Yogi's Den: Kayaking on the Bon Secour River

Yogi's Den: Kayaking on the Bon Secour River

Looking For Family Fun In Gulf Shores, AL? Tips For Travelers.

(Foley, AL) --- Having a good time with your family while visiting Gulf Shores, AL can come in the most unexpected ways.

When families make a choice to kayak with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals (Foley, AL) family fun begins when you arrive at our location.

As funny as it may sound BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals isn't all about "kayaking."

Our goal is to allow families and guests who come to kayak an opportunity to enjoy nature and creatures in their natural habitat and to enjoy the natural beauty of the historic Bon Secour River via fun, easy-to-paddle recreational kayaks.

And the fun begins when you park your vehicle.

You may be greeted by a friendly Boykin Spaniel "Bessie May"



or by any number of baby chicks, hens and roosters.

Before launching onto the crystal-clear spring-fed water over the white, sandy-bottomed creek, ducks may appear for their morning meal.




It is not unusual for children and parents to help feed the chickens or to collect eggs.



Some small children arrive with nets to capture butterflies --- or minnows.




The environment at BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals is relaxed, friendly ---  and for many children ---  it is a first-time opportunity to experience "country life" within a city environment.

It is quite amusing to watch children's faces and reactions as they interact with the animals.




... and for the price to rent a kayak it is worth all the joy such an experience brings.




To learn of more family-friendly outings in and around BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals and the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama area visit Brett Robinson orange beach today naturally fun itinerary

Lessons Learned Selling Cosmetics 30 Years Earlier Helps Me To Gain Followers On Social Media

JOURNAL --- I was asked recently how "River Rick" and I, "Beachin' Betty," managed to build up our Facebook and Twitter presence.

I am taken aback by the question because 1) I don't feel we have developed such a presence and 2) Lord knows River Rick and I are the blind leading the mule to water when it comes to knowing what the heck we're doing as "entrepreneurs" --- much less "social media advisers."

You know our story by now:  We lose our jobs (mine due to illness) River Rick's due to caring for me and since we have nothing more to lose we take an RV trip in a vintage Airstream "Love Caravel," discover Gulf Shores, Alabama, purchase land on a whim, return with more vintage trailers, begin anew as a nightly vintage trailer rental which gets blown to smithereens. The beachin' river floods (TWICE) after three  hurricanes blow ashore (count them: Hurricanes Ivan; Dennis and Katrina) then out of desperation we move a soon-to-be-demolished home from Orange Beach onto our land, work on it for two years to open as a weekly vacation rental home only to lose it on account of (a very long story --- you don't want to know) the recession.

If you didn't read the above it boils down to this: River Rick has a brain-storm idea to rent kayaks from our location so we can earn some money and "BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals" is born.

This is not part of a five or ten year plan and we are not "snowbirds" with a retirement buffer. This idea is born from plain ol' Hillbilly horse sense --- if you have a beautiful body of water KAYAK it! (... and maybe others would also like to and pay to do so. )

As ideas go it is a fine idea.

So how does one take an idea to the public when there is no money to advertise? TWITTER! FACEBOOK! BLOG! about it.

You have no idea how frightening these concepts are to two very "old school" individuals who would 1) rather answer a land line via vintage rotary dialer and who would 2) rather sit outside in a screened-in porch to "chat" than type on a computer keyboard.

So here's how I begin: I read. I read everything I can once enrolling in Twitter (that is the correct terminology right?). I become friends with people who have millions of friends and follow them. I read each and every post regarding "social media" that catches my eye.

"Mashable" becomes the authority on Social Media "etiquette" (yes, you must behave properly --- even when dealing with "imaginary" friends). Mashable ---The Social Media Guide

I become friendly with local "experts" who for whatever reason decide to offer advice/tips --- ie: April Boone of Global Marketing Solutions, LLC  and Bill Coleman of Gulf Shores Travel Guide.Com 

I "learn" (but not really  --- because this stuff doesn't come easy to understand. To me social media is as foreign as understanding actuarial tables )  the more I "write," "contribute" "comment" and participate on social media "forums" the more "authority" "beachnriver" (our alter ego) gets.

