Going to try anything new in SoWal this year?

[Mermaid]

I have two things on my list that I've never done in all the years we've been visiting the beach.

1. I'm going to learn how to kiyak (and maybe I'll even learn to spell it right). Gypsea told me she gave it a go over Christmas week and it was lots of funn, so I'm going to give it a whirl, too. I'd love to skim over the waters of Western Lake.

2. I'm going to go hiking. There's a trail opening just west of WaterColor. Think what a good morning that would be--park at WaterColor, grab a muffin at the market there (strictly for energy, you understand ) and then walk down towards Western Lake to pick up the trail.

Anyone else have plans for something new in 2006?

[shakennotstirred]

Every year, I say I am going to rent a bike and ride the 30-a bike trail but it never happens. Perhaps this Spring Break I will get off of my butt and actually do it.

[Landlocked]

The main thing I'll be trying on our next trip is to not bring so much junk with us. We looked like the the Beverly Hillbillies on our last trip.

I would like to try the kayak thing, too. I do alot of fishing and from what I've heard, that's the way to do it. Hope I don't get eaten..

[TooFarTampa]

This is so embarrassing but ... I haven't been to Grayton Beach State Park yet. :oops:

The kids (at least one of them) have been too little for more than just a jaunt to the beach, not a full or even a half day. My 2-year-old wouldn't even let me put him down until this last trip. We went to Seagrove and played in the sand at sunset and this time he really "got" it. We'll head to the park on our next trip.

I also want to do the bike thing, but I am always on-guard as a mommy and I am too clumsy to try to bring one of them with me in those little carriers. I would worry about getting run over.

[KISH7374]

I want to go to the Red Bar for dinner one night.I have been there for lunch but not to spend the evening. Dinner and drinks there for the night.

[Jdarg]

[QUOTE=TooFarTampa]This is so embarrassing but ... I haven't been to Grayton Beach State Park yet. :oops:

My husband thought it would be fun to go for a walk one day. I was 7 months pregnant with Kate. We were staying in Grayton, so we trekked out to 30-A and started hoofing it down the bikepath- us, Will, who was 8 at the time, and another family with 2 kids. It was 98 degrees and 90% humidity. Let me restate that I was 7 months pregnant. All I wanted to do that trip was float in the water like a big ol' whale.

Bdarg keeps saying "It's not that much farther". We walk and walk and get to the Park Ranger stop after walking down the LONG park road. They asked us for money- and we didn't know it was a pay situation, so we didn't have any money with us. Well, I must have had an awful look on my face, like I was going to go into labor or something, 'cause the park ranger waved us on in. We walked more and more, and finally got to a water fountain. Then Bdarg informed me that we were walking back via the beach. I thought I was going to have Kate in the dunes somewhere between the park and the outflow, and the turtle watch people could give me a ride back the next morning.

I didn't get the chance last summer, but I do want to walk up there when I am not pregnant! And not cussing at my husband the entire way !

[Donna]

I want to do a double feature one rainy day at The Raven Cinemas, located at the northwest corner of Highway 98 and the Mid-bay Bridge highway. My brother tells me that all the screens and sound are state-of-the-art and there are fun places to pop out for lunch or dinner in between movies. I noticed there are also some great bookstores in that area. We usually like to stay south of 30A, once we get there. But we need to explore the area more. We didn't see one movie in two weeks on our recent visit, not so much as an HBO movie or a DVD. We do better than that at home.

[Jdarg]

One of the reasons I want to come down for New Year's next year is to see all the stuff we don't get to see in the summer, like Eden State park, the hiking/biking trails, more galleries, Appalachicola and that area...in summer, we are at the beach from 9 am to dark.

[ShallowsNole]

I want to go to the Red Bar for dinner one night.I have been there for lunch but not to spend the evening. Dinner and drinks there for the night.

That's actually my plan too - or to 331. I've been to 331 for lunch - not dinner, but not to the Red Bar at all.

My 13-year-old son has had lunch at the Red Bar, but I haven't. Isn't that sad?!

[steele mama]

That's actually my plan too - or to 331. I've been to 331 for lunch - not dinner, but not to the Red Bar at all.

