BeachnRiver's Excellent Adventures---A Journal, Muse, Tips For Travelers To Alabama's Gulf Coast

Yogi's Den: Kayaking on the Bon Secour River

2011-08-12T12:44:00.000-05:00

Yogi's Den: Kayaking on the Bon Secour River

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

2011-07-24T18:42:00.011-05:00

(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

2011-06-28T23:37:00.019-05:00

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:

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.
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.
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.
I am sincere, yet try not to get "caught up" in subjects that can alienate. I bite my tongue. Allot.
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).

BE YOURSELF. BE SINCERE
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.
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!
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)
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

2011-06-07T14:31:00.001-05:00

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

2011-05-19T14:43:00.002-05:00

--- 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

2011-05-07T11:53:00.000-05:00

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

2011-04-22T14:23:00.004-05:00

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

2011-04-06T23:45:00.001-05:00

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

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

BeachnRiver Parties Al Gulf Coast at OneTrueMedia.com

2011-04-06T13:16:00.001-05:00

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

2010-10-26T00:44:00.000-05:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Can You Tell A Good Story? Did You Hear 'Bout Ghosts At Swift-Cole House In Bon Secour, AL?

2010-10-25T19:36:00.003-05:00

"Hope On The Horizon" Says Dr. Guy Harvey ... But "It Takes Cash To Care"

2010-10-09T13:32:00.167-05:00

Billy's Seafood Market On Bon Secour River, Bon Secour , AL Is Beautiful At Sunset.

JOURNAL --- The photos above are of Billy's Seafood --- the only open air fish market located at the end of the road of a quaint fishing village of Bon Secour, just 15 or so miles NW of Gulf Shores, AL. The photos were taken at sunset--- a particularly beautiful time on the Bon Secour River.

The Workers At Billy's Seafood Market, Bon Secour, AL Are Helpful And Will Help You Make Selections.

The appeal of Billy's Seafood Market lies in the imperfections of the place. Billy's is basically a wooden shack perched on the water. The parking lot and bank are made of cast off oyster shells. The workers have names like "Bubba" and some sport mullets (the hairstyle) along with their white shrimping boots. Large shrimping boats dock in and around Billy's to unload their catch.


Billy's Seafood Market In Bon Secour, AL Is The Only Open-Air Seafood Market Located On The Bon Secour River. Shrimpers Deliver Their Catch To Billy's Market And To Other Waterfront Markets Along The River.

The place smells fishy. It is not air-conditioned, yet fish and shrimp are nicely displayed on ice. That it still stands is a testimony of owner Billy Parks who has re-built after Hurricane Ivan --- despite not having insurance. In my mind, it is one of the best and wholehearted reasons why I am hopelessly in love with where I live.

This place is filled with resilient "overcomers."

But Park's business/livlihood, along with countless other businesses (like ours), is struggling to survive after the BP oil spill attacked our coast.

Signs On Cty Rd 10 Foley, AL Direct Guests To Plenty Of Fresh Seafood.

Tourists To Gulf Shores, AL Hired Shrimping Charters Prior To BP Oil Spill.

The Captain's Galley On The Bon Secour River Was A Favored Restaurant To Enjoy Seafood Prior To BP Oil Spill

Up the road a bit The Captain's Galley --- a restaurant that has been in business for the past 25 years (except to rebuild after the past three hurricanes: Ivan, Dennis, Katrina) is now closed due to lack of customers --- thanks to the BP oil mess killing our tourism business. Report from Locust Fork News of Captain's Galley Closure

The Captain's Galley Has Been A Foley, AL Business For 25 Years But Did Not Survive BP Oil Spill.

Countless other businesses are teetering on financial failure and the local news media has daily coverage of one business owner or another who says they may not survive until the end of the month --- yet alone the entire winter season. (I consider them the lucky ones --- at least their stories get picked up on the wires and get regional and national attention --- which may in fact boost their business. The businesses who are obscure from media attention will suffer most.)

These days are a real test for any "overcomer" and it takes shear will-power to remain "positive" in thinking --- especially when successful and long-standing businesses are falling like dominoes all around.

I was listening to a Joss Stone song earlier this morning, "The Choking Kind," and the lyrics "you can kill ... with a knife or you can take her pride" choked me up. "How true, I thought." Although the song had nothing to do with oil spills or financial struggles it got me to thinking about what has been the worst part of this whole BP mess --- the assault on our region's pride.

I get a knot in my throat when I think of how pristine our little Gulf Shores was prior to the oil spill.

As You Walk Gulf Shores, AL Beaches You Are Struck By Beauty Of Sugary White Sand.

Aside from having the whitest sandy beaches in the country, we are home to countless endangered species and a refuge for so many others. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Cleaning oil from Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Freshly Caught Shrimp Bon Secour, AL.

Oysters Served "Nude" Wintzells, Orange Beach, AL

The pride in our area is almost palpable. You don't just eat a plate full of raw oysters --- you are eating potentially the catch of the day from some happy local oyster man.

Royal Red Shrimp Are An Alabama Gulf Coast Pride.

Signs suggesting tourists buy "Alabama Wild Shrimp" were put up to help the industry --- yes --- but they are the Gulf Coast's bragging right. Our "Royal Reds" are a unique specialty that taste like lobster and come from no other place on the planet.

Our Gulf Shores tourism didn't rise on the backs of theme parks, high rise entertainment centers or the glitzy glamour found along many coastal areas.

Fishing Alabama's Gulf Coast At Gulf Shores Is A Favorite Pastime.

Our appeal was as a laid back "natural" destination --- a fishing destination --- a place to take the family to bathe in all of God's natural glory --- the kind of thing that some tourists long for but never get to see once the filter of commercialization sets in.

Speaking for myself, I didn't fall in love with Gulf Shores/Orange Beach because of nearby outlets and malls and proximity to numerous chains found in many "destination towns." I fell in love with the area because of the many "mom and pops" along the one road Hwy (59) and beach boulevard.

You Can See Gulf Shores Beach Boulevard From The Inside Of This Popular Souvenir Shop.

In my mind these type businesses are what gives the "character" and charm to the area. It is not a forced "theme" park imposed feeling --- it is the "real thing" --- and the "character" comes from the owner's stamina to survive years of struggle forging a living where sand, water and wind continuously impose their will to overcome.

This Photo Of A Rainbow Was Taken After A Gulf Shores, AL Storm.

You can't buy this type of "feeling."

So getting back to the "pride" issue. I can't explain how awful it has been to "take a chance" and "take time off" from our negligible business to attend town hall meetings to witness our fellow (formerly successful) business owners BEGGING for honesty and truth from the representatives chosen to dole out due BP compensation.

After hearing story upon story of long standing businesses being denied for one phony reason or another we know we don't stand a chance of receiving any help. We are a new business started basically this year --- the spring the BP oil spill happened --- April 20. We were barely putting up wet boats from spring break business when the news hit and our business stalled.

BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Readied For Gulf Shores, AL Guests To Kayak Bon Secour River .

I am not a naturally positive thinking individual. I am not the one who sees a pile of doo doo and begins to look for a pony.

I am the one who says "now THAT is one MESS of a PILE OF DOO DOO! How are we going to CLEAN THAT MESS UP!" ... and then I get after it.

If I find a pony at the bottom of the heap then I begin new thoughts, "What are we going to do to multiply this gift?" "How can we best use this gift?" "How can I say thanks?"

I have been trying to look for a silver lining in all this heartache. At least a few positive outcomes have resulted from the experience:

It Is Difficult To Believe This Was The Scene At Gulf Shores, AL Beaches During Summer After BP Spill.

There has been an onslaught of dialog about our little Gulf Shores, AL --- virtually putting us top of mind in media conversation. My guess is before the BP incident if you took a survey of ten people you might learn one was aware Alabama has a beach --- much less a beautiful coastline.

Several Concerts Were Held At Gulf Shores, AL Beaches To Raise Awareness Of Beauty Post BP Spill.

Another good thing? Several fundraisers popped up and began raising money. Jimmy Buffett provided a free concert. The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama Gulf Coast Vacations, Coast 360 and others have worked day and night to put out a positive message that our beaches are still a great destination and several tourists have made personal commitments to support the Alabama Gulf Coast by keeping their vacation plans to the area.

There Are Many Spirited Restaurants In Gulf Shores And Orange Beach, AL.

I am an active participant in trying to promote the area. As much as I can I Twitter/Facebook and brag about our (now --- post Hurricane Ivan) fine dining establishments, the coastal birding trails and newly designated National Coastal Byway.

I actively participate on (newly award winning) Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Facebook Wall interjecting suggestions in answer to guest questions as a way to promote "off the beaten track" businesses.

I Love To Promote Seafood "Dives." Fish River Grill #2 In Foley, AL Is A "Do Not Miss."

Our first year business was severely impacted due to lack of tourists and negative public perception of our waters. With no budget to survive the winter, (much less spend on advertising) I'm going to stick my neck out here and (swallow my pride) to ask you to help us.

It Isn't Just About "Kayaking" At BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals In Foley, Al. Guests From Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Ono Island and Ft. Morgan Love The Gardens And Free-Range Chickens.

I need you to brag if you have had a good adventure at BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals .

If you take the time to brag on Alabama Gulf Coast Facebook Wall about your favorite restaurant --- why not brag about your kayaking adventure with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals? It is no longer enough to just suggest "kayaking" --- there are other kayaking outfits --- so no one will know you mean "kayaking the Bon Secour River with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals" unless you say so.

This Spirited Guest To Gulf Shores, AL Gives A Big "Thumbs Up About Her Experience Kayaking The Bon Secour River In Foley Located Just 10 Min From Gulf Shores Beaches.

If you haven't already written reviews (remember the little cards I gave you at the end of your kayak trip?) on Trip Advisor PLEASE DO SO. We don't have a website so the Trip Advisor reviews help to rank us on search engine queries.

BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Promises Guests Will Have A "Beachin' Good Time!"

We were told recently we were listed #1 in Google search for "Best Kayak Rentals Gulf Shores/Orange Beach." We'd like to remain #1 --- heck we'd like to remain in business another year!

... And I thank you in advance for our continued success. As one guest told me yesterday (and I'm clinging to this!) "I predict you will have a better year next year."

p.s. after hearing the Joss Stone song and getting all involved writing this blog I find this blog post written by Fred Garth on the Dr. Guy Harvey blog:

Hope on the Horizon : Guy Harvey Magazine

and then I hear this on the radio: Chet Baker's "Look for the Silver Lining" --- "always look for the silver lining, try to find the sunny side of life"

This Gulf Shores, AL Sky Is Beautiful After A Storm.

Should I start searching for a pony? ha. As always I look forward to hearing from you and reading your responses.

Fox10TV RoundTable Discussion With Mayors Part Two

2010-07-09T22:35:00.002-05:00

"This Disaster Has Brought A Higher Lever Of Recognition... Of The Importance Of the Gulf of Mexico" ..."I Think BP Thought They're A Bunch Of Rednecks Down South In Baldwin And Mobile Counties"..."While The Environment Is Paramount, The Economy Is Also An Issue,"..."Over 90 Percent Cancellations To Dauphin Island" ..."My Concern Is The Small, Family Owned Businesses, If They Don't Make It The Character Of Our World Changes Dramatically" ... Charter Boat Captains (Knowledge) Doesn't Come Through GPS" ... "People Come Because Of The Family Restaurants" ... "It Is Not The Size Of The Check It Is The Timing Of the Checks" ... "There Is No Business Model That Works"...

Fox 10TV Hosts Mobile, Baldwin County Mayors For Discussion About BP Performance

2010-07-09T22:08:00.001-05:00

"We Don't Have A Method to Affect Change" ... "The Vessels Of Opportunity Program Is About To Drive Me Up The Wall" ... "Out of State Tags, Canoes, Pontoons ... Boaters Just Out Idling, Cruising"... "I Have Officially Declared War On BP" ..."Let's Employ The People Direct Affected First" ... "I'm Sick Of People Making $1400 A Day In Jet Skis, Canoes" ..."We've The First 15 Days In June Loss of Almost $500K" ... "In Tax 5.5 Million Loss Of Direct Taxes, Two Million In Ad Valorum Tax" ..."We're About To Work Our Police To Death" (End of Part I)

Check Out BeachnRiver's Flickr Photostream

2010-07-01T17:39:00.001-05:00

Photos --- See photos of BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals' most recent kayakers on Flickr and on Picassa Web.

We will try to become more organized to post in the same months as your visits (we are just not that computer saavy! sorry).

Please look through both websites and make comments or add your photos for all to see. (In the event you are unable to add your pics please contact us via email at info@beachnriver.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beachnriver/sets/72157624402148250/

http://picasaweb.google.com and search for "beachnriver."

Lead Kayakers Are Put On Mullet Patrol

2010-06-30T15:54:00.025-05:00

Tip --- BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals knows children between the ages of eight to thirteen years of age would like to paddle their own kayak. Depending on the size of the child we may decide it a better overall family experience to put the ambitious youngster in lead position of a tandem kayak and assign as "mullet" or "turtle patrol." We give the kayaker a paddle but know that control comes from the rear. Be sure to phone ahead to discuss options (we have put some ten year olds in their own kayaks and they have paddled as hard and long as dad or mom!) and to reserve tandem kayaks as they are limited supply and rent quickly.

Johnson Beach, The Last Oil Free Beach Around Gets Hit With Oil

2010-06-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

I Stand Corrected/But Stance Remains About Alcohol/Illegal Substances On Our Premises

2010-06-28T11:12:00.000-05:00

OPINION --- I received an email last night at 10 p.m. that got my attention in a hurry.

The title was: you people are nuts (thank goodness it wasn't in caps --- as I received it right before bedtime ..)

After reading the title I asked myself, "Jeebers, what in the world could hubby or I have said or done regarding kayaking with BeachnRiver Kayaks to prompt such a mean spirited statement from a complete stranger?" My second reaction was to wonder, "Is this person in the habit of killing a fly with a bazooka?" What happened to civility and decency and treating others with respect?

... and then I read the body.

The author of the email recognizes (respectfully, thank you) BeachnRiver Kayak Rental's right not to allow people renting our kayaks to consume alcohol. He corrects us however, on our statement on the web stating it is illegal to consume alcohol while boating. After informing me of the law ..."The law states that you may not be over .08 BAC (blood alcohol content) while operating a vessel on Alabama waters" he ends the conversation with his email address and states, "There's no need to lie to people."

We humbly stand corrected on how the law and boating is phrased on the web page. We will make a correction ASAP, but our stance remains the same regarding alcohol and illegal substances on our premises --- we don't want them.

Anyone that knows us (or meets us) realizes A) hubby and I are pretty easy going individuals who enjoy a beer/drink or two on our down time (you might even find us partying at Pirate's Cove) and B) we are pretty friendly and easy to get along with.

We took the position we want to operate a family friendly (read: G-rated operation) where our guests will be treated as family and where the focus will be on nature, the Bon Secour River and kayaking in a country back yard setting. We hope to attract Scouting groups/church groups and want to have a "wholesome" environment and experience parents can feel good about allowing their loved ones to participate in.

To date we have not had to deal with the "alcohol" issue as all of our guests have been wonderful families and individuals who, for whatever reason, do not breach or challenge our wishes. Many call us "Ma'am and Sir" and most give us hugs when departing --- like they might do with their friends/parents or grandparents.

Things have been really nice around here.

However, after receiving such an awful email I am prompted to come clean and confess to lying to you.

The truth is hubby and I "cover up" some of the "ugly" and the "truth" before kayaking guests arrive.

We kayak mornings for one to two hours to perform what I call "River Trash Detail." (see the p.s. below)

You know the bucolic and Huck-Finnlike scene you see on TV that shows kids jumping from the rope swing into the cool, spring-fed hole below? The area used to be wooded and pristine. It is no longer as it was even one year ago.

Trespassers (who have nothing invested and who have no regard for private property) systematically chainsaw and fall trees, build campfires and treat the land and tree swing area as if it belongs to them.

.. and therein lies the problem.

Everyday we pick up a grocery sack full of beer cans. Keystone, Busch and Bud Lites are favored --- along with Riunite in bottles. (If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'). Hubby paddles weekly to collect a 13-gallon sack full of trash from the grounds and from the swimming hole below.

We haven't been able to figure why it is we mostly remove alcohol litter. I don't think I can count on both hands retrieving water bottles, energy drinks --- or even soda cans. An even bigger mystery is how alcohol seems to make it in these remote properties, yet isn't able to make it out.

I am not in the habit of "lying." In fact I have great difficulty with lying. If guests can deal with our strong desire not to have to play "cop" --- kindly support our wishes. The last thing we want is to be put in a position to check IDs, backpacks, coolers etc or "kill a buzz."

If you chose to kayak with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals then I believe we are kindred spirits. We most likely value the same things you do: to live in peace and harmony, to respect the rights of others, to enjoy quiet with sounds of nature sprinkled in and to protect our environment while squeezing out every last drop of life allowed while existing on this great planet.

I promise (no lie) you will discover that "back to nature" "Huck-Finnlike" feeling while kayaking the Bon Secour River ---and you can find it "straight" and "naturally."

p.s. Just an F.Y.I. Regarding the daily River Trash Detail. I found this recently on the web: How Long Does Marine Trash Last

Facebook | Videos of Cathe Steele: Pirate's Cove - best big little venue north of the South Pole [HQ]

2010-06-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

TIP --- For guests who want to find that "off the beaten track" adventure and who LOVE music watch this to learn why Pirate's Cove is worth a drive to Josephine, AL.

Facebook | Videos of Cathe Steele: Pirate's Cove - best big little venue north of the South Pole [HQ]

Flowers for the Gulf Relief, Enviromental, Charitable - OrganicBouquet.com

2010-06-27T21:18:00.000-05:00

Flowers for the Gulf Relief, Enviromental, Charitable - OrganicBouquet.com

Tragedy tourism or not, Gulf Coast could use an infusion of visitors and volunteers | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Travel | Dallas Morning News

2010-06-27T21:02:00.000-05:00

Tragedy tourism or not, Gulf Coast could use an infusion of visitors and volunteers | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Travel | Dallas Morning News

... And Part Two ... A Must Watch

2010-06-26T15:36:00.002-05:00

Watch This Before It Gets Pulled ...

