Snowbird alert!

[Rudyjohn]

I "escape" to SoWal a few time a year for rest and relaxation alone (and sometimes with friends, sometimes with the whole family, and sometimes just with the kids), so our cottage serves many wonderful purposes. I will miss the kids terribly when the day comes when they move away (only 4.5 years for one child and 6.5 for the other before they go off to college -- yikes). I used to say that I'd be dressed in black holding onto their ankles sobbing "my baby, my baby" while they walked to the car to head off to college (this is where my Italian background may make me a tad too dramatic...) . But now I have a different picture of the future -- as soon as they go, I'll have a bit of a cry and then head right down SoWal for a little beach perspective, fine dining, etc. It will take a bit of the sting out of the kids moving out on their own.

Boy, what a great perspective, Paula! I hadn't quite tho't about it your way, but now I will. My son will be leaving for college in 3.5 years and it's already making me sick to even think about it. BUT, now I will start planning a future at the beach!

 

[whitesands]

Whitesands: Thanks for the kind reinforcement for not wanting the kids to grow up too fast. Right now, we just keep bringing the kids to the cottage in SoWal so that we build fine memories and so that they'll want to keep coming back to visit us there. Ideally, they'll call our SoWal place "home" in the future. So far, so good....

You'll be successful, Paula. SoWal is such a beautiful place. How could you not build lots of wonderful memories with and for your children? We didn't do much travelling when our son (only child) was at home with us (he's 34 now)...just the odd trip to the New England area, the California coast, and Disney World...that kind of thing. After our first experience along 30A earlier this year, we raved to anyone who would listen to our stores about this gorgeous place. We even offered to fly our son and daughter-in-law and two little grandsons to visit with us at the beach in Jan or Feb (even offered a rental car). We received a very kind, very eloquent refusal...accompanied by an explanation that they were trying to decide among a week to Paris, Lisbon or Madrid this winter. They don't know what they're missing...even in the winter time. I hope one day they'll have an opportunity to see SoWal...we'll see.

You're fortunate to have found this bit of heaven while your children are young and can develop a deep and abiding love of it...I'm sure they'll keep coming "home" to SoWal all their lives. How lovely for them...and for you!

 

[whitesands]

Sound like fun but I dont like snow to much (TO COLD)

We don't like the snow for too long. The beach is great!

 

[Rudyjohn]

Whitesands,
How did you discover the panhandle? Sounds as tho you were first here just last year. Now you know what a jewel the area is! It's so enjoyable to hear someone describe their new love of the area!

 

[Paula]

"You're fortunate to have found this bit of heaven while your children are young and can develop a deep and abiding love of it...I'm sure they'll keep coming "home" to SoWal all their lives. How lovely for them...and for you!"

I sure hope the kids continue to come back to SoWal for vacationing when they get older. I'm working on it by bringing them here often, inviting their friends to come with them, visiting with extended family here, and flying (expensive) rather than driving so they'll enjoy the trip itself (driving takes about 17 hours, though it's much cheaper). And, I figure when they're old enough, they may be able to stay at the cottage so they can find summer work in the area if they want to. And if they decide they'd rather be in Paris on vacation, I'll spend most of my time in SoWal and then go visit them in Paris...