Summer of 2006

Donna, I was pleasantly surprised last week. The weather, water, beaches, were all PERFECT. I think much better than years past. We only ate out once, but no crowds, the service and food execellant. I actually think the traffic was not near as bad as years past. We only had one walkover at the Villa's but it wasn't bad. I needed the exercise anyway after all the beer I consumed. In all, I have to say it was my best year ever in Seagrove!!!!

Donna,
I must say the water has been prettier than I have seen it in a long time. Very calm all weekends I have been down, you know the days where it looks like a bathtub, perfectly calm. I just love to sit and look at it.
The beaches in Seagrove and Watersound have been very pretty too. Traffic has been a bit hectic in Seagrove our house is right on 30-A it gets a bit congested. I don't think it will be as bad once we are in the new house in Watersound. Traffic dispurses a bit more down that way.
I for one love to watch the new fountains at Seacrest. The children absolutely delight in it, very pretty at night too.
Rosemary has several new we have enjoyed. Also the new places at Watercolor are nice. I really enjoyed the new coffee bar there. It is actually much better than Starbucks and is a great gathering spot.
Watersound has a new little cafe (it is open to the public) and we have had great breakfast there.
Hope this helps!

we came down in the early part of may this year, we normally go in april. the water was gorgeous, weather was gorgeous, only drawback was it is a bit busier than we are used to in april. meeting fellow sowallers was the best part by far !

Donna, can't help in the restaurant department, and I won't be down until October, but everyone I know who lives there tells me the water has been the nicest it could possibly be. 😀

Donna,

This year was my first trip to 30A, but I can tell you this, it will not be my last. I loved the area and the people,cant wait to get back!

So far, I would say this has been one of the nicest summers in years- good sea breezes and the water has been beautiful (clear and cool!). I have spent more time outside/at the beach this summer than in years past.

well, it's been a beautiful summer here Donna, as everyone has posted here. However, it seems to have heated up just this week - just a few notches - enough to make a difference and send some of us locals inside. we're about done with the beaches anyway as far as "fun in the sun". enough sun. though sunsets are still outrageously gorgeous - with cool breezes. Moonrises are even better, very clear skies with a good view of every single star in the sky. We do have some crowds at Publix on Saturdays and Sundays (after folks check in), and some crowds here and there. But not overly so.

the new wine bar at Seaside is all the rage, so I hear. gonna check it out very soon!!!

meanwhile, we're staying inside during the day as much as possible. Not that it is just too hot (we do have constant breezes, and occasional clouds that threaten rain - but we never actually get any) - I think we've just had enough heat at this point. Bring on the Fall!

Uncle Timmy and Tootise nailed it - spectacular beaches, fantastic breezes and amazing moons (could swear I could reach up and touch it!).

New Seaside bar is great, as is Cerulean at WC - living here all year round I am just happy to have choices - our kids love love love the fountain at Seacrest but I find the environment/appearance there so depressing that it is somewhat reluctantly that I go there.

Feel very very happy that first 2 months were hurricane free and am hoping trend continues and that whole US Coast is spared this year. Great seeing familiar faces again and meeting new people interested in moving here.

SoWal was perfect as always. It was a different trip for us- no kids, didn't hang at the beach all day, a slave driving real estate agent;-) , but we survived it OK.:roll: We actually stayed up in the Sandestin area and walked the beach up there. Let me correct that- we TRIED to walk the beach, but we had to pick our way through the people. Arghhh!!! It made me appreciate the 30-A beaches. I felt much better Sunday night when I could actually see the sand on Grayton Beach, and not 5 jillion people. I just can't go anywhere else.:wub: And really, why would I want to? Maybe another time in my life, but not now.

Eating out was no big deal- no huge crowds, but it may have been the time of day and where we were eating. Destin Chop was quiet Sat. night, we were at B&A's before dinner hour on Sunday, and the Red Bar was the usual insanity but we weren't eating dinner so I didn't care. Smiling Fish for lunch on Monday- no problem getting a table inside.

My aunt and uncle live in Sandestin, so we stopped by there- the traffic was terrible getting in and out of the Baytowne side. I can see where a golf cart would be the best transportation if you lived there. My uncle said that he drives his to Publix!

If you are hot, cruise over to Pt. Washington and stand under the live oaks around Eden- we didn't go in the gate, but there are enough beautiful trees outside the gate. It's 10 degrees cooler under that tree canopy.

Anybody have some recent SoWal vacation pics? I have a few from our quick trip, but not really many "vacationy" looking ones. I know Darlene just got back, anyone else??

Let's see - some pretty water, beach, sunrises/sunsets, neat porches, Triple B in a thong....

Just got back from Summer Trip 2006--One of the best. Last summer we were delayed a week by Hurricane Ivan and the beaches weren't in great shape. It seemed to be more crowded last year since a lot of other people had also delayed their trip. This past weeks highlights:

-Dread Clampitt and dinner at the Red Bar Monday night. :clap_1:
-Waco Ramblers at Pandora's Tues. night :clap_1:
-Great (but hot) weather
-Shades at the Loop: Great food and service but we miss the old Shades atmosphere and location a lot.
-Lots of bike rides
-Beach and water were beautiful compared to last year.
-Nothing was terribly crowded except for Publix and taking my daughter to Destin Commons :bang:

I did notice an increase in sirens and emergency vehicles up and down 30A all week. I can remember when you never heard any at all. It's also amazing to see all the new developments going up.

Oh and Seaside has it's share of SoWal stickers on the back of signs and other places (not by me, I just noticed them.)

Anybody have some recent SoWal vacation pics? I have a few from our quick trip, but not really many "vacationy" looking ones. I know Darlene just got back, anyone else??

Let's see - some pretty water, beach, sunrises/sunsets, neat porches, Triple B in a thong....

Here's one you might like (notice all the people in white shirts scattering after their photo session!)

I am pleasantly surprised that the traffic on 30A is not as bad as I had feared this month. With that said, today I drove up 331 through Freeport and there was a solid line of southbound cars from the Hwys 20 and 331 intersection up 331 north at least half a mile with a steady stream all the way up to the interstate. I guess many were headed to other points than 30A however. I also have to agree regarding the pool-like quality of the ocean this year;it has really been special. :clap_1: