Only Two Weeks Remaining

**Smiling JOe** · 10-02-2010, 08:49 PM

October 1 began the best two week period in South Walton, as usual. The Gulf begins to lay flat, and get's more clear than the water in your faucet. You may have to fight off the dog flies on occasion, but damn, if you don't like this weather, you won't ever like South Walton. I live for the first half of October at the beach. Better soak up every day because when Oct 15 comes around, the weather changes. The Gulf gets cooler and you have to start hiding from the wind.

DD · 10-02-2010, 09:03 PM

Beautiful!

I guess I'll be fighting the wind....dammit.

**CastlesOfSand** · 10-03-2010, 01:24 AM

Wish I was there! I miss fall break!! I wish our school district didn't take that away, we used to come in October every year....Thanks for the pics!!

**GoodWitch58** · 10-03-2010, 09:31 AM

October is the best month...

**sunspotbaby** · 10-03-2010, 09:34 AM

agreed. October is THE best month here, hands down.

**kurt** · 10-03-2010, 01:29 PM

Except for all the aggressive alligators, bears, mosquitoes, snakes, and sharks.

**Lake View Too** · 10-03-2010, 04:29 PM

October is OK, but I deem November to be the best.

**Flossie** · 10-05-2010, 01:15 AM

Okay, how hard-and-fast is this Oct. 15 rule? 'Cause I'm arriving on the 13th and leaving on the 17th. It's going to be really hard to have one perfect full day on the 14th and then have the rest of my trip ruined by cold water and wind.

**kurt** · 10-05-2010, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Flossie

Okay, how hard-and-fast is this Oct. 15 rule? 'Cause I'm arriving on the 13th and leaving on the 17th. It's going to be really hard to have one perfect full day on the 14th and then have the rest of my trip ruined by cold water and wind.

One of my best days ever was fishing on the beach on December 15th when it was 78 degrees.

**Andy A** · 10-05-2010, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Flossie

Okay, how hard-and-fast is this Oct. 15 rule? 'Cause I'm arriving on the 13th and leaving on the 17th. It's going to be really hard to have one perfect full day on the 14th and then have the rest of my trip ruined by cold water and wind.

There is nothing hard and fast about SoWal this time of year. It is probably 90% or better that you will be just fine. The months of October, November and December here are truly fabulous!

**UofL** · 10-05-2010, 11:08 AM

My husband teaches, so we can't always take advantage of optimum times or rates. We have been coming down the day after Xmas these past two years and it has been so cold - at night especially. We do enjoy being able to walk and ride our bikes whenever during the day and like dining out so not be able to sit on the beach hasn't been that big of a deal. But this past NYE, I was on the beach in my long wool coat and ear muffs! (I took earmuffs with me to Maui for the early morning bike ride down the volcano in November. That is cold. We hope to return with UL in 2012.) Ellen

**gardening1970** · 10-05-2010, 11:25 AM

My daughter and I were in SoWal yesterday for about 6 hours. The water was stunning and the weather was fabulous. No crowds - easy parking and walking. A wonderful (although short) visit. Can't wait to download my pics.

**SWGB** · 10-05-2010, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by kurt

Except for all the aggressive alligators, bears, mosquitoes, snakes, and sharks.

Just buy them a beer and explain you're into twinks.

**STL Don** · 10-05-2010, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by kurt

Except for all the aggressive alligators, bears, mosquitoes, snakes, and sharks.

Smiling Joe used to always warn about these in October

I guess he cleared them all out.

**librarian** · 10-05-2010, 02:28 PM

i'll be down thursday afternoon through sunday but HAVE to get in at least a litttle outlet shopping-son needs warmer clothes-is there going to be any bad weather this week when i might choose shopping over beach?

**sallyh** · 10-05-2010, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

October 1 began the best two week period in South Walton, as usual. The Gulf begins to lay flat, and get's more clear than the water in your faucet. You may have to fight off the dog flies on occasion, but damn, if you don't like this weather, you won't ever like South Walton. I live for the first half of October at the beach. Better soak up every day because when Oct 15 comes around, the weather changes. The Gulf gets cooler and you have to start hiding from the wind.

I TOE-tally agree!! I'll be there 10/09 for a week! Can't wait! We love October the best too. No crowds, condo still has beach service, warm water, lovely everything!!

What's your best advice on fighting off the dog flies?

**Jdarg** · 10-05-2010, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by kurt

One of my best days ever was fishing on the beach on December 15th when it was 78 degrees.

I have pics of my kids swimming on New Year's Day a couple of years ago.

You just never know!

**florida girl** · 10-05-2010, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by sallyh

I TOE-tally agree!! I'll be there 10/09 for a week! Can't wait! We love October the best too. No crowds, condo still has beach service, warm water, lovely everything!!

What's your best advice on fighting off the dog flies?

Sign a petition to reinstate the Dog Fly Program!

**kurt** · 10-05-2010, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by florida girl

Sign a petition to reinstate the Dog Fly Program!

If you mean the plane strafing beaches with poison - no thanks!

Flies are not more numerous now anyway.

**florida girl** · 10-05-2010, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by kurt

If you mean the plane strafing beaches with poison - no thanks!

Flies are not more numerous now anyway.

As usual, I disagree! Dog Flies have been terrible! I'm sure you meant "spraying"... And as usual, if you have another viable alternative... however, I have yet to hear it.

**Smiling JOe** · 10-05-2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by sallyh

I TOE-tally agree!! I'll be there 10/09 for a week! Can't wait! We love October the best too. No crowds, condo still has beach service, warm water, lovely everything!!

What's your best advice on fighting off the dog flies?

White vinegar in a spray bottle. If you can't handle the aroma, add a little essential oil of Lemon. Shake well before spraying. Don't waste your money on DEET because it doesn't work on Dog Flies.

**SWGB** · 10-05-2010, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by florida girl

As usual, I disagree! Dog Flies have been terrible! I'm sure you meant "spraying"... And as usual, if you have another viable alternative... however, I have yet to hear it.

You're totally right, the dog flies are slightly higher in population. The interesting thing is the hundreds of dragon flies (their carnivorous BTW) that I didn't see before the plane was stopped.

http://www.dragonfly-site.com/what-d...flies-eat.html

**Flossie** · 10-06-2010, 01:15 AM

That page on dragonflies is interesting; I didn't know they were such pests. Seems like they endanger beneficial insects like bees, and pretty ones like butterflies. If they eat dog flies, though, I can live with that.

**Geo** · 10-06-2010, 01:43 AM

My expeience is that Cactus Juice works on the flies

**SWGB** · 10-06-2010, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Flossie

That page on dragonflies is interesting; I didn't know they were such pests. Seems like they endanger beneficial insects like bees, and pretty ones like butterflies. If they eat dog flies, though, I can live with that.

Unfortunately nature isn't always pretty, but it's always prettier than spraying poisons from above.

**sallyh** · 10-06-2010, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Geo

My expeience is that Cactus Juice works on the flies

Um, where can I get some Cactus Juice? (I feel a joke coming)

**kurt** · 10-06-2010, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by sallyh

Um, where can I get some Cactus Juice? (I feel a joke coming)

For the Health of It | SoWal.com - Guide For The Beaches Of South Walton & Scenic 30A

**TreeFrog** · 10-07-2010, 07:28 AM

Absolutely "chamber of commerce" weather every day this week. I saw folks checking in to rental houses yesterday, maybe getting an early start on a long Columbus Day weekend.