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If you’ve never considered celebrating Easter at the beach, maybe now’s the time to give it a try. You’ll find plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy and every reason to bring your annual traditions with you. Better yet, lose the sweaters and boots, grab your swimsuit and flip flops, and create some new Easter traditions in Northwest Florida this year!

We can all agree that our personal homes are so much more than four walls and a roof over our heads. It’s where we share our successes, laugh about our missteps, and feel most like ourselves over any other place.  So when vacationing to the beautiful coastline of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, why settle for anything less in your beach house rental?

Our venture into beer started with a simple text from our flagship store leader, Suzy Hunt, to BOTE CEO and Co-Founder Corey Cooper. It read: “Want to make a beer?”

After learning it’d be with the super local brewery that creates beers representing the area and lifestyle, Destin Brewery, we didn’t see much reason to procrastinate. So in 2021, we launched the beginning of a spot-on collaboration with Destin Brewery Founder and Owner Kelly Taylor.

Finding the perfect vacation rental for your annual family vacation or even a long weekend for two can feel a little daunting when there are so many options to choose from. If you’re planning a trip to Destin or 30A, the vacation rental prospects are seemingly endless—from Gulf-front condominiums with ample amenities to cozy townhomes and luxury homes with private pools.

Thousands of tourists flock annually to Destin every summer to enjoy the powder white sand and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” has become a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and a world-class vacation destination brimming with activity. From water sports, fishing, and golf, to the many festivals, events, and attractions in Destin, this little piece of paradise offers something for everyone. So why wait for summer when you can take advantage of all the area has to offer before the crowds arrive?

With 60 miles of diverse shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico, a tidal shore bordering bays, rivers, and bayous extending another 600 miles, and an endless array of artificial reefs, the Alabama Coast is, simply put, an anglers paradise. Abundant inland waterways, sandy reefs and shallows, and back bays and lagoons dot the landscape with picturesque beauty and a bounty of marine life waiting to be discovered. Whether you prefer inshore, nearshore, or offshore fishing, you’ll find it all year-round in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Locals get out as much as possible, and tourists flock from all over to cast a line in these popular fishing destinations. 

We love a quick getaway, but it can be challenging when trying to pack everything you want to see in a short trip, particularly to Destin or 30A. With tons of family-friendly attractions, excellent shopping and dining, and miles of beach to explore, a weekend trip can sometimes leave you begging for more. Why not stay longer and really sink your feet into the sand and culture of Destin and 30A?

Night fishing: a tried and true activity for adventure anglers and diehard fishing enthusiasts. It’s a challenge most are unwilling to take on; after all, fishing at night is like eliminating one of your five senses, and an important one at that - your sight. But the payoff and thrill of hooking a night-dwelling fish are totally worth it, especially when you’re night fishing on a SUP, skiff, or kayak.

Night fishing from SUPs, skiffs, and kayaks is growing in popularity, and it’s understandable as to why. It combines a love for casting a lure with an obsession to be on the water and takes you to places a standard boat can’t. When you head out on a stand up paddle board, skiff, or kayak at night, well, you just can’t get much closer to nature. Plus, you’ve got the added edge of stealth and silence. The fish will never see you coming.

Whether you’re new to owning a vacation rental or an experienced multi-property owner, navigating the terrain of choosing the right property management company can be challenging. Furthermore, determining if they are following through on their promise to care for your property while simultaneously providing a great guest experience is kind of like solving a Rubix cube.  A lot of times, things just don’t match up.

There are few things more essential for a day on the water than a properly packed cooler.

Packing a cooler is more than just a party trick, it’s a skill that, when perfectly executed, makes for an excellent day on the water. Whether it’s keeping beer and juice boxes cold, or filled to the brim with a large batch cocktail, no day on the water is complete without a cooler full of cold beverages and snacks (if you have room). It’s hardly a glamorous task, but let us know the last time you didn’t pack your cooler very well and actually enjoyed a room temperature beer or cocktail in the blazing sun… we’ll wait.

Enjoying ice-cold, refreshing beverages *all day* long isn’t as simple as assembling your drinks and spare ice into your cooler in the garage on the way out the door. Ok, we guess it can be that easy, but is it really worth the risk? With just a few easy steps you’ll be sipping on ice cold beverages well into the evening… and even into day two or three.

Here’s a step by step guide on how to pack a cooler for a day on the water.