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BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON February 14, 2014

Photo Friday: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dry Hollow Vineyards The Dalles

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I like the premise of actress Drew Barrymore’s new book, Find It in Everything, her collection of heart-themed photos from sightings in everyday life, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Wherever there are hearts, can love be far behind?

Gulf Shores Gulls

Today when we celebrate the Valentines in our lives,  where will your heart take you? To memories of travels past, like singer Tony Bennett who croons how he left his heart in San Francisco?

 Or towards future travels of Leaving on a Jet Plane, like Frank Sinatra whose vagabond shoes long to stray in the heart of New York, New York?

Maybe Carolina’s on your mind . . .  or you’re ready to be Homeward Bound.

Maybe all of the above . . .

Where do your traveling hearts take you today, Wanderboomers?

Wander on!

Nancy

For more fun Friday photos, check out Delicious Baby.

Thanks to sponsors, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach for hosting.

Filed Under: Destinations, Holidays Tagged With: Dry Hollow Vineyard, Frank Sinatra, Gulf Shores, Happy Valentine's Day, heart, Homeward Bound, Leaving on a Jet Plane, New York, San Francisco, Tony Bennett, Valentine's Day

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON April 16, 2013

N is for Never Never Land

GirlsJustWanttoHaveFun (450 x 299)

Girls Just Want to have Fun in Gulf Shores, Alabama

In the wonderfully imaginary world of J.M. Barrie, Never Never Land (or Neverland) symbolizes a place of eternal enchantment without boundaries.

SeattleChineseNewYear (381 x 450)

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Seattle’s International District

Here time slows, days become occupied with magical adventures, and residents refuse to grow up any time soon.

HawaiiSurfer (450 x 299)

Surfer Girl in Hawaii

So where exactly is Neverland? J.M. Barrie doesn’t say, though we sense a place far offshore from the mainland – literally and metaphorically – where visitors can return to their child-selves, engaged in a spirit of play.

Where’s your Neverland, wanderboomers?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Gulf Shores, Hawaii, Seattle, WA, Washington State Tagged With: Alabama, Chinese New Year, Gulf Shores, Hawaii, International District, J.M. Barrie, Never Never Land, Neverland, Seattle

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON February 25, 2013

Girlfriend Getaway: 5 Fun Food Adventures in Gulf Shores, Alabama

GirlfriendGetaway (299 x 450)

Okay, wanderboomer gals. Let’s eat!

After dropping off bags at your Gulf Shores lodging, it’s time to sample a few of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama before You Die.” But why not make your food outing an adventure? Here’s how to kick your mealtimes up a notch:

1) Cheer on your favorite team at The Compleat Angler Seafood Grille and Bar.

TheCompleatAnglerSeafoodGrilleandBar (450 x 336) (450 x 336)

Don’t be surprised to spot owner/Head Fry Cook Bob Baumhower greeting guests while overseeing the details of his legendary establishment. Football fans will recognize Baumhower’s name from his days of playing college football at the University of Alabama before moving on to pro-ball for the Miami Dolphins.

Come here for the “casual sports scene with a strong Southern twist.” We loved the island spirit hospitality, tasty seafood gumbo, Bob’s 100% fresh beef burgers and fried bananas pudding. Oh, yeah.

2) Visit a cultural icon.

Bushwacker (336 x 450)

That’s how locals describe the Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar (so-named because of its strategic location on the Alabama and Florida state lines in Perdido Key) and also known as “the last great American roadhouse.” We were lucky enough to visit during the annual Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival, but “The Bama” features music 365 days a year.

Order the award-winning Bushwacker (described as “a chocolate milkshake with a kick”), settle back and enjoy the music, or get up and dance the night away.

3) Learn how to make your own sushi.

ZenRestaurantSushi (391 x 450)

Southern hospitality shines at the upscale Zen Restaurant, where award-winning Chef Brody Olive oversees a master staff specializing in Asian fusion cuisine. The open kitchen allows dining patrons to watch the staff create appetizers like the Crawfish and Chorizo Wantons or the Hoisin Barbeque Baby Back Ribs. If you’re up for learning how to make your own sushi, for an additional fee of $20.00 – $30.00 with reservations, you can discover your inner-chef with dishes like the Oyster’s Rockefeller or Curry Hawaiian roll.

Be sure, too, to taste one of the signature handcrafted cocktails like the Zenlicious (orange vodka, Malibu pineapple and cranberry juice) for the complete Zen experience.

4) Hire a Chef.

ChefChrisSherrill (315 x 450)

If you’d prefer to stay in rather than dine out after a day of play in Gulf Shores, Chef Chris Sherrill offers an outstanding alternative with Staycations Catering. As one of 8 Gulf-area chefs to participate in events for the U.S. Olympic team during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Chef Chris Sherrill knows how to feed a hungry crowd. He’ll even go the extra mile, like heading out to catch flounder himself at 2:00 – in the morning – to create the perfect dish for his customers.

5) Splurge on dessert.

Hope Cheescake (450 x 336)

Gourmet cheesecake lovers will want to sample every single one of Hope’s Cheescakes, I kid you not. Not only are they made with the finest ingredients like Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese, fresh whole eggs, pure cane sugar, fresh lemon juice, and luscious chocolates and liqueurs, but each is a visual work of art. In case you do want to sample more than one delectable piece, the bakery offers bite-size cheesecakes as well. With flavors like Pecan Praline, Chocolate Kahlua, Key Lime and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, how can you go wrong?

What’s your favorite fun food experience, wanderboomers?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Alabama, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Food & Dining Tagged With: 100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die, 100% beef burgers, 2012 Olympic Games, Alabama, Bob Baumhower, Bushwacker, casual sports scene, Chef Brody Olive, Chef Chris Sherrill, Dance, dessert, Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar, Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, fried bananas pudding, girlfriend getaway, Gulf Shores, Hope's Cheesecake, Miami Dolphins, Perdido Key, seafood gumbo, Staycations Catering, sushi, University of Alabama, US Olympic Games, Zen Restaurant, Zenlicious

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON February 8, 2013

Happy Days at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama

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Have a look at one of the most popular attractions in Gulf Shores. Do any of these lunchboxes look familiar?

Not only does The Hangout feature this outstanding collection of lunchboxes, but the restaurant also spotlights an impressive display of Pez dispensers and movie memorabilia.

GonewiththeWindLunchboxattheHangout (450 x 348)

Of course, I would zero in on one of my favorite all-time movie couples . . .

The Hangout is a fun place to visit for its retro decor, live musical performances and family entertainment.  I recommend starting with the “shaka-shaka” shrimp (the secret’s in the sauce) or wild frickles, lightly breaded and fried pickle slices served with ranch dressing. Bet you can’t eat just one . . .

Check out more fun Friday photos at Delicious Baby.

What was your favorite lunchbox when you were growing up, Wanderboomers?

 

Filed Under: Activities, Alabama, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Food & Dining, Gulf Shores Tagged With: collections, Delicious Baby, Gone with the Wind, Gulf Shores, lunchbox collection, lunchboxes, movie memorabilia, Pez dispensers, restaurants, shaka-shaka shrimp, wild frickles

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON February 1, 2013

Gulf Shores' Bird Buddies

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Flying high over the Gulf Shores, spreading its wings, soaring along with the help of its friends . . .

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An early morning Pelican briefing . . .

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What’s a little feeding squabble among friends?

Check out more fun Friday Photos at Delicious Baby, wanderboomers!

 

Filed Under: Activities, Alabama, Baby Boomers and Travel, Gulf Shores Tagged With: birds, buddies, Gulf Shores, gulls, pelicans, seagulls

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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