The 4^th of July weekend is upon us, and the thoughts of a 3-day-weekend, fireworks shows and family barbeques have probably filling your heads for weeks now.

Independence Day is the perfect time to sit back and relax with the family, but it is also a time to remember those who have fought and died for the freedom that we are able to enjoy everyday.

Fort Morgan, located at the mouth of Mobile Bay along the Gulf of Mexico is giving everyone the opportunity to reflect, honor and have fun with our nation’s history at their “Salute to American Independence.”  From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 4th, there will be interpreters dressed in various uniforms from the periods throughout Fort Morgan’s active history, located at the fort in Gulf Shores. Spectators will also be given the opportunity to see the Civil War cannon fired in honor of our nation’s birthday.

An event like this is great to have at Fort Morgan, especially since it has had such a rich historical past among our nation’s military.  Originally built in 1834 and named after the Revolutionary War hero, Daniel Morgan, Fort Morgan is often described as “One of the finest examples of military architecture in the New World.”  The Army’s Corps of Engineers were responsible (more…)

Summer is by far our favorite time of year here at Kaiser Realty, for one simple reason, the beach.

There is just something about the allure of the ocean, the grains of sand clinging to your feet and the sweet smell of the Gulf breeze surrounding you. Yep, you just can’t beat the beach.

When it comes to those days spent away from the dunes, however, things have a tendency to get a little more hectic. With no school to occupy the kiddos, summer can also mean a stressful three months for parents.  Luckily, we have some rockin’ summer camps in the area to keep the children in your life busy, happy and most importantly, learning!

For those of you in the Mobile area, The Exploreum might just be the answer to your every wish.  They have weekly camps starting on June 6^th and running every week until July 29^th.  They are offering camps for everyone from 4 year-olds all the way to 12^th grade students and everyone in between.  The Exploreum is also offering a wide variety of different camps.  Your little ones can spend their time learning about the weather during the “Wonders of the Weather” camp, learn some nutritional advice during “You Are What You Eat,” learn about (more…)

Vacation.

For some people, it is the perfect time to relax, forget about the stresses of everyday life and do absolutely nothing.  For others, it may be the only time that their entire family is in one place for longer than 15 minutes at a time.  Along the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, it doesn’t matter what your vacation goals may be, there is something perfect for everyone!

For those looking for a great place to grab a book, ditch your cell phone and bask in the warm rays, then look no further than our white sand beaches.  And for those close-knit families looking for a crowd-pleasing assortment of amazing activities like charter boat fishing or parasailing, our charming area in South Baldwin County has something for everyone in your entourage.

A great way to get up close and personal with the Gulf of Mexico is to jump on one of the Dolphins Down Under glass bottom dolphin tours. Dolphins Down Under tours not only offer a majestic view into life below the surface through their “glass bottom” catamarans, but they also offer snorkeling tours, bird watching and sunset party cruises. These fun, affordable and unforgettable cruises are sure to create some family memories.

For the more daring water lovers, Perdido Key Parasail is calling your name.  This U.S. Coast Guard licensed fleet out of Gulf Shores offers everything from parasailing and sea kayak rentals, to jet ski rentals and banana boat rides.  If the idea of hanging out 800 feet over the Gulf of Mexico seems a little daunting, they also offer water trampolines.  Just another fun way to spend more time with the family!

If flying 800 feet above the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico doesn’t get your engine going, how about hot air balloons?  Taking Off Hot Air Balloon Comnpany, located just north of the beaches in Magnolia Springs, is proud to offer FAA licensed commercial hot air balloon pilots and small group settings for all of their trips.  Most balloons hold up to 6 people, but if there’s a certain someone that you’re looking to spend some quality sky-time with, they offer exclusive two-person charters as well.  Break out the bubbly and reminisce among the clouds!

Ground more of your thing? Look no further than the Oak Hollow Farm located in serene Fairhope, Alabama.  Situated less than an hour away from the beaches, Oak Hollow’s 300-acres of horseback riding trails and obstacles may be just the dose of old world charm that you and your family are looking for.  With great instructors and an on-site playground for the little ones, your family can truly be at ease far away from the stresses of everyday life.

For this year’s trip, it is time to try something new, something fun and something as a family. Whether you’re the adventurous type of clan, traditional type of clique, or just looking to make memories together; let us help you make this vacation one that you talk about years to come. C’mon and have a ball with us!

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.

Bird banding will begin before dawn each day. It is free and open to the public. There is a fee for entry onto the Fort Morgan Park. The banding normally ends each day between 3:00 and 5:00 PM.

Location:  Fort Morgan Historic Site, Gulf Shores
Price:  Admission to Fort: $5:00 adults, $3:00 children 6-12, free to younger children. Banding is FREE.

For more information visit www.hummingbirdsplus.org

Kaiser Realty employees joined forces with Alabama PALS for the 23rd Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 18, 2010. About 3,400 volunteers took part in the annual effort to clean beaches and shorelines in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The Kaiser Realty team collected trash and debris from a strand of beach in Orange Beach, AL. Items collected included clothing, construction debris, fishing line, numerous plastic shopping bags and many other items.