7 minute read
Cruising Outposts
Cruising Outposts Cruising Outpost - The Shed -
The Shed
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By Bob Bitchin
Ocean Springs
7501 HWY 57 Ocean Springs, MS
Gulfport
15094 Mills Road, Gulfport MS
Mobile
One of the most fun Cruising Outpost’s there is has three locations, each of which are very welcoming to cruisers. In Fact, they cater our Advanced Cruising Seminar in Biloxi every year (this year at the Maragaritaville Casino!) What makes The Shed such a great Cruising Outpost is the fact that the owners are avid cruisers.
Brooke Lewis, Brad Orrison and Brett Orrison began their BBQ and Blues journey in 2001. This wild ride has taken them on quite a successful trip.
It all began with dumpster diving, using G-Maw’s Lowes credit card, and learning to slow smoke meat and put a menu together. When they opened the doors folks simply loved it.
One evening while dumpster diving, Brad Orrison, knee-deep in hardwood flooring, had an epiphany: “I’m gonna build myself a take-out barbecue joint with all this junk!” Brad (24) and his sister Brooke (19) hammered and nailed. They practiced cooking, smoking, and timing meat to perfection. A few weeks after opening, Brother Brett (22) who had just graduated from Full Sail University in Recording Arts and was the sound engineer for the House of Blues in New Orleans, breezed in with all his knowledge and contacts to set up one of the finest Blues venues in the South. Now, The Shed had all the elements it needed to become a true BBQ & Blues Joint.
The Shed is truly a family affair with Brad at the helm with the ideas, Brooke making sure that those ideas make money, Brett on the sound, Mom telling everybody about it through marketing, their G-Maw manning her beer bar (she doesn’t even drink beer) and Daddy O making sure they don’t do anything stupid. Oh, and when Daddy O tried his best to retire, the kids came up with something for him to do… make BBQ sauce for all The Sheds! So now Daddy O is the “Saucerer” at The Shed Saucery!
BUT WAIT!!! There’s even more to the story... It’s the customers, affectionately known as “ShedHeads.” After eating at The Shed, folks started volunteering to
The Shed - Cruising Outpost - The Shed
help. They would bring in more junk to spruce up the place, build additions on the building so they would have a place to sit, and offer to do anything they could do to help Brad and Brooke put out more BBQ to keep up with the crowds. So, over the years the little 300-square-foot take-out has morphed into 9,570 square feet including the office and stage. It seats 120 inside and an additional 450 outside.
The Shed’s not a fancy restaurant. As a matter of fact, it’s not a restaurant at all… it’s a full-fledged JOINT. The Shed is an Experience, a Destination to enjoy! The original Shed is located in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. There are now three Shed BBQ locations where you can get fed:
Original location at 7501 HWY 57 Ocean Springs, MS, 39565
Gulfport location at 15094 Mills Road, Gulfport, MS, 39503
Mobile location at 5753 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL, 66608
Cruising Outpost - Bitter End Yacht Club - Cruising Outpost - The Chowder Barge
The Bitter End Yacht Club Virgin Gorda Sound - British Virgin Islands
By Bob Bitchin
Our favorite stop in the BVIs is the Bitter End Yacht Club. As a matter of fact, I celebrated my 60th birthday there. I don’t think there is a more beautiful place in the islands.
The Bitter End is a family run resort, with the Hokins all participating in its growth and dedicated to the enjoyable vacation of every guest. There are accommodations for up to 18 yachts including eight large yachts (up to 150’) and ten smaller yachts (sail and/or power) and most slips are in ten feet or more of water. Eight slips can accommodate boats with drafts of 15 feet or more. The Dockside Bar and Restaurant and main bar have views that can’t be beat. The Bitter End is proud to be one of our official Cruising Outposts.
- Cruising Outpost - The Chowder Barge
This is the ultimate Cruising Outpost. There is none better! It is the floating Chowder Barge in Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington, CA. Dingy in or tie up at the 40’ guest slip on the end of the barge! The food rocks, the Captain’s Mugs of brew are huge, and you feel at home when you walk in. Oh, and owner, Nyla Olsen (on the right) is Popeye’s great-granddaughter. For real!
Sunrise Resort, Abaco, Bahamas -
Sunrise Resort Abaco, Bahamas
Sunrise Resort and Marina on Grand Bahama Island is our newest Cruising Outpost and it is a welcoming stop for cruisers crossing to or from the U.S. The resort is just 70 nautical miles from Florida, tucked in a quiet and protected cove just off the Atlantic Ocean. This intimate resort is a relaxing, cruiser-friendly place to dock, mingle with other boaters and explore the island.
Where Sunrise really shines is service, earning it a top spot on TripAdvisor and a 2012 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. Lead by General Manager Ta’Shar Cuccurullo, the friendly Bahamian staff members welcome guests with warm smiles and go out of their way to ensure a memorable vacation.
Sunrise Resort, Abaco, Bahamas - Cruising Outpost - Sunrise Resort, Abaco, Bahamas
Sunrise Resort & Marina is an official Port of Entry for the Bahamas, with customs and immigration clearance located on site. A full-service boat yard with 40-ton capacity is adjacent to the resort and can provide everything from fuel and parts to maintenance and repairs.
The only marina resort on Grand Bahama with floating docks, Sunrise features 70 protected slips equipped with fresh water, electric pedestals and TV cable. The marina resort has 24-hour security and boaters receive full use of the resort amenities as well as access to the laundry, showers and cable TV.
The entrance channel is easy
The pool area
Dockside Tropical Cafe
Coming Soon: Dockside Tropical Cafe Boot Key, Marathon, FL
It’s about time! After 20 years of playing at waterfront venues, and after almost 15 years playing at our Cruisers’ Parties all over the world, it looks like Eric has found a home.
Dockside is currently closed for modifications and upgrades. It has been an icon as one of the most popular hangouts on Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, in the Florida Keys. It’s often referred to as Boot Key Harbor’s “living room” by the cruisers.
Eric Stone and his wife, Kim Hess, who writes the Healthy Cruising columns, are now planning to add a tiki hut roof, new and additional dinghy docks, a tasteful blend of tiki and island themed decor, food and drinks and of course, the best music in the Keys!
If you want to be a part of Eric Stone’s Dockside Tropical Cafe check out the progress at www. docksidetropicalcafe.com. Follow them on facebook at: www.facebook.com/DocksideTrop /www.twitter. com/DocksideTrop.
