Orange Beach Greetings
by Erin Z. Bass
Today is day three at Orange Beach, and I’m so glad we didn’t cancel this trip. The water is getting clearer and bluer by the day and is the perfect temperature of cool and refreshing. No signs or smell of oil. Just a trio of stingrays in the water today and the smell of saltwater and sunscreen under our beach tent. Lots of shells are washing up on the beach and with the amount of broken sand dollars we’ve seen, I have to wonder if there’s a stash of whole ones out there on a sandbar somewhere. The family on the beach next to us has a sailboat, so our ocean view includes bright sails bobbing in the water.
Yesterday, we visited the North Shore Grill & Deli (home of the Big Kahuna Burger, which I’ll have to try later in the week) in San Roc Cay for the free wifi. I ordered a pina colada smoothie, and it was the best I’ve ever had. Blended with real coconut, this drink would be dangerous with actual rum in it. Today, we’re at Orange Beach Public Library using the wifi and I’ve picked up a copy of local author Ryan Anderson’s book, Undelivered. It’s under consideration for our Southern Summer Reading List.
We’ve also been eating well, with plenty of fresh veggies and fruit from Burris Farm Market stocking the fridge. I’m also still thinking about the chicken salad mini sandwich I had there on Monday. Dinner tonight is red beans and rice with Conecuh sausage from Evergreen, Alabama, and tomorrow afternoon, we’ll make the pilgrimage to Flora-Bama for some live music. And since we’ve still got four days left at the beach, so a fresh Gulf seafood dinner awaits us later in the week. Later Deep Southers, gotta get back to the beach!
Check out our pics & video:
Leigh / May 20, 2010
The picture you have of the gentleman pulling the sailboat out of the water isn’t just a family with a sailboat. That’s Capt. Rich.. We went out with him last weekend and had a Blast…he gives sailboat rides(lessons upon request)and has been doing so in Orange Beach for almost 20 years. The rides are awesome and only cost $20 per person and $15 for kids. What a wonderful way to experience the Gulf, I recommend it to everyone. Capt. Rich (Richard Booth)told us he sails daily, weather permitting, and can be found in front of The Palms or Admirals Quarters but he told us if we called him (850-255-1515)he would sail down to pick us up on the beach in front of our condo! Just thought others might enjoy as much as our family did. Memories are made of this kind of stuff ! Capt. Rich can count on repeat business from us!!
erinzbass / Author / May 24, 2010
Thanks so much for the info on Captain Rich, Leigh. Can’t believe we were next to such a legendary coastal character all week and wish we’d taken a ride!
Ryan Anderson / May 20, 2010
I do hope that you enjoy your vacation in Orange Beach as well as my novel UNDELIVERED. I own a boutique in SanRoc Cay called the TREASURE CHEST, and I would love to meet you when you come back to North Shore Grill for that Big Kahuna burger! On behalf of so many people who live on the Alabama Gulf Coast, thank you so very much for choosing our beaches to vacation and letting the world know how beautiful they still are and continue to be.
-Ryan Anderson
erinzbass / Author / May 24, 2010
Wish we’d seen your comment earlier, Ryan. Enjoying the book and hope to meet next time!
Juli Jordan / May 20, 2010
Stop by The Hot Shop @ The Orange Beach Arts Center and make your own glass. It is Alabama’s only public access glass studio and one of the few in the Southeast.
erinzbass / Author / May 24, 2010
We checked this out on Saturday and will be mentioning it in our full trip recap soon!
Joey "The Big Kahuna" Ward / May 21, 2010
Just wanted to say thanks for including the North Shore Grill in your visit to Alabama’s Beautiful Beaches of Gulf Shores / Orange Beach. Hope you come back real soon and yes you definitely need to try the Big Kahuna Burger.
erinzbass / Author / May 24, 2010
You’re welcome, Joey. We hope to be back soon and thank you for letting us use the wireless!
Shawn / May 23, 2010
Sounds Ike you guys had fun. We just returned from a camping trip at Gulf State Park which is just down the beach from Orange Beach. The beach and water were great this weekend!
Steve / May 28, 2010
Just wanted to say thanks for including the North Shore Grill in your visit to Alabama’s Beautiful Beaches of Gulf Shores / Orange Beach. Hope you come back real soon and yes you definitely need to try the Big Kahuna Burger.
Amy / June 5, 2010
Stop by The Hot Shop @ The Orange Beach Arts Center and make your own glass. It is Alabama’s only public access glass studio and one of the few in the Southeast.