Pet-friendly Homes on Gulf Shores Beaches
Just because you are vacationing on the Alabama Gulf Coast doesn’t mean your pets can’t. Reed Real Estate has numerous pet friendly homes in the Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores area. Since our area is located out of the city jurisdiction, we are able to offer one of the few pet friendly beaches along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
It is very important to remember that each area along our shores have pet specific rules and restrictions. One is to clean up after your pet. In addition, pets are required to be on a leash for their protection and the protection of others. Dogs with barking issues that become a nuisance to other vacationers will not be allowed and will be asked to vacate the property. You also need to keep in mind your pet’s safety when relaxing on our Gulf Shores beaches. Keep a watchful eye as the salt water can make them sick and upset their stomachs. Carry fresh water to the beach so they can hydrate themselves. You also need to realize how hot the sand can get. Be sure to test the sand temperature before allowing your pets to walk on the hot sand. Be aware of “sand spurs” along the shore that may get stuck in their paws.
Check out our Pets Page on our website for pet beach tips and other useful information. You can view all of our pet friendly homes online or call a reservationist for a listing of our pet-friendly homes. (Pet weight restrictions vary per pet friendly home.)
Beach Rentals in Gulf Shores
Reed Real Estate, located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, we can help find the perfect beach vacation home. Whether you are looking for a weekend retreat or a full-blown family get-
a-way, we can help you find the best place to suit your needs. As a family owned and operated business, we know what it means to spend time with the ones you love and not want to worry about vacation details.
In addition to our friendly services, did you know we also provide the following services:
• Mid-Week Cleaning – Have a housekeeper come and touch things up a bit. Fresh towel sets and/or fresh sheets are also available with this service.
• Additional Towel Sets and Plush Beach Towel Rentals.
• Grocery Delivery – Order your groceries and supplies before you head down to the beach and have everything waiting for you when you arrive.
• Special Occasion Surprises – Have your vacation home set up with something special to surprise friends and family before you check in. We’ll do our best to provide what you’re looking for.
• Beach Bum Beach Equipment – We have 10’ x 10’ canopies, beach chairs, umbrellas, grills, and boogie/skim boards. All our equipment is high quality and we provide free delivery and setup.
We focus on personal, friendly service and can handle all the details. So, pack your bags and leave the rest to us.
Celebrate Easter at the Beach
Easter is a time of rebirth and re-growth and what better way to spend it than at the beach. Reed Real Estate in Gulf Shores, Alabama, can help you find the perfect location to 
spend the holiday. On Easter morning, April 8, there are many services along our beautiful Gulf Coast beaches to help you welcome the start of this wonderful season.
There will be sunrise services on the beach at two different locations, the Gulf State Park Beach Pavillion and the State Park Florida Point area (across from Caribe Resort) in Orange Beach. Ministers and leaders from a variety of local churches will be participating. Services are free and open to the public. This event is sponsored by the Pleasure Island Ministerial Association.
For those of you in the Fort Morgan area, you can enjoy a sunrise service at the Fort Gaines Historic Site on Dauphin Island. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and welcome the season. Visit http://www.dauphinisland.org/fort.htm for more information.
After lunch, hop on over to LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores at 2:00 p.m. and enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt in the sand.
Whatever your spring vacation plans, Reed Real Estate can accommodate you. Check out the details, disclaimers and other hot deals on our website, www.gulfrentals.com
Blue Angels Fly Again
If you haven’t had a chance to see the Blue Angels in action, you can catch a practice tomorrow, April 3 through Friday morning, April 6 at 8:30 a.m. at NAS Pensacola. The 
practices can be viewed from bleachers behind the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The team, time permitting, conducts autograph sessions in the museum atrium immediately following most of the Wednesday practices. Admission is free to enter but you must have a photo ID to enter the base.
The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and they are currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team. The squadron’s six demonstration pilots currently fly the F/A-18 Hornet in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where they still employ many of the same practices and techniques used in their aerial displays in 1946. Since their inception, the Blues have flown a variety of different aircraft types for more than 427 million spectators worldwide. It is such a treat to see them practice at their home base. Visit http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/PlanYourVisit/Activities-(1)/BlueAngelsPractices.aspx for more practice dates throughout the spring and summer.
Sausage Festival on Gulf Coast
If you love smoked sausage and a great time, then make plans to spend this weekend in Elberta, Alabama, not far from Gulf Shores. This Saturday, March 31 marks the Annual Original German Sausage Festival. Held on the last Saturday in March and in October, the festival will start at 8:00 a.m. and run to 5:00 p.m. with no admission charge. This is a bi-annual fundraiser for the Elberta Volunteer Fire Department that attracts approximately 30,000 people per festival with all proceeds benefiting the fire department. This one day event features some of the best sausage around, about 7,000 pounds to be exact! You can browse arts and crafts, listen to live music, ride various carnival rides, and sample baked goods to your heart’s content. In addition the Bier Garten features a large selection of imported beers for you to choose your favorite. Visit http://www.sausagefest.elbertafire.com for more details.