2010-06-26T15:29:00.000-05:00

You Can DO This! Kayaking Is Easy And Fun

2010-06-26T11:56:00.000-05:00

beachnriver
This Is The Fun ...

Create Your OpenZine

Today's Alabama Gulf Coast Daily Update Videos Stars --- BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals!

2010-06-24T15:45:00.001-05:00

Want To Meet Your Maker?

2010-06-23T08:59:00.000-05:00

The Azbells Kayak The Bon Secour River From BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals

2010-06-23T00:07:00.000-05:00

"You Have No Events Scheduled Today"

2010-06-15T16:31:00.007-05:00

OPINION --- For the past week these are the words I read when opening my email, "you have no events scheduled today."

This is not a comforting statement to an owner of a kayak rental business catering to tourists.

The phone has not rung in the past week (except for one caller who I referred to a river tubing business on account they had two small children I couldn't accommodate).

In fact, everything I said that might happen in my last blog post seems to be happening.

Can you guess why I posted the above photo? I posted it to show the lack of traffic traveling South on Hwy 59 toward Gulf Shores, AL. This photo represents the first time hubby and I were able to drive South toward Gulf Shores beaches during peak summer tourist season and have the highway virtually to ourselves.

This is not a good thing folks.

We, like most "locals" travel back roads to do our business so as not to get bottle necked in tourist traffic. We may have complained. Alright we did complain ... at times ... and for that ... I repent.

In fact, right about now hubby and I wish we could take back every inconvenience we endured during summer "tourist" season because we (I'm sure other local business owners would agree) would rather have "too much" business than have NONE.

We are ever so grateful to the loving and kind visitors who have kept their plans to vacation on Alabama's Gulf Shores despite the scary images shown nightly on TV.

For every home/condo/hotel rented, for every meal eaten, for every dollar spent in our gift stores and yes, for every fishing/kayaking/tubing/sailing adventure taken --- maybe one less teacher will lose a job, one less business will shut down, one less home will be put up for sale.

I've been closely reading and participating in the threads on the Alabama Gulf Coast Facebook Wall. For the most part guests are sympathetic. Many "friends" ask in what ways they can help and several offer condolences.

But there are a few who smell the blood in the streets.

These "friends" insist everything be discounted to free with the disclaimer "after all we are choosing to support you and your community by our presence." Some have gone so far as to suggest a for profit amusement park offer their facility to guests for free ("their losses will be re-reimbursed by BP --- all they have to do is file a claim," they argue).

While I'm the first person to admit I am a bargain hunter (and free is quite a driving bargain) my mind kicks into empathy whenever I hear of an area devastated by a disaster. My sympathetic heart (which has endured now three major floods, hurricanes, a devastating ice storm, a fire and business losses due to an ailing economy) engages in ways seeking to support communities I'm fond of by breaking my "vacation" bank.

Although Hurricane Katrina damaged some local areas, our beloved Gulf Shores was mostly spared a direct hit. We knew our neighbors in Biloxi, MS were devastated. We also observed their nominal National media coverage compared to that of New Orleans, LA.

Hubby and I made trips to eat at open (read: struggling) Biloxi restaurants and play in the casinos. The town was a mess. Roads were closed and there were several detours. Debris was still in yards. Buildings were barely standing. Century old live oaks were missing from the well known boulevard. The lighthouse leaned. In essence --- the landscape was not a pretty sight.

Discounts nor aesthetics factored into our decision to try to support their economy. We simply wanted to use our (hard earned) dollars to support an ailing neighbor.

Trust me, I understand those who say this oil spill mess is a different scenario. I agree the presence of oil on our beaches is disgusting, probably toxic and can have a negative effect on a person's health if inhaled/touched. To those who are concerned of long-term effects and have health issues I say: stay away from the beaches ... or at least stay indoors in an air-controlled environment overlooking the beaches.

However, there is so much more Coastal Alabama has to offer tourists in terms of sightseeing, history and culture that in my mind if the beaches were permanently closed I would still brag and encourage visitors to vacation here.

When is the last time you were able to see live guides tell Civil War stories in an old fort?

Can you say you've been to the oldest city in the United States? (No, it's not St. Augustine, Fl it is our neighbor to the East, Pensacola)

If you love to garden, landscaping and love flowers, are you aware Bellingrath Gardens is considered the "Castle of the South" and boasts spectacular landscaping with hundreds of variety of flowers?

Do you have loved ones in the Armed Forces? How proud would you feel to see the inside of a real "heroic" battleship?

There are so many reasons to explore the Alabama Gulf Coast --- all within an hour drive from Gulf Shores, AL. If you think of it, many of us choose our vacation spot based on only a couple of reasons.

For example, hubby and I once chose to explore a State Park because of the WPA architecture. We traveled all the way through Florida's "Forgotten Coast" to see why it was "forgotten."

Get this: we traveled to Bayou La Batre because we enjoy the movie Forest Gump and wondered what about the shrimping village inspired the author .

We then traveled to Fairhope to explore the streets the author may have walked.

Here's my point: unless your heart is dead set on going to a beach to lay out in the hot sun taking occasional dips in a) either a cold ocean and/or b) sharing your space with throngs of others who have the same plans, why not search your heart and think about what you most enjoy about your stay along Alabama's Gulf Coast?

My guess is it will have something to do with Gulf Shores fun restaurants, shopping excursions, natural scenery and "Southern" hospitality.

Ya'll come down! WE MISS YOU!

p.s. Can I pencil you in?

It Was A Bittersweet Day Today --- Oil Washes Ashore As We Celebrate Record Bookings

2010-06-05T21:54:00.040-05:00

JOURNAL --- Today is a bittersweet day for BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals. We celebrate one of our busiest kayak rental days as we learn of the nasty oil invasion on our beautiful beaches. The event is coincidental --- we received a referral from the Tin Top Restaurant and despite rain, a large party from Mobile, AL celebrate two birthdays with their friends kayaking the Bon Secour River. All kayaks are on water --- a first for us since the oil spill was announced.

As a new business, this year was to tell us if this whole "kayak rental" idea would pay off. Rentals were going gang-busters during Spring Break, the rhythm of bookings consistent with our expectations. It was Spring. The water was still cool and we had many rain-outs. We anticipated Summer would tell a different story.

On any other busy day hubby and I could hardly contain excitement. "Maybe the word has gotten out of the fun and value of kayaking with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals," we might say. But this day we are almost somber. We don't jump for joy --- or even high five. We feel a tightness in our guts that this day may be an anomaly and we clutch the receipts as though we may never see them again.

Yesterday, June 4, news broke of confirmed sightings of tarballs and oil on Gulf Shores, AL beaches. I learn this via Twitter." An hour later I learn (via Twitter again) an advisary is issued for Gulf waters. The local five and six o-clock news stations announce with "Breaking News" and "Dateline" later portrays an ugly "Special" of the blight on our white sand beaches.

I refer to our local Gulf Shores/Orange Beach CVB online Alabama CVB Website to watch chirpy Rebecca Wilson tell on the June 5th edition "there is alot of seaweed" ... "there are scattered tar balls and patches of oil.""Please do not pick up the oil of any form" she warns ..."the Al Dept of Public Health has issued a swim advisary for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach."

Upbeat sounding as she is (ya gotta love her positive spirit) Ms Wilson ends the clip with "our beaches are still open ... you can sunbathe ... you can walk on the beach."

By now I'm thinking "euww" (Be honest. Aren't you?) Nine tenths of me wants to make the trek to the beach to see first hand this landmark invasion while the other part of me wants to close the lid on the coffin.

These are images I watch today: Gulf Shores Oil Invasion.

For the past few days our tranquil "tropical" setting has been assaulted by sounds of military choppers flying low overhead. This is a strange departure from the occasional recreational plane with banner flapping announcing "Mikee's Seafood Specials." The air is seemingly and eerily quiet the rest of the time. I've yet to see a hummingbird. The feeders remain full. I can't say the last time I heard a heron squawk.

It is as a calm before a major storm. My senses are attuned to the subtle differences of nature's song. I feel a nervous anxiousness --- a "fight or flight" kind of jitters is settled in. I'm sad. I'm prayerful. I'm remorseful. I make bargains I'll never keep (like promising to do my best to reduce my carbon footprint and live off the grid) and repent my little faith in the profiteering "Man."

I also want my life back (damnit! I'm mad enough to spit). After running down an inventory of all we've overcome I retract my thoughts to count blessings --- then I think of the chirpy Ms. Wilson and wonder if I can be paid enough cash to ooze the confidence our life and the lives of all affected will ever be "made whole."

I'm grateful for our kayaking guests. I'm grateful we still have beautiful water on the Bon Secour River to enjoy. I'm grateful BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals can offer our kind, out-of-town guests one more (natural outdoor) entertainment alternative to a themed waterpark, mini-golf or shopping mall. But never in my lifetime will I be happy it may come as an alternative to a trip to beaches along the warm, formerly beautiful, life-sustaining Gulf of Mexico.

I'm choked. Aren't you?

(As oil seeps toward the Loop Current I hope God keeps tally.)

It is Confirmed. We Have Oil On Our Beaches. Advisory Issued

2010-06-04T17:41:00.001-05:00

There are crews to clean the beaches however as of 3:53pm today State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson warned beach goers to stay out of coastal waters. You can read more here:
State Health Officer Dr. Donald Williamson Issues Warning

Did You Know Less Than 1% Oceans Are Protected?

2010-06-04T16:55:00.003-05:00

I had no idea how connected we are to oceans. You may not either. Ocean ingredients are the basis of medicines for Alzheimers, heart disease, viruses and other diseases.

Go to the website located here and click the dots on the multimedia graphic to learn how one in six jobs are marine related for example:

http://www.nature.org/multimedia/features/art30988.html?src=sp1

Watch Coast 360 Daily Vids Of Gulf Shores, AL Beach Conditions Here

2010-06-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

Read This: "It's BP's Oil??" or "Red Tide???"

2010-05-26T13:58:00.000-05:00

http://motherjones.com/environment/2010/05/oil-spill-bp-grand-isle-beach

Here's an excerpt of what journalist Mac McClelland was told, "The spill workers staying at my motel later tell me they've been specifically instructed by BP not to talk to any media, but they're pissed because BP tried to tell them that the crude they were swimming around in to move an oil containment boom was red tide, dishwashing-liquid runoff, or mud."

This work should be a boon to the local economy:

"The shoreline is packed with men in hats and gumboots and bright blue or white shirts. Nearly all are African-American, all hired from around New Orleans. They tell me they've been standing in these exact same spots for three days. It's breathtakingly hot. They rake the oil and sand into big piles; other workers collect the piles into big plastic bags, and still other workers take them to a plant where the sand is separated out and sent to a hazardous-waste dump and the oil goes on for processing. Then the tide comes in with more oil and everybody starts all over again. Ten dollars an hour. Twelve hours a day."

Mac McClelland is Mother Jones' human rights reporter, writer of The Rights Stuff, and the author of For Us Surrender Is Out of the Question: A Story From Burma's Never-Ending War. Read more of her stories and follow her on Twitter.

Listen to Make a Difference Radio

2010-05-26T13:36:00.000-05:00

Listen to internet radio with Barbara Talisman on Blog Talk Radio

Lyrics to Donavan Leitch Song "Riki Tiki Tavi"

2010-05-25T11:18:00.000-05:00

INSPIRATIONAL --- When we picked "Riki Tiki Tavi" song by Donovan as BeachnRiver's "theme" song we liked the catchy tune, (we grew up listening to it, ha) and we identified with some of the lyrics.

I pulled up the lyrics today to see how relevant they may be today. I thought I'd share with you.

All I have to say is "I guess I gotta look inside myself some more" and I'd "better get into what I gotta get into."

Nature is my high ...

Lyrics to Riki Tiki Tavi (via sing360.com)

Better get into what you gotta get into
Better get into it now, no slacking please
United Nations ain't really united
And the organisations ain't really organised

Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Won't be coming around for to kill your snakes no more my love
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone

(Every)body who read the Jungle Book knows that Riki tiki tavi's a
mongoose who kills snakes
(Well) when I was a young man I was led to believe there were organisations
to kill my snakes for me
(ie the) church ie the government ie the school
(but when I got a little older) I learned I had to kill them myself

(I said) Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone
Won't be coming around for to kill your snakes no more my love
Riki tiki tavi mongoose is gone

(16 bars instrumental)

People walk around they don't know what they're doing
They bin lost so long they don't know what they've been looking for
Well, I know what I'm a looking for but I just can't find it
I guess I gotta look inside of myself some more

OMG Did You Know?

2010-05-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

Do You Get a Lump In Your Throat? Requiem For The Gulf

2010-05-24T00:11:00.005-05:00

Requiem for the gulf
- Watch more Tech Videos at Vodpod.

Like one guest on CNN said (to paraphrase) : we can point fingers but we drive the demand.

2010-05-21T16:55:00.002-05:00

WKRG.com News

Speaking of Fears ... Can We Get A Plan D? Amen.

2010-05-17T02:15:00.022-05:00

JOURNAL --- So much has changed in our lives. We no longer rent for income BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home. After not reaching our goals we had to let it go --- emotionally and literally.

I could expand on all the reasons for the loss: the economy; hurricanes (three hurricanes: Dennis, Katrina, Ivan); major flooding (two --- one four feet the other seven feet deep); the economy; inability to sell off our Real Estate holdings due to drastic devaluation in value (x five homes --- our retirement plan); the economy; loss of tenants due to unusually high unemployment resulting in high vacancy rates; a freakishly crippling ice storm; another flooding; vandalism; theft of property and another strike --- a lightening fire.

"Is this for real? I shake my head. Unfortunately... yes ... it is.

"So who hasn't lost in this economy?" you say, right ?

The truth is although we have a roof over our head and we daily express an "attitude of gratitude" we've experienced what can only be defined as: Grief.

Hubby has worked past Stages 1-5 ---that is to say he is taking the upward turn toward Reconstruction and is working on Acceptance with Step 7 -- "Hope in the Future" in his sightline.

I'm not fully "realized" yet. I awake, give thanks and praise to my Lord for my blessings, turn on CNN, learn of the "Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill"and I fall right back into my "backslidden" self: STAGE 3 = Anger.

I have had pure and unadulterated generalized anger and now I have a bucket to dump it in: I call it the "BP" --- only it doesn't stand for British Petroleum.

Since losing nearly everything we have worked for it is not difficult for me to transfer some of my anger toward the oil spill catastrophe. There are many things to be angry about in this situation. I cannot fathom how we can put a man on the moon yet have no clue how to kill this outpouring of poison to our land.

Moreover, I seethe at the sight of all the backslapping, handshaking political "niceness."

I want to see some "boots to the throat" pressure from our government to kill this well. I consider this like an invasion ---with the oil leakage the enemy.

I'm waiting for our General Honore to come and save the day.

In the meantime I'll find a project to invest my energy in: save my hair, stockpile items to donate to the zoo, pick up trash along beach walks. I'll do something/anything to feel I'm contributing to the positive distribution of spirit.

As in the past it will be action first with attitude and feeling to follow. That is how I've overcome things in the past.

In the meantime, we will rent kayaks to float the Bon Secour River for income. Renting kayaks is our plan C. We don't have a plan D. All the cliches, positive affirmations, prayers etc. have not inspired us yet in a way to overcome what we see as an inevitable outcome --- a poisoning of our land and waters and a death to a way of life as we know it.

The bucket will get heavier I fear.
-------------------------------------------
p.s. The water is beautiful and our days the same. The photo above was taken two days ago while frolicking at the beach --- Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Following is an earlier blog post I wrote while in a fear forsaking mood ...

I Forsake My Fears And Kayak This Morning --- Alone --- In the Dark

INSPIRATION ---I went kayaking this morning. You may wonder why I'd take the time to write about it, but consider this: I started out on the water at 5:30 a.m. It is dark. There is no moon. Only the stars, clouds and freaky loud owl whooshing by are out at this time, as far as I can tell.

Oh, I hear the crickets or cicadas or whatever they are called that normally give me comfort during long, hot summer nights, but this morning I don't seem to notice them much.

More than anything else, at pitch black darkness, I find myself acutely aware that I am alone. Along with intense concentration to maneuver around twists, turns and fallen logs in the dark, I become introspective. I feel oddly off kilter, somewhat off-balanced ... my husband isn't here. I take wrong turns. My heart beats quickly and jumps at the slightest sound. I tell myself I have nothing to fear but fear. I paddle on.

I went kayaking alone because I have something to prove to myself and because I was inspired by new found Twitter bud, Shawn Brown. After viewing his pics and reading his blog I realize I've been harboring a fear greater than others I currently cling to: I cannot swim, I am fatter than I'd like and am deathly afraid of water --- especially of big water. "I'd make some alligator a meaty meal," I say --- when I'm not joking. To keep me alive these 50+ years, I've clung to all kinds of "truths" --- such as big people make better fish bait. They have little to do with fact and everything to do with my own insecurities.

I discover: I'm "yellerbellied" doing some things alone.

You see, I have been married my entire adult life. I know what it is like to be independent of my husband --- but for the most part, I do everything with him. I don't consider it a weakness; it is just the way it is. That is, until I got the nerve to kayak alone in the dark, waiting for the sunrise. On this weekend morning, I am a sole kayaker in a wide expanse of river wonder. I encounter male boaters, male fishermen, males sitting by the docks, men doing what I did --- taking the time to get out at sunrise to inhale the rituals of life.

Which leads me to another thought. A large majority of BeachnRiver kayaking guests have been single dads. For every 10 informational calls, one tenth come from women. Of those women, only ONE trip was taken by a gal and her girl friend --- and they were repeat kayakers.

Why is that? I wonder.

I'd love it if everyone who has read this, reads Shawn Brown's blog "Early Morning Kayaking Adventure" http://www.outdoorgulfcoast.com/early-morning-kayak-adventure/ and ask yourself what keeps you from trying new adventures? What excuses do you make that keep you from exploring? The husband/wife or kids excuse works when purchasing a home/car or some major decision, but trust me when I say, "you can do this". You can plop yourself in a single, sit-atop kayak (like I do at nearly 200 lbs at age 52), paddle from side to side and propel yourself to unknown pleasures.

Who knows what fears you will forsake.

BeachnRiver's Excellent Adventures---A Journal, Muse, Source Of Random Tips For Local Travelers: How Do You Choose A Vacation Destination?

2009-12-28T14:49:00.000-06:00

BeachnRiver's Excellent Adventures---A Journal, Muse, Source Of Random Tips For Local Travelers: How Do You Choose A Vacation Destination?

How Do You Choose A Vacation Destination?

2009-12-28T13:29:00.009-06:00

JOURNAL --- I often wonder if our methods of choosing a destination are different than yours.

Just the other night for example I thought to myself "I'd love to see and experience the quaint village shown in the movie "Funny Farm" with Chevy Chase.

I noticed one of my favorite blog sites: "Hooked on Houses" happened to feature the movie on this post:
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/27/funny-farm-chevy-chases-cape-cod-in-the-country/

Almost immediately after reading the post I looked up the town of Townshend, Vermont and found this website: http://www.townshendvermont.org/

Sadly the website did almost nothing to draw me in and after exploring a few pages I wondered how the town was discovered by the film crew. I ask myself: why in the world doesn't Townshend brag of being featured in the Funny Farm movie? (I love the movie!)

If I were traveling anywhere in the Vermont area I'd drive hundreds of miles "off the beaten track" to "discover" this town --- to photograph it, to walk the streets, try to catch a ball game at the park etc.

Out of curiosity I followed up on the town of Grafton, Vermont where the blogger said the home of the characters of the movie was filmed: http://www.graftonvermont.org/Around_Town.html

I fell head over heals in love with the town!

I can't explain why or how: maybe it is the choice of front page photo (let's just say it wasn't because of the website), the choice of words, "When you arrive in Grafton and start strolling down Main Street, you suddenly realize this is Vermont the way you have always imagined," Maybe it is due to the photos: http://www.graftonvermont.org/Photo_Gallery.html

But whatever the "secret" is, the images satisfy all I'd ever dreamed of when I imagine a village in Vermont to be (coming from watching several years of the movie "White Christmas," I'm sure!)

Now I have a longing I never knew to visit the town of Grafton --- and thanks to the Grafton website I would travel the additional three miles to Townshend to complete my "Funny Farm" tour.

But once again --- although the home page is postcard "Vermonty" perfection, no where on the website is mention of the fact it is the backdrop for the movie made so famous by Chevy Chase.

It makes me wonder: Does this town really want the likes of me?

I admit I'm a silly tourist. I will read magazines and guidebooks but I'm just as likely to strike up a conversation with a local and follow their suggestions (they should know where the best places to eat, sleep and sight see are --- right?)

I may or may not sleep in their accommodations, but if traveling with the Airstream then I will want to camp someplace fantastically scenic (and I won't skip out without paying as I've witnessed many other R'vers do).

I'll eat where locals eat --- and eat what they eat. I probably would want to beat the "lamb fry" record just like Chevy Chase did in the movie.

I take photographs. I collect ephemera --- everything from matchboxes, to napkins to package wrapping to funny hats. I purchase souvenir hand towels, gifts for all family members, hats, tees ... and on and on.

If I fall in love with a place I fall hard!

Now that we live in the digital age it also means I'll post the pics either on Twitter/Facebook/MySpace or the blog and brag about the location and amenities. In other words: I recognize my one voice has much more reach than in the days of postcard mailers.

So what can I tell you about the Alabama Gulf Shores to interest you in visiting?

I never had a pre-conception of what the area looked like because to be honest I never gave Alabama any thought prior to making plans for a road trip to St. Augustine, Fl. I "discovered" Gulf Shores, Alabama because I'd read in my hometown newspaper of the wonderful Gulf Shores State Park and knew I wanted the opportunity to park our little "Love Caravel" Airstream near white sandy beaches.

I can also say towns like Destin, Panama City etc. etc. Florida held little to no appeal to me and just as I predicted --- they were but travel "rest stops" along the way. I didn't get "excited" again about the adventure until hitting Mexico Beach, Appalachicola, St. Joe, Alligator Beach and finally St. Augustine --- all located on what is called "Scenic Route 98" in a region called "Florida's Forgotten Coast."

The term "Redneck Riviera" also doesn't mean anything to me --- and I don't understand it because I have been lucky enough to spend time on France's Riviera. Trust me there isn't anything remotely "Riviera" about any of the above mentioned places.

So what can it be that holds my fascination with Alabama Gulf Coast area?

If you feel like reading more about this subject then read what I wrote on http://www.gulf-shores-travel-guide.com/alabama-attractions.html . In the meantime know this: If you are even remotely like my hubby and I in that you would prefer to take the roads not well traveled, that you ask yourself in almost every village or small town "could I live here?" (and answer "yes") then you will love to explore Alabama's Gulf Coast.

Futhermore (if we are at all alike) you will enjoy staying at BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home http://www.beachnriver.com You'll enjoy the private, "off the beaten path" location, the planned yet restrained kitsch. You'll probably appreciate the Tiki theme and be grateful for the upgraded amenities like outdoor Tiki bar, fish cleaning sink and outdoor shower. You'll find yourself wanting to "fit in" with locals and sample local fare. Your days will be spent planning, sightseeing, hiking, kayaking and "discovering" new and exciting things. You'll take paths not listed in guidebooks just to see where they lead. You'll eat grits and shrimp and collards and be excited about it!

But if you are at all like us, you may discover yourself saying aloud, "I could possibly live here." Then the fun REALLY begins! ha.

Photo: Foley, Alabama ---A pic of an advertising slogan on a vintage auto outside Staceys Rexall Drugs that reads, "Follow me to Stacey's Rexall Drugs." You'll also see the intersection signs of Hwy 98 and 59 --- the main road that leads to Gulf Shores, a tourist destination.

An Open Letter To All

2009-12-12T21:23:00.016-06:00

A THANK YOU And A Request:

Hello all,

http://coast360.com/video-on-demand/beyond-the-beach-afternoon-part-2/

BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Rentals wants to share this video because it comes as an unexpected blessing to BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals by way of word of mouth.

You see we've been trying to extol the virtues of BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home and Kayak Rentals for the past year via Twitter, BeachnRiver blog, MySpace and Facebook --- but have had difficulty describing why people who come to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast should take some 'off the beaten path adventures' --- specifically to see the beautiful Bon Secour River located in the town of Foley --- just 10 minutes from the beach.

Coast 360, a local television station, took on the concept of asking locals where they shop, eat and go for entertainment and somehow throughout the course of the day BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals was mentioned (from a fresh farm stand owner --- of all places!)

So out of the blue (you'll believe this when you see me wearing a swim suit wrap and hubby shirtless and in swim trunks) the Coast 360 television crew comes to BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals with cameras, microphones and a personality ready to film a segment.

The crew filmed from BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals launch site (with free range chickens and our pet dog running around) but took several shots from the decks of BeachnRiver Vacation Rental home. Those that have been guests of the home can attest to the view and proximity to the tree swing shown in the video.

They can also understand why we named the weekly rental home 'BeachnRiver' because of the white sandy bottomed creek which leads to the Bon Secour River. The fact the camera crew was able to take photos from underwater and clearly show the tree canopy says something of the clarity and beauty of the spring-fed creek that fronts the rental home. The response to the television spot which runs on the local cable channel has been great for the kayak rental business.

However the season is over.

I am going to ask for your kindness to pass this blog post along to your friends and family to stir up interest in renting BeachnRiver vacation rental home to get us through this winter hump. We fell a little short this first year of meeting our minimum criteria and are considering offering BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home for sale --- perhaps as a fractional ownership.

Before we take that path however, we'd like to ask one more time for those who vacationed with BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home to go to Google Maps, TripAdvisor and Yelp --- or to http://www.beachnriver.com website and click the 'Please Review' button and write a review. It costs absolutely nothing but your time and an honest opinion --- but it will mean bunches to us in terms of increasing our presence in search engines etc.

To those who have yet to stay at BeachnRiver Vacation Rental home the best compliment we can receive is that you pass along this blog post, become a fan, friend or whatever the terminology is on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friend Connect our blogsite or "Stumble" us to help get the word out.

We do our best to promote the area, area businesses and events. As best we can we write restaurant and business reviews and post pics of events we have attended because we think the area is the "bees knees." (p.s. If you are old enough to have heard that phrase you are probably our target guest. ha)

Someone asked us recently why we just don't pay to get listed on HomeAway, Craigslist and other vacation rental search sites. After referring her to one site she quickly wrote and expressed her utter confusion and frustration trying to sift through the thousands of rentals available in the Alabama Gulf Coast area to determine which she would prefer.

Even so, she could not understand the difference or advantages/disadvantages of renting in Gulf Shores, East or West Beach, Ft. Morgan, Orange Beach or Perdido etc. She quickly gave up and said she would make her choice based on a referral or choose a hotel chain she was familiar with. (She was not our target guest *see FAQ on the website --- otherwise I would have promoted BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Rental!)

Those of you who know our story know we never intended to get into the vacation rental home business. We sort of "fell into it" after our (paid for --- free and clear) little retro-trailer overnight rentals were blown away in the area's freakishly turbulent hurricane seasons. (What Hurricane Ivan didn't destroy, Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina and subsequent flooding obliterated).

We openly admit our inexperience in this business. We have been blessed to have had the 'perfect' guests at the perfect time to take a leap of faith and rent from BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Home Rentals. We are eternally grateful these delightful guests chose to spend their hard earned vacation budget with BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Rental Home and hope it was a good value and fun experience to enrich their life.

We just need a few more (just like yourselves) to rent BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home to keep it alive the following season.

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So as an incentive --- BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Rental Home will offer you one free week of rental during off peak time for every three paid in full weekly bookings you refer.

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We thank you in advance for your support, encouragement and follow through regarding our requests for reviews and referrals.

If you type in 'beachnriver' in the search engines you'll see we've built quite a bit of web presence. If you Twitter you will notice "beachnriver" now has over a thousand people who choose to follow our adventures.

We are proud because it wasn't but a few months ago we didn't know what 'social media' was. We quickly learned from the Coast 360 folks: you never know where a referral or kind word will come from. It could come from the corner market you frequent.

Many blessings and thanks to you all!

The Times --- They Are A Changing

2009-10-30T13:58:00.011-05:00

JOURNAL --- I took this photo of my eldest daughter before she made a decision to leave the country to study primates deep in a rain forest in Argentina. She appears to be deep in thought as she stands on a wooden bridge. She was at a crossroads in her life and I feel the photo captures this feeling.

As you can imagine, arriving at a decision to leave her family, the country and all comforts of American living to reside in a rustic camp among strangers from all walks of life is not an easy choice to make.

On the one hand she knows she is about to embark on an adventure. On the other she realizes she will abandon all things familiar.

She will enter onto new and foreign grounds both figuratively and literally speaking.

I feel similar kinds of feelings changing my website from a familiar and easy to understand Google App to what seems to be intimidating and difficult for me to manage --- Wordpress.

Unfortunately I have little choice in the matter. As of November my Google Apps created website will be finis, gone --- vamoose.

It sounds crazy but because a dear individual who is no longer a part of my life created the website as a gift I feel like the death of this website is also symbolic of the former relationship we shared.

So come November BeachnRiver Vacation Rentals will move forward with a new look, a new website with the help of Sand Dollar Web Design --- and with new hope for the future.

I Forsake My Fears And Kayak This Morning --- Alone --- In the Dark

2009-09-28T15:14:00.006-05:00

I Went (And Stayed) Outside Today

2009-08-24T13:34:00.008-05:00

INSPIRATION --- I went --- and stayed outside today. I could have enjoyed my coffee outdoors then retreated in to tackle chores that lay ahead.

Instead I ventured out --- to see --- and hear -- what I would not see --- and hear while cooped inside:

I saw the morning sky turn from burning pink to soft, cerulean blue.
I saw fluffy clouds move in overhead.
I saw the steam over water rise.
I saw morning glories. (I didn't catch their unfurl.)
I saw our cat stretch --- then chase a lizard
I saw the first hummer attack the feeder.
I saw damsels and dragonflies glisten and dart in and about.
I saw a limb crash to the ground (I would have wondered when it fell had I not been standing near).
I saw squirrels jump and play.
I saw a fox trot proudly with catch.
I saw baby chicks follow their hen --- and the rooster crow and circle his wing.
I saw butterflies --- all kinds of butterflies --- hover off and onto puddles, sedums and brightly colored zinnias.
I saw leaves fall (can it already be an autumn call?)
I saw a hawk circle then perch overhead.

I saw MEN --- WITH HATS --- ON HORSES march clippity, clop by.

All these things (and more I'm sure) happened today because I went outside to see what I typically would not see. It is now past noon --- and I can hardly wait to see what I've yet to see.

Do you know what I mean?

Escape to Reality with Wii Sports Resort ... Really? I Have A Whole 'Nuther Idea of Escape In Mind

2009-08-13T17:02:00.007-05:00

VIEWPOINT ---I saw an ad on TV recently advertising the Wii "Escape to Reality Sports Resort" game. I stopped dead in my tracks at the advertising. Really? Playing a video game is an escape to reality?

Call me old, call me old-fashioned but I don't see anything "real" about standing in front of a television ("boob tube" is what my father called it) pretending to hit a bowling pin, paddling a fake canoe around colorful fake objects or taking a swing from an animated paddle in an animated ping-pong game.

What about the game is reality? And is this reality your idea of a resort?

Do you get wet when your canoe dumps? Do you have to chase a wayward ping pong ball from the dog or slither on the ground under sofas to retrieve? Can you feel the intensity and sweat coming from body slamming one another while shooting hoops? Do you feel the weight of the big, round, bowling ball and experience the slide of shoes slipping on polished waxed floors?

When my father retired from the Air Force after being absent all our lives he celebrated his freedom by taking my teenage sisters and I on a great American Road Trip throughout the Western United States in a Volkswagen Bus. Not knowing the limited budget kept us blissfully unaware the cost to finance such a trip. We didn't care one bit we three girls spent nights on a makeshift bed atop a plywood on the vehicle's two back seats.

We were on an adventure.

The bus had no air-conditioning. Fresh air provided cooling. The sights, smells and weather impacted us all. It was exceedingly "real" when the wind blew hard against the bus causing my father great difficulty keeping the vehicle in its lane. That we had to speed down long, giant hills just to get up the next gave us equally great glee.

Although the adventure was a turning point in my life my memories are minimal. Call it hormones, call it lack of focus, call it being a teenager, but when asked what I thought of such national treasures as the Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns I summarized in three words, "they are deep."

My children on the other hand can wax poetic of all our outdoor adventures down to the time mom (I) tripped and fell (and tore my clothes) during one of our night walks and completely lost it exposing them to the first explicative they'd heard in their young lives --- "Damn it!"

How is it my husband and I raised two girls who, just like us, would prefer to experience a "real" adventure despite inconveniences and discomforts to such an impotent, sterilized version of reality promoted by video retailers?

I believe it is because both my husband and I included our children in every aspect of our poor, yet adventurous lives. When we hiked throughout the hills of Jasper and Parthenon, AR our girls were alongside us. It never occurred to us to pay membership dues to take our children swimming with the crystal clear Buffalo River waters so near Pruitt. Picnics were spent either at our Town Lake after taking a ten minute walk or outside on the lawn on a nicely appointed picnic table I set out to make the occasion "special."

What is my point?

I believe we teach our children our "own" realities.

My idea of escape is to get outside the confines of four walls. I can barely wait until my day is "done" and I can "escape" to enjoy the creek, jump into a kayak and paddle the river beyond. I long to hear the sounds of nature --- the call of the hoot owl at night and eventual croaks of neighboring toads. When I jump into my automobile I roll all windows down to let the air blow throughout my hair. Despite the many gloves I have on hand, when it is time to pull a weed, tend the garden or harvest the vegetables I don't think twice to reach a bare hand to touch the "dirty" soil.

I'm sure I'd enjoy a game or two of Wii unreality. But if you ask me, I'd rather be wheeled outdoors --- just let me first liberally apply bug spray!

PHOTO: Daughter reads with her dog sitting atop a bluff in Jasper, AR

Call Us "Dumb" And "Lucky"--- We Will Consider it a Compliment

2009-07-30T04:09:00.003-05:00

JOURNAL OF REFLECTION --- Summer is nearly over and the realization has set in that my husband and I did not succeed in finding enough guests of "like minds" who prefer an "off the beaten track" vacation rental home while visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast area. We did not meet our goals. In fact rental occupancy fell quite short of expectations. We can chalk up the loss of rental income as a "learning experience" "bad luck in a downed economy," a "poor business investment" or even as a failed business plan and execution.

Naysayers call our venture "dumb" and make wagers against our lack of success.

But as I reflect on this past season I think to myself "maybe it is BECAUSE my husband and I choose to remain "dumb" we may very well make a success of our beloved "BeachnRiver" vacation rental home and kayak rental business."

You see we are too "dumb" to know everyone who comes to the Alabama Gulf Coast wants to rent a home on the beach. We are too "dumb" to believe there are no river-loving kayakers among the throngs of people we see along the highway enjoying blistering hot afternoons at concrete-filled amusement parks. We are surely dumb if we think out of all the available rental homes, condos, hotels and lodging built and yet built, anyone would choose to stay just 10 min away from the sugar white beaches at a cool, shaded, private, waterfront setting that BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Rental Home offers.

I say, THANK GOODNESS WE ARE SO STUPID!

