Rave Reviews for Restaurant on the River Near Gulf Shores

I'm so fortunate to live near a restaurant icon, the Captain's Galley in Bon Secour. Locals frequent this unique dining spot and I'm happy to share the secret with you too. Located on the picturesque Bon Secour River this restaurant has an excellent reputation among locals and visitors alike for great pizza, burgers and seafood. Now the Captain's Galley has even more potential for greatness and is receiving rave reviews because of the new owners, Al and Diane Sawyer. If their names seem familiar it's because for many years they have received numerous awards for their excellent cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere at King Neptune's Seafood Restaurant in Gulf Shores. Without losing the flavor (pun intended) of Captain's Galley they are now adding their fresh seafood specialties.

This unique venue just north of Gulf Shores provides a comfortable, relaxed setting for casual dining. Next time you visit Gulf Shores for vacation take a few minutes to travel a little north of the island for this special treat. From the beach simply drive north of the island on Hwy. 59 towards Foley and turn left on County Road 10. Captain's Galley will be on your left approximately 1.5 miles west of Hwy. 59 immediately after crossing the Bon Secour River bridge. You can even access this charming, rustic restaurant by boat. Hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and you can call 251-949-5777 for more information.

Try out this jewel on your next trip to the coast. By the way Meyer Real Estate's Sizzling Summer Sale has been extended and you can still receive a 35% discount on condo rentals and 25% discount on vacations in houses.

Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp & Willie Nelson appearing near Gulf Shores July 31

Once again the sounds of world-class musicians will fill the air along the coast at Gulf Shores/Orange Beach when Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson appear at The Amphitheater at The Wharf on Friday, July 31. The gates will open at 5 p.m. and this exciting show begins at 6 p.m.

Just one of these musical icons alone would be worth the trip to the coast to see and the combination of all three is thrilling. I saw Willie Nelson at The Wharf last summer and his show was amazing. He introduced his daughter and allowed her to perform to the delight of the audience. I expect he will do the same at the upcoming show.

To learn more about upcoming concerts in the Gulf Coast area click here.

When planning your trip for the concert be sure to take advantage of the Sizzling Summer Sale since condos are discounted 35% and houses are discounted 25%.

Two couples could combine funds for a 3-night vacation in a 2-bedroom condo right on the beachfront with a balcony overlooking the gulf waters for less than $62 per person per night. For example Unit 403 at Sunswept condominiums ,in Orange Beach just a few miles from the concert, would be a total of $737 for all three nights including all taxes and fees. That is only $245.67 per night for two bedrooms AND a living/dining area, fully-equipped kitchen and balcony.

Even if you miss this particular condo bargain there are plenty of other choices during this unprecedented sale.

See you at the concert.

Gulf Shores Steamer named a "Best Dive" Restaurant by Coastal Living Magazine

I love steamed seafood, especially shrimp and royal reds (which taste like lobster without the price). By the way if you’ve never had royal reds you haven’t lived – put that on your bucket list. And some of the best steamed seafood in Gulf Shores is served at Gulf Shores Steamer and Grill, open since 1989. Just ask any local for a recommendation and you’ll consistently hear “The Steamer” as it’s known to us. Now Coastal Living magazine confirms our taste and in their May 2009 issue recognized Gulf Shores Steamer as one of the “Southeast’s Best Seafood Dives.”

The Coastal Living article told prospective customers to expect “gigantic servings of steamed seafood.” And further stated “The vast combination platters (steamed only; nothing’s fried here) can easily feed a family.”

The motto of Gulf Shores Steamer and Grill has always been “No Fried” and they specialize in fresh steamed and grilled seafood, including royal red shrimp, snow crab legs, mussels and oysters. Other magazines and newspapers which have featured Gulf Shores Steamer and Grill include USA Today, Southern Living, Houston Chronicle and the New Orleans Time Picayune.

My advice is head to our coast as soon as you can get away from the daily grind, grab a stack of napkins and indulge in delightful fresh steamed seafood at Gulf Shores Steamer and Grill. By the way, reservations for summer accommodations in condos and houses are still possible and discounted 25-35% at Meyer Real Estate.

