BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Creek Stays Cold Year-Round

Hello all!

BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals hopes you had a “Beachin’” Good Summer while visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast!

We enjoyed  making new friends and re-visiting with old friends. We hope you will consider BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals a pal on Facebook, Twitter and follow our blog and posts until we meet again.

As summer comes to an end and we reflect on our “hits and misses,” we realize although it is difficult to convince guests to wake up early to paddle — early morning paddles means guests return happy, smiling and ready to EAT!

Another plus to early morning launches? Despite the unusual drought, we typically had enough water in the creek to launch without necessitating expedition-style launches.

As the sun now begins to settle in the West, our creek levels change drastically. Tides are earlier in the a.m. and leave us with barely a trickle of water past noon.

We’d like to continue to put guests in the river to paddle but our ability to offer autumn/winter launches will depend on you, our guest, and your willingness to tolerate a walk through cold water and sand for 100 yards to launch or return to the launch site after a paddle. Suggested Items to Bring may need to also include “Suggested Items To Wear” once we get your feedback.

Please know that we consider expedition launches less than ideal but with the right attitude you can consider this just another extension of the “Huck Finn” experience we love to share!

• We will put guests on the river to kayak  SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and MONDAYS — and on a reservation basis only with 24 hours advance notice. Keep in mind we cannot post set hours because times will change according to water levels and temps.  ***Beginning Saturday, Aug. 20 we will launch all guests at 8 a.m. until further notice.

• We will honor any reservations we have already made.

Please respect our privacy during closed hours and do not trespass.

• If you would like a “showing” of the property and launch situation we ask that you phone at least 24 hrs in advance and request a reservation during our open days and hours of operation.

• If the gate to our property says “CLOSED” and you enter without express reservation/permission we will consider it trespassing. We hate to be so specific but unfortunately there are always those who think they are “exempt.”

• Be aware cameras are in use throughout the property and on the adjacent street. A diligent neighborhood “watch” will report all trespassers to authorities.

We want to continue to operate a nice, “clean” business — one in which we can offer a unique adventure to our guests, yet  be good neighbors to our neighbors.  If you were our neighbor you’d want the same courtesies.

Thank you for choosing to support this little “mom and pop” business with your hard-earned dollars. We value you and hope to continue to offer and warrant 5-star reviews and recommendations.

Happy Trails —  and may the Beach and River keep a dear place in your memories!

River Rick and Beachin’ Betty

To See Weather Predictions From The Farmer’s Almanac Click:

Guests to the area were sparse. There were few options to enjoy spending time on area waters. We had difficulty convincing people that at river’s end where we are located springs run crystal clear and kayaking is a great way to get out and enjoy a water-based activity.

The Mundinger Family of TN and extended family of Baldridges of LA made a conscientious choice to support the struggling Alabama Gulf Coast and chose Gulf Shores, AL as their vacation destination.

They also made a decision to look for alternate land and water-based activities to participate in while visiting. They came across “BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals” a little “mom and pop” operation that wanted to share their personal love of kayaking the Bon Secour River with the public.

You could not imagine our joy when we received a phone call from Linda Mundinger stating she had a large family that wanted to kayak, swim and take advantage of our “boxed lunch” special — an arrangement we made with (now defunct) Lenny’s Subs to provide a Sub sandwich, chips, cookie and drink for under $10 per person.

The Mundingers were BeachnRiver Kayak Rental’s first large group of the year to order custom lunches to be delivered during a kayak excursion.

They were an easy going group and great to “practice on.”

All had a good time and upon leaving said, “We’ll be back.”

The Mundinger family held true to their word and on Tuesday, July 12 they returned to kayak with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals introducing new guests calling themselves “The Figi Dozen.”

They paddled the river, took the opportunity to swim in some nearby swimming holes and brought a large cooler filled with picnic supplies to picnic on our grounds.  River Rick erected a pop up shade tent and put two picnic tables underneath to accommodate the families.

When the group completed their adventure we hugged like long lost friends as they departed. Once again they said, “We’ll return next year!”

River Rick and Beachin’ Betty have faith they will.