My 13-year-old son has had lunch at the Red Bar, but I haven't. Isn't that sad?!

SN - That is very sad, well not so much sad as unbelievable. It seems when you live somewhere you don't frequent the places that the visitors visit. Go on a Sunday afternoon when Dread is playing.

[audie]

The main thing I'll be trying on our next trip is to not bring so much junk with us. We looked like the the Beverly Hillbillies on our last trip.

I would like to try the kayak thing, too. I do alot of fishing and from what I've heard, that's the way to do it. Hope I don't get eaten..

other than the kayak thing, you should talk to my hubby. he has an avalanche which i completely fill up with stuff on vacation, he swears that's why his gas mileage is so bad! i hate to leave anything home tho - you never know what you might need. now this year we have to jam his new "mini green egg" grill and a bag of charcoal in there too !

[Mermaid]

Well, I have to admit that I'd never been to the Red Bar either before last fall, and even then it was only because our friends' two grandsons work there! Now I can't get enough of the place. I love the food. I love the bands that play there (especially one very special one). And I really love that funky beachy perfect vibe. It makes me feel like I'm on vacation!

[Ocean Lover]

[QUOTE=jdarg]

This is so embarrassing but ... I haven't been to Grayton Beach State Park yet. :oops:

My husband thought it would be fun to go for a walk one day. I was 7 months pregnant with Kate. We were staying in Grayton, so we trekked out to 30-A and started hoofing it down the bikepath- us, Will, who was 8 at the time, and another family with 2 kids. It was 98 degrees and 90% humidity. Let me restate that I was 7 months pregnant. All I wanted to do that trip was float in the water like a big ol' whale.

Bdarg keeps saying "It's not that much farther". We walk and walk and get to the Park Ranger stop after walking down the LONG park road. They asked us for money- and we didn't know it was a pay situation, so we didn't have any money with us. Well, I must have had an awful look on my face, like I was going to go into labor or something, 'cause the park ranger waved us on in. We walked more and more, and finally got to a water fountain. Then Bdarg informed me that we were walking back via the beach. I thought I was going to have Kate in the dunes somewhere between the park and the outflow, and the turtle watch people could give me a ride back the next morning.

I didn't get the chance last summer, but I do want to walk up there when I am not pregnant! And not cussing at my husband the entire way !

JDarg, I could feel your pain. That was one loooong walk. I think the beach is much faster isn't it? We drove to the park a couple of days this summer. Our walkover wasn't available so we went to the state park. We were practically the only ones there on the beach! It was wonderful. It's where I found four sand dollars. You pay a $4 admission for the whole day and the first day we were there a big storm came suddenly and we had to leave. We decided to get out money's worth and come back after the storm. We were going to hike some of the trails. At 6 p.m. Not a good idea. Mosquitos as big as your head. Everywhere. Yikes. So what I want to do in 2006 is go back to the GBSP trails a little earlier in the day.

[Kimmifunn]

SN - That is very sad, well not so much sad as unbelievable. It seems when you live somewhere you don't frequent the places that the visitors visit. Go on a Sunday afternoon when Dread is playing.

Oh Steele Mama! We went on Sunday and spotted Grayton Kid. We had a blast with him. He does think we are a little crazy though. After New Year's Eve and 2 mimosas (the big ones) we were a little punchy. I saw him and yelled Grayton Kid and he hid from me. So I chased him down. He had a lot of questions for us...and I was very shocked to hear he was only 10! What a cool kid. He totally "gets" it. Not to mention...he played a trick on Whitey and I that got us both out of our chair very very quickly!

Of course we saw Steeling1 and 3. I know Steeling2, but didn't see her down this trip!

[iwishiwasthere]

I want to go sailing. Would love to learn, but not sure that will happen

[Beach Runner]

I used to aspire to running from the entire length of 30-A. But thanks to plantar fasciitis, I'd like to bike the entire length of 30-A. That'd be easy - now I'm lucky to run an occasional 10K, and a four-miler a few times a week.

[ShallowsNole]

SN - That is very sad, well not so much sad as unbelievable. It seems when you live somewhere you don't frequent the places that the visitors visit. Go on a Sunday afternoon when Dread is playing.

