New Year's Eve at the Wharf

The Wharf is the place to be for New Year's Eve in Orange Beach!  It seems to get bigger every year... live music, great food, fun people and I think there is now a jeweled marlin that drops at midnight.  The only problem is you can't see it because it isn't lit up.  Maybe next year.

Ah Karen...one of my favorite bartenders at Rafter's.  Doesn't she look like Faith Hill? She rocks.  So does Faith.

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, named after the late Frank Brown who was a night watchman at the FloraBama for 28 years, has become one of the most celebrated events on the Gulf Coast.  Over 100 musical artists come together each year in November to perform and collaborate across multiple venues in the area during this 10 day festival  For a list of performers and venue schedules, check out: http://www.fbisf.com

RB Stone at Rafter's in Orange Beach, AL 11/16/2011 

Shawna P at Rafter's in Orange Beach 11/16/2011

Simmons Brothers at Rafter's in Orange Beach 11/16/2011

4th Annual Oyster Cook-off at the Hangout

Seaside in November

Off season is a great time to travel on the Gulf Coast.  Traffic is not bad, rates are lower, and the weather is comfortable. My husband and I usually head for Destin around November because it's only about 2.5 hours from Orange Beach, and we love the beach communities and restaurants along 30a, especially Seaside.  One might wonder why we live at the beach, but take a vacation to another beach.  Well, it's simple.  Everyone needs to experience different things and different places. Seaside is different because there are no 30 story condos along the beach, there are many 4-way stops which slow traffic, keeping it safe for pedestrians and cyclists to maneuver, and the town center is practically on the water, making it easy to access the beaches, lodging rentals, as well as shopping.  This place is about community first, which is not a new concept.  I think it's now called "new urbanism" and thanks to DPZ, the architectural firm who designed it, Seaside is a perfect working model of that idea, and has been for more than 20 years. Basically, you can get everywhere on foot.  Some people call it a fake town... I call it awesome!


Here are a few pics from our last trip:

Seaside Post Office

Bud and Alley's Pizza Bar Patio

I remember when taking the above photo, I overheard a woman on the walkway say, "I can't believe this restaurant has all this prime real estate, and you can't even see the beach from the patio, and wow, what a long walk down to the beach."  I laughed.  Some people just don't get it.

Prosciutto di Parma Pizza

 Tiramisu and Coffee

Jack

Airstream Food Vendors

Seaside in November

Local info:
http://www.thirtyareview.com/
http://www.30a.com

Popular area rentals:

http://www.cottagerentalagency.com/

http://www.360blueproperties.com/SeagroveVillasMotel/ 

http://hibiscusflorida.com/ (bed and breakfast - dog friendly rental available)

Note: Dogs are not permitted on the beach per Walton County regulations.  Exception: dogs owned by Walton county real property owners or permanent year-round residents who have obtained a permit from The Walton County Tax Collector.

40th Annual National Shrimp Festival

I love the annual Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, AL.  It runs Thursday through Sunday the second full weekend in October.  The weather is great, and the festival is usually the only time I can find those yummy cajun pistols.  I like to grab one of those while checking out the art booths along the beach boardwalk.

Monarch Migration

I love this time of year between October and November on the Gulf Coast.  These beautiful little butterflies stop and have a little nectar to nourish them for their long journey to Mexico for the winter.

For information on monarch migration, native plantings, and where you can see them locally, check out the following websites:

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Hugh Branyon Back Country Trail

Hangout Music Festival 2011 Hipstamatic Highlights

FloraBama New Year's Day Polar Bear Dip

Nostalgia...tradition...whatever the reason people participate in events held at the historic FloraBama, it can be an interesting if not memorable experience.  I usually prefer to be a spectator, especially on New Year's Day for the Annual Polar Bear Dip.  There is just something fun about watching other people do crazy stuff.  So, although you won't see me take the plunge into the Gulf of Mexico on the first day of the new year, I can offer some important "tips on the dip":
1. Arrive about an hour early for parking (the dip takes place at NOON annually).
2. Don't park on the side of the road in the sand...you will need a tow truck.
3. Bring cash, because if it's packed, it's usually CASH ONLY