Memories of a "Simpler Life" Sets BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals Apart From Other Kayak Rentals on the Bon Secour River

 Foley, AL --- When River Rick opened BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals seven years ago, there were three or four other kayak rental operations in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/ Ft. Morgan, AL area. Kayaking was not listed as a Gulf Shores "Thing To Do." He rarely observed vehicles hauling kayaks on car roofs, he says "and there were no public kayak launches at area parks."

PHOTO BY BEACHNRIVER KAYAK RENTALS --- No one paddled the Bon Secour River when River Rick first purchased property off the river more than 15 years ago. The River was cold and dark from foliage overhanging the water.

"We never saw paddlers when we cruised the Bon Secour River" he expanded. "If we ran into folks on other boats, they were typically fishing from Jon Boats."

"Seven years ago, I can't recall a vacation rental home located directly on the river that boasted of the easy kayaking opportunities before we offered our own 'BeachnRiver Vacation Rental Home'" says River Rick. "During the (short) time we owned the home, we offered free use of kayaks, a canoe and a pedal boat for the week to explore the Bon Secour River as part of the weekly rental amenities." 

River Rick realized the paddling potential of the river and went about the business of trying to get the word out about how wonderfully easy and peaceful it is to kayak the area's back waters --- and that a visit to the beach can, and should, include such paddling adventures to enhance the vacationer's experience. 

PHOTO BY BEACHNRIVER KAYAK RENTALS --- when this photo was taken we rarely saw boaters or kayakers on the Bon Secour River.  Now that there are so many kayak rental businesses offering this kayaking experience, how do you choose which business to launch from?  You must ask yourself what your priorities are. We offer value, nice equipment  --- but more than that, we offer a "mood" and "spirit" that can take you back to a "Simpler Time" in life.

Fast forward to vacationing in Gulf Shores, AL 2017 and you will find photos of kayakers peacefully paddling backwaters on the banner of the gulfshores.com "PLAY" section of their website.

In addition, you can now type in Bon Secour River, AL and find AirBnB offerings, vacation rental homes (and even homes currently offered for sale by Realtor/Owners) that boast a value added benefit of kayak and other paddle rentals. These enterprising entrepreneurial-types create cardboard signs, tack them on telephone poles, hang advertising flags and banners in front of their neighborhood homes, create FB pages, advertise on Craigslist, start a webpage, and Badda Bing, Badda Boom! they are a "Kayak Rental Business".

"With all things being equal --- price, boats, views (kayaking the Bon Secour River) --- how is a visitor to the Gulf Shores, Al area to know the difference between one kayak rental 'business' from another? " --- asks River Rick, Owner, BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals, Foley, AL

PHOTO BY BEACHNRIVER KAYAK RENTALS --- All things are not equal kayaking from BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals. There is not another kayak rental business located on the historic Bon Secour River (AL) that you would launch from such a shaded and lushly planted area. Your walk to the launch is lined with Tropical plants like Banana Trees, Cannas and Gingers. Herbs like Fennel, Lavender, Rosemary and Oregano heighten the senses as you brush by them.  

There are three obvious differences you will discover upon arrival to BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals:

1) You will find easy parking and will launch from shaded, privately-owned property that is constantly patrolled by River Rick, a military veteran and property owner;

2) Pathways burst with exotically-scented and blowsy flowers, herbs (even weeds!) and plantings to attract frogs, birds, bees, hummers and butterflies (opposed to meticulously trimmed and poisoned landscapes designed to impress humans);

3) You will notice the lack of advertising signage.

PHOTO BY BEACHNRIVER KAYAK RENTALS --- Every single sliver of Liriope, every shrub, every flower was planted seven years ago when River River first conceived of operating a kayak rental business. The idea was to help engage other senses as you walk toward the "launch" area.

