Sweet Home Alabama – Sunset Properties Blog

April 18, 2013

Portabella’s, A Don’t Miss Resturant in Foley!

After a very long day two, stressed out women were on a hunt for some great dinner! We decided to give a new place a try and it was the perfect decision. This hole in the wall restaurant holds up to it’s name. It is not fancy on the inside or overlooking the water or some serene park but it doesn’t matter. The inviting atmosphere and friendly local staff make you feel at home in the newly renovated restaurant.

Portabella’s is located in the heart of historic Foley on hwy 59 on the east side of the road. Almost at the end of the historic district it shares a building with the Foley Fish Company. There is parking in front and just to the South of the building. As you enter the glass front doors you can enjoy a view out the large plate glass windows in front that have a view of 59 and all of the comings and going in town.

As we came in our friendly waiter welcomed us in and offered us nay table in the place. He brought us menu’s and some great sweet tea. After we perused the menu for a while we decided to each get a salad and to share a pizza. Not just a basic pizza we actually asked for a half meat and half what was most closely called a supreme pizza. I got the Spinach Salad with the house green onion vinaigrette dressing. This salad was beautifully fresh spinach, feta cheese, olives, pecans, and a little red onion and the dressing. I could have had just a giant plate of this salad and been very very happy. It was a fantastic flavor combination and I will absolutely get it again! My mom who came to dinner with me got a basic house salad that was mixed greens, cheese, bacon, tomato and croutons. She loved her salad as much as I did.

Now for the main dish our pizza! It was a beautiful 14 inch pizza half covered in meat. It is called The Lion! Sausage, pepperoni, ham, bacon, and prosciutto on top of this pizza worthy of the carnivore . It was unique in that the meat was all amazing not the norm that you would get on a chain meat Pizza. The other half of our pizza was a “Foley.” The “Foley” includes peppers, onions, olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage. Again with beautifully fresh veggies and uniquely fresh meat the “Foley”only honors this community with it’s goodness.

There is always a soup of the day, great salad menu. Sandwiches with the same beautiful ingredients that were on our pizza and even healthier lighter choices. Oh, and pasta! I am going to try some pasta sometime soon. So as you are coming in on that shopping day you make to Foley, don’t miss Portabella’s. Instead of sitting in traffic pull over and have a great dinner at this don’t miss yummy Italian jewel to our community.

April 4, 2013

Fishing In Fort Morgan

It is time to come Fishing!!! Fort Morgan is one of the areas favorite fishing destinations.
With the pass just at the end of the island, the Gulf on one said and the quiet waters of the bay on the other side of the island, I can see why our tiny little hidaway is the perfect place to some fish. March 15th was the start of the Alabama’s Gulf Coast for Pompano, Flounder, Mackerel, Whiting and a Cobia Tournament this tournament goes until April 30th. There are people out fishing everyday in this tournament vieing for the best catch. If you are a pier fishing enthausiest now is the time to be in Gulf Shores. Not only can you try for the largest fish but once you have it weighed and measured you can have it cooked to order by one of our great Fort Morgan resturants like Tacky Jacks or Sassy Bass.

There is another local tournament The Captian Hook Classic Fishing Tournament May 11th, 2013. This tournament added a new category this year of kayak fishing. So all of you kayak fishermen this is the tournament for you. It takes place here in Fort Morgan. Hurry and sign up soon so you can catch your next monster. Call us to book your fishing getaway today!

March 14, 2013

Bama Coast Cruise

Are old cars your thing? Do you need a beach vacation? I have a great idea for your next trip! Come down to Gulf Shores and visit the “Bama Coast Cruise,” April 25, 26 & 27, 2013. You can see all the classic cars you know and love in all different stages and styles of restoration. There will be live music, and vendors, a swap meet, and a cruise down the beautiful Alabam Gulf Coast.

As if all of this wasn’t enough to keep you entertained for three days, going on at the same time The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show will be taking place. Did I mention this was at, “The Wharf!” That means ladies if you are not exactly interested in learning about every little piece of each car in the show you could take some time and do some shopping just steps away at “The Wharf!”