We started this business the same way we entered into the monthly rental home investment business --- out of dire necessity and as a result of a creative (yet risky) way to solve a dilemma. You see, although my husband and I have been married for more than 25 yrs we, like many couples, have had our share of difficulties. Twice we ended our marriage with a split. My husband carried the intent further when he purchased a second home. ("Who does that?" I ask. "Most men rent an apartment, live with family --- a buddy," "As it is, we can barely afford to pay our primary mortgage," I protested. But my husband saw an opportunity I did not visualize.) Nine months later we reconciled. We never expected we would have the unwelcome burden of having too many homes. What to do? Sell? Allow the home to return to lender if we couldn't sell? (it was not so long ago we were a family of four living on an income of less than $30K a year).

As a "poor, dumb couple" we chose the most unlikely solution. We became landlords.

We had not read "How to Get Rich Quick in Real Estate" books before we signed our first tenant to a one year lease. We could not afford to pay $300 to Carleton Sheets to learn the "secrets" of his successes. We were two hard working individuals with pre- teen girls enveloped in extracurricular activities --- sports, church, school and civic. Everyone held a job and my husband and I worked second jobs.There was little time for study and our "investment" qualified as yet another "job."

We were also too "dumb" to realize we could never "qualify" to finance a home. Despite that technicality, two homes were recorded in our names as lease purchases. When personal property taxes came due the following year we owed for TWO homes. Other "sensible" people we knew only paid taxes, insurance and interest for their primary residence --- at a much reduced rate at that!.

Our ignorance didn't keep others from selling us their homes. We built up an inventory of several homes with steady monthly rental income before successfully securing a "legitimate" bank loan. Even then our "debt-to-income" numbers never fell within "normal" range. But what did we know? We were approved for a home loan secured by a local bank and we felt "legitimized."

This was more than ten years ago.

Our inventory swelled to 10 conventional investment single-family homes during those ignorant years --- with all but three rental homes "legitimized" by conventional mortgages.

So trust me when I say we did not over-analyze when choosing to ask owners of our previously Hurricane Ivan damaged BeachnRiver home if they wanted us to remove the Orange Beach-front home off their property for free. We considered we would save the homeowner several thousand dollars in fines and demolition fees. We also hoped they would "trust" us --- as others have in the past --- to lovingly restore the home without completely destroying memories of it's former life. "Why wouldn't they?" we thought.

I was offended recently when someone pointed out my husband and I "seem to have the best luck of anyone" they knew. I was offended because I equate "luck" with a game of chance. I interpreted the claim as "my husband and I only come by these things because we happen to be in the right place at the right time and some power we have no control of pulls strings in our favor." I've softened my opinion of the statement after hearing a fisherman's tale: "Luck is knowledge and opportunity coming together at the same time --- usually as the direct result of a lot of hard work." I'll accept that statement and carry the thought further: as William H. Pivar says in his book "Power Real Estate Listing" ...The "dumb" salesperson does not learn from his or her failures that success is not possible. The dumb salesperson keeps trying --- EXPECTING to succeed and DOES succeed.

So go ahead and call us dumb then, will ya? We work awfully hard to remain so dumb. Let's hope luck will soon follow.

It's What I DON'T Hear That Makes "Country" Living An Unimaginable Luxury

2009-06-28T19:44:00.013-05:00

INSPIRATION ---What is the first thing you hear when you awake?

When I lived in the city it was a drone of vehicles, screech of truck brakes --- of ambulance sirens whiirear, whiirear whiiirearrr ---HONNNNNK! --- of vehicles in reverse and air pop sounds of school bus doors.

I came to accept the sounds as one accepts the hum of florescent lighting, air conditioner/heating and water cooler units kicking on and off.

It is the background melody of city existence --- the Muzak of life --- a comfort or irritation --- depending on how you choose to define it.

I never longed for anything else. It is all I've known in my short life so I never knew what I was "missing." It never occurred to me outside city limits is another sound: the sound of pure and unadulterated nature.

The first time I became fully aware of city "noises" came when I invited a co-worker to my home located one block from historic downtown Harrison, Ar. While admiring the expansive views from the hillside vantage point she exclaims, "oh, this is nice --- but how can you STAND the noise?" I was taken aback. "What do you mean," I ask. She points out the sounds, the screech of car tires, the roar of racing vehicles trying to beat the next red light, the countless door slams --- and everything else I obviously tune out during the course of a day.

(Of course it doesn't help we live just blocks from city Fire, Police and Regional Hospital ...) It isn't long before shift changes excite policemen to take inventory of their vehicle capabilities --- wheeep ... wheeep ... wheep.

Bells from a nearby church sound off hours and half hours then perform a musical interlude --- a joy I look forward to, I tell her --- "like one looks forward to a tick-tock of a loud clock." These sounds comfort me I assure her --- and myself. That I must "tune out" to enjoy the bell's melodic vibrations re-inforces what I already know --- "I am a city dweller."

I always have been.

Everything came to an abrupt change when moving to my present location at the end of the road near river's end "off the "beaten track" of small town Foley, Alabama. Just two miles from the main artery leading to busy Gulf Shores, we live in a virtual "no man's land." Neither police, city services or Fed Ex could readily find us when we first arrived. Google Maps just discovered us a year ago and oddly, just oddly we seem to exist miles away from the sounds of the city.

Before acquiring a rooster and chickens, the loudest noises come from Blue Jays as they squawk territorial boundaries or advise of nearest bird feeders. Hawks eerily warn their presence and occasionally a barking dog from a distance causes concern.

Other than that, I hear what I want to hear: the rustle of bamboo leaves and the occasional clicking as they touch one another. I hear cardinals, chickadees, SEA GULLS as they fly overhead.

I know when the neighborhood heron is feeding --- it is quiet. But in the event it wants to squawk, I hear that also.

No one has to tell me when to look above to see wild geese in formation flying North or South announcing seasons. I hear them before they are visible. During the balloon fest I heard the "whhoooosh" of the balloon long before it appeared overhead. I can hear when my neighbor has a fire going --- as the pop and crackle of firewood echos loudly as it burns.

If I am outdoors no one can sneakily enter our drive --- the sound of crunching gravel is a giveaway long before the turn.

Oh, but if I had one wish to grant I'd wish the tired, the stressed and the overly harried to "discover" these natural sounds.

As much as my husband has grown up living a "country life" I must beg him to "listen" --- to lay in a hammock, do nothing but to "listen." He is an active, hard-working man. He almost never stops moving much less sit to RELAX. If he indulges, it isn't long before he sleeps. A habit he is not accustomed to unless it is dark and he is in bed.

From personal experience I can say I identify with guests of BeachnRiver Vacation Rental home when they describe the "feeling of peace and respite" they feel after "allowing" themselves to be carried away by the sounds of nature.

This is not a benefit I can manipulate like other amenities. That the magic happens like clockwork --- (the sounds escalate) ---like the rise and set of the sun --- (this cacophony of serenity) is a luxury beyond description --- and is something that soothes (yet energizes) the spirit.

Like the MasterCard commercial says --- the results are "priceless." You should try it.

I'm No Martha Stewart But I Starch My Sheets

2009-06-20T13:09:00.014-05:00

TIPS ---I have dishes piled in the sink. My desk is covered with "urgent" stuff I MUST attend to. I have a bad habit of leaving the garden hose stretched out although my husband kindly got me a reel (I have 200 ft of hose!) to keep it nicely controlled.

But my bed is made and sheets are newly starched.

Why you ask? Think back to your most wonderful, restful elegant lodging sleeping experience. What was the one thing you looked forward to at the end of a busy day? Unfolding a nicely made bed to slip into cool, slippery sheets.

I get that experience at least once a week. Granted I must pay for it. I pay by taking the entire day to wash, hang on outdoor line until almost crispy then spending another half of an hour to spray, then steam with iron.

I pay with the loss of time spent doing other things --- like I don't know --- Twittering? Blogging? Reading? Gardening? But I don't miss it. You know why?

I make an occasion of ironing. I gather all the clothes I am to iron, lay them on the sofa back, set up the ironing board and turn on the Bravo Channel.

Yes, this is HOUSEWIVES TIME boys and girls!

Oh, yeah. I admit watching the Housewives is a guilty pleasure --- but I don't have to defend myself. I'm ironing. Who would deny me?

My husband won't. He reaps the benefit of having his clothes and sheets crunchy crisp. That I forbid him to speak when I want to understand what New Jersey wife screams while dumping the table may overstep boundaries of human kindness but "I'M IRONING SO WOULD YOU PLEASE EXCUSE ME SO I CAN HEAR!?!"

I wash, starch and iron all sheets at our BeachnRiver vacation rental home.

I'm not always thrilled, but after slipping in the DVD sent by Bubba Cromer "THE HILLS HAVE THIGHS --- An Appalachian Comedy ("Come On In the River's Fine --- but you'd Better Paddle Faster!) I'm soon laughing.

So here's the tip of the day. You don't have to be Martha Stewart or have an obsessive, Type A personality to enjoy the benefits of a wonderfully, nicely made bed with starched, ironed sheets. Just pick a time during your favorite guilty pleasure on TV, fix a drink (diet Barqs Root Beer thank you ... I KNOW what you're thinking now) and soon you will look forward to your "special time."

ps. (option 2) you may opt to "Whistle While You Work." In case you forgot the melody and lyrics.

Heads, Beds and Bugs. Does It Matter to You?

2009-06-12T14:38:00.005-05:00

Traveler's Tip ---I found a dead water bug in my home the other day. I was horrified, shocked and alarmed. I was horrified because I found a bug --- albeit a dead, crispy one --- but a bug nevertheless.

At some time this bug was living and crawling around infecting every surface it touched with it's creepy, crawling feet.

I was shocked because as creeped out as I am about having bugs in my home I thought I had all bases covered. I was alarmed because if I believe the Terminex commercials where there is one (dead?) bug found there may be many others.

I "compromise" my beliefs to let nature and living things co-exist and religiously spray every nook and cranny with so called "powerful, six month preventative" bug killers. I even have one to two of those bleeping bug zapping PestX things plugged in outlets to ASSURE no bugs are tempted to enter.

"So how can it be to see even one dead water beetle?," I wonder. The answer? Simple. We live on a river. Where there is water and food there will be bugs. I'm not going to welcome them and sit as a bystander to let them rule --- but they exist. I can only do my best to reduce and rid.

In this post however, I don't want to dwell on bugs we are capable of seeing. I'm going to talk about the others --- the ones communicable by wet, sweaty feet that walk around barefooted on our nicely, carpeted, well-vacuumed homes. I'll include bugs that become a mysterious appendage that attaches to us causing itchy, swelling "whelps" or worse kill us upon their stealthy arrival. You've heard of them. They carry scary names like staph, salmonella, meningitis. (Need I go on?)

Now I don't know whether these fungi/germs whatever can live in carpet. I don't care enough to research. I do know from past history of stays in hotels/campsites etc that if I am not careful to walk, bathe and dry completely and carefully sanitize all I touch, I contract some inconvenient case of athlete's foot and a get itchy, swollen pink eye. I can say that I am 99% sure I contract from the public spaces because prior to the occasion --- no athlete's feet, no pink eye. After the event? Athlete's feet. Pink eye.

I've also had the feeling in some lodgings of sleeping with bugs --- only to discover FLEAS! yes, fleas hopping on me --- in rooms where supposed no animals are allowed.

The reason I bring this up is because I can't tell you how many calls I've received lately asking if there are lizards, spiders and snakes at our vacation rental home located just off the Bon Secour River. (One recent guest asked if there were grasshoppers. She has an intense fear of grasshoppers she says. Of course I answer truthfully and point to chickens and say, "grasshoppers are a favorite meal so we tend to see only a few.")

If I answer affirmatively, the response is usually a quiet, "OK, thank you" which means I've lost yet another booking to our cute little vacation rental home on account of my honesty.

I recently lost a potential guest after my honest reply and in my frustration I wonder, "Do you ask your hotels/condos/motel/vacation home owners what they do to rid of other more pesky, potentially contagious and health threatening bugs before you qualify your stay?"

I mean I don't know any "nice" way to say it but let's face it for the most part those other visible crawling, hanging creeping creatures want nothing to do with humans but to stay out of our way. In many instances they help us and our environment to rid of "bad" bugs and other pesky insects.

Fungi such as athlete's foot and germs like the above mentioned, conversely feed on us! They love us! They want to live where we live. They want to kill us!

So back my original question, "How many guests qualify potential hotels/condos/motels/vacation homes on their germ reduction standards before choosing?"

Aside from "stuffing as many heads into beds" and "price considerations" do you consider what your behind will make contact with? Do you question what transpired on that bedspread you just took a nose dive into? Do you kick your shoes off to sink your toes deep into the plush pile without a care? Do you wonder what salmonella, staph, etc., etc germs reside on doorknobs, telephones and other fixtures before touching? Do you wonder what if any disinfectants your hotel/motel/condo/vacation rental uses while cleaning --- or does it just matter it "looks' clean?

I know, you are on vacation from such worries. If we care we'd never go to the neighborhood grocery store or touch an elevator button, handle a stair rail. I'm not trying to introduce paranoia. I'd just like to put some things in perspective. If you are on vacation and want to rent any lodging you KNOW you live among bugs. Some you will see. Others you won't.

I made a commitment early on at our Alabama Gulf Coast weekly vacation rental "BeachnRiver" to wash linens in hot water, wash all bedding, comforters, shams etc after guests and to sanitize all fixtures (read telephones, lamps, door knobs, faucet handles, light switches) with UV rays I either pass over with a wand or "pick up" by vacuum. According to literature these UV rays kill 99.99% bacterias, germs, staph, salmonella (carried by the likes of the creepy crawler that began this rant) by changing the DNA.

I don't bleach, use toxic chemicals or spray odor eliminating (masking) sprays that promise the same. I like to think UV rays better for us, better for the environment. Hospitals use this technology. Statistics prove it's efficacy.

I feel good I invest an additional hour to two to increase your level of comfort. I also hope you can appreciate the level of commitment I feel to be a grade above what you will experience in other rentals --- hotels, condos, motels and other weekly vacation rental homes.

So I'll end this by putting myself on the line to say, "to keep from renting a home based on the existence of critters you think you cannot tolerate (yet see) is unfair." It is unfair on many levels and I hope I changed some thinking on this matter (as I brush off the biggest, most spectacularly intricate spider web I've seen ---- spanning the distance of one piling to another of our vacation rental home ). I do my best to remove all creepy, crawlers yes. But although one may slip in, you can know I at least, have done all I know to to to assure the other, more dangerously invisible critters don't do you even more harm.

Comments? Anyone? Feel free to share stories, ideas, suggestions.

A Recent Beach Trip Causes Me To Consider Working Business Like a Child

2009-05-29T11:50:00.005-05:00

Photo: Gulf Shores, AL Beach

TIPS ---I took a walk recently along the Gulf Shores, Al beach one morning and came across children building a sand castle. I often observe children building castles from sand --- it is what to do when going to the beach. I typically walk by, smile in admiration, offer congratulations etc. I rarely contemplate on the process or observe the personalities of the builders. For no particular reason this morning I stop to observe and a revelation hits me: I should attempt to operate my business with the mindset of a child.

Now before I lose you to some joke or another about how that won't be a big stretch of any one's imagination or something like that, think about this:

1) Children seem to have boundless and abundant energy
2) Children seem to have a single-minded focus on their "goals"
3) Children don't handle negativity well
4) Children especially don't like to be told they "can't" do something
5) Children observe their peers' actions and have no problem "copying" if they see something works right
6) Children have no problem "sharing" or telling others of their lofty intentions
7) Children can be great "team" players if you approach them with positive suggestions
8) Children don't have any problems "broadcasting" their successes

So I come home with a renewed plan to try to think and behave more like a child regarding my business promotion. I feel I already have a boundless energy --- I begin my days around 5 a.m. and am usually outside tending to the garden, the chickens, the dog before enjoying breakfast with hubby before he leaves for work at 7 a.m.

Like points three and four, I don't handle negativity well and get irritated when I'm immediately told something can't/won't work before given the opportunity to explain my thoughts/action plan. I typically do what children do at that point ---ignore and do my thing anyway. Earplugs also help keep my mind positive.

Regarding point five: Observe and copy if need be ... gives me reason to pause. I worry about offending others. I concern myself with my "reputation" should someone "discover" my idea not original. I do all of these things to try to be "original" and "unique" to the extent it costs me needlessly.

Think of it? What successful company/organization doesn't consider the actions/successes of their competitors? Has competition kept gas stations from setting up next door or across the street from another? In my hometown of Foley, AL one only has to cross the street to get from Home Depot to Lowes building stores. Their parking lots stay full.

I once tried to supplement our family's income hand painting on clothing. Now mind you, this idea wasn't original. I had a friend who owned a gift shop and specialized in hand-painted tees with Battenburg lace cutouts. She had a formula for making her tees: each white tee shirt has a sponge based heart background with seven to ten dots placed randomly throughout the heart. Next she swirls with a highlight color to look like roses, adds more dots in a grape-like fall (to resemble wisteria) and the shirt is off to Dallas Market to wholesale. Other than sewing and back cutting the Battenburg lace, the entire process for the white on white tees takes her no more than ten minutes to complete.

I decide I want to specialize in offering "hand-dyed" shirts with a similar design featuring realistic and defined painted roses and flowers in my collection. I am sure the extra hour I spend dying the lace and tees (which also needs an extra rinse of vinegar to "set" the color) and the care I spend painting realistic roses and wisteria will attract more wearers. I mean who doesn't like color? And won't people be proud to wear a hand-painted, hand-signed shirt by Aida? ha.

What I didn't know about women and their tastes taught me I needed to find other sources of income. For every one tee shirt I sold, my friend sold 10-15. Her shirts were picked for resale from retailers from Dallas and St. Louis Markets wholesale markets. Mine weren't. Her shirts were chosen to sell in juried art shows across the country. Mine weren't. I sat outside in the hot sun "custom painting" tees in front of large country restaurant chains. She painted in the air-conditioned comfort of her cute retail shop. I could go on but you get the point. My competitor somehow knew her market. If I cared to stay in business I should have learned the same and found some way to "copy."

