Found 9 blog entries tagged as Gulf Coast living.


Ono Island Real Estate Guide

Are There Condos on Ono Island—or Only Single-Family Homes?

Understanding the distinctive residential character, custom architecture and individual homes found throughout Ono Island.


Ono Island Townhomes, Duplexes, Condos

One of the questions I often hear from buyers is, “Are there condos on Ono Island?”

The simple answer is no. There are no condominiums, townhomes or duplexes on Ono Island.

The island is composed of detached, single-family residences and homesites, ranging from comfortable coastal retreats to substantial waterfront estates.

That distinction is central to the character of Ono Island—and it is one of the things I appreciate most about living here.

A Community of Individual Homes

Ono Island does not…

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Osprey at the New Ono Island Boat Launch: A Small Moment That Says So Much About Island Life

Ono Island Boat Launch Homes Real Estate



There are certain moments on Ono Island that stop me in my tracks.

A couple of days ago, I was at the newly improved Ono Island boat launch when I looked up and saw this osprey nest — active, alive, and beautifully positioned above one of the places that means so much to our boating community. With wings stretched wide against that brilliant blue Gulf Coast sky, this osprey seemed to capture exactly what I love about living here: strength, instinct, water, wilderness, and home.

“Ono Island has a way of reminding me that luxury is not always about what is built. Sometimes, it is about what is preserved.”

As a homeowner on Ono Island and…

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Why I Keep Returning to Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya

Puerto Aventuras Dreams Hotel Resort Search The Gulf

Today is my last day at Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. Tomorrow, I am returning home to the Gulf Coast — back to Orange Beach, Ono Island, and the waterways I love so much.

I have been to this resort approximately ten times, and every time I come back, I am reminded why I keep returning. Puerto Aventuras has a peaceful marina lifestyle, beautiful Caribbean water, easy walkability, and that relaxed waterfront rhythm that always speaks to me.

Some places are worth visiting once. Others quietly become part of your life.

A Coastal Community That Feels Familiar

Puerto Aventuras is a gated marina community between Playa del Carmen and…

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Should You Throw Out Closed Shellfish After Cooking? A Gulf Coast Note From Orange Beach & Ono Island

Gulf Coast Shellfish Mussels Clams Safety

Living along the Gulf Coast has its own beautiful rhythm — the tides, the marina lights, the sound of boats moving through the back bays, and the simple pleasure of fresh seafood shared at the end of the day. From Orange Beach to Ono Island, seafood is part of the coastal lifestyle so many people come here dreaming about.

As Meredith Folger Amon, a real estate advisor living and working along this coastline, I am often asked questions that go beyond property lines, boat docks, marina access, boathouses, canal depth, and waterfront views. Some of the most practical questions come from clients who are newer to Gulf Coast living.

“One…

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Great Blue Heron on the Shoreline: A Gulf Coast Moment in Orange Beach, Alabama

Coastal Bird Orange Beach Alabama Meredith Folger

The first time I pulled this image up on my screen, I could almost feel the breeze off the Gulf again. I took this photo on the shoreline in Orange Beach, Alabama, and this elegant bird walked right into the frame as if it had been hired for the day.


For anyone wondering, this beautiful coastal neighbor is a Great Blue Heron—one of the most iconic wading birds along the Gulf Coast. With that long, graceful neck, dagger-straight beak, and those slate-blue feathers that catch every bit of light, it is unmistakable. In my head I started calling this one “Gulfie”—a sweet, slightly curious soul who looked like it had places to go but was willing to share a quiet…

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Slow-Simmered Coastal Collard Greens: A Southern Gulf Coast Favorite

On the Southern Gulf Coast, some recipes feel stitched right into the rhythm of everyday life. For me, collard greens are one of those dishes. When a cool breeze slips across the water in Orange Beach or over Old River on Ono Island, there is nothing more comforting than a heavy pot slowly simmering on the stove, filling the house with smoky, savory warmth.

Search The Gulf Meredith Folger Amon

“The best collard greens on the Gulf Coast should taste like time — softened, layered, smoky, and full of the quiet comfort only a long simmer can produce.”

I grew to love the way collard greens transform over a couple of unhurried hours. At the beginning, they’re sturdy, almost stubborn leaves. By the end, they’ve…

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Sassafras on Ono Island, Alabama: What It Is and Why People Pick It

Sassafras is one of those quietly iconic Southern trees that can stop you in your tracks once you learn to recognize it. Around Ono Island and Orange Beach, I hear people talk about “the mitten-leaf tree” they like to pick from. Most of the time, they mean sassafras.

“Once you know sassafras, you start seeing it everywhere — the mitten-shaped leaves, the unmistakable spicy-citrus scent, and that old-school Southern connection to gumbo.”

Meredith Folger Amon

What is sassafras

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a native North American tree in the laurel family. It’s known for its aromatic leaves and roots, its vivid fall color, and its famously variable leaf…

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IS THERE A RESTAURANT ON ONO ISLAND? SEARCH THE GULF: TOP DINING OPTIONS FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS NEAR ONO ISLAND, ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA 

Ono Island Dining Restaurants

One of the most frequent questions I hear from both residents and visitors of Ono Island is, “Is there a restaurant on Ono Island?” The idea of a waterfront eatery nestled into the island’s serene and exclusive environment is certainly enticing, but the answer is, unfortunately, no. Ono Island doesn’t currently have any restaurants.

However, that doesn’t mean your dining options are limited. Occasionally, food trucks roll onto the island for community events, bringing a bit of variety and excitement to island life. If you’re looking to enjoy a true restaurant experience—complete with a sit-down meal, a…

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Enhancing Property Values in Orange Beach, Alabama: The Power of Boating and Fishing

Orange Beach Alabama Boating and Homes and Condos


In the picturesque coastal town of Orange Beach, Alabama, the allure of boating and fishing extends beyond the activities themselves. In this engaging real estate blog, we will explore the undeniable connection between boating, fishing, and property values. Join us as we uncover the myriad benefits of owning a home with boating amenities in Orange Beach. Discover how the thrill of casting lines and cruising along the Gulf Coast can enhance both your lifestyle and the value of your investment.

Embrace the Orange Beach Lifestyle


Orange Beach boasts a stunning Gulf Coast location that invites residents to immerse themselves in a captivating coastal lifestyle.…

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