frampton.

Call our reservation specialists for a last-minute special on a great escape at 800.213.9544 or reserve your getaway online here.

Gulf Shores Fishing is Fine

Pack the fishing gear and head to the Alabama and Florida coast for a memorable experience you'll want to share. Orange Beach, Alabama boasts the largest deep-sea fishing charter fleet on the coast with over 100 boats for hire. An 850’ lighted, wheelchair accessible fishing pier in the Gulf of Mexico at Dauphin Island provides a unique experience. In Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Perdido Key (Florida) surf fishing is a popular vacation activity. Inshore trips in the backwaters of the lagoons and bays are a real treat. Click here for fishing charter details.

If big game fishing is your forte make your plans for the 41st Labor Day Tournament (August 31 - September 2). The cost is $175 per angler ($150 if entry received by August 26). There is a minimum of 4 anglers per boat for boats over 32 feet and 3 anglers per boat for boats 32 feet and under. Big money is on the line since there is a $1 million prize to anyone who sets a new Alabama state record for Blue Marlin in this tournament. Click here to learn more.

After Labor Day when the weather is superb on the coast, the beaches are less crowded and the vacation rates are low you should plan to spend time fishing in the 13th Annual October Fishing Rodeo. All passengers fishing aboard a member Orange Beach Fishing Association Charter Boat from October 1 through October 31 are eligible for cash prizes. Learn more here.

October is a great month to rent a coastal condominium or beach house for the entire month and come and go as you please. For example, you can rent a one-bedroom gulf-front condo in October starting at $1434 (including all taxes and fees) for the entire month - that's less than $50 per day. A waterfront one-bedroom condo on the lagoon starts at only $868 for the month, which is less than $30 per day. Meyer Real Estate has a wide variety of condos and houses to meet your special needs. Click here to search for your special spot or call 800.213.9544 and our vacation specialists will assist you in finding the perfect place to launch your fishing adventure.

Leave the Lawn and Drift Down to the Shore - Gulf Shores

Tired of mowing and watering your lawn? Maybe you are even in an area that is now restricting water usage, so you are watching you lawn turn brown. Trade in the grass (green or brown) for the soft white sands of the shore. Since Meyer Real Estate opened an office on Dauphin Island at Holiday Isle and recently reopened an office in Perdido Key, Florida we now represents a wide selection of vacation rental properties along a 50-mile stretch of beach. Gorgeous, expansive, peaceful beach. Some areas are more secluded than others, but even in the areas that are abundant with other visitors once you've chosen your spot in the sand and dipped your toes in the water's edge - you are at peace.

Then there is the glory of watching the sunset -oh how magnificent. If you are an early riser there is the joy of the spectacular sunrise witnessed from your private balcony overlooking the sand and surf of the gulf.

Take the hand of your loved one and stroll the beaches, stopping to gather shells as souvenirs of your journey. It will refresh your soul.

You won't see lawns at the beach but you will see the flourishing sea oats as the beach re nourishes itself with the aid of these tough plants. Be sure not to pick them (it's against the law) because they are critical elements in the regrowth of the dune system.

Occasionally during your vacation you might see a rain cloud appear on the horizon. Generally these do not last long and they provide needed water for the plants. The awesome plus, if this occurs while you are at the beach, is the view (again from your balcony) of the rain over the gulf water. Grab a book, sit back and just relax as the sound of the rain takes you to a place of relaxation not easily described or duplicated.

Our website has all the details of your vacation property choices when you are ready to leave the lawn and drift down to the shore.

Meetings Just Got Grander in Gulf Shores

Beginning June 2nd a newly constructed beach house in Gulf Shores, that is perfect for large family reunions and corporate retreats, will open for vacation rentals. The property is Halekaii III located at 3173 West Beach Boulevard, approximately 6.4 miles west of Highway 59. The home is three stories and is equipped with an elevator. There are eleven bedrooms and eleven baths at this beautiful beach home that sleeps 28. Seating for dining is provided at tables and chairs for 28 people plus additional seating at bars.