This leads me to the next point --- number six: Children aren't afraid to tell anyone and everyone about their plans, hopes and aspirations. From one castle builder to another I was told, "I'm going to build a castle!" "Mine is going to be the biggest/best castle!" "Want to see my castle?"

This point number six may be one of my biggest sticking points. I don't have any problem "bragging" on other businesses. I will tell anyone who wants to hear of the best restaurant I've visited recently and where I found the best butcher, sod farmer, gardener, seamstress. I don't seem to count the time spend forwarding select blogs, Etsy shops, Ebay collections etc as an expense. I stop short of "bragging" and leave my blog and website address as footers to all email deliveries --- in wild hope people will click --- just click to read.

I have learned much about business since the kitchen-table days of hand painting tees. I went on to manage a restaurant, acquire and manage several rental properties. Owning monthly rental properties made me tough, I thought. So I think nothing of the challenges ahead when my husband and I decide to announce our weekly, vacation rental home open for business.

If I have a web-site, make lots of "friends" on Twitter, MySpace and such, friends and followers coming to Alabama's Gulf Coast will naturally want to do business with me ---"a friend" --- over choosing other anonymous booking agents, hotel/motel/ condo owners, I surmise.

But that is not the case.

I'm discovering I am still "anonymous" and word of mouth advertisement, while wonderful, has not filled my summer months with reservations. As one person told me, "I'm constantly bombarded with people or companies wanting to free me from my money." "I have to choose who, and where I want (or not) to spend it." This individual also feels bombarded with the amount of information offered online and chooses to shut it off entirely by hitting DELETE before reading.

This individual is reflective of my "target" and would make an "ideal" customer --- if I can somehow "reach" her.

It is clear I still have much to learn about my market. I also must also learn if I am to be successful in this business world I must think of myself part of a greater "team." One that includes my Twitter, MySpace and blogging friends. I must allow myself to be open to their suggestions and allow them to help if possible. I must also become more like a child and announce, "I've got a nice little weekly vacation rental home I know you'd like. You should COME! Book a week NOW and come! I know you'll love it ... let me show you ...."

...and if Beach'n'River Rentals is a success, I'll be sure to share it!

A Challenge To Honor Our Service People --- ACT Now --- Before You Cannot

2009-05-24T15:00:00.008-05:00

JOURNAL --- Jay M Schulz, a fellow Tweeter, asked the question recently "What do YOU have planned to show you are thankful for the sacrifice of those who serve this great nation?" jaymschulz http://bit.ly/161wX2.

This question, presented in such a bold way has haunted me for two days.

One reason I became "bothered" by it is because 1) I always become pensive around military holidays and 2) because I always feel inadequate and undeserving of such sacrifices made by our fallen men and women.

I don't know where to begin to say thank you to our servicemen and women. I also realize I have done nothing to show my gratitude. So if the phrase, "actions speak louder than words," is a truth, I have done nothing to show for my feelings.

My father made a career of service to the Air Force. If I understand the story correctly he joined when he was not quite of legal age and headed directly to war. Two wars and ten campaigns later he retired.

I cannot answer any questions of his career --- as embarrassing as that is. You see he was gone nearly all of my developing years. When he retired he was "done" with military life. He never spoke of his life to me or to any of my siblings. As far as I knew, he played tennis, rode a motorcycle, traveled and read. That is my summary of his retired life. That he laid down his life for my personal freedoms was not a burden I carried with me --- several men on our block were service members. It is their duty I thought.

Naively, I thought it the duty of all American men to serve in the military until I got a grasp of protestor complaints of the Viet Nam war. My favorite musicians Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's tune was catchy, "Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming ...we're finally on our own," ... and I sang it with reverance --- like I knew anything about what they were talking about.

I was 10?

My mother raised us as a single mom (who would have applied that moniker to her back then?) as best as she could given the meager rations she was awarded monthly. Her personal sacrifice never occurred to me growing up --- other moms on the block had husbands "off to war."

This was not during a time of internet and instant connection. I recall my sisters and mother and I sitting around a radio in the living room eagerly waiting for some announcement to get word of my father's activities. I have no idea what I was listening to. If my mother told us to sit by the radio to listen, we sat. We were quiet. We obeyed.

That is the way things were back then.

I also recall writing letters or postcards to send to my father. They usually went something like this, "Dear Daddy, I miss you. I love you. So and so just got a new bike for (a) birthday. I wish I had one. Love, me." Can you imagine receiving something like this maybe a month after you've just witnessed some or another tragedy unfold during your tenure as soldier? I don't know.

I'd have a hard time relating ---and so did he.

I can't speak for what went on in the mind of my father upon his return. I just know my life changed. He had in his mind we must learn of the travesties of living. He made sure we knew of our relative wealth --- especially during holidays. He made a point to prove we could always get by with less and there were always those who need what we take for granted.

I didn't like the lessons much. I mean, who would?

As a teenager one is consumed with such trivialities as dating, dances, ball gowns etc. I just did not get how my inability to attend such events would honor those fallen before us. That he took off on a cross country bicycle trip at near age 50 to prove my single-speed balloon-tire oldie is adequate for my needs did little to impress me.

It was his sacrifice. I thougtht him crazy.

So now, years after my father's death of natural causes I come across an innocent post from some unknown soldier and become paralyzed with the thought I could have maybe tried to understand my dad --- a vet.

At the very least I could have tried to understand that I stand because he was unwilling to let this country fall. I could have honored him by submitting to his request without backtalk to change the channel to music he considered offensive. I could have made a commitment to endure the short time I had with him --- afterall he made a much greater commitment and endured much greater sacrifices.

These are all little "actions" I could have done as a child to show appreciation to a man who devoted his life to serve our country so you and I and my children can walk freely in this nation.

So to summarize the purpose of this post today, I came to the conclusion I must challenge myself and others to "act" in ways to show appreciation to our service people.

Praying is an action. Pray.

Saluting is an action. Salute.

Honoring our fallen by respecting and hoisting our flag is an action. RAISE THE FLAG.

These aren't great actions, but they symbolize our gratitude and that we don't forget --- we won't forget how and why we came to our freedoms.

God bless our service people --- alive, fallen, serving, retired. God Bless the America you fight and believe in.
------------------------------------------------
ps. My husband, a vet, has a couple of novel suggestions:

1) have a mandatory enlistment (college or undergrad --- doesn't matter --- officers are also needed) for all men and
2) eliminate age restrictions.

Before you snicker consider this: 1) he (like others his age) is as fit and agile as men at least 20 years younger ( He is 50) and 2) he has years more of life experience with less "distractions" as our children are both grown and on their own.

Just a thought.

(Trying Hard) To Practice An Attitude Of Gratitude

2009-05-16T11:19:00.010-05:00

INSPIRATIONAL --- Days like today, when it is stormy and overcast it is easy to forget how wonderful it is to have sunshine in life.

I, however, love stormy days. Save for the fact I don't get outside to "play" in the garden or go anywhere in my cute, open aire vehicle ---I'm not altogether unhappy. A stormy day gives me time to reflect on my blessings.

Now, at the sake of sounding corny (because anyone that knows me knows I must fight internal urges to get caught up in daily struggles) I will admit my "attitude" comes from years of discipline --- not of profound faith as I wish.

I believe one must "remember" to look for the rainbow at the end of the storm. If nothing else at least look toward the heavens to observe --- lest you should "catch" one.

I've been caught up in a storm of emotions lately --- my daughter was hospitalized for over a week; another daughter discovers she may be stranded without income in a foreign country; our rental homes back home have sustained much damage due to a past ice storm, our monthly rental homes sit empty and tenants are unable to pay rents due to job losses or financial hardships; our current BeachnRiver weekly vacation rental home sits empty despite all blogging, twittering, promoting, etc and my husband must take time off work to attend to all these issues --- leaving us short at the end of the monthly due stick... and on and never-ending, boring on.

Join the club you say. I know. Don't we all have problems. One only has to turn on the news to learn of all gone wrong. Schools are closing. Businesses are evaporating. Unemployment is at an all-time high. States face bankruptcy. The economy is in shambles. If you watch "Housewives of New York" it is even getting difficult to solicit for charitable contributions. Ask Jill, she will tell you --- these hard times "are affecting us all."

Times like these don't make it easy to accept "positive thinking" quotes like the gazillions posted on Twitter. In fact they almost serve as a source of irritation. I wonder "do these people just toss one quote to another and respond in same?" "Is it a contest of who can outdo each other with the vast repertoire they have to draw upon via Internet sources?" I always want to know "who are these people?" If they face foreclosure, homelessness, bankruptcy, slow death due to illness do they continue with their quips --- recite them mantra-like and hope, just hope there is a truth behind the statement?

There are folks who are positive like that. You know the ones: their home has blown away by a natural disaster, there is wreckage all around yet they confidently announce to the world, "We WILL rebuild" --- while people like me wonder how they will support themselves, maintain their good credit, have money for their deductibles, pay the ongoing, never-ending financial obligations while doing so.

I instinctively worry for them. I donate to the Red Cross, purchase t-shirts I don't need and say a prayer. I'm constantly saying prayers. I know it won't be easy for them.

I know this truth because in a smaller way my family has been there --- on the edge of a waterfall wondering should we say our prayers now and go over --- or paddle like crazy and hope and pray we don't get sucked in a decision against our will.

We've been there so we know the terror that comes from fear of the unknown --- the fear of consequences we feel we don't deserve yet glare us in the face. We can relate to anguish --- the feeling of desperation. We have reached the point at which survival instincts kick in and a fierce determination is made to sacrifice something --- anything --- to lighten the load.

But as I began this journal entry with saying I "TRY" to practice an attitude of gratitude, I have also learned never to negate the awesome power of faith and the redemptive quality of charity. Without getting scriptural I believe when you feel you have nothing left to give ---you probably haven't looked deeply enough. In fact, it is when I feel I am at my lowest I give thanks by giving from my "need."

So I'm proud to announce this month I received a financial blessing. And today my family donated to a cause greater than our needs. We did so with a humble and charitable heart --- with no hope or expectation of return. I feel better than I have in weeks. My spirit is lifted and my mood is one of gratitude.

I didn't "talk" my way into this mood. I acted. I acted in a way I was taught ---set by an example of those who have greater faith than I --- by my elders, people of noble character who teach by "doing"--- who "act" when needed, who "give" generously and unselfishly ---and who never hope or have expectation of return.

In honor of them, our servicemen and women and of those fallen before them let us all practice "an attitude of gratitude" and find some way to look for rainbows instead of dwelling on clouds. Let us be diligent in our search for blessings. Let us remember our freedoms and of the joy we have to wake up to in a free nation. We must. It is the least we can do to weather these rainy days.

The sun will shine again. That is a promise.

I Celebrate Mother's Day With Freshly Hatched Eggs From Our First Ever Free Range Chickens

2009-05-10T13:14:00.012-05:00

Journal --- Ya think I'm a little proud? Heh? Heh? I mean how pretty are these eggs? This bowl represents one week gathering from our four new hens.

As you can see most of the eggs are brown save for one lone green one. That one nearly olive green egg comes from a recently purchased hen from "Mule" (his barn is located off Cty Rd 65 just South of Hwy 98 for any locals who'd like to purchase their own hens) just the other day.

You already know the story of how I lost my favorite rooster "Ozzie" to an overzealous dog. If not check out my previous posts on "raising chickens."

To appease me and to help overcome my sadness, my husband brings home three hens and a rooster from back home in Arkansas. He assures me these birds "know their way around a field and can handle a little ole dog." He is so sure these free range birds can defend themselves against our animals he lets them out of the newly built (unfinished cage) just two days after their arrival.

He is right --- and the birds are doing just fine.

We are blessed daily with their little gifts and have come to learn their secret "laying" spots. We find one lone green egg in the pool pump room behind a galvanized can we store manure just this morning so of course I must make a special meal of it --- today --- in honor of Mother's Day.

I must admit I didn't want to break open the pretty eggs. I did and I am rewarded with the darkest, brightest orange colored yokes I've ever laid eyes on.

So I make an omelet filled with white Mexican cheeses topped with homemade Habanero salsa given to me from a friend. I fry some new potatoes and add Alabama Conecuh Sausage Jerry grilled last night. I toss in fresh, chopped, sweet white onions from Krupinski Farms. I season with herbs I collect from my plantings.

I top grapefruit with Turbinado Sugar and lightly broil them to caramelize as a "dessert" and set a table outdoors using favorite '60's styled Homer Laughlin dishes atop a coordinating retro tablecloth. Teak handled flatware completes the mood.

Actually, since it is a holiday (and because I am no longer efficient in a kitchen, the "breakfest is now a "brunch") --- a nice whisky sour completes the mood. I make mine from a simple syrup base I heat with Turbinado Sugar and as many fresh limes I have available. I add to a shaker an ample serving of Wild Turkey with Honey. I shake it up, pour over ice and top with stout Diet Buffalo Rock Ginger soda for a little "zip."

I guess that is a whiskey sour? It is my version anyway and I'm celebrating my day as mother. I make a toast to my mother and mothers all around.

So here's to birthing new projects! I make a toast to raising chickens, collecting eggs, growing veggies. I'm kinda proud --- like a mom who gives birth to a new way of life.

City Girl Tries Growing ...Veggies!

2009-05-08T17:50:00.001-05:00

Journal --- Growing up in the desert Southwest where landscape is brown and dry, I have come to appreciate the stark contrast of green against plowed and planted fields that surround me here in South Alabama.

I get a thrill every time I take the back route to the neighborhood Piggly Wiggly or Winn Dixie and see fields stretch for blocks just inches from civilization --- the "city" as most people know it.

But while I am thrilled, I come face to face with my "inadequacy" to sustain myself in the event of say, monetary and financial collapse, "depression-like circumstances" ...(need I be reminded?)

Between my home and the three point five (give or take) miles it takes to get my groceries bi-monthly I challenge myself to make the treks even less regularly when I see fields of strawberries turn to tomatoes turn to man-high corn stalks before me. "I have the inclination to farm," I announce to my husband one day. I want to learn to farm ---raise our own veggies, herbs, fruits, raise chickens, collect eggs, fatten hogs ...

My husband, a "country boy," is altogether too eager to indulge my wishes. He purchases handsome rubber boots, some gloves and a straw hat and begins to amend the earth while I scour markets for various strains of tomatoes, peppers and herbs.

Never mind I'm a city girl with no experience and little knowledge of the physical challenges of raising crops. Never mind our "dirt" is a white sand with little or no nutrients. Never mind that while farming requires water --- the torrential rains, come droughts, come hurricanes, come tornadoes are a nagging threat no one can prepare for.

Bugs are especially vicious to crops as we learned last year in our not so successful attempt to grow sans pesticides. My guess is pests around here are the bane of even seasoned farmers --- much less neophytes like myself.

Growing up I never paid attention to the origin of my meals. In my mind all food comes from the grocery store. That there are families that toil the earth daily for my sustenance didn't dawn on me, seriously dawn on me, until moving to South Alabama --- where land is flat and one can see fields for miles.

It doesn't matter my father tried and was successful growing tomatoes and corn in a corner of our concrete encased back yard. I was convinced his endeavor was something I would never participate in and lacked curiosity. In fact, despite his pride he announced, "these are the most expensive ears of corn I've ever eaten."

He never grew another crop.

So you can say my experience as farmer has been negligible and my knowledge even less, yet forty years later I find myself obsessing over tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplant and have tried for the third year in a row to supply my and my husband's appetite for freshly grown produce.

But for one excuse after another I haven't enjoyed a good bounty of home grown veggies yet. I keep trying --- and thank the Lord for farms down the street.

Blessed Molly "Mae" Murders My "Ozzie"

2009-05-01T14:28:00.016-05:00

Journal--- I had just gotten used to the idea I am to become a "farm girl" after my husband decides NOW is the time we are to purchase a Rooster and hens to collect eggs when he ALSO brings home a "giveaway" Jack Russell Terrier.

Never mind we don't have a chicken coop built. Never mind Jack Russell Terriers " have strong hunting instincts (stronger than your average terrier) and should not be trusted with other small animals. They like to chase and explore. " according to http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/jackrussellterrier.htm.

Never mind we also are attempting to begin a new kayak rental business and we still need electricity and water put to our "office" as temps are already rising in mid-80s.

What comes first in our household is to purchase the showiest, gaudiest looking rooster, find game hens that will put up with his aggressions and work around the "coop" issue as best we can.

We begin with a cage purchased to carry the birds and place the cage within the confines of the dog run. Knowing we want to let the birds eventually "free range" we let them out periodically to explore the grounds while the dog --- "Blessed Molly Mae" is safely behind in the porch.

Until she isn't --- and the birds discover they can fly from the temporary pen.

What follows next is hard for me to understand. The hen and rooster both fly out of the dog pen and yet from my vantage point I only see them run from the dog. I am not aware of their danger (assuming they flew out of the pen they can very well just fly back into it) until I hear terrible squawking and feathers rustling and observe the (formerly) cute little dog (who doesn't know or answer by any name ie: her given by previous owner "Blessed," the name I gave her "Molly" and the abbreviation I am now yelling to save time "Mae!") is in kill mode and will not let up until one or the other bird is within the grip of her powerful jaw.

The rest of the story is history. I am not able to call off Mae from her prize as she trots deep into the bamboo woods to savor her catch. I don't see her again until hours later when she carries the dead carcass back to me like a prize --- half eaten with cute Ozzie hair dangling.

That the hen survives is no comfort to me. A hen is a hen. Ozzie was cool. As far as I know there is not another like him. Mule, the former owner, assures me I will have a hard time finding another.

"I didn't even get the benefit of saving feathers --- feathers an artist might use to paint on," I lament to my husband. Sensing I need comfort he brings one large brown egg left behind to console me.

It is the most expensive egg I've had the displeasure of eating in my life.

Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Pirate's Cove Yacht Club --- Your Perspective May Change After Visiting

2009-04-26T16:48:00.040-05:00

Journal ----Good Music, Good Food, Good Times Had At The Edge of the World, Pirate's Cove Yacht Club, Josephine, AL

Blame it on the moon, give credit to the stars, factor in a little alcoholic beverage, add to it a cool, breezy night under a cloudy sky --- but of the few occasions in my life where all things align to make a "perfect" night on the town, my husband and my night spent at Pirate's Cove Yacht Club is one to "write about."