I become a reading/writing maniac. I read and write some 20 hours of the day (don't believe me? Read this post written a couple of years ago: BeachnRiver Does Twitter )

Soon "beachnriver" accumulates 1300 "followers" and I learn we must "Facebook" to really get ahead.

Ugh.

"First of all I don't want to 'Facebook,'" I tell my advisor. I don't know how to use it. I'm scared of it and I can't imagine how difficult it will be to begin to build up "LIKES."

Can I just stop here and say: it is really difficult to get "strangers" to "LIKE" you on Facebook. Especially if you do not ask every acquaintance since birth to befriend you.

We want to keep our Facebook "friends" as pure a representation of guests/future guests and referrals as we can --- hence our small numbers. 

So here is how I do Facebook: 

1. I read. I read successful business' posts. I study  their "Pages." I look up their info. I become familiar with their websites. I read their blogs. 
2. I pass info along like many people do, but I try to rewrite things in my voice. Why do I do that? I want to interact with others. If I post something I like I "promote" it.
3. I take into consideration who my target audience is: women. Let's face it women typically make the vacation decisions and I want to help women feel comfortable choosing BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals as part of their vacation itinerary.
4. I am sincere, yet try not to get "caught up" in subjects that can alienate. I bite my tongue. Allot.
5. I ask allot of questions. Facebook and Twitter are two of the fastest ways to get answers to most questions. Why not include questions as part of your conversations?  Alabama Gulf Coast Facebook GULF SHORES/ORANGE BEACH ALABAMA FACEBOOK WALL monitors are some of the very best at getting throngs of people to respond to questions. I learn much by reading their posts and try to follow the examples they set.

My "goal" is to promote "BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals" but with as much time as I spend on Social Media I also want to "have fun."

I don't know if this is viable advice but it has taken the name of "BeachnRiver" and "BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals"  from obscurity to where we have at least 200 to 300 observing each post.

How do I know this?

Because Facebook offers "insights." They are very illuminating because although there may be no "comments" I learn which posts are most popular.

Which leads me to my last thought about Social Media --- you must follow the wise founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Mary Kay Ash's advice when posting: "Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, 'Make me feel important.'"

This is why on the BeachnRiver Kayak Rental "Place" page I focus mainly on our guests. I post as many photos I can find. ( --- remember I am horrible at this and am in dire need of someone to teach me how to organize photos). 

I try to remember something guests say upon arriving or returning. I want to make it clear we value, value, value our guests. 

We want them to return after all. We want our guests to write reviews, tell their friends, make kayaking with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals a family tradition. 

Our goal is not to show off the beautiful nature, the grandness of the river, the quality of our kayaks etc.

Our page is to showcase our GUESTS and brag about THEIR experience.

So to summarize. The five most important things to gain attention and build followers on Facebook/Twitter is to: (p.s. I learned "lists" are great in Social Media ... don't ask me why).

1.  BE YOURSELF. BE SINCERE 
2.  Be somewhat interesting --- or at the very least try to make your post "sound" interesting! Answer the basic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why --- always. 
3.  READ, read and continually READ. Read other people's posts.Try to determine which garner responses. Does the poster ask many questions? Is the poster funny? Inspirational? Model them!
4. Sell YOURSELF before trying to sell others. What I mean by this is --- if you read your post aloud, ask yourself: "why would/should this interest me?" Answer the question with this thought: "A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm will go further than a great idea that inspires no one."  (borrowed from Brainy Quote: Mary Kay Ash)
5. Follow this advice: "Everyone wants to be appreciated, so if you appreciate someone, don't keep it a secret."

 So who knew that my one time dabble with Mary Kay cosmetics would thirty years later serve to help me promote "BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals - The Number One Rated Amusement ---  in the Foley/Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama area!