We can off a special rate for 3 nights in a one bedroom that starts at $499.00 total. If you need a little more space we can offer you a two bedroom for $599.00 or a 3 bedroom for $699.00 total for three nights. Just give us a call to book today.

Be sure to stop by and cheer on Sterling and John in the Cobra! Sterling has a chance to win one of many prizes the top prize is a 1969 Rambler Beach Cruiser. When you stop by be sure to get your free Sunset Properties, FMA (Fort Morgan, AL) bumper sticker. We hope to see you there!

Location: 4671 Wharf Parkway West, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561

Dates and Times:Bama Coast Cruise will be open to the public (spectators) on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Admission for Spectators: $5.00 for Adults, Children 12 and under are Free!

Spectator Parking: Parking is free and plentiful at the Wharf Event Center!

February 28, 2013

It’s Almost Spring Break!!!!

This year is flying bye. Ok kids, Spring Break is upon us!!!!! Have you made your plans yet??? Now is the time! I know if you are basically anywhere north of the Gulf Coast you have had a very cold wet winter and you are probably ready for some lovely sunshine.

Maybe some warm days and a trip to the beach? Now is the time to book. we are just two weeks away from our first Spring Break visitors arriving and we have set some specials! If a fishing trip is in your future either off the beach or from a boat Ft. Morgan is the place to be!

Just some fun family time is exactly what your want for Spring Break. Relaxing on the, beach playing in the water, or enjoying the local nature it all can be done here in Ft. Morgan. It is bird migration time and are flowers are already blooming!

Stay 3 nights in a 1 bedroom condo only $599.00
Stay 3 nights in a 2 bedroom condo only $699.00
Stay 3 nights in a 3 bedroom condo only $799.00

Stay 5 Nights in a 1 bedroom condo only $899.00
Stay 5 Nights in a 2 bedroom condo only $999.00
Stay 5 Nights in a 3 bedroom condo only $1099.00

Stay 7 nights in a 1 bedroom condo only
$1199.00
Stay 7 nights in a 1 bedroom condo only
$1399.00
Stay 7 nights in a 1 bedroom condo only
$1499.00

Give us a call to book today and then grab your little guys and head our way! we look forward to helping you plan your trip!

February 21, 2013

A Runner’s Paradise…Sunset Properties

NOTE: We have a guest Blogger for this post, Road Runner Girl, Mindy, joined us with her family and wrote a blog for us of her adventures. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!!!

This weekend we headed to the beach for a mini-vacation. You would think since we live on the Gulf Coast that we would visit the beach more often. But sadly we do not. I was super excited about getting in some rest and relaxation with my wonderful family!

We were staying at The Dunes Condos in Fort Morgan, AL. These condos are a part of Sunset Properties and are fabulous!

So after my long run, we headed south. It takes us a little over an hour to get there but it’s paradise once we are there! Before we made it to our destination we stopped to walk on the beach. Unfortunately it was super super windy (I’m talking 25 mph winds) and it was hard to enjoy the beach as much as we would have liked. It was also cold…and the wind made it colder. But we didn’t let the chill spoil our fun too bad. We still walked around, took some pictures, and collected some seashells.

The red and purple flags were flying. A red flag means the surf is dangerous and to swim with caution. A purple flag means there is dangerous marine life in the water. Hmmm…I was kinda glad it was too cold to swim. I didn’t want my boys going into the water with these flags flying!

After we had enough of the wind and cold we climbed back into the warm car and headed to Sunset Properties! Everyone was so excited!

Sunset Properties has several properties to choose from. They have two condominiums that overlook the Gulf of Mexico…The Dunes and The Indies. What’s really awesome about these condos is they have a gulf view from your room…and the front part of the building has a view of Mobile Bay. Sunset Properties also has a property located on a marina…Navy Cove…so you can park your boat and stay in luxury! They also have beach houses available that can sleep from 9 to 19 people. So you can find any type of beach front accommodations that you are looking for at Sunset Properties!