There are five living room areas including a media room with an adjacent caterers kitchen connected by a pass-through bar. These common area spaces would be ideal for breakout rooms and they are located on all three floors of the home. Also included in the common areas is a third floor loft bar area with seating at the bar for six and a bar table for four. This third floor loft features a kitchen with a refrigerator, ice machine and dishwasher. The caterers kitchen (adjacent to the Media Room) is a complete gourmet kitchen with 36" oven, dishwasher, ice machine, wine cooler and refrigerator. The main living area also has a fully equipped kitchen for a total of three kitchens.

The home is equipped with a wireless DSL line for internet access. There are two master suites with king size beds and all other bedrooms feature queen size beds. All rooms in this spacious home have a water view and access to a deck overlooking the gulf or lagoon waters. There are 16 TV's as well as numerous DVD players. The media room features a 60" flat screen TV capable of displaying presentations and the third floor loft features a 42" flat screen TV. A hot tub provides an extra opportunity for relaxation. It's hard to mention a feature that is missing from this ideal beach house. Photos and descriptions will be available at www.MeyerRE.com.



Can't you just imagine an executive corporate retreat or large family gathering at this ideal location? I've seen lots of beach homes over the years of living on the coast and I can tell you this one is very impressive. There are quite a few large homes in the area of beach (West Beach Boulevard-Gulf Shores) where Halekai III is located but as you approach the home it is quite obvious that it is considerable larger. The pictures on our website will change as the furnishing are completed so keep watching to see the progress. A few weeks are available for rental this summer and more in the fall, so it's not too late to gather a large group to spend quality time in this grand beach house.

Gulf Shores Alive With Events

Love wine and great food? How about art? Hot air balloons too? These themes and more provide the backdrop for several unique events in the Gulf Shores area in the next few months.
5/12/2007 – 5/13/2007 – 35th Annual Art in the Park at John B. Foley Park in Foley

5/18/2007 – 5/20/2007 – Southern Breeze Wine + Culinary Festival in Orange Beach www.coastalwinetour.com

6/15/2007 - 6/17/2007 - 3rd Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival (click HERE for more details)

8/16/2007 - 8/19/2007 - Power Boat Races

10/11/2007 - 10/14/2007 - 36th Annual National Shrimp Festival (click HERE for more details)

11/8/2007 - 11/18/2007 - 23rd Annual Frank Brown Songwriters Festival http://www.fbisf.com/

My personal favorites are the Shrimp Festival because of the unique setting at the beach. In fact I've actually attended most of the 36 annual events. The food is delicious, the music so much fun and the art is fabulous. The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is my second favorite because it is so unique not only to our area but any area. With the addition of more attractions during the day and 45 balloons this year the fest should be awesome. I guess my third choice is the Frank Brown Songwriters Festival because there are so many talented artists who usually don't have the opportunity to sing their own creations. With dozens of locations throughout the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key area it is a true delight.

Your Lounge Chair Awaits in Gulf Shores

One of our newest beach houses offered for vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, Alabama recently held an open house for Meyer Real Estate staff to view the property. It is a fantastic newly constructed six bedroom, seven bath home directly on the Gulf of Mexico on a 100' lot. The large deck area contains a small pool for lounging around and several very nice padded lounge chairs.

When lounging you overlook not only the pool but also a boardwalk leading to dunes with seaoats and the beach beyond with blue-green waves lapping at the shore. Most days dolphins are visible not far from the shore usually surfacing in groups. Little white sand crabs scurry around the beach alongside sandpipers at the water's edge. Seagulls gather overhead and along the shore, especially when a handout is a possibility. Most of us have busy, stressful lives and find that watching nature unfold before our eyes is the only entertainment needed. If more action is desired, our Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan and Perdido Key, Florida area offers more entertainment options now. In addition to The Track, Adventure Island, Pirate's Island and Waterville USA the newest entertainment can be found at The Wharf with a Ferris wheel, Rave theater and a 10,000 seat amphitheater.