The evening begins benignly enough. I crave a good burger (see previous post re: Quest for the Great American Burger) and after experiencing several burger errors in recent days leaving me craving a better, juicier, "uniquely done" burger, I recall one suggestion, "Try the Gin Burger at Pirate's Cove."

'Nuff said. I've never been to Pirate's Cove Yacht Club --- a bar/restaurant located at the edge of the world off Arnica Bay in Josephine, AL. For the past three years I have yearned to go.

Hubs "River Rick" has the rare occasion to complete his work early and gets a head start on me in the "feel good" department so I drive. Let's just say, part of the experience includes my scenic drive which makes the 20 minutes recommended trip last an hour.

I don't care. Furthermore I hold no expectations. If my burger is as good as my imagination dictates, I will have an excellent time, I reason. That the club is known for live entertainment is an added side dish.

As we approach the Cove I am taken aback at the remoteness of the location. The last town I recall passing is Elberta and it seems miles and hours away. I've never been to Key West, FL but my imagination takes me there after crossing onto the drive. A thatched roof pavilion has a lonely silhouette against a setting sun. To the East are sailboats. The West beach is lined with motor boats. Music floats in the air.

I am not prepared for the adventure I am about to embark upon as "RR" and I walk up the steps leading to the bar. Let's just say I sense we are overdressed (there should be warning labels to "foreigners" like me --- LOOSEN UP!) but before I allow myself to feel out of place, I take out my trusty 2 mega pixel camera and hurriedly shoot photos.

Barefoot babes in bikinis dance near shirtless, muscled guys with board shorts. Long-haired, long-bearded "hippie-types" float by --- their wives, significant others or girlfriends --- some in tanks and long, flowing skirts (my style --- when not "dressed up") roam the room comfortably hugging and dispensing kisses. Clean-cut and cleanly-shaven, barefooted "military-looking" men with tattoos exposed on bare chests mingle with wild-gray-haired tatooed women and blithe, free-spirited girls alike. Every now and again I catch a glimpse of older men casually dressed as if they stepped off an expensive sailboat or yacht or something.

I feel an air of camaraderie --- like a feeling one gets when invited to an extended family reunion. We're connected but don't know each other yet. I am approached by a pack of canine "greeters." They come to me, look up, determine if I am "cool" then plop down by my feet. These aren't "mutt dogs." A giant Mastiff named "Tiki," a beagle and some sort of large, curly haired breed that looks like a cross between a poodle and a terrier mingle --- like their owners. The dogs chose their favorite places to hang ---on laps, under tables --- on the dance floor between dancers. There seems to be a silent code of behavior they follow --- all dozen of them.

There is no hostess, no one to direct us how to get a meal. We are somehow "led" --- in the same manner we learned to negotiate a foreign country. We order at the bar, wait for further instruction, and are told to find a place to sit "the food will be taken to you."

I am startled. I don't see a "wait staff" to speak of. In fact all I witness are two bartenders, a cook and a shirtless, long-haired young man who seems to be walking around with a Styrofoam plate with names written on it. He doesn't call out our name --- it is too loud for that. He simply walks around until we observe our name what looks like our two burgers and an order of onion rings on a tray.

I'm open to new experiences. In fact it is because of these varied experiences I feel as if I am at "home" in most situations --- but I can honestly say I've never had a dining experience as this. There is no manager to oversee tables, assure napkin holders are full, tables are bussed in a timely manner. There are no tense looks shot between employees or terse conversations to overhear.

The atmosphere is so laid back it is perfect in its imperfection. It is as if it is intentionally left up to each guest to define his or her experience. I become okay with it and slip into comfortable.

The house band "Good Moon" featuring Luther "Blu-Lou" Wamble with guest blues harpist TugBoat Willy gets the crowd going with blues versions of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Amazing Grace and the like. Wamble, who has performed with and is listed on recordings with famed blues singer Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, shares stories of his mentor, passes his photo around the room for all who are interested to learn of his musical point of view.

Did I mention I originally went in search of the Great American Burger? Found! I could rave about the juiciness of the hand-formed burger and how it drips down my arm as I devour it. I am tantalized by a slightly sweet, slightly spicy "Gin sauce" (yes, it is made with gin). Before I cast my ultimate judgement I order a second burger ---to compare consistency. It is as good and I am ecstatic.

I had all but abandoned hope of having such a delightful experience in a "bar" but the magic of the evening overtakes me. Jerry and I experience a perfect night in a cozy, laid-back setting --- --- overlooking a gorgeous body of water --- somewhere off an end-of-the-world road and setting in a town called Josephine at a bar called Pirate's Cove --- a yacht club.

The memory of such a place, with it's varied mix of people and quality of food and music will linger in my memory as one of the best "discoveries" I've happened on in a long, long time.

Why Shopping For Strawberries Gave Me Reason To Become More Committed To Write Positive Reviews

2009-04-26T07:37:00.009-05:00

TIPS --- Comments And Reviews Are Valuable to Business Owners ---Especially For Start-up Businesses With Little or No Marketing Budget

I began my happy day yesterday on a quest for strawberries. I am particularly happy this day because luckily for me this area is rich with strawberries and strawberry growers. I had no idea embarking on this adventure, "The Quest For Strawberries" I would become incited to write an essay, post a blog or give me cause to write an immediate review upon my return.

I began my journey to Krupinski Farms as I have in the past. It is within my circle of shopping experiences as I try (I say try) to consolidate my driving expeditions for the sake of gas mileage, expenditures etc.

I arrive to the farm and find it closed. No problem, "I'll go to the neighborhood farm stand," I think. "Surely they'll have strawberries from the farm as it is only a block away." I ask for locally grown strawberries and am surprised to learn this stand (and many others --- including Burris's --- a now famous market) "import" their veggies from Florida and other nearby states to sell.

I am confused because I happen to live in an area rich with farms. Without getting specific and stating statistics, I read Baldwin County can support nearly the entire population of the state of Alabama with locally harvested food.

So I thank the individual at the stand (she was gracious and invited me to return if my search for locally grown produce turned up empty handed) and head to BJ Farms located some 20 or so miles in Elberta off of main hwy 98. The farm's 170 acres assures me their yield will mean I'll return home satisfied. I haven't left dissatisfied yet.

For no reason I decide to photograph. I ask owner Dayna Broxson for permission to use my photos in future blogs telling her they will be posted on the Internet. She expressed thanks when I tell her I will write a positive review after learning only negative posts have been published on the Internet.

I do a Google search for BJ Farms, Elberta, AL and find four terrible reviews. Four individuals have written a comment. Four people have written their opinion. Four people out of maybe thousands of people who shop there yearly, get the final say online of what to expect if you shop BJ Farms.

I wrote my positive review as promised and made a promise to myself to do better to "brag" of other deserving business using any methods I have become familiar with: reviews, comments, blog posts, My Space, Twitter.

After reading those four posts I determined, (like Tuwanda's battle cry in "Fried Green Tomatoes," after crashing into the vehicle of bullies who mocked her and took advantage of her kindness and consideration "you may have youth on your side but I have more insurance." My battle cry is: "you may have more Internet savvy, but I have more time!" --- then ask the Lord to keep me positive and not vengeful.)

Unless I "forget" the mission tomorrow I will do my best to learn how this Internet stuff works. I find it sad the voices of my generation are not often reflected because many just don't have the inclination or take the time to offer such a small token of support.

My guess is the most faithful shoppers of BJ Farms know and appreciate the sacrifices made by the farmers to supply such wonderful produce. My guess is these shoppers, however not represented online, appreciate the tremendous daily investment the farmers make and have a healthy respect for each and every piece of fruit or vegetable.

You and I will never know the depth of their loyalty, however. Their reviews are nowhere to be found.

I never expected that one act --- taking 30 minutes to post to Yahoo.com --- would lead me to make a statement --- to embark on a mission to become more diligent to leave positive reviews for businesses I support. "Put your money where your mouth is," I tell myself as I've been asking the same of my readers and have all kinds of helpful ways to encourage such feedback --- see sidebar and "Leave comment" envelope below post.

Businesses solicit comments regularly. It is the exception not the rule to end a call for information for example where you are not asked to participate in one type of survey or another. Mostly I decline unless the experience is either an extremely positive or negative one.

Unfortunately (it seems) most people are like me, they are harried by their daily chores, their time is the most valuable commodity and they are not convinced to give up such value to reward just any and every business.

Even more often (again, it seems) people who have negative experiences make a point to write. They do so without constraint, they do so without knowledge of background story, they do so without a care of future punitive impact --- and if you've read enough of these types of reviews they do so citing civil liberties, the American way (think Perez Hilton, "I don't HAVE to be politically correct") and are quick to defend their right to do so.

I had no idea when I did a Google search for my blog today I'd discover a reason to defend myself! ha. Joke on me, I thought after getting excited for the number of mentions of BeachnRiver's Excellent Adventures listed on the page (click the headline for reference. )

I find this listed:

The nickname of this blog should be:Beach’n'River’s Excellent Adventures —A Journal of Reflection Written to Inspire, Offer Tips and Motivation To Those Who Challenge Themselves Daily To Take The Road Not Taken In this blog you wishes come how owners Jerry and Shelly spontaneously purchased a lecture of assets in the ballpark of the appealing strand of Gulf Shores, AL while on a blasВ Airstream Roadtrip to attractive proud owners of a weekly vacation where equal lives distress and kayak rental make-up. Follow them in this ammunition to come how their dreams were approximately crushed around extra impairment, artist disasters and economic hardships. Learn of their prime to prime struggles and triumphs assignation the challenges of self-employment. Most of all come yourself from one end to the other this endure.

My first impression after reading the teaser is, "aw, how sweet someone would take the time to comment --- and moreover offer (a GIFT!) a better suggestion for Blog Title --- something I've struggled to define for sometime."

I read further. I become utterly confused. The first sentence was so perfectly written and powerful but the body is filled with so many grammatical errors I begin wonder if this was written in a foreign language and is translated.

I search the blog for information on the author and find this:

This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.

Now I am more confused. I don't know if this is a call for ME to edit the before mentioned page or what???

I return to the text to find such strong language I am compelled to read on --- if for no other reason but to give definition to my rising flush. Many questions arise:

Why would anyone choose MY blog to critique in such a harsh way? I try to remain positive and my journals are merely a reflection of MY personal experiences. I edit for content using the criteria, "does this inform, inspire or offer a valuable resource or explanation?"

Is the nature of my blog just a disguise for what this blogger claims it to be --- a "lecherousness to pass on some enjoyment to others?" I went to the dictionary to review the meaning of that term because I thought I understood the meaning of the word to be an indulgence in sexual activity. My mind begins to go crazy as I read on: ...If you like what you skim (OK, I get that --- I tend to be wordy. I've already given readers my defense, if I didn't struggle with words I would be more concise) ... achieve gauche unconstrained to email. WHAT????? triple what????

Look up "gauche" in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and you find: (no compliment) lacking social experience or grace; not tactful; crudely made or done SYNONYMOUS with: clumsy; heavy-handed; inept; MALADROIT! (and to think I began writing this day with good intentions to offer suggestions, to do a good deed etc. "I need another cup of coffee I MUST NOT BE AWAKE!" I think to myself.)

I read on --- in the same way a person turns their head to look after a witnessing an accident. You don't want to look but you are compelled by some horrible, negative curiosity. I haven't had breakfast yet, it is a glorious Sunday morning, the blues are jamming in the background, I've already had to look up five horribly UGLY words in the dictionary and have already indulged in a pity party, "why me --- why would someone pick on me? Did this individual READ my bio?

I begin introspection --- evaluating my motives.

"Are my posts so offensive (I've YET to receive positive feedback or had comments posted despite my pleas) am I being so blatantly "capitalistic" that I offer no value and my blog is purely a disguise to gain --- at other's expense (...most of all come yourself from one end to the other this endure) to warrant the statement below?" I ask myself.

Find the threads of commonality between us — the lecherousness to helpless a unconstrained epoch, to be joyous in epoch — and benefit of some of us — the lecherousness to pass on some enjoyment to others. We’d inamorato to recompense attention to from you. If you like what you skim and can categorize, achieve gauche unconstrained to email or commentary. Most of all, if you chose to touring to the Alabama Gulf Shores we fancy you wishes reckon with choosing Beach’n'River Weekly Vacation Home and Kayak Rentals benefit of your accomodations and recreational desires. ---posted April 22 by food pyramid

If this captures your attention you can read the post in entirety --- just click the underlined.

I can't begin to express how I feel at this point.

Not because I feel "slammed" by a reader --- but that after assessing my motives are pure at heart, I've "put myself out there" like never before with a simple but non-threatening desire to use this new "social media" to promote our investment of life savings in "BeachnRiver Weekly Vacation Rental Home" and "BeachnRiver Canoe and Kayak Rentals" instead of using "in your face" ads of which I've grown accustomed to.

If you've ever watched the movie, "Eyes Wide Shut" you'd identify with the depth of fear I feel I've embarked on a project with no good exit strategy --- BeachnRiver (and I) are out there in the World Wide Web --- forever --- with repercussions I've yet to learn.

And unfortunately for me (as well as for others) it seems negative speaks loudly and can have more impact on reaction and can create a powerful call to action than all the positive "goodwill" touchy, feely dialog I've tried to establish.

So, to close this post I ask again of readers: The next time your local grocer, dry-cleaners, florist, banker, farmer etc. performs an excellent service, reward them. Write a review. Post a comment on a blog. Tell a friend. THANK THEM.

If you don't, trust me, individuals spewing venom with their words will find ways to negate positives. If they are adept at manipulating the viral power of the Internet, their poison will circulate --- and THEY will be the final word many of us will read in search of the next best thing.

Oh, and if you are interested in purchasing fresh from the farm produce, Krupinkski and BJ's are tops on my list. You can read my review of BJ's Farm here: http://local.yahoo.com/info-14828989-bj-farms-elberta?csz=Foley%2C+AL

BeachnRiver is Bloglovin' Now

2009-04-22T03:17:00.004-05:00

Follow my blog with bloglovin´

Found Some Great Blogs --Hope I Love How BlogLovin' Works

2009-04-21T19:01:00.000-05:00

Dare to Dream. Take Your Own Path. Be Prepared For Snakes.

2009-04-21T08:23:00.020-05:00

INSPIRATION --- Bon Secour River, Foley, AL

I remember clearly the first time I traveled to Gulf Shores, AL with my husband. We were on a cross country trek in our Airstream we named "The Love Caravel" celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary --- a dream trip of a lifetime.

The trip represented the first vacation we'd taken as a married couple since having children. It represented an experience we had talked about doing but never had the courage to do before a nasty turn of events granted us permission.

The trip offered us an opportunity to re-discover ourselves and to get in touch with our "dreams."

It was also an escape from an underlying pain we'd recently suffered that allowed us the "freedom" to travel. We were both recently unemployed and job prospects were limited in our community.

I lost my employment as a banker because I suffered a brain injury and could no longer keep up with the more than 400 customers I'd serviced.

My husband lost his job as a result of caring for me. Despite the risks, he took every opportunity during his breaks to visit me, feed me and to check on me. In his eyes, my life was more valuable than his 8-5, cubicle job.

During times of crisis like this: the suffering of physical and mental impairment; the dissolution of a created working identity; the devastation of savings after lifetime of work; it is easy to lose sight of "dreams."

To "follow a dream" is even more foolhardy to most observers if it means you are to become "self-employed." Dictum advises, "ready a resume, attend employment seminars --- Network." All bets are off on the success of your life if you choose the life of an entrepreneur.

Hands that used to extend seem to curl or retract. You can read fear on foreheads and smell air of disapproval when the topic comes up for discussion. "Others have tried and failed, what makes you think you will end up differently?" you are told.

You aren't invited to the usual reindeer parties you once attended and you feel alone. You come to the naked realization you ARE alone --- on a lonely path --- littered with casualties.

The book you have written for yourself becomes hard to read and even harder for others to pick up.

I can't imagine how alone Susan Boyle, a 47 yr-old frumpy looking contestant on "Britains Got Talent" must have felt when she announced to the world "I'm trying to be a professional singer."

Without hesitation Ms. Boyle told Britains Got Talent judge Simon Cowell she wanted to be like Elaine Page, the originator of Evita when he asked "who do you want to be as successful as?

The audience guffawed. Looks of horror struck the faces of many and others glared in disbelief. You could read the lines on their faces, "Who does she think she is? " "How dare she stand before us? She is old and fat and ... her eyebrows knit together!"

The audience laughed before hearing her. They laughed at the nerve she had to stand before them and they speculated on her failure to deliver.

The eyeopener came after she opened her mouth to sing. Susan Boyle CAN sing. She can sing like no body's business and she will most likely become the next "Idol." The audience was surprised. The judges were surprised.

The only one not surprised of her talent was the irrepressible Susan Boyle. Before her delivery she announced, "I'm going to make that audience rock!" Watch for yourself ( if you haven't already): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

The unemployed spinster knew before she entered the stage she had something of value to offer. She knew she would deliver and she had confidence enough in her ability that even if she did not walk away a winner that performance, she would come one step closer to reaching her goal than an hour prior.

I won't go into the lyrics of the song she performed, "I Dreamed a Dream," from Les Miserables on this post but suffice it to say Susan Boyle and her underdog story has become fodder for inspiration the world over.

Susan-Boyle.com subtitled, "Never Judge a Book By Its Cover," has created a destination for people to share, connect with their dreams, bask in her triumph, evaluate their paths and moreover --- given people the inspiration to dare to dream an impossible dream.

I say, dream your dream. Dare to open the book entitled Destiny and write your own pages. If it means taking a path not cleared, carry a machete --- and be prepared to deal with snakes.

p.s. don't forget to liberally apply the bug spray!