The Dunes building looks very “beachy!” It is a pinkish or coral color.

We were staying in a one bedroom condo that sleeps 6. It had two bathrooms. It had a fully equipped kitchen. There was even a washer and dryer! Perfect for my two boys and me and my hubby!

The condo was decorated soooo nice! It had a touch of home with a beachy feel. LOVE!!! As soon as we opened the door we were greeted by this cute display in the foyer. The boys loved the chair with the fish on top of each corner!

I absolutely LOVED the red couch in the living room area! I told Andy we needed a red couch!

The boys were so excited about getting to sleep in bunk beds. Of course we had a fight over who would sleep in the top bunk. A quick game of pick a number from 1-10 solved it…and Hayden won. The best part…each bunk had it’s own TV equipped with DVD players and game jacks! The boys stayed in bed the entire time we were inside the condo!!!

The master bedroom was gorgeous! And I LOVED the king size bed! Andy and I have a queen size bed at home so it was a luxury to us! And we enjoyed watching a movie in bed on the large TV.

Another favorite of the boys was the private balcony! It was a little cold to stay out there for long but the boys loved going out there and being able to see the gorgeous view of the beach and the pool below.

Most importantly the condo was super clean. The sheets and towels looked brand new. The floors didn’t leave dirty marks on my socks when I walked around (hey that’s important to me lol). Even the balcony door was spotless…no fingerprints or smudges anywhere! The kitchen counters, sink, stove, and refrigerator were spotless. I truly felt at home!

So what did we do on our beach vacation? That night we headed into Gulf Shores for some dinner. The boys wanted pizza so we ate at Papa’s Pizza. It was really good and we had a blast playing “I Spy” with the boys while we enjoyed our dinner. After dinner we headed back to the condo and the boys watched a movie in bed and so did me and Andy! Perfect relaxation!

After a wonderful night of rest (that bed was so comfy) I got dressed for a quick recovery run! I was a little sore from Saturday’s 12 miles but I couldn’t resist running along the beach! The scenery was breathtaking along the road! And the road was perfect for running! There isn’t a whole lot of traffic and there is a wide enough space on the side of the road for runners or cyclists.

You can see our condo behind me!

The condo is set back about 300 yards from the Gulf of Mexico so there is a nice little road to walk (or in the peak season you can ride their golf cart limousine) to get to the private beach. Well forget walking…I ran it! You can see The Indies condo building behind me and all the beach houses all around me. The Dunes community is so gorgeous!

Then of course I took my route out onto the actual sand. I’ve never run on the sand before…it is really hard lol! If it had been warmer I would have definitely run barefoot! It was awesome hearing the waves as I ran!

I ended up only running a mile…but it was the perfect recovery run. And I couldn’t have asked for a better place to run!!!

There are also several trails I saw along Fort Morgan Road. Next time I would like to check those out!

After my run we headed to explore Fort Morgan. Yes there is an actual Fort about 1.5 miles down the road from the condo! The boys had a blast exploring the fort and learning some history of our area!

Overall, our stay at Sunset Properties was amazing! We will definitely stay here again! And as a runner this is the perfect place to stay! You can run on the road, on trails, and on the beach!

I would love to bring some of my Sole2Soul Sisters here for a “run retreat!” It would be so much fun to relax and run in a different place!

If you are ever looking for somewhere to visit and stay on the Alabama Gulf Coast then definitely check out Sunset Properties! I know they will have what you are looking for! I highly recommend them!

In addition to their website, be sure to check out Sunset Properties on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+!

Disclaimer: I received a free night’s stay through Sunset Properties. I received no other compensation. All opinions in the above post are mine and mine alone!

Mindy

February 14, 2013

Top 5 Beaches or Cruise for your vacation???

Thanks to AL.com for the information on our beautiful area being rated as one of the Top 5 Gulf Coast Beaches. While we were celebrating this wonderful accolade the disabled cruise ship the Carnival Triumph was being towed past us at the end of the island carrying 4000 vacationers! Our hearts couldn’t help but be sad for them and what they have experienced during a time when they were supposed to be relaxing and making wonderful family memories.