Bird Banding in Gulf Shores
Calling all bird lovers―the dates for the Spring Bird Banding Session will be March 31 through April 12, 2012 and will take place in Fort Morgan on State Highway 180 West. The 
Alabama Gulf Coast is a critical stopover point as migratory birds return from Central and South America. Banding hours are from before dawn to mid-afternoon, depending on the flow of birds. Bring a lawn chair, binoculars and inquisitive mind but leave the pets at home. Admission to Fort Morgan is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 6-12, and free to younger children. Banding is FREE. Contact 205-681-2888 or visit
http://www.hummingbirdsplus.org for more information.
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Fast Action in Gulf Shores
If action and adventure are more your game, Waterville USA, The Track Amusement Park and Adventure Island have everything from water slides and go-kart rides to mini-golf and arcade games.
Waterville USA (www.watervilleusa.com), located in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is both a waterpark and amusement park for only one admission price. The waterpark offers a 
variety of waterslides and attractions, centered around a 25,000 square-foot wave pool with three-foot man-made waves. WaWa World is a water playground with interactive features especially for children and limited to guests under 48 inches and their parents. Crystal Waters is located near the rear of the park and features a relaxing 1/3 mile long lazy river. Screamin’ Demon is a high-speed body slide featuring a six story descent. Black Widow, The Hurricane, Great White and The Gold Rush are tube slides, some of which accommodate up to three riders. In 2007 Waterville USA introduced Triple Dog Dare, a turbo body slide that gives you the unique sensation of weightlessness as you shoot over the humps. The Track Amusement Center (www.gulfshorestrack.com), also in Gulf Shores, has something for everyone. Families and kids of all ages can enjoy the go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, bungee jumps, sky flyer and bumper boats.
Adventure Island (www.adventure-island.com), located in the heart of Orange Beach, Alabama, features the only erupting volcano on the island. This 5-story volcano comes alive each night with fire and sound. Adventure Island has rides and thrills for the entire family. You can ride go karts, bumper boats and play lazer tag. Come experience adventure golf, the arcade or go on our paddle boat rides. They also offer kiddie rides.
There are lots to see and do on our shores―more than enough to keep the entire family entertained.
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Baldwin County Heritage Museum
Why not visit a bit of history right in our backyard? The Baldwin County Heritage Museum, located in Elberta, was organized in 1981 by a group of area residents who wished to gather artifacts, tools, machinery along with the histories and the ethnic cultures of the men and women who settled in this county around the turn of the century. They designed and built a museum which showcases their collections. With over 20,000 square feet covering 5 acres, it provides a place for visitors to reconnect with the early history of Baldwin County.
The design for the grounds was done by the Landscape Architecture Program of Auburn University. There are over a hundred species of native flora and fauna growing on the grounds. Construction on the first building began in 1984 and was opened to the public in 1987. It resembles a turn of the century barn with a working windmill in front. This original building contained three public rooms—an all purpose classroom for lectures and meetings, an exhibit room and a large storage area for donated artifacts. Another building houses vintage farm equipment, tools and machinery, while another is a working blacksmith shop. The Baldwin County Heritage Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is closed on all national and state holidays. The Museum is located on U.S. Highway 98 in Elberta between Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, 3.5 miles east of the Foley Beach Express. Visit http://www.baldwincountyheritagemuseum.com for details.
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Mobile’s History on Gulf Coast
Want a little history while you’re here? What about a little excitement? Be sure and take a day trip to Mobile, Alabama, not far from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and discover all the attractions waiting for you. Just before entering the downtown area, stop at 
Memorial Park and see the USS Alabama (from World War II), the submarine USS Drum, and other restored aircraft. At Battleship Memorial Park you can walk the decks of a mighty battleship, go below in a World War II submarine and view cockpits of combat aircraft. You can also see tanks, a Vietnam River Patrol Boat, and a plane like the one flown by the Tuskegee Airmen. Did you know the length of USS Alabama is 680 feet? Or that it weighs 42,500 tons when fully loaded? These are just a few fun facts you can pick up while you’re there. The park is open every day, except Christmas Day, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. depending on the season. Admission is $12.00 for ages 12 and up, $6.00 for ages 6 to 11 and those under age 6 are free. There is a $2.00 park fee per vehicle. The park is located on Battleship Parkway (Highway 90/98) just off Interstate 10, Exits 27 or 30. Visit http://www.ussalabama.com/ for details and information.
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Alligators in Gulf Shores
When you tire of the beach and want a little more excitement and adventure, why not come see alligators in action? Alligator Alley in Summerdale, not far from Gulf Shores, Alabama, allows you to do just that. Start your visit with a guided walk to the elevated 
viewing platform where you can see over 200 alligators relaxing, sunbathing, courting and nesting. If you come during feeding times and you can see the feeding crew walk right out to the alligators to feed them. Continue your excursion with a nature walk and see alligators in their natural habitat along with other inhabitants such as turtles, ospreys, owls and bull frogs, all only a couple feet away.
Did you know that alligators can grow to a maximum length of 14 feet and that alligators over 13 feet are rare? Did you know that an alligator’s life expectancy is 50 years? Did you know that large alligators can go as long as 18 months with no food? To find our more, come see for yourself. The park is open seven days a week, but it is best to call for hours. Seasonal feeding times are 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. Visit www.gatoralleyfarm.com for more information.
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