As far as not frequenting the places the visitors visit - that's definitely true. Being married to a cop further restricts the list of acceptable activities. Come to think of it, even my husband has eaten at the Red Bar - outside while working security about 3 years ago. Crab cakes! Aarrrrgh!

Just seems as though, when you live here, there is always something else that needs to be done. I do want to go when Dread is playing, though! And before summer hits!

[TooFarTampa]

Jdarg: I don't even know what to say to your story! Other than, yikes! And I hope you got a massage or pedicure after that. You SO earned it.

[Jdarg]

Jdarg: I don't even know what to say to your story! Other than, yikes! And I hope you got a massage or pedicure after that. You SO earned it.

No, probably cooked dinner and washed beach towels!! I certainly didn't have my feet up while sucking down margeritas!

[TooFarTampa]

No, probably cooked dinner and washed beach towels!! I certainly didn't have my feet up while sucking down margeritas!

No wonder you were !

[Mermaid]

I'm adding one more important thing to my list. I'm not going to sit around saying "Oh, we'll try that restaurant the next time we're at the beach." I said that about Lake Place and now it's burnt up and who knows when I'll get the chance to enjoy a meal there.

Same thing with shopping at the beach since it seems like so many shops change hands or move or close.

[jessifunn]

I have two things on my list that I've never done in all the years we've been visiting the beach.

1. I'm going to learn how to kiyak (and maybe I'll even learn to spell it right). Gypsea told me she gave it a go over Christmas week and it was lots of funn, so I'm going to give it a whirl, too. I'd love to skim over the waters of Western Lake.

2. I'm going to go hiking. There's a trail opening just west of WaterColor. Think what a good morning that would be--park at WaterColor, grab a muffin at the market there (strictly for energy, you understand ) and then walk down towards Western Lake to pick up the trail.

Anyone else have plans for something new in 2006?

mermaid we could have made the kayak thing come true already both kimmi and i have kayaks

[Mermaid]

mermaid we could have made the kayak thing come true already both kimmi and i have kayaks

Well then, it's all the more reason for Merman and I to scoop you up in Nashville on our way to the beach--with kayaks in tow!!!

[katie blue]

--Mermaid, I want to kayak too, that's probably first on my list.
--I want to get the nerve someday to go to a fancy place like Fish Out of Water, because I hear the food is amazing.
--I'd like to catch a Seaside Rep Improv Comedy show.
--I want to go to a bon fuego on the beach!
--But mostly, I'd like to make a point to meet more SoWallers next time

[Jdarg]

I want to go on a good beach walk every morning- half by myself, half with Bdarg. There is so much togetherness on family vacation that I really need some alone time occasionally!

[Ocean Lover]

I want to go on a good beach walk every morning- half by myself, half with Bdarg. There is so much togetherness on family vacation that I really need some alone time occasionally!

Many times the kids and hubby are body surfing or skim boarding and I walk the beach alone. I absolutely LOVE it. It is a time when I feel closest to God and nature. What an awesome creation He has given us.

[Miss Kitty]

--Mermaid, I want to kayak too, that's probably first on my list.
--I want to get the nerve someday to go to a fancy place like Fish Out of Water, because I hear the food is amazing.
--I'd like to catch a Seaside Rep Improv Comedy show.
--I want to go to a bon fuego on the beach!
--But mostly, I'd like to make a point to meet more SoWallers next time

Why do you need "nerve" kb??? All you need is $$$$!!!!

[steele mama]

Oh Steele Mama! We went on Sunday and spotted Grayton Kid. We had a blast with him. He does think we are a little crazy though. After New Year's Eve and 2 mimosas (the big ones) we were a little punchy. I saw him and yelled Grayton Kid and he hid from me. So I chased him down. He had a lot of questions for us...and I was very shocked to hear he was only 10! What a cool kid. He totally "gets" it. Not to mention...he played a trick on Whitey and I that got us both out of our chair very very quickly!

Of course we saw Steeling1 and 3. I know Steeling2, but didn't see her down this trip!

Kimmi - Just saw your message. I did hear about his trickery. I'm so glad y'all got to meet. He certainly can be entertaining. Sounds like you had quite a Holiday! Sorry I missed all that funn. NEXT TIME!!!