Thanksgiving Week......

:welcome: Ellesu

ellesu, you will love it there. You really can't tell that much difference in the sand, IMO, but the water in Destin and SoWal is just gorgeous!! No comparison to Gulf Shores.
Really can't help you with your other questions, but if you are going down a few days before Thanksgiving you shouldn't have a problem getting a turkey at any of the larger grocery stores. I think SoWal now has a Publix. Have fun, you will fall in love with the area.

Gulf Shores is all about four-lane highways and chain restaurants. SoWal is all about being laid back and unique. A lot of owners are here at Thanksgiving, so there are a lot of private parties. If you get friendly with an owner, you'll get invited. It's just really a nice family atmosphere with people relaxing and enjoying walking on the beach and enjoying the beauty of Mother Nature. You will never go back to Gulf Shores after experiencing SoWal.

As far as food goes, I don't like to have to stress over whether one of my favorite items is sold out at Publix on the day before Thanksgiving when I arrive. So I buy everything I need for Thanksgiving the weekend before, prepare breakfast muffins, desserts, and everything that is freezable that weekend, and bring the rest with me. The turkey thaws in a cooler full of ice on the trip down. It works out well.

If you don't want to take that route, call Cocoon's and place an order for their wide variety of food choices (with a Cajun flair). Buy the rest at Publix. Oh, and get some steamed shrimp at Goatfeathers.

:welcome:

Welcome Ellesu! :clap_1: Other than the fact that the Emerald Coast Waters, speak for themselves, there's nothing like them!They are literally Emerald Green and rightfully named! Personally, I think that this area is much more enjoyable! Didn't Gulf Shores sustain alot of damage?

There are several grocery stores in the area, though I prefer Publix. They might even be selling whole cooked turkeys, for holidays. You can easily go online, search and get any info you'd like, in the area. I'm sure that you could even find a turkey. Though I am including a link to an Online Gourmet Turkey Business, that could take your entire Holiday meal order! They have turkey breasts, cutlett's, ground turkey, whole turkeys, fixens and more! For what you'll end up paying for Turkey and fixens, you could probably eat out and not have the hassles! :wub: http://www.dinewise.com/turkey.html?source=cooked+turkey

Restaurant interest, I can help with the BEST! :clap_1: I tell everyone about the Old Florida Fish House and Bar, between Seagrove(Eastern Side) and Seacrest? It's fairly new, located right off of 30A on Eastern Lake, just over the bridge and on the left. My son Russ is one of their best servers , if I do say so myself! :razz: Anyone wanting a server that is very attentive and will provide a wonderful dining experience, should ask for him. If you forget his name, just ask for the big muscular, goodlooking guy, that recently returned form overseas! I'm sure that OFFHB'S going to have a Thanksgiving Dinner, too.

One of the owners, also owns Harbor Docks and they've done a GREAT job here, too! They have a diverse menu, unbelievable Sushi and I didn't even care for it, before. The atmoshere is very unique, food's superb, resort casual(have seen people in shorts and T'sl), wall waterfall and more! I haven't heard of anyone, that wasn't extremely pleased! Alot of people are thrilled, to have such a FANTASTIC Restaurant E. on 30A!

As far as the Eastern V Western Seagrove Beach: I live more to the west and to me, it's more established with older properties and a little more congestion. Eastern area seems less congested, with more new construction. It's all great though, peaceful and beautiful! The bike trail all along 30A are fantastic. You can even get a bike trail map, for 30A and the area. You'll enjoy checking out this 30A website, it's very informative! http://www.30-a.com/discover/guideto30a.asp


I'm saying a prayer for you and yours tonight, Ellesu!

Hi....I'm new to the boards and new to the Beaches of South Walton. My family and I will be staying on Seagrove beach Thanksgiving week and I can't wait. We usually stay in Gulf Shores. Can anyone describe how South Walton beaches will be different from Gulf Shores as far as the beaches themselves and the activities offered?

And, the question I really wanted to ask is, are there any restaurants or grocery stores that we could order a Thanksgiving turkey from? I REALLY don't want to haul a turkey all the way from Baton Rouge. 😀

One more question if you don't mind (I'm sitting here in Baton Rouge trying to take my mind off Rita passing over as I type. ....Still have power so it's all good at the moment). Is there much difference in East Seagrove and West Seagrove?

Thank you all....

