Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — It is Columbus Day in our small Southern beach town, a holiday honoring a Spanish sailor who famously got completely lost and claimed the Americas when he was actually sitting in the Caribbean islands. Around here, that level of navigational confusion doesn't make you a historic explorer—it just means you tried driving to Pirates Cove in Elberta by car without GPS.

Our stretch of sand has plenty of its own maritime lore. In fact, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María have all docked at LuLu's before. Over the years, we've also had plenty of modern-day sailors stumble ashore claiming to have unearthed something incredibly valuable, only to realize they were just at the Flora-Bama.

Throughout history, various governments have tried to colonize the area, but a group of free-spirited locals held their ground, claiming an area right on the state line next to be Tribal Lands. Proud of their independence, they raised a pirate flag, and to this day, local establishments across town fly the pirate flag to show their comradery with that same rebellious spirit. In a reverse twist of history, we now have plenty of locals who visit the Caribbean and casually claim whole beaches for their mother country.

When it comes to refreshments, our island traditions diverge sharply from 15th-century seamanship. Red wine, which was the undisputed favorite of Columbus's crew, happens to be the single least consumed drink on our island. Instead, locals prefer the Bushwacker, making sure to add a dark rum topper to prove their true island heritage.

So today, take the day off from your job, make a quick pit stop at the ATM since the bank is closed, and raise a glass to celebrate Columbus Day—or as locals call it, "just another Monday."