SoWal in Ann Arbor, Michigan News!

Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 9:06 AM3,009

I've been waiting for 4 years to pick up the Sunday morning paper travel section to see a nice article about SoWal, and today it happened. I can't find it online, but it's a grayt article called "Eclectic Panhandle communities offer quiet, natural shorelines." by Andrea Tamboer. It says, "Northwest Florida is fast becoming a favorite destination among Midwesterns - and for good reason... The Panhandles emphasis on quieter beaches, nature preserves and less high-rise development... Tucked into the Panhandle are the Beaches of South Walton, an enclave of 14 eclectic beach communities, 17 fresh and saltwater lakes, five state parks and 26 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. The region remains a breath of fresh air away from teh crowds of Orlando's Disney, Miami's South Beach and popular ocean-and gulf-front towns such as Daytona and Tampa. Beaches here are stunningly beautiful, with emerald-green water and white-sand shores..." The travel writer also raved about Captain Larry's Sea Blaster... "As luck would have it, not only did our trip discover dozens of the friendly dolphins frolicking close to shore, we also located a school of much-smaller offshore porpoises who playfully jumped the wake of the boat, some in families of threes, with baby in the middle. Capt. Larry extended the ride for delighted passengers. This was one of those vacation goosebump moments."

The article is pretty long and all glowing about SoWal. There's a separate article, very positive, about Sandestin. What they didn't say that would have been helpful is how inexpensive it is to go on vacation or be a snowbird in SoWal in the fall/winter/spring months.

Replies

margarita brocolia

Oct 7, '07 · 10:59 AM#2

Thanks for posting this Paula!

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Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 1:23 PM#3

Here are the articles.

Explore the Pleasures of the Panhandle

Sandestin

Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 2:33 PM#4

Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 5:00 PM#5

Thanks for the article, Paula. :clap:

beats on hood

Oct 7, '07 · 5:04 PM#6

Paula, that's awesome. And I thought that SoWal was "Atlanta Beach." Thanks for sharing.

BTW wish you could be here this upcoming weekend.

Beach Fanatic

Oct 7, '07 · 5:05 PM#7

This will help the market 4 sure! Thanks!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Oct 7, '07 · 5:30 PM#8

Thanks, Minnie! I didn't know how to find the full articles. And I'm so sad I won't be at the ho down... I hope to make it for the spring ho down. I miss my SoWal friends! (but I'll get there in November). It's hard to believe, but it's in the high 80's until Tuesday or Wednesday, until we get back to our regular temps which are in the 60s this time of year. Much as I like this weather, I hope it's not global warming!

Beach Lover

Oct 7, '07 · 5:30 PM#9

I've been waiting for 4 years to pick up the Sunday morning paper travel section to see a nice article about SoWal, and today it happened. I can't find it online, but it's a grayt article called "Eclectic Panhandle communities offer quiet, natural shorelines." by Andrea Tamboer. It says, "Northwest Florida is fast becoming a favorite destination among Midwesterns - and for good reason... The Panhandles emphasis on quieter beaches, nature preserves and less high-rise development... Tucked into the Panhandle are the Beaches of South Walton, an enclave of 14 eclectic beach communities, 17 fresh and saltwater lakes, five state parks and 26 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. The region remains a breath of fresh air away from teh crowds of Orlando's Disney, Miami's South Beach and popular ocean-and gulf-front towns such as Daytona and Tampa. Beaches here are stunningly beautiful, with emerald-green water and white-sand shores..." The travel writer also raved about Captain Larry's Sea Blaster... "As luck would have it, not only did our trip discover dozens of the friendly dolphins frolicking close to shore, we also located a school of much-smaller offshore porpoises who playfully jumped the wake of the boat, some in families of threes, with baby in the middle. Capt. Larry extended the ride for delighted passengers. This was one of those vacation goosebump moments."

The article is pretty long and all glowing about SoWal. There's a separate article, very positive, about Sandestin. What they didn't say that would have been helpful is how inexpensive it is to go on vacation or be a snowbird in SoWal in the fall/winter/spring months.

Paula,

Wow, wonderful news for a Michigander. A friend just sent me this 30-A property FS. It's really funny.

Tom

Beach FanaticAuthor

Oct 8, '07 · 5:52 AM#10

Tom - that's really funny. By the way, if you live in Petosky, why would you ever go anywhere else? I haven't been there (we haven't done the "up north" thing in Michigan yet because we always travel somewhere close to family or go to SoWal during vacations), but I've heard Petosky is wonderful.

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com

Oct 8, '07 · 8:06 AM#11

Beach Fanatic

Oct 8, '07 · 9:47 AM#12

I could see wanting to get away from Petoskey in the winter for a while because you can only handle so much lake effect snow before you just have to get some place where you can see the sun again.

Talked to my parents last night, and it sounds like the same articles also ran in the Grand Rapids Press.

SoWal Insider

Oct 8, '07 · 1:07 PM#13

Paula,

Wow, wonderful news for a Michigander. A friend just sent me this 30-A property FS. It's really funny.

Tom

Believe it or not, on St Simon island, GA, I saw a single-wide trailer up on blocks just like in the photo.

.

Beach Lover

Oct 8, '07 · 2:35 PM#14

I could see wanting to get away from Petoskey in the winter for a while because you can only handle so much lake effect snow before you just have to get some place where you can see the sun again.

Talked to my parents last night, and it sounds like the same articles also ran in the Grand Rapids Press.

Beachmouse & Paula,

Yes, Petoskey & the Harbor Springs area is truly special. Unfortunately people have discoverd it like SoWal. We went there 18-yrs ago & purchased a condo on a small inland (Round) lake btw. Petoskey & Harbor Springs. Knowing what I know today I wish I would have reached deeper into my pocket for a home on the big lake, but I am happy with what I have. It's a zoo in the summer, but now that the kids are back in school it's quiet & the way we like it. Do a google on the area & discover places like Bay Harbor, Bay View, etc. Here are a few photo's looking out our window in the morning. Swan's, Ducks & a pair of loon's with their beautiful morning calls. Yes, we have lots of big (Lake Trout) fish, but I am keeping that a secete. Ok, It's at the local hatchery.

Tom
BTW: I should put this on the other thread "how to have a happy marriage". My wife goes to Petoskey for the summer April thru Oct. & I stay downstate working in Plymouth. I commute each weekend to play & honeymoon with her. She tells it like it really is, take the garbage out, clean the cars, odd jobs & take her out to dinner or events. I think it's great being downstate during the week work & doing whatever I want, eat when I want, work till I want, etc. The downside for me is our daily 9:00 P.M. phone call to talk. Gosh, I hate those 1-2 hour talks, I feel captured on the phone with these long conversations. That's why I love that gal & been married 42-years.