Oh my goodness, thank you guys! 😀 You're a great bunch. SoWal sounds like it's exactly what I was looking for. Why haven't I found it before now?? :idontno: I've been reading the 'Top Ten Things to do in SoWal' (can't sleep with the storm howling outside) :( and I can see myself with that cup of Community Coffee watching the sun rise--or will I walk the beach with a steaming coffee mug as the sun rises? ....Such lovely choices! And the sunsets I read about. :clap_1: I think I'll enjoy those with something more grownup. Maybe one my favorite *girly* drinks, as my husband calls them. :lol:

I'm getting hungry just reading about all the restaurants. I'm leaning toward cooking, freezing, and bringing Thanksgiving dinner down with me. But..I'm already planning all those other meals we'll have to eat. I hope Russ is working when we go to the Old Florida Fish House and Bar. I'll tell him his mom sent us. 😀 And thank you Diane 4145 for those prayers. I think we in BR about over the bad part now but my heart goes out to those in Lake Charles. They're being slammed.

Whew! I think I'm going to try and sleep now. And dream of those emerald waters. Thanks y'all.

Oh my goodness, thank you guys! 😀 You're a great bunch. SoWal sounds like it's exactly what I was looking for. Why haven't I found it before now?? :idontno: I've been reading the 'Top Ten Things to do in SoWal' (can't sleep with the storm howling outside) :( and I can see myself with that cup of Community Coffee watching the sun rise--or will I walk the beach with a steaming coffee mug as the sun rises? ....Such lovely choices! And the sunsets I read about. :clap_1: I think I'll enjoy those with something more grownup. Maybe one my favorite *girly* drinks, as my husband calls them. :lol:

I'm getting hungry just reading about all the restaurants. I'm leaning toward cooking, freezing, and bringing Thanksgiving dinner down with me. But..I'm already planning all those other meals we'll have to eat. I hope Russ is working when we go to the Old Florida Fish House and Bar. I'll tell him his mom sent us. 😀 And thank you Diane 4145 for those prayers. I think we in BR about over the bad part now but my heart goes out to those in Lake Charles. They're being slammed.

Whew! I think I'm going to try and sleep now. And dream of those emerald waters. Thanks y'all.

ellesu...you sound like our kind of girl!!! Welcome aboard! We love Thanksgiving in SoWal...we have eaten out the two times we have been there. Criolla's and Fish Out of Water...both good, but NO leftovers!! Alas, our son (college soph) prefers to come home to Dallas so far, so we will not be down this year. Keep posting and join the fun! I just turned on the TV and I am thankful evacuations went well this time...looks like Lake Charles area and SE TX took a bad hit...so sorry for your great state. Chin up...your neighbors in TX will help out and I'm sending prayers your way!! Sweet dreams!

Our GA Tech daughter always prefers being at the beach for Thanksgiving. She and her Tech graduate boyfriend have even decided that they want to stay at the beach instead of going to the Tech/GA game that weekend, and we all have tickets.

However, we do prefer being at home on Christmas. We undecorate on the day after Christmas and then drive down to the beach for New Year's. That's a fun time at the beach, too, as I've said on another post.

Ellesu - I get it - LSU. Cute. Guess I should change my name to Youeff. LOL.

Then I'll be Youefftoo(fartampa) 😀

Welcome to the board ellesue! I agree with everything posted here. You will love it. Also, wanted to clarify that Publix does do complete Thanksgiving dinners. They do a nice job with just about everything, so I imagine Thanksgiving would be not much different. With two little kids, I'm an orderin' and not a cookin' kind of gal at this point in my life. If we spend T-day up there, which we might, I'm probably going the Publix route.

Hope things are calmer this morning. Looks like they are, based on looking at the news.

You will love SoWal. Everybody who goes there wants to go back. :welcome:

Ellesu > LSU Ohhhh :blink: I'm too slow to get it. Thanks BD. and :welcome: Ellesu.

My brother is south of Lafayette. Do you know how they're fairing? Haven't heard from him. And he's not "high & dry". :( Worrying about the rain amounts yet to come.

Ellesu, you'll love SoWal beaches, we are so lucky to live in South Georgia. We visit the area at least 3 to 4 times a year. We stay at the same house each time. My husband and I hope to retire in SoWal when we finish teaching.
Sure wish Russ had been our server when we visited the Old Florida Fish House! Our party of 4 was seated, given water, brought some bread (which was very good), and that was that! We would see our server when she was walking by, but no smile, not even a nod. :idontno: So----after 20 mins., we decided we needed to go somewhere and eat dinner. We had stopped by Pam's dress shop on our way in and needless to say when she saw us walking by she came out to find out where we were going and why. So, we explained! We had been looking forward to eating dinner at the Old Florida Fish House, because I had read so much about it on the threads. Hopefully, we just had a server that was having a bad night, but we probably will never get our husband's back there again.