25 Years of Minature Golf on Gulf Shores Island

Approaching the island of Gulf Shores on Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy. 59) the large pirate ship with a sailor dangling precariously from the crow’s nest is hard to miss. As you get closer you realize the sailor is a dummy and the ship sits squarely in the middle of a very cool mini-golf course appropriately named Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf.

I’ve played at this attraction many times over the years and actually played again on Sunday afternoon and recently learned that this enjoyable 36-hole miniature golf course has been open for 25 years. I know I’m getting older but this was a shock, especially since it is so well maintained that one would never guess the age of this popular attraction.

Just think how many families and friends have challenged one another to this favorite pastime over the years. Nighttime after a day at the beach and a great seafood dinner is the ideal time to head for Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf for a budget-friendly evening of entertainment.

Planning a family getaway to the beach for sun by day and mini-golf by night? Check out Meyer Real Estate’s HOT DEALS.

Gulf Shores' Lucy Buffett Appearing on Today Show July 17th

Friday, July 17th (rescheduled from a previous date) on NBC's Today Show Lucy Buffett will make her second appearance. If you've ever been to Gulf Shores you will know the name and know that she owns the very popular restaurant LuLu's at Homeport Marina. And you probably know she is the sister of the singer Jimmy Buffett who is rumored to drop by LuLu's unannounced on occasion. What you may not know is she is also a cookbook author and that is the reason for her TV appearance tomorrow.

She will appear in the cooking segment in the 10:00 a.m. block and will prepare southern-style recipes from her cookbook which is entitled "Crazy Sista Cooking: Cuisine and Conversation with Lucy Anne Buffett." Her dishes sound absolutely mouth-watering including Screaming Easy Wild Shrimp Wasabi, Sweet Tomato Pie, Silver Queen Succotash and Peach Cobbler with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream and a Bama Breeze cocktail for a refreshing drink.

I'm seriously thinking about heading over the LuLu's after work to sit alongside the Intracoastal Waterway and enjoy slowly sipping a Bama Breeze while indulging in the tasty L.A. (Lower Alabama) Caviar which is made with black-eyed peas and maybe some crab claws. In fact, I think I've just talked myself into that possibility. I love living on the Alabama Gulf Coast where these delights are possible any day of the week. Of course they are possible for you too during your visits to Gulf Shores. Check out Meyer Real Estate's HOT DEALS and come on down.

Fabulous 6-BR Family & Friends Retreat Available in Gulf Shores

WOW, it is really rare that one of our most popular beach houses becomes available for rent during a prime season. Windswept beach house at 2033 West Beach Blvd. in Gulf Shores recently became available because guests unfortunately had to cancel their trip and you can take advantage of the opportunity.

Windswept is a fabulous six-bedroom, six and one-half bath house with a unique design making it extremely desirable for family and friends to gather for the beach trip of a lifetime. Usually in a gulf-front property one master suite will face the beach and occasionally two master suites will be gulf-front. Windswept is a two-story home designed so that all six bedrooms face the gulf and all six bedrooms have a private bathroom. Another half-bath is adjacent to the spacious living room. Four master suites feature a king bed and the remaining two bedrooms each feature two queen beds. There are Jacuzzi tubs in two of the master suites. This wonderfully furnished house with 8 beds and a sofa sleeper accommodates 18 people.

A large, open gourmet kitchen adjoining a large dining and great room is group-friendly with two refrigerators, two dishwashers and an ice machine plus a ton of granite countertops for preparing and serving meals. A second living area upstairs serves as a quiet getaway for reading, relaxing, playing games, watching TV or movies and even sleeping since it contains a sofa sleeper. There is also a coffee bar and desk area upstairs and of course wireless Internet if you need to keep in touch via the web. A total of 8 flat-screen TV's, 3 DVD players and a CD player provide entertainment throughout the house. A handy elevator is a big plus when transporting luggage, groceries and other supplies to both floors.

