Daylight hours

Dark by 5:00pm. It's one of those times when it's a bit of a bummer to be on the far eastern edge of a time zone.

12/13/04 - the sun disappeared under the horizon on the Gulf at 4:47 PM.
11/23/05 - the sun disappeared under the horizon on the Gulf at 4:49 PM.

Never been there on my birthday (12/22) - guess it'd be a little earlier since it's the first full day of winter solstice.

Dark by 5:00pm. It's one of those times when it's a bit of a bummer to be on the far eastern edge of a time zone.

I wish we were in the Eastern Time Zone. This crap stinks.

Dark by 5:00pm. It's one of those times when it's a bit of a bummer to be on the far eastern edge of a time zone.

Thanks for the info, but-- :( !

Peapod, when we were at the beach 2 weeks ago it was pitch black at 5:00 pm! It's so odd to catch a sunset at quarter of.

That to me is the only disadvantage of visiting SoWal in the off season. During the day, it's mild and it's such a blessed relief to walk along the shoreline and not get back dripping with sweat! And the bicycling is so much nicer, too. And do I need to mention how heavenly it is not to be among swarms of tourists? You can actually dine out and not have to wait forever for your table! All these advantages to a late year visit to SoWal...all for the price of darkness at 5:00 pm.

What we'd do is take a walk after sunset--everywhere is fairly well-lit and it's certainly safe. Then we'd eat dinner as late as we could push it, and then the rest of the evening was quiet stuff like reading or watching a movie. Or we'd make a trip over to Destin to either the outlet mall or that new Destin Commons, both of which are open 'til 9:00 pm. We found that the small shops along 30-A were generally closed by 6:00 pm, if not earlier.

I gather you are asking because your big birthday trip is coming up very soon! :clap_1:

I wish we were in the Eastern Time Zone. This crap stinks.

I agree. I can't stand driving home from work in the dark. I like to be able to get some outside stuff done after work. :bang:

I know what you mean, LL. I enjoy eating dinner just before sunset, and now that means that I have to begin cooking dinner just before 4:00pm in order to do so. :bang: Makes me feel as though I am a part of an Early Bird Special group.:(

i hate to rain on anyone's parade, but this is my favorite time of year in this respect. i love to go in to work when it is dark ( 6pm) and come home when it's dark (6 am). excellent sleeping weather for us night owls and 3rd shifters. 😀

I know what you mean, LL. I enjoy eating dinner just before sunset, and now that means that I have to begin cooking dinner just before 4:00pm in order to do so. :bang: Makes me feel as though I am a part of an Early Bird Special group.:(

I heard something not long ago about the gubment doing away with the whole time change thing. Not sure if it was true. I'm sure there are some people out there who would be hurt by it though (in the pocket book).

I have to begin cooking dinner just before 4:00pm in order to do so. :bang: Makes me feel as though I am a part of an Early Bird Special group.:(

Then you should be getting your dinner at a discounted price! 😀

I heard something not long ago about the gubment doing away with the whole time change thing. Not sure if it was true. I'm sure there are some people out there who would be hurt by it though (in the pocket book).

They are not doing away with it completely. Beginning next year, Daylight Savings Time will be extended 30 days, so it will end in Nov instead of Oct. I think three states currently do not recognize Daylight Savings (isn't Indiana one of those?). I wish they would keep Daylight Savings at least until Feb to get me throught those winter time blues when I want to go to sleep at 4:30pm.

Then you should be getting your dinner at a discounted price! 😀

I cook at home, mostly. Even if I did go out to eat, many restaurants do not open for even the Early Birds until 5pm:bang:.

They are not doing away with it completely. Beginning next year, Daylight Savings Time will be extended 30 days, so it will end in Nov instead of Oct. I think three states currently do not recognize Daylight Savings (isn't Indiana one of those?). I wish they would keep Daylight Savings at least until Feb to get me throught those winter time blues when I want to go to sleep at 4:30pm.

Well that's better than nothing I guess.

They are not doing away with it completely. Beginning next year, Daylight Savings Time will be extended 30 days, so it will end in Nov instead of Oct. I think three states currently do not recognize Daylight Savings (isn't Indiana one of those?). I wish they would keep Daylight Savings at least until Feb to get me throught those winter time blues when I want to go to sleep at 4:30pm.

Yes, SJ, Indiana is one of those states that doesn't do Daylight Savings. There's a big move to get us towards it, but they're arguing (forever) in the statehouse about whether Indiana should align itself with Central or Eastern time. It may never resolve itself at the rate we're going. :bang:

i hate to rain on anyone's parade, but this is my favorite time of year in this respect. i love to go in to work when it is dark ( 6pm) and come home when it's dark (6 am). excellent sleeping weather for us night owls and 3rd shifters. 😀

While I dislike the cold winter weather, I do like the aspect of it being dark early because it slows life down. When it is dark early, I do not work as much. Just a lazier life.

While I dislike the cold winter weather, I do like the aspect of it being dark early because it slows life down. When it is dark early, I do not work as much. Just a lazier life.

I agree with you completely. God's way of saying "SLOW DOWN."

I'm so thankful I found this board- and I'm sure it is going to help me get through February....then March .... I've reached my limit of cold and gray by the time March rolls around.

Hi All!

I'm generally a "lurker" on here but had to chime in about Daylight Saving Time in Indiana. (HI Mermaid!!!!!) I'm quite proud to say my husband is the Indiana state legislator who spearheaded and fought to the bitter end to get DST passed in Indiana last year (he was even quoted in Newsweek!!!). It will go into effect in 2006.

The battle currently being fought is Central time vs. Eastern time. In reality, with the exception of a few counties in the NW part of the state, we Hoosiers will observe Eastern time.

And thank goodness. When I was down over Thanksgiving week, I'd walked on the beach, shopped, relaxed, painted pottery in Seaside, goofed around, etc. and it had been dark outside for quite some time. I thought I'd get ready to go to bed until I realized it was ONLY 5:42 pm.!!!!!

I'd hate to live with Central time in the winter.

Hi All!

I'm generally a "lurker" on here but had to chime in about Daylight Saving Time in Indiana. (HI Mermaid!!!!!) I'm quite proud to say my husband is the Indiana state legislator who spearheaded and fought to the bitter end to get DST passed in Indiana last year (he was even quoted in Newsweek!!!). It will go into effect in 2006.

The battle currently being fought is Central time vs. Eastern time. In reality, with the exception of a few counties in the NW part of the state, we Hoosiers will observe Eastern time.

And thank goodness. When I was down over Thanksgiving week, I'd walked on the beach, shopped, relaxed, painted pottery in Seaside, goofed around, etc. and it had been dark outside for quite some time. I thought I'd get ready to go to bed until I realized it was ONLY 5:42 pm.!!!!!

I'd hate to live with Central time in the winter.

Your husband is obviously an intelligent person unlike the fool who came up with the idea of moving the hands on clocks for no apparent reason.