Kayaking Is a Great Way To Discover Nature Like You've Never Seen It

Foley, AL --- Many guests that visit the Alabama Gulf Coast area marvel at the wildlife and sea birds while enjoying the beaches. Herons are frequently seen catching fish and stalking the shoreline for their next meal. But how many times do you get a chance to see a mama feeding her young? Taking nature tours off the beach can offer such unique opportunities.

Recent kayaking guests Dr. and Marlene Johnts of Northern Alabama rented kayaks from BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals, Foley, AL in search of peace, quiet and adventure paddling the Bon Secour River located just 10 minutes North of Gulf Shores, AL. They marveled at the beauty of the water and of the gorgeous wild flowers. They took photos of a heron's nest found high in the indigenous pine tree and of this native orchid.

Pictured above is a heron in nest and wild native orchids along the river banks of the Bon Secour River located in Foley, AL. (photo courtesy Dr. and Marlene Johnts.)

BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Hosts First International Guests From Bulgaria

--- FOLEY, AL (shown from left: Petya Nedeva and Vladimir Donchev from Bulgaria). Beachnriver Kayak Rentals is proud to announce our first International guests for the year --- Nadya Nedeva, Petya Nedeva and Vladimir Donchev from Bulgaria. Petya and Vladimir visited the Gulf Shores, AL area the past two weeks and chose to end their adventures kayaking the Bon Secour River with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals.

The bubbly and energetic Nadya said they enjoyed kayaking the Bon Secour River because it is so scenic, easy to paddle and relaxing. They considered kayaking after watching "Island TV" and observing  others kayak on the Gulf but ultimately chose BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals saying jokingly, "We came to RELAX!"

Although today is their last day visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama they said they had a wonderful time and challenged their friends to consider kayaking with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals adding, "they don't know what they're missing."

Take A Look At Why "BeachnRiver" Enjoys Living In Foley Just Min From Gulf Shores, AL Beaches

Guy Fieri Helps Promote Gulf Shores, AL By Attending "Supper On The Sand"

One year after the worst environmental catastrophe to befall the Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores, AL offers up a "Supper On The Sand" celebration to thank those who dedicated their time, money and energy toward bringing the Alabama Gulf Coast region toward "wholeness" and to tell the world "We're Back" and our seafood is wonderful to eat.

To bring national awareness to the Alabama Gulf Coast Chef Pete Blohme, owner of Panini Pete's in Fairhope, invited Guy Fieri, New York Times best selling cookbook author, restauranteur and host of Food Network's "Diners, Drive-In's and Dives," to attend the event to lend his stamp of approval that Alabama seafood is not only safe but good to eat.

Watch this video and get excited at the prospect Gulf Shores, AL might host "Supper On The Sand" as an annual event.

To read more about this historic gathering check out Third Coast Cuisine blog: http://www.thirdcoastcuisine.com/2011/04/guy-fieri-helps-celebrate-gulf-oil.html

Celebrity Chef Stuart Reb Donald Pledges A Portion Of The Proceeds Of His Latest Cookbook To Aid Clean-up of the Gulf Oil Spill: http://www.thirdcoastcuisine.com/p/cookbook.html

To read more about the future of the Gulf and to learn what you can do to help: http://healthygulf.org/

Better yet --- pick up the phone to reserve your next vacation on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

.... Are you calling yet? Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Info

When the Coast Is Clear - Jimmy Buffett - Jimmy Buffett Videos

Kayaking W/BeachnRiver Kayak Rental at OneTrueMedia.com

Kayakers come by bike, buggy and caravan to kayak with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals in Foley just 10 minutes North of Gulf Shores, AL beaches.

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BeachnRiver Parties Al Gulf Coast at OneTrueMedia.com

This is how BeachnRiver parties throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast. From enjoying happy hour at Flippers to picnicking at Pirate's Cove to dancing the night away at the Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL "BeachnRiver" has two goals --- to showcase the clubs/venues and show how partying is done down on Pleasure Island in "L.A."--- Lower Alabama.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Images Of Gulf Shores, AL --- From Beach To Eats

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