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From: Bama
Date: 06-02-2006, 01:37 PM (1 of 10)
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Hey Chrysantha or anyone else that can help!!! We're trying to plan a trip to the U.S. Gulf Coast this summer (last minute decision here). Just hubby, me, and 2 teenagers. We've been to Panama City, Destin, and Gulf Shores several times, but want to go somewhere different this time. Somewhere with less high rises around. We don't care much about theme parks or night life for this trip. Just going to the beach or hiking or biking trails. I checked out some of the state parks, but we want closer to the gulf beaches than they are. I've been checking out Navarre Beach, Okaloosa Island, Penscola, and Perdidio Key. I was wondering if there's still much Hurricane damage in those areas? I've