Our hope is no matter where you choose to cavation that your trip is worry free and full of fun memories! When doing your considering consider our beautiful beaches in Ft. Morgan!!! Check out this great article below on why our beaches are not to be missed. Then give us a call and book your worry free vacation.

GULF SHORES, Alabama — Together, Baldwin County’s beach cities were named one of the top 5 “Best Gulf Coast Beaches” by the Travel Channel.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach were joined by Galveston Island State Park in Texas, West Ship Island in Mississippi, and two Florida cities, Destin and St. George Island.

On the Travel Channel’s website, it mentions how the Gulf Coast region has rebounded from the 2010 BP oil spill. “Today, the charming seaside towns and sugary white sands are again beckoning travelers with promises of emerald waters, brilliant white beaches, picturesque sand dunes with waving sea oats, excellent nature hikes and ample bird-watching,”

For Pleasure Island, the article says that for some Alabama may seem to play second fiddle to the Florida Panhandle. “Oh, but they should reconsider.” It highlights attractions such as Gulf State Park, and the popular public beach in Gulf Shores and mentions kid-friendly beach entertainment such as Adventure Island and Waterville USA.

December 6, 2012

Christmas At The Beach!

I am crazy about Christmas. My tree is already up at home and I am really enjoying decorating our office slowly. Our very beachy area has one fun event after another for locals and visitors to the Gulf! A list of some of my favorites is below.

COASTAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2012
To get the whole scoop on Coastal Christmas, please visit www.alabamacoastalchristmas.com

Nov 12 – Dec 12	Santa’s Helper \| Toy Drive
Nov 27	2012 Christmas Tree Lighting at The Wharf
Nov 29	Christmas Market by Delta Kappa Gamma @ Lester’s in Orange Beach
Nov 29	Gulf Shores Christmas Open House
Nov 30 – Dec 2	Junior USTA Tournament
Nov 30	Holiday Open House
Nov 30	Taste of the Islands
Dec 1	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 1	Christmas Angel Breakfast
Dec 1	Pics With Santa
Dec 1	Dinner Party
Dec 1	Gulf Shores Christmas Parade & Beach Celebration
Dec 2 – Dec 10	Nativity Open House
Dec 2	Chris-myth Busters
Dec 2	Children’s Christmas Musical- GSUMC
Dec 2	Handel’s Messiah
Dec 7	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 7	Edward Jones Holiday Open House
Dec 7	“Light Up the Arts” on the Coast
Dec 8	Santa Drop at the Flora-Bama
Dec 8	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 8	5K Jingle Bell Run
Dec 8	Cookie Extravaganza
Dec 8	Merry Market at The Wharf
Dec 8	Billy Claus Arrival at LuLu’s
Dec 8	Wharf Christmas Open House
Dec 8	Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Dec 9	Christmas Concert at GSUMC
Dec 11	Santa Claus at the Orange Beach Public Library
Dec 12	Friends of the Library Christmas Open House
Dec 13	Chamber Holiday Open House
Dec 14	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 15	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 15	Breakfast with Santa
Dec 15	Santa’s Sleigh Pet Portraits BARC! Fundraiser
Dec 16	CLC Kids Program
Dec 21	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 22	Sail with Santa on Wild Hearts
Dec 25	Christmas Potluck
Dec 29	Flora-Bama Make it to the Line Run/Walk
Dec 31 – Jan 1	Flora-Bama New Years Eve Bash
Dec 31	Noon Year’s Eve
Jan 1	Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip
Jan 1	Hangout/Kiwanis/Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip

November 15, 2012

It is Time for a Girl’s Getaway!!!!