On Billings’  first visit June 3, 2011 he brought members of a Christian Youth Group from Kansas to spend the afternoon paddling the Bon Secour River. When he made the appointment he mentioned he had visited BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals last year and anticipated this year’s visit.

Upon his second visit Stephen Billings brings members of his Church “Student Mobilization” Group. The all male group come prepared to enjoy an afternoon kayaking, fishing with their ultra and microlight fishing poles. They also plan to swim in the cool, refreshing  Bon Secour water.

Upon leaving Billings says once again, “I’ll see you real soon!”  “River Rick” and “Beachin’ Betty” say they better get a locker with Billings’ name on it if he returns anytime soon!

The Hughs Family Returns Prepared For A Kayaking Adventure With BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Of Foley, AL.

The Steven Hughes family have a different story to tell. Their initial kayaking visit to BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals didn’t go so well. The spur of the moment kayak trip meant they had no hats and the groceries they had just purchased for snacks to eat on the river were left behind at the store. The Hughes were good sports and paddled anyway.  They said they enjoyed the experience but were pretty worn out upon their return. They also said they enjoyed their visit and hoped to return soon.

The Hughes family, Steven, Missy and sons return today each wearing a floppy hat and their coolers are filled with drinks and snacks and small enough to fit inside each kayak.  Missy proudly announces, “this time we are prepared!” The family kayaks the entire four hours and takes the opportunity to swim in the swimming hole before returning to the launch site.

We learn after the Hughes family completes their paddle they came to celebrate their 12 year wedding anniversary and to spend the day celebrating an early Father’s Day. We award the family “Victory Pops.” Missy and husband Steven celebrate by clicking their “Pina Colada-flavored” Popsicles as if to say, “Cheers!”

“River Rick” and “Beachin’ Betty” cannot believe that on this day Saturday, June  18, 2011 two separate groups return to kayak within days of their initial visit to BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals and both groups’ leaders are named Steve.

BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals relies heavily on guest referrals and to have such loyal guests in only the first season  is especially rewarding. Mr. Vardemon returned all four times within the first three months of opening. He keeps his favorite kayaking  hat on hand in the BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals office reserved for his return visits.

Porter Vardemon And Daughters Of North Alabama Kayaks The Bon Secour River in Foley, AL With BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals.

We look forward to learning which family will break the tie this year and welcome other families to join in the contest.

Following are photos of each family.

Pictured from Left: Teresa, Luke and Riley Enjoy Kayaking The Bon Secour River In Foley, AL With BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals.

22 Youth Members Of First Pres Church Pascagoula, MS Pose Outside Their Bus Prior To Kayak Trip Paddling The Bon Secour River With BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals.

Foley, AL — Summer at BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals officially begins when 22 members of a youth group from First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula led by Pastor Matt Turner arrive ready to float the 10 a.m.  kayak trip down the Bon Secour River in Foley, Alabama, Thursday, June 2, 2011.

The youth ages 14 to 18 are eager to experience an adventure on the river as part of the group’s  “Sola5″ outing named after the Five Solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura; Sola Gratia; Sola Fide; Solus Christus; and Soli Deo Gloria.”  According to Turner, “‎’Scripture Alone’ is our Highest Authority; Salvation is by ‘Grace Alone’ through ‘Faith Alone’ in  ‘Christ Alone’ for the ‘Glory of God Alone.’” Sola is Latin for “Alone.”

The youth paddle for a couple of hours, return to the grounds to eat lunch,  swim and kayak again before heading to the beach portion  of their adventure in Gulf Shores later that afternoon.

All participants receive “Victory Pops” for their well mannered behavior while guests at BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals.

Youth Of First Presbyterian Church Of Pascagoula, MS Listen Attentively To Instruction Prior To Kayaking With BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Of Foley, Alabama

This Guest Admits She Is Age 70 Going On 25

FOLEY, AL — Temperatures the third week of May were unseasonably cool with an uncharacteristic Northerly wind  but that did not keep Jolynn and James Pybas of Louisville, KY, from enjoying an afternoon of paddling the Bon Secour River with BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals.

The effervescent Mrs. Pybas admits her age as “near 70 going on 25″ she said. Her husband James agrees.