Here are the lyrics to the song "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/126341/

To learn more on daily entrepreneurial challenges, marketing choices and victories follow "beachnriver" on http://www.twitter.beachnriver.com

Purchase A Gift Certificate From BeachnRiver --- Make A Charitable Donation

2009-04-16T03:40:00.013-05:00

Layaway has made a comeback in some major retail stores. Layaway means an extra way to pay in advance before receiving a product.

In many cases it is the only way a shopper can take advantage of discounts if they aren't in a financial position to complete a purchase .

In the same spirit of helping to make reservations easier for guests, BeachnRiver now offers Gift-Certificates!

People may not realize the unique gift-giving opportunities there are built in with a purchase of a gift certificate of a week stay at BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home, minutes from Gulf Shores, AL.

With a purchase of a gift certificate for a night, two nights or a week at BeachnRiver, the purchaser is given opportunities for discounts and added amenities not typically offered during regular reservation bookings.

The purchaser is awarded the flexible opportunity to give as a gift, donate it to a charitable organization or to "surprise" a loved one

This puts the recipient in control of the reservation and can redeem the certificate at his or her convenience.

There are terms of course --- certificate holders won't be able to redeem during busy holiday periods or take precedence over a full-paid reservation. But travelers --- especially those who use airline miles and credit card bonuses are used to conditional redemption terms.

BeachnRiver is aware this is the time some companies hold fundraisers, civic organizations scramble for unique gift items to auction ---and schools, Scouts and church groups seek ways to fund upcoming trips.

If you typically donate toward these types of fund-raising events,
why not purchase a few days or a week's vacation from
BeachnRiver and make a much needed donation?

A purchase of a gift certificate to donate toward fundraising efforts benefits in four ways:

1) It allows the purchaser the opportunity to contribute something new and exciting to a fund-raising auction for re-sell.
2) The recipient has an opportunity to experience a unique vacation they may never have afforded.
3) Fund raising gets exciting when paid vacations are offered --- bidding goes up, up, up! --- often doubling the initial investment and increasing the bottom line.
4) You will have supported a kind mom and pop business that greatly appreciates the business.

Mother's Day and college graduations are practically upon us.

How excited will Mom be to receive a paid weekly vacation to BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home? She will be tickled to sit and relax on one of the many decks overlooking the peaceful tidal river. The sound of birds will lull her to rest --- something she may never allow herself --- unless on vacation.

Can you imagine the stress relief college graduates will feel to unwind in a kayak ride down the heavily canopied Bon Secour River? Buy a week's vacation, invite their friends to share the fun and your grad will gain a lifetime of memories.

Call it Good Karma, call it Charity/Works/ Deeds --- there is no denying the excitement that comes over a recipient's face when presented with a paid vacation to a wonderful beach resort locale --- and of the sense of satisfaction the donor has of a doing a good deed.

Reward your pastor, a secretary or youth minister. Say "Thank You" and hand them much needed rest in the way of a week's paid vacation at BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home.

Wedding parties sometimes have difficulties financing their stays at remote locations. There are plenty of places for a gorgeous wedding to take place on the beaches of Gulf Shores, AL. Buy a week's stay for the wedding party and your bride will thank you for years to come.

BeachnRiver sets practically over a white, sandy bottomed creek bed --- perfect for wading, paddleboating and kayaking.

When ready to head to the beach it takes just minutes. BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home seems far removed from the hubbub of a busy beach town, yet is a few blocks from major shopping, Tanger Outlet Malls and theaters.

First time visitors to repeat guests marvel at the sense of "peace and quiet" the end of the road location offers.

...This "off the beaten path house" will pleasantly surprise you with the feeling of seclusion, yet it is close to all the beach action you can handle. The house is filled with little details and character, with all the ammenities of home. Breakfast on the patio was relaxing and the kayaking on the river behind the house was entertaining.... a great way to enjoy nature! We were close to the beach when we wanted to go there and right up the street was outlet shopping or groceries, when needed. I recommend this for anyone that wants the best of both worlds but easy on the pocketbook! ... Thosie, Arlington

If I've given you ideas why you should purchase a gift certificate toward a week's stay at BeachnRiver, why not call now --- or go online and email Shelly.

She'll see to it you get the most discounts available and promises your guests will have a "Beachin' Good Time!"

But you better hurry. This is a special one time limited offer. Once the numbered certificates are gone I'm sorry to say --- well, they will be gone!

Call or email now --- before you say you "wish you had."

If you presently make contributions to charitable organizations why not purchase a gift-certificate from BeachnRiver?

BeachnRiver Became Trusted Member of Vacation Rental

2009-04-09T15:45:00.005-05:00

Flyer BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals PRINT COUPON

2009-04-07T12:38:00.001-05:00

Now Open!

Details:

Easy, Still Water 2-4 Hr Floats

Shallow, On-Site Launch

Bon Secour River

Fun For All Ages

Beginners Welcome!

Hours:

10 a.m. --- 5 p.m.

7 Days Weekly

PRINT AND RETURN THIS FLYER

RECEIVE $5 OFF 3 HR RENTAL!

10% discount w/groups 10 or More

Perfect for Youth Groups, Scouts, ETC.

Reservations Requested:

251.971.8359

www.beachnriver.com

Dead Video, Page Rank and Twitter---Later!

2009-04-04T20:19:00.012-05:00

JOURNAL --- Ft. Morgan, AL, Pine Beach Trail

It has been several weeks since my daughter and I walked the two mile trail leading to the pristine beach at Ft. Morgan.

She has since left for a six month contract as research assistant at Iguazu National Park in Argentina.

I hoped to have a video upload of our final walk together to showcase the beauty of the trail and --- of course --- to have a visual reminder of the event.

I killed it.
I don't know how I killed it ---but I killed it just the same.
Net result? No, nada, zip, zilch, zero video.

No matter the story, no matter the excuse, I am incompetent to handle electronics. The results will always be the same. I'm a fool to think otherwise --- a fool to continue.

"What if I am unable to turn the situation around?" I wonder. What then?

Will my business fail? Will I ever reach page rank? Authority? Will Twitter followers translate to customers? Will MySpace friends tell their friends to tell their friends to visit my home page to become my friend --- without financial incentives?

Will I ever receive feedback?

At the expense of sounding like a school girl I wonder ---does an empty comment box mean I don't ask the right questions or do I ask of the wrong people?

Am I asking questions to people?

From things I've learned lately people don't have to be at their computer carrying on a 24hr a day conversation with Tweeters --- there is a service for that.

Well, hit me on the head and call me "stooopid" why don't you. I've been glued to the computer typing, reading, posting, Tweeting all hours of the day and night thinking I'm inferior to retire at night --- only to discover I was "talking" to a program?

What do I tell my ever patient husband now? "I've been working hard for you honey. I've been working day and night to promote you baby. Sorry, 'bout the laundry. Sorry 'bout the dishes. Sorry 'bout dinner ... "

Then I asked myself, "can I possibly ever understand this social (engineering) .... if I thought the "point" was to establish relationships? Build readerships? Network.

Am I doomed at this experiment before I begin?

I don't know why failing to manipulate electronics and the failure to comprehend Twitter led me to think of a parallel to business failures but it did.

It got me thinking about how it is some businesses succeed while others fail. (some stories have changed slightly to protect the reputation of owners --- I live in a small town afterall)

The owner of an original recipe of fabulously delicious cheesecake closed her new store's doors while her flagship store remains open --- under the same owners --- minus her --- and her recipe.
An owner of an authentic Mexican Food restaurant lost money while "themed" restaurants thrive.
An Italian restaurateur fights an uphill battle to keep his homemade lasagna, eggplant marina and gourmet pizza from being tossed while patrons gobble up hours-old buffets at nationally recognized chains.

From what I learned of the three owners, they all had a positive attitude toward success. They worked hard, were creative marketers and moreover --- passionate about their product.

The net result of all their work? They closed their doors. They sold out or lost their business.

They failed.

Here's where I get teary-eyed: It is not fair they failed. They didn't deserve to fail. Whatever their incompetence in the market place --- they worked hard at being genuinely good. They were good and honest people who had a good, honest product. They opted not to compromise their standards for a dime and in the end were left short handed.

They marched to the beat of their own drum --- but not enough people followed.

It's Deja Vu all over again.

Now what was the name of that service? TweetLater? Check it out here comes "beachnriver."

Wanna follow?

Missing Video And Other Tribulations Try BeachnRiver's Zeal Toward New Tech Gadgets

2009-03-15T17:51:00.010-05:00

JOURNAL --- Have you ever had a sales clerk at a tech store say "this will be easy to understand" or "trust me, if I can do it ..."

My husband and I recently fell for the soft comfort of these lines recently when contemplating the purchase of a new (new technology) video recorder.

"You don't need the kind that record onto DVDs or CD's," one techy looking sales clerk sighed as he sized us up. I mean, we are old enough to be his father so he was respectful --- in a condescending way. "That is old school," he went on to say.

We learned with modern technology things store in some type of Media Card (or not), can be directly uploaded to the computer and in turn edited by some "easy program" for maximum results.

If you look at the blank, black screen above, these are the laborious, not so easy results I achieved after spending nearly half of a gorgeous, rainy day installing the program, uploading videos, choosing the clips I wanted to post, arranging in a particular order then uploading onto this blog.

I didn't realize I had a problem as the little circle was turning. I got up, weeded (in the rain), came back to the computer, checked the turning circle, wondered if I should quit and re-start, weeded, rechecked --- circle still turning and on and on until I gave up.

Yes, I gave up. I quit the application (if that is the correct language) safely removed the hardware and packed the video camera in the original packaging.

I don't know yet if I'll regroup and try, try again to upload the pretty videos my husband took of me and my daughter on the Bon Secour Pine Beach Trail. I had hoped to post the latest video he took of us while on a kayak ride showcasing baby ducks, herons flying dangerously overhead. I wanted to show a cute video hubby took kayaking with our Buster --- a pet for over 14 years.

Alas, all you (and I) dear readers will see today is a blank, black screen.

Talk to me tomorrow on TWITTER and help me decide if it is worth it to learn this new technology stuff --- before the next change.

p.s Do you want to know the biggest joke on me? There is only a black screen on the edit page. When I publish this it goes away --- which is WORSE because now I feel like I've gone crazy!

Choose Your Own Path

2009-03-12T20:54:00.002-05:00

INSPIRATION --- Just as this bird flies alone while others remain grounded, choosing to fly the path of an entrepreneur can be lonesome --- and scary. There is comfort in being grounded and in the company of others.

Choose this day to soar in the mansion of the sky.

"For that which is boundless in you abides in the mansion of the sky, whose door is the morning mist, and whose windows are the songs and the silences of the night."

---Kahlil Gibran, "The Prophet"

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

2009-03-12T19:38:00.006-05:00

Journal : While looking at this photo of my daughter and nephew I realized how my husband and I should consider the actions of seagulls to persevere until we get the desired results of our business.

These birds, like the ones in the photo, have discovered with enough persistence they coax beach goers to throw a scrap or two of food for their pleasure.

All parties win --- the birds get a choice morsel to stave off hunger and beach goers get an added benefit of knowing their contribution may keep the birds alive.

So I will continue to write.

I continue to blog my thoughts and upload and edit my countless photos.
I will continue to Twitter until there is no longer a following.

I will keep my eye on the prize ... to be able to offer a unique accommodation and an interesting "off the beaten track" attraction in a wonderful area for individuals of like minds to enjoy.

Yes. I said it. The statement sounds strikingly similar to a mission statement --- something I haven't been able to flesh out yet.

No wonder we struggle.

Where We Spent Our Christmas Nights

2009-03-12T18:21:00.006-05:00

Journal --- As our Beach'n'River weekly vacation rental home and our own home was filled to capacity with guests this Christmas, we did the next best thing we could think of when we needed an extra bed.

We parked our beloved Airstream Caravel along the creek of our land and camped out!

Our guests worried they were "putting us out."

Little did they know of the thrill we get to be "RVing" again.

You see, since we've been busy trying to recover from the damage imparted by Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina (and two major floods following) we haven't had the opportunity to take our little "Love Caravel" out to play.

Moving in a home from Orange Beach to our land to be established as "Beach'n'River" a weekly, vacation rental home set us on a permanent derailment from our original "Shaggy Dell" business --- a nightly rental of vintage trailers.

Choosing to begin yet another business: Beach'n'River Canoe and Kayak Rentals means we won't travel until I don't know? 2020? Retirement age? Who knows. I hope it won't be that long.

I miss RV life already.

However, I relish the thought that as long as we have space to park our little Caravel Airstream here at home, we won't be far from adventure. All we need is an excuse --- like an overbooked weekly vacation rental home --- and friends and family in to visit!

Fuddruckers "Home of the World's Greatest Hamburgers" --- and I Agree!

2009-03-12T17:50:00.008-05:00

The Quest To Find the Great American Burger East of Mississippi Begins in Earnest

2009-03-10T13:55:00.011-05:00

REVIEW---I began my quest to find the Great American burger from in and around the Gulf Shores area in earnest yesterday with my daughter tagging along to serve as accomplice.

You see, I am on a diet. I have been on a diet since the first of the year. I've sworn off burgers --- and meals out --- to achieve the astounding success of a 30 pound loss.

Since I suffer from short term memory loss --- cooking, menu planning and such is no longer a part of my daily routine.

I consider myself a consummate eater however. I once managed a large restaurant so my voice comes from one of experience. I can most usually tell which foods come pre-packaged from purveyors and which are made from scratch.

I was excited to read about and discover --- Panini Pete's. Panini Pete's is a cafe located in the French Quarter district of Fairhope recently made famous by Guy Fieri of 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.' ( See http://tr.im/hcVo) Fieri featured owner Pete Blohme on a segment that had my phones ringing from callers from the Carolinas to Arkansas and between.

"You've got to try the Tuna Panini," they recommended. "Chef Blohme makes the panini bread from scratch," they encouraged.

"Of course I'll try it," I promised. I feel obliged to give a detailed account in the event these guests should travel this way and desire a referral of a great "off the beaten path" dining alternative.

My daughter and I arrived at the tiny restaurant fifteen minutes to close (I hate that but it happened). We were told we could sit inside or out and a server would take our order. We claimed our outdoor table and perused the folded, laminated menu.

In no time the server enticed us with an icy glass of sweetened, raspberry black tea. I found the famous Tuna Panini and read the ingredients, but the promise of Angus meat cooked perfectly juicy with just enough crust to hold the medium rare insides had me well --- wishing I had a bigger appetite.

Throwing caution to the wind I ordered the "Black and Bleu" with hand-cut fries. My daughter opted for the panini burger with fresh mozzarella and hand made potato chips. Yum, we thought. We could hardly wait to get our food.

Well, that is where the story ends (on account I like to keep things on a positive note). The meal was served on a plastic diner basket ala Dairy Queen style with cute black and white checkered wax paper.

I asked for veggies on the burger and received a moderately thick slice of red onion (I haven't figured out who can eat a slice of onion without making a mess) a couple of tomatoes and a leafy green. The "bleu" cheese was a sauce with a secret ingredient I was told (cream cheese --- don't tell!) The buttered bun came from Cisco --- a nationally recognized purveyor to restaurateurs.

Now I have searched far and wide (in South, Southwest and Midwest to be fair) for a tasty, hand-formed burger served on freshly, in-house baked hamburger buns with thinly cut, REAL POTATO, twice fried french fries (like those abundantly served in Paris --- France, that is).

Alas, I feel the restaurant closely matching this criteria is a CHAIN! Imagine that.

Fuddruckers ( http://www.fuddruckers.com/about.php) satisfies almost all the criteria, except the fries --- which is non-essential to my enjoyment of a wonderfully, juicy burger. For around $10 they also serve up a deliciously, tasty malt with an extra sleeve for two.

Which is what I spent for yesterday's experiment. For the whole 15 minutes of fun I walked away with $25 less in my pocket and with the desire --- the strong desire to keep looking for the great American burger this side of the Mississippi.

I crave a homemade hamburger bun, toasted ever so gently on the griddle with (fake .. I know!) salted margarine. I hope for a hand-formed, lovingly seasoned hunk of fresh (not frozen) all beef patty --- preferably 1/2 to 3/4 lb for full enjoyment. I crave for it to be cooked to perfection --- with brown, crispy charbroiled crust revealing a warm, drippy center.

If it is to have condiments at least they should be served bite sized. Please hear me when I say hunks of soggy, wet iceberg or slick slabs of leafy greens just come out. They make a mess.

Oh, and the onion? If it needs onion, please chop it finely --- better yet, make a confit like, in all fairness, chef Blohme offers. It is a good alternative if you care for the sweet to mingle with the savory.

Don't mistake me the burger was good.

It wasn't Goldies of Tulsa,OK, good. Goldies, (http://www.goldies.com/) has lingered in my memory as a savory explosion of juicy, burger goodness for several nearly 30 years now and has never let me down. The buns aren't homemade but the simplicity of the charbroiled flavor overtakes any store bought error. One burger will never do --- you must order two just for comparison --- and to realize --- yes, it was as good the second time as the first.

Sharon K's in Jasper, AR --- a true, "hole-in-the-wall drive-up dive" satisfies another type of hunger. It satisfies the carnal desire for fast, cheap, run-down-your arm-juicy- honest-to-goodness- hot-off-the griddle melt-in your mouth all beef patty on a toasted non-sesame bun.

I don't know if they get the buns from Cisco Foods but they taste decidedly similar to Panini Pete's buns.

Panini Pete's was a good al fresco eating experience. I lamented I didn't take a video camera to capture the sights of the quaint "Old Town New Orleans" style of the courtyard. The fountain's gurgling provided an "upscale" ambiance.

I'll go back to Panini Pete's alone.

I'll go because I live on a budget --- and bookstore Page and Palette is nearby. Their espressos and homemade cakes are enough to cause me to want to save some appetite. I could in fact make a day of the two events.

However, my heart is after the next conquest. I think I'll try the Gin burger in Josephine. I can hardly wait.

Any other suggestions? I long to be "turned on" to burgers again.