I don’t know about you but I am ready for a break. Thankfully, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I can’t wait. Between the election , the looming fiscal cliff, the hurricane in the North East and one national scandal after another good new doesn’t come along nearly often enough. My personal plan is to spend at least some of my little bit of time off helping the economy! We don’t have much to spend but I will be looking for few special things for those I love. My Plan is to not only hits the Black Friday Sales, but do A little unconventional shopping as well let me give you and your girlfriends a few great ideas!

If you and your girlfriends are heading this way to do some shopping this is the best time and one of the best places areas to shop. We have your traditional stores that are all over the country but we also have Tanger Outlets where you can find almost anything you want if you are shopping for fashion or for your home.

Tanger offers great coupons and they are having a Midnight Madness Sale starting Thanksging night. I may spend a little time at the outlets but my shopping tends to be a little less traditional.

I like to give and get gifts of experiences, maybe a romantic dinner, or a glass blowing, or painting class. The Alabama Gulf Coast is a treasure trove of experience gifts to give. My Dad is history buff, and my Mom loves genealogy. I know some great places to send both of them. There are museums where I can find the perfect book for dad or maybe even get him involved with volunteering for an archeology dig in the area. I think a day trip for my mom to the Creek Indian Reservation in Atmore will help her to add some much needed information to our family tree.

My sister in law is starting a new career now that her boys are all in school and she is in need of a little wardrobe update. I think I am going to get her the biggest bang for her buck. There are tons of resale shops across the area. A gift certificate or two or a preloaded debit card, maybe even cash would be great for her and of course a baby sitter for her and a shopping buddy.

For my little nephews, I think either movie tickets or zoo tickets, although they are big fans of toys like every other little boy.

Maybe a little online shopping for that. For my brother well he is a little more tricky. A planned guys night for him and buddies, or brother in law or a trip golfing with some friends. My husband is the most tricky of all. He is kind of techie but loves new experiences too! So I think I will be getting him something for his current technology and maybe a great new sweater or scarf and well I don’t know but I’ll figure it out.

In this area there are tons of unique stores, outlets, thrift stores, antique stores and specialty shops. Basically you can find anything you are looking for in this area for everyone on your list! So pack up your shopping shoes, your girl friends and your beach towel. Knock out your shopping and then relax and enjoy the rest of your girls getaway in the sun!

November 8, 2012

Alabama’s Gulf Coast: Where Kids Drive Home the Fun!

This is this first in a series of Blog Posts from and article by Annette Thompson of Sweet Home Alabama site. She has some fantastic ideas for family friendly vacations across the Gulf Coast!

Some of the best family memories are made on a beach vacation. Ditching your regular routine and setting out for Alabama’s 32 miles of sandy seashore welcomes a bit of magic into your lives. The special times aren’t simply limited to the beaches though. The entire coastal region – the wetlands, rivers, and bays – is a rich playground full of a variety of adventures.

Youngsters will not only like to play in the surf, but they also will soak up the culture of the coast. So plan your trip with a healthy mix of downtime combined with several outings to explore the watery ecosystem and the region’s role in American history. And don’t leave out a few squeal-producing activities.

Surf’s Up!

Until your teens or tots sink their toes in the sand, you haven’t really arrived at the beach. So make haste down AL Highway 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway) to land’s edge where you can slather on the sunscreen and catch a wave. All of the major resorts in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach maintain beach services with lounge chairs and umbrellas (typically about $25 per day), and some even rent kayaks or catamarans (typically about $50 an hour).

Look beyond the high-rises to discover less-crowded strands, where you’ll feel as if the entire beach belongs to your family. At these tranquil spots, you’ll need to bring your own blankets, chairs and umbrellas for comfort (don’t forget a cooler with cold drinks, snacks and wet cloths to wash hands and faces). One of the best sites along AL Highway 182 is Gulf State Park (20115 AL Highway 135; 251–948–7275 map). The 3.5 miles of sugary sands separate Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The park features the second-longest fishing pier (1,540 feet) anywhere along the Gulf of Mexico. (Kids younger than 16 don’t need fishing licenses, but adults do. They can be purchased right on the pier.)

Start planning now for your next beach getaway! We hope to see you soon.