You may not immediately understand or appreciate the advantages of such differences, but you will gain ease of mind that:

1) Your vehicle won't be damaged or towed because you unknowingly trespassed on privately-owned property (some unscrupulous "businesses" launch from privately-owned and out-of-business parking lots or from "Posted" home-owner association launches);

2) You are supporting a business where the property owner does what he can to protect the pristine beauty of the river with regular river trash clean-up paddles. He also maintains a "Riparian Buffer" to shade and provide shelter for wildlife, and to protect the river from runoff. The property is certified as a "Wildlife Habitat";

3) Because the owner takes the time to inform via blog posts and other social media posts, you can feel good you support a business owner that cares more about you --- the vacationing guest --- having the best kayaking experience, than he cares about "just making a buck." 

When River Rick began this kayaking "business" seven years ago, he knew what a treasure he landed upon when he came to the Gulf Shores area. He also knew he wanted to offer something different than just a "Alabama Kayak Rental Livery." He created limitations, (early morning launch times --- so folks aren't setting out in the dead heat of day)  set rules, (No Alcohol, No Smoking, No Cussin'  --- for a family-friendly atmosphere)  stopped being controlled by a cell phone, and put the focus on "Old-Fashioned Values" so guests can experience a "Step Back in Time." 

BEACHNRIVER KAYAKING --- In one typical three to four hour paddle you will be reminded of a simpler time … where kids learned to swim in rivers and where folks fish off their docks to catch dinner.

His slogan became: BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals "Where You'll Have a Beachin' Good Time"  and, where you can "Find Your Inner Huck Finn."

One of the greatest compliments River Rick can receive is to have returning families say "Kayaking from BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals and 'visiting' with River Rick is like  spending a vacation with a long, lost relative." 

BEACHNRIVER KAYAKING --- Three generations paddled with us this day. Even without a photo to remind them,  I'll bet this family has fond memories of their kayaking experience!

Guests are usually amazed that at his advanced age River Rick still walks around bare-footed (even over gravel) and that he let his grayed, never-dyed and naturally curly hair and beard grow long.

River Rick will typically greet you with a dog, a cat (even ducks) that follow him as he walks. His enthusiasm for life and nature is infectious. He is an enjoyable character that most people describe as "kind," and "thoughtful." 

He has a curious and independent spirit --- much like what we've learned of Huck Finn. He does things according to what he "feels is the right thing to do." 

Competition for the tourist dollar is stiffer than ever. 

With a new amusement park, a zipline,  helicopter, plane and balloon rides, packs that can shoot a person out of the water and the typical "sightseeing" tours that advertise from low-flying planes with banners that flutter by the shoreline every few minutes ---  it is a tough sell to ask folks to "slow down," become an "active participant" in an adventure, and allow oneself to be free from "contraptions" that rob one from being "present" and "in the moment" long enough to carve out a memory.

Ask yourself:  "If you lost your cell phone and your photo albums were destroyed, what are your most treasured memories about your previous vacations?"

If your answer has more to do with joyful memories with precious loved ones and experiences hearkening back to a "Simpler Time," you will more than likely enjoy the way "BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals" operates. 

PHOTO BY BEACHNRIVER KAYAK RENTALS --- if this photo was never taken, River Rick would still have pleasing, lasting memories of this paddling experience. We have discovered there is not one single photograph or video that can "match" the beauty of how we "see" the river. To us a photograph simply "documents" --- it cannot accurately "define" the experience or adequately capture the beauty of the moment as we experience it. If, as photographer, I try to accurately "capture" the moment, I am essentially "missing" it. I am not "experiencing" it --- just recording. This is why we recommend putting away the gadgets to actively engage your senses. Create long-lasting "memories" as you experience them! This is the message behind purposely blurring the above photo. Do you "get it?"

"If you'd like to learn more, please check out our blogs and read/review our various blog posts. Then PHONE 251.971.8359 to reserve (while you're thinking of us!). I'd love if BeachnRiver Kayak Rentals becomes a part of your past and future memories."

"River Rick"