So if you want to pull yourself away from lounging on the deck there are definitely options but the beauty of a visit to Gulf Shores is the ability to do a lot, a little or nothing at all.

A Day in Pompeii with Gulf Shores Visitors

A few weeks ago we loaded two buses early in the morning to leave Gulf Shores and head to Mobile, Alabama for a day of viewing the past. Meyer Real Estate's winter guest customers registered for a full day at the Mobile Museum of Art followed by viewing the exhibit "A Day in Pompeii" at the Gulf Coast Exploreum and Science Center. And what a great day it was too.

The Mobile Museum of Art is an extraordinary facility and the current display of Linda McCartney's photos from the 60's is definitely fascinating. Just to see how casual the rock stars of the day are portrayed due to the relaxed access Linda enjoyed is amazing.

After a delicious lunch at Cafe' Royal featuring Mediterranean cuisine we walked a couple of blocks in downtown Mobile to the Gulf Coast Exploreum for the rest of the afternoon. We had all anticipated what the "A Day in Pompeii" exhibit would include but no one was prepared for the extensive recreation of life in that thriving metropolis so many centuries ago. The similarities to modern-day living are incredible. A view of ancient Greece in the IMAX film was also a treat. Click HERE for more info.

The Pompeii exhibit will remain in Mobile until mid-June, so when visiting the Gulf Shores area make this part of your "to-do" list for sure. Actually it would be a great addition to your family spring break trip to the beach. Call Meyer Real Estate (800.213.9544) to reserve your spot in the sand or shop online at MeyerRE.com.

Gulf Shores and Animal Planet's "Little Zoo That Could"

Gulf Shores is home to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, which was made famous following Hurricane Ivan when the Animal Planet filmed the extraordinary recovery efforts. The only complete evacuation of a zoo was documented and individual animal stories shared with the world. Now the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo will once again be featured in a special one-hour follow-up feature of "The Little Zoo That Could" series. This 13-week series aired last February and acquainted viewers not only to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo but also the Alabama Gulf Coast beaches and resort area.

To celebrate this one-hour Animal Planet "Little Zoo That Could" special a local premiere will occur at The Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. Local residents and winter visitors will gather together Thursday, February 1st at 8:00 p.m. central time to watch the show on the large screens of this amazing outdoor venue. The Wharf will present this event at no cost to the public.

In addition to the premiere according to the Animal Planet's schedule this special presentation, featuring Zoo Director Patty Hall, will also air several more times in February. Click here for more details.

Consider a trip to the beach in Gulf Shores and you can see for yourself the loving care of the zookeepers and learn more about the proposed new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo location. Call Meyer Real Estate at 800.213.9544 for great choices in beach accommodations or click here to view an Interactive Vacation Planner.

Gulf Shores Winter Fun Begins

We're off and running at Meyer Real Estate with twenty-five Winter Guest Events for our visitors this season. It has been such a delight to design the activities around the variety of experiences possible on our Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast. The events kicked off at the Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi, MS followed by a tour of the "Magic Christmas in Lights" at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, AL. What fun that tour turned out to be. The evening was beautiful with clear skies and a temperature of around 63 even though it was December 29th.

Last week we saw a classic 1961 movie, "Breakfast At Tiffany's", at Cobb Pinnacle 14 Theater. I had forgotten how enjoyable the movie is and it was apparent that everyone else shared my sentiments.

Our third event was held last Friday at Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope, AL. The setting is serene and idyllic and the country-style food was fantastic. The fun began with a DJ kicking off an afternoon and evening of singing and dancing. After the abundant meal we proceeded to take a hayride out into the dark woods. As we traveled through the darkness on a large wagon pulled by a tractor the night sky and stars were absolutely breathtaking. We are thrilled to provide these activities to our treasured winter vacationers.