JOHNRUDY and you're a girl? I do apologize for calling you "John" in that Seaside post!
I thought your screen name was your real name. Sorry!
That aside, how on earth do you know about the Panhandle? Everyone in the Midwest goes to Naples or Siesta Key or Sanibel, not 30-A. Had we not lived in Atlanta for 10 years prior to Indy, we'd probably be unaware of it too. I'm the only one in Indy driving around with a SoWal sticker planted on my car!
And yes, the leaves are so pretty now. I can't see the edge of my driveway but as I said, I can't get up the enthusiasm to rake quite yet. 
No big deal about the gender confusion... I realized that when I chose that screen name to begin with. Those are the names of my 2 dogs: John and Rudy!
And yes, EVERYBODY up here always goes to Sanibel or Marco, etc. (We've been a few times and never quite saw the attraction and never wanted to return!) You see, I'm orignally from southern Ala. about 10 minutes from the FL state line. Growing up, we always went to P'cola Beach as a family, then I started switching over to So. Walton & Destin in my young adult years. Then my husband and I lived in Clearwater/St. Pete for 10 years, now we've been in the Chicago area for 10 years.
Sorry this is so long (and not particularly interesting) but the Panhandle beaches are the best beaches in the country, quite possibly in the world, no comparison. But then again, I'm partial. I start my day every morning checking out the Destincam.com to see the beautiful sand and sun, and end my day every night to see what beautiful pix Smiling JOe and Kurt have posted!