Ellesu, you'll love SoWal beaches, we are so lucky to live in South Georgia. We visit the area at least 3 to 4 times a year. We stay at the same house each time. My husband and I hope to retire in SoWal when we finish teaching.
Sure wish Russ had been our server when we visited the Old Florida Fish House! Our party of 4 was seated, given water, brought some bread (which was very good), and that was that! We would see our server when she was walking by, but no smile, not even a nod. :idontno: So----after 20 mins., we decided we needed to go somewhere and eat dinner. We had stopped by Pam's dress shop on our way in and needless to say when she saw us walking by she came out to find out where we were going and why. So, we explained! We had been looking forward to eating dinner at the Old Florida Fish House, because I had read so much about it on the threads. Hopefully, we just had a server that was having a bad night, but we probably will never get our husband's back there again.

Tsk, tsk, tsk....Diane will be scolding you! Did you ask for Russ? Sorry about your visit there...was it overly crowded?

Hi....I'm new to the boards and new to the Beaches of South Walton. My family and I will be staying on Seagrove beach Thanksgiving week and I can't wait. We usually stay in Gulf Shores. Can anyone describe how South Walton beaches will be different from Gulf Shores as far as the beaches themselves and the activities offered?

And, the question I really wanted to ask is, are there any restaurants or grocery stores that we could order a Thanksgiving turkey from? I REALLY don't want to haul a turkey all the way from Baton Rouge. 😀

One more question if you don't mind (I'm sitting here in Baton Rouge trying to take my mind off Rita passing over as I type. ....Still have power so it's all good at the moment). Is there much difference in East Seagrove and West Seagrove?

Thank you all....

:welcome:

I hope you have an enjoyable visit!

Hi....again. Such fun to come back here and see more replys. 😀

OK. Now I'm rethinking my decision to cook, freeze, and tote Thanksgiving dinner down there. It doesn't take much prompting for me to pick up the phone and order 'to go.' 😀 (I love these icons!) My kids (college and new college grads) look forward to Thanksgiving at the beach. We do Christmas at home, too, but every year I'm tempted to head back to the beach for New Year's. Love it, love it, love it!

Sueshore, you Texans have been unbelievably helpful. We'll never be able to repay you guys. All I can say is..Thanks! There's got to be a special place in heaven for you all. I don't know what we're going to do here in LA--last month the southeast part of the state was hit, and this month the southwest part. Today I'm wondering if we're going to be downgraded to a 'territory.' Sorry. I know I'll feel better tomorrow, just a tad weary today.

Beach Runner..I think you're the first to notice my *name.* :clap_1: How do you think your old Coach Superior is going to do at South Carolina?

TooFarTampa...Thanks for the head's up on Publix. I'm really leaning that way. My kids insist that I cook the turkey at home because they like the way the *skin* comes out. :idontno: I keep ordering out and trying to fool them, but it hasn't worked yet. ....They're smart little buggers. :nono1: But....I just may see if Publix can help me trick em. Things have finally died down here. Power went out for a few hours, but nothing like the 5 1/2 days after Katrina. I'm so glad someone invented generators. This is the first year we've had one and it's certainly come in handy.

Rita...I think Lafayette got hurricane force winds. They've been making roof top rescues in Cameron Parish but it seems as if things are under control. Whatever that means! Sending up prayers for your brother.

Everybody else...thanks again for the welcome. :wub:

Elle, Thanksgiving and New Year's are my favorite times in Sowal. It's when all my friends come down and we have the best time.

Last Thanksgiving my parents had 30 family members come to Seagrove. It was the best. New Year's just makes me think of confetti in the Red Bar.

Beach Runner..I think you're the first to notice my *name.* :clap_1: How do you think your old Coach Superior is going to do at South Carolina?

Not any better than any other real coach that has darkened the door of that Black Hole. There hasn't been a real coach at Carolina (the only Carolina, btw) since Paul Dietzel, and he's painting pics of birds in Beech Mtn, NC (the other Carolina) now. Wonder what Stevie will paint, now that he can't beat Georgia anymore? Maybe SJ's frogs???

Oh yeah: :welcome: (sorry).

Reallly, we love new folks! Post early and often.

Publix will cook you a Turkey Dinner including a "fully cooked turkey, delicious dressing, mashed potatoes, rich turkey gravy ad cranberry orange relish." If you want only a Turkey Breast, they will cook that too. You can pick up their menu at the Deli inside Publix. I am sure you will need to pre-order well in advance. You will have to reheat. They probably cook it then refrigerate it for you.

Publix at WaterColor 850-534-4565

Publix will cook you a Turkey Dinner including a "fully cooked turkey, delicious dressing, mashed potatoes, rich turkey gravy ad cranberry orange relish." If you want only a Turkey Breast, they will cook that too. You can pick up their menu at the Deli inside Publix. I am sure you will need to pre-order well in advance

Publix at WaterColor 850-534-4565

Very nice SJ! Always going the extra mile. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

Yup, that's the Publix you'd want to check with.