Do You Feel Down? Watch This Video

2009-03-06T18:53:00.005-06:00

INSPIRATIONAL --- It is difficult to go a day anymore listening to the news, watching the stock market, watching investments dwindle, without feeling nervous and insecure during these economic times.

It is difficult enough to watch the news but it seems it has impacted your business or livelihood. Phones are silent. Sales are down. Unemployment rises.

You get down in the dumps.

You may fall from your station in life. You may feel like giving up.

Watch this tiny man with no arms or legs demonstrate how he plays the drums. Watch in awe how he has learned to get up from a fall.

If you are like me you will cry. You will cry and you will want to watch again and again.

Then ask yourself as he asks of the audience, "Are You Going to Finish Strong?"

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

Blogging , A Way To Purge Agony of Economic Times --- Or Transfer One Obsessive Behavior Into Another?

2009-03-06T09:43:00.022-06:00

JOURNAL ---- Beach'n'River experienced an epiphany recently about how this blogging thing is supposed to work.

So not to copy Oprah's phrase --- my "oh, so that's how it is supposed to work" moment came recently after sharing an exchange with an accomplished blogger.

Her questions helped to expose a lack of focus/ direction in my blog and caused me to evaluate the reason why I make posts to begin with.

I asked myself, "am I making posts to follow the pack in the attempt to be clever?" "Do I blog because I think I want to dispute the generational myth only the younger set participate?" "Do I blog out of catharsis to purge the daily agonies of trying to begin a business during this time of economic crisis?" and lastly, but more importantly, "Am I transferring one obsessive behavior into another?"

Yikes, I thought. All this self-introspection is painful. It is not something I enjoy doing. I especially don't enjoy "exposing" myself to the world per se. I am a private individual. I enjoy writing but I don't enjoy writing of the trivialities of life because by definition I feel they are ---well --- trivial.

So, it goes without saying blogging and twittering and the like has "bumfuzzled" me (I can't help it, some Arkansas vernacular is cute). By their nature blogs and the authors behind them and tweets have become popular describing trivialities --- the everyday, day-to-day happenings people like me overlook in the driven attempt to accomplish a set goal.

This past week I sequestered myself on my easy chair and spent hours upon days reading many of my fellow Twitter's blogs. I scoped their web pages. I peered into their lives.

I contacted a few I feel I relate to.

The result? I saw how juvenile my approach to blogging was. I suddenly saw the shabbiness of my writing and came to terms with my limitations. I made a commitment to contribute with a mission and reduce the random chatter.

I've killed previous entries; edited my list of Twitter "followers" to include only those whose dialog is positive, offers a tip, a review, an insight, something newsworthy or whose website I find inspirational. I love music and art and books. I love to be "turned on" to various artists, musicians and books.

Second to my family I love road travel. Our Airstream Caravel and Spartan Mansion are vintage treasures we have taken to festivals, National and State Parks across much of the Midwest and Southeastern U.S . We relish the days on the road and look forward to rehabbing the hurricane damaged "Mansion."

So because of my varied interests I have babbled of these excursions --- not realizing the confusion I've created in readers minds. I probably lost "followers" as a result. In my defense, I feel it is difficult to make an assessment of an individual's worth in 140 characters or less. But so it is. So it will be. I must "get with the times," "get on board the ship" "get my head out of my (the) sand" or I, and consequently our businesses, will sink.

Young or old, we all have a story to tell. My job as blogger is to make it easy for readers to understand and identify with my story. With 50 years behind me, there has been allot of "life of living," but the front door is still open to new adventures.

Entering into the world of self-employment with the birth of Beach'n'River Vacation Rental Home and Beach'n'River Canoe and Kayak Rentals are just two of the new babies we are currently nurturing.

My hope is that by honestly sharing our Beach'n'River adventures --- the good, the bad, the highs and lows of this experience, readers will "see themselves" and relate. Maybe they will offer words of encouragement. Maybe readers will find inspiration and get the courage to go through the door onto their own new path.

I hope to have an interactive dialog. If that translates into the word "blog" then I'll feel I've succeeded in my mission.

p.s. Thank you Amy (little5er00). So long for now, my beautiful daughter (who leaves soon for six months to the jungles of Argentina).

In the future entries will be categorized for readers to choose from and will be archived as such:

JOURNAL
TIPS and TREASURES
LOCAL BUSINESS REVIEWS
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS
HUMOUR
PHOTOGRAPHY PAST AND PRESENT
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL LIFE

What Does Twitter/Blogging Have to Do With Beach'n'River's Jones Soda Label Entries?

2009-03-04T14:29:00.016-06:00

FOLEY, AL --- An alternative headline could be: It is 3:30 a.m. Do You Know Your Spouse is Blogging?

There was a time not long ago when Beach'n'River's attention, time and devotion went almost exclusively toward uploading photos onto Jones Soda.com website with hopes an uploaded photo will become printed and affixed to one of the many exciting, new flavors Jones Soda introduced.

But that behavior is so last year.

It has been replaced --- by the blog --- and Twitter.

Does anyone recall what it was like before the age of Blog and Twitter? Is it possible to think at this point in time of a life without these tools ?

Uploading photos onto a Jones Soda website is small potatoes compared to the time spent invested uploading to "TweetPic," entering the many "Tweets" advised to have a healthy "following."

Avid Tweeters go to "Twellow" to discover hot topics and to learn who's saying what about your interests. You can search for Tweeters across the globe on "Twellowhood." If you are a business owner you enroll in "Technorati" to learn your score --- to see how much of the pie you consume.

If you "Stumble" across an interesting site in your quest for new and exciting Tweets to post, you will most likely "Tr.im" the web page URLs (http addresses) to fit within the 140 space confines of Twitter's biggest question "What are you doing?"

You want to find commonality among tweeter groups so you use "hashtags." Oh, and if you are suddenly inundated with Twitter followers you go to " Tweet Later" to complete a courtesy reply to be automatically scheduled to reply --- so no one thinks you snub them.

"Upload Photos to "Twittergram," mark as Twitter and they will auto populate onto Twitter," says one authority. Use this to get that. Enroll here to Go There. At the end of the day my head swims with information overload.

Why did I forsake Jones Soda to spend time blogging and twittering and twirling and twisting?

Three reasons:

I see the possibility some of these blogs may trigger a live action response from a live individual who will post a real, not canned, response in "real time."

I see the possibility some of these blogs, posts, tweets, twitters, twellows, twists may drive traffic to our website which in turn may make the phone ring or the email input box full of individuals who are considering a vacation in the Gulf Shores area who would like an "off the beaten path" type experience that includes both a beach and a river experience.

I see the potential for real personal gain -- alas --- maybe someday. It hasn't happened yet.

Not to take away from the warm feelings of satisfaction I felt upon receiving a letter saying I was "the Cat's Meow" the "Cock or the Walk" or the "Toot of the Horn" or whatever cute adjectives were used to describe how Jones Soda Company felt of my accomplishments.

I was truly proud. I am proud to have 20 something labels printed out of the 10,000 fantastic entries I see uploaded on the site. I see the Jones Soda Cola marketing plan as genius.

I mean, who besides myself would drive one-and-a half hours to the nearest Target to spend a suspiciously long time turning over every bottle of every cardboard carrier to see if their photos had been published?

I'd say, more than you'd think.

Trust me, that behavior pales in comparison to the amount of sleepless nights spent trying to learn the lingo, read the tweets, answer the blogs and Stumble through pages of exciting and eye-opening material.

Today, I missed the sunrise.

I failed to smell the sensationally sweet blooms of the newly budded orange tree.
I barely saw the newly emerging blossoms of the newly planted peach tree.
The river's tide came and went.
The bird food pan was emptied.

I missed an entire day of living in the attempt to gain a wealth.

I feel out-of-touch and out-of-tune --- and although I feel I'm somewhat waltzing to the beat-of-my-own drummer during this endeavor, I observe I'm not alone.

Everywhere I go see dedicated souls --- texting, blogging, gaming, ipoding, Mp3ing, --- all linked in. All finding and following friends engaged.

I am also a dedicated soul. Upon rising ---like the millions of other dedicated souls --- I flip the switches on the power strips to start my day of searches. As the process takes so painstakingly long, I empty the dishwasher, tidy the bedroom, begin a load of wash.

I am a disciplined and dedicated soul in this endeavor.

My mission and focus is to continually troll for subjects: the highway is replaced by the binary. The hunt for subjects is replaced by a sifting of material. The lens replaced by the screen.

Friends, family and spouse warn of an intervention. "Stop!" they say. "What do you get out of this? Are you getting paid to do this? Does anyone compensate you for your efforts to promote them?" and on and on. "Of course not," I reply. "I do this as much for me as for them," I retort.

Taking photographs of random objects allowed me to see the world with a heightened viewpoint. Surfing the web allows me to broaden my horizon, increase my awareness, stimulate my thought processes.

I blog to garner the attention of ubiquitous viewers with the hope they will reward me with a response, a vote, a follow --- anything for me to feel at the end of the day somebody out there noticed my efforts.

Hundreds of my posts have surfaced from here to eternity. I'll never know the reach or impact.

I've yet to receive a shirt or letter in appreciation but I keep my followers and friends' loyalty close to my heart. They remind me my sacrifices aren't performed in vain --- that I'm not vain ---and in need of recognition.

They serve to remind me they know me well by name: beachnriver.

They really know me, i feel.

So after spending nearly 20 hours glued to the computer screen I posed the question to myself, What Does Twitter/Blogging Have to Do With Beach'n'River's Jones Soda Label Entries?

Nothing --- and absolutely everything.

Watch the video below. It's funny. I got it off of Twitter.

Oh, and the photo above? It is a photo of the interior of our beautiful, nearly pristine, original vintage Spartan Mansion. It survived more than 60 years but didn't survive Hurricane Ivan.

This photo is also posted on Jones Soda labels.

I'd love to get some feedback.

p.s. this is not a complaint. It is an observation of the extreme behaviors in my life. Oh, and I'm old enough to be your mom so be gentle, Gentle Reader.

p.s.s. ... and if I get something wrong consider this: my life of twittering began Jan. 22nd. Correct me gently, Gentle Reader. I take instruction well.

The Daily Show Twalks of Twitter

2009-03-04T14:21:00.005-06:00

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Twitter Frenzy

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Foley's Lamberts Mural Posted on Jones Soda.com Site

2009-03-04T14:09:00.005-06:00

FOLEY, AL --- Recognize this? It is proudly displayed on the local Lambert's restaurant --- a Trip Advisor reviewer's favorite local restaurant. I submitted this along with another of a 911 tribute on Jones Soda Labels but they didn't get published. I'm proud to be an American and love to see this whenever traveling South on Hwy. 59. I know when I see it I'm getting close to home!

This Photo Made the Cut and Was Published On Jones Soda Bottle

2009-03-04T13:47:00.004-06:00

SPRINGFIELD, MO --- Beach'n'River can't pass a muraled wall without stopping to photograph. The shadow of the vintage lamp post and wall made for an interesting composition. Jones prefers photos uploaded in black and white although I prefer the colored version of this.
See more photos like this at Jones Soda.com. Better yet, enter your own!

This is Just Wrong!

2009-03-04T13:38:00.007-06:00

HARRISON, AR --- Beach'n'River couldn't pass up the opportunity to show a twisted sense of humor. Recent snows left these two flamingos wishing they were beachside (at Beach'n'River weekly vacation rental home perhaps?)

See more photos like these by going to Jones Soda Labels. Type Shelly Shel under search. This is somewhere. I'm not sure where.

Beach'n'River's Picklefish Photo Uploaded on Jones Soda Label Entry

2009-03-04T12:13:00.005-06:00

MOBILE, AL --- I didn't realize as a new transplant to the area the popularity of this beloved downtown establishment when I shot the photo.
I saw the bus coming. The bus had horizontal stripes --- which mirrored the image of building behind. The horizontal stripes contrasted with the stripes of the Picklefish sign.
I know. To assess and process all that information and take a photo before the bus exits the frame (with a cheap 2.0 digital camera no less!) is quite a feat.
I love this photo. Everything worked in my mind. There were no pedestrians to interfere with the shot. The contrast of hard and natural elements intrigued me.
I uploaded this photo to be considered for a Jones Soda label but no one "understood" it like me.

What are your thoughts?

Photos of Spartan Living While Rehabbing Beach'n'River Weekly Vacation Rental Home

2009-03-04T11:30:00.013-06:00

FOLEY, AL --- Beach'n'River already waxed poetic on the last blog entry of how owners Jerry and Shelly enjoyed the modern conveniences of trying to stay "connected" while living in a vintage "tin can" Spartan Mansion RV, while rehabbing their weekly, vacation rental home "Beach'n'River."

These photos are the only surviving images I have of our exciting RV adventure due to Hurricane Ivan damage to the trailer.

As it was I spent much time uploading these images to Jones Soda between working on our property several hours so I didn't take the time to upload to a photo storage website.

You live and you learn. Now, I'm proud to say I have photos posted on Jones Soda labels, Picassa, Flickr and Shutterfly web sites for all the world to enjoy.

So enjoy! Write me to tell me of your similar RV and "Tin Can" adventures.

Blogging, Twittering Has Replaced Beach'n'River's Uploads To Jones Soda Labels

2009-03-04T00:00:00.018-06:00

There was a time not long ago when Beach'n'River's attention, time and devotion went almost exclusively toward uploading photos onto Jones Soda.com website.

With eager anticipation to see a beloved, (or not so beloved) photo affixed onto one of their colorful, flavorful, sweet, fulfilling soft drinks, Beach'n'River would test the boundaries of human spirit and patience to upload photos one by one, by dial-up while on break from back-breaking work on our property.

Does anyone recall what it was like to upload a photo file by dial-up? I broke beads of sweat with anxiety praying the phone not to ring. I'd wash dishes, sweep the floor, check the mail, clean the refrigerator --- all while intermittently refreshing the screen --- encouraged by the circling image --- confirming I was "live."

I did all this within the confines of a vintage 8ft x 32 ft Spartan Mansion trailer.

To picture this: the "Mansion" is narrow, very narrow. The "Mansion" is small --- barely large enough for one person to pass through a hall. My "desk" was our dining /office/seating/counter-top/landing place for groceries multi-tasking platform.

To connect to the Internet meant having a nearly 30ft telephone cord plugged into the only place Spartan Mansion had a telephone receptacle --- the bedroom. A blow-up queen-sized bed oozed into almost all corners of the bedroom. To connect to the telephone receptacle meant having to crawl over the bed, lifting it, sliding open the inaccessible closet door to plug the cord by touch --- only to reverse process to unhook.

To break it down into approximate time invested in the process consider this:

I never saw a Turner Classic Movie.
I ignored independent films shown on Sundance and IFC Channels.
I missed entire seasons of Apprentice, The Bachelor, American Idol and Oprah.

I was out-of-touch and out-of-tune --- waltzing to the beat-of-my-own drummer during this endeavor.

I was a dedicated soul.

My mission and focus was to continually prowl for subjects: abandoned automobiles; deserted buildings, twisted sounding street signs, vintage and classic ephemera; odd pot-hole covers, interesting alleyways, reflections on mirrored buildings ...

Friends, family and spouse warned of an intervention. "Stop!" they'd say. "What do you get out of this? Do they pay you? Does Jones Soda Company compensate you for your efforts to promote them?" and on and on. "Of course not," I'd reply. "I do this as much for me as for them," I retorted.

Taking photos of random objects allows me to see the world with a heightened viewpoint, I assure. One in which I study objects with a closer scrutiny than at other times. One which I hoped would garner the attention of the ubiquitous label voters to reward me with a 10 or an 8 --- or any score other than 0 to reassure someone cares enough to look.

My photos were printed. Twenty four of them are pasted on bottles I'll never see from here and throughout the United North America.

I received a tee shirt and stock letter from Jones Soda Company and I treasure them. I keep them like a trophy --- in a closet --- somewhere. They represent my sacrifices were not performed in vain --- and that I wasn't vain --- and needy of recognition.

The labels are voted upon by viewers and judges alike, I reason.

They serve to remind me Jone's Soda label choosers know me well by name.

They really know me.

Sincerely,

Shelly Shel Shel from NW Ark --- (now of AL) ...

So what does all of this dialog have to do with why Twitter has replaced Beach'n'River's Jone's Soda Label uploads ? See part two (because if you've read any of tips, advice of how to increase blog readership etc. they all say to make several short posts and ask many questions.) Remember the question? I'll post the answer under the title: What Does Twitter/Blogging Have to Do With Beach'n'River's Jones Soda Label Entries?

ReTweet Me!

2009-03-03T23:19:00.004-06:00

What does it mean to click the ReTweet button? In simplest terms it means if you like this blog send it to your Twitter update and people who click on your update will be directed to "BeachnRiver's Excellent Adventures --- a reTweet acompli.

Why would you want to click the ReTweet button? Let's say you know of someone looking for an "off-the-beaten" path adventure while vacationing in the Gulf Shores, Al area. You happen on this blog. Hit the ReTweet button and voila! the link appears in your Twitter update. Your friend will click the link, be directed to this blog. Your friend will Tweet you a big "thank you" for all the world to see. Your soul will be filled with warm and satisfying fuzzies. (ok, that is an exaggerated stretch --- it's late, what can I say)

Who should click the ReTweet button? Anyone who has an active Twitter account that has a desire to promote or introduce someone to BeachnRiver's Excellent Adventures.

When is an ideal time to click the ReTweet button? Now! While you're thinking of it. Try it.

People Talked of Beaches on Days When Snow Covered Many States

2009-03-03T20:18:00.007-06:00

It seems although a huge snow storm was the hottest topic in conversation much of the past two days, there are still those who dream/discuss the excitement and possibilities of a beach getaway.

Why not make that dream a reality? Use the tools on this site to check airfare rates.

It's warm and sunny down here in LA (lower Alabama). Azaleas are blooming. Birds are migrating, the beaches are ... calling You!

Follow Beach'n'River On Twellow!

2009-03-03T10:20:00.001-06:00

http://www.twellow.com/user/beachnriver