A medium-size private pool faces the gulf with a great sun deck surrounding this refreshing spot to cool off after sunbathing in the warm sunshine. Lots of cushioned deck and lounge chairs, a picnic table and a barbecue area complete the sun deck experience. When you are ready for a little shade there are plenty of covered porches with swings and comfortable chairs for relaxation. For another peaceful getaway especially to watch the sunset there is a screened porch overlooking the lagoon.

A picturesque boardwalk conveniently transports you over the sand dunes, beyond the sea oats to the sugar-white sands and azure blue gulf waters and a swing located downstairs adds to the enjoyable ambiance. The covered parking is ample for several cars.

This handsomely decorated home provides an upscale, luxurious retreat while conveying an atmosphere of southern comfort.

The good news is you and your group can rent this amazing home the weeks of August 15-22, August 22-29, August 29-Sept.5 or Sept. 12-19 for a little as $45 per person per day. See price examples below of the total price including taxes and fees and the per person per night price:

HOT DEAL - August 15-22 = $5347.46 only $48 per person per day (7 days,16 people)
HOT DEAL - August 29-Sept 5 = $5028.89 only $45 per person per day (7 days,16 people)
Sept. 12-19 = $5587.22 only $50 per person per day (7 days,16 people)

Gather your friends or round up your family and make marvelous memories at Windswept, a spectacular beach house retreat.

Sea Turtle Nests Located At Gulf Shores Island

For generations sea turtles have been nesting on the same beaches where they were born. The beaches of Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach all potentially have nests where turtle eggs are present for two months until they hatch. The most common sea turtle on these beaches are loggerheads, which are a threatened species, and occasionally there are also Kemp’s Ridley turtles, which are an endangered species.

Once the hatchlings emerge they instinctively follow the light of the moon back into the Gulf waters to begin their life’s journey. Because artificial light from beachfront condos and houses can sometimes confuse the baby turtles Meyer Real Estate provides information to our guests about the process of turning off these exterior lights during a hatching.

But how do you know when this wondrous event is taking place? That’s where the Share the Beach sea turtle volunteers come into play during turtle nesting season from May through October. This year these dedicated individuals have identified 24 nests on the coast. Each nest is marked with four stakes and orange tape. When the hatching time approaches the volunteers become full-time babysitters.

Next time you rent a house of condo on the beach watch for the turtle nest signs and you just might be fortunate enough to see this miracle of life during your vacation. Visit MeyerRE.com for vacation information and sizzling summer discounts.

Montgomery Gentry + Fireworks for July 4th at Gulf Shores Island

I love fireworks and music so I'm happy to announce that the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area will be going boom boom boom with both during the upcoming Independence Day holiday. (Can you believe July 4th is so soon?) Here's a brief overview of the holiday fun on the island.

On July 3 on the beaches in Orange Beach fireworks will be visible from your beachfront condo balcony. A beachside barbeque with live music by Mr. Big will be held at the Perdido Beach Resort.

On July 4 fireworks on the beaches in Gulf Shores fireworks will be visible along the coast from condos, houses and public beach areas. This production, sponsored by the City of Gulf Shores, is shot from a barge in the gulf waters just south of the public beach area at the end of Hwy. 59 and it is spectacular.

On July 4 at The Wharf during the day there will be games and fun activities for the whole family. At 8 p.m. Montgomery Gentry and Little Big Town will perform a concert at The Amphitheater at The Wharf. Guests of Meyer Real Estate can buy one-half price concert tickets for this show. These discounted tickets will cost $8.25 for seats in the upper section of the venue and will be available for purchase at the Gulf Shores office while supplies last.

On July 3 - 5 there will be Sidewalk Sales at Tanger Outlet in Foley. The usual discounts will be even greater during this sale.

For details about all the many music options in the area during the holiday weekend visit our Discover Alabama Beaches blog.

Meyer Real Estate is discounting vacation condos 30% and houses 20% for the July 4th holiday weekend. Enjoy a great escape to a family-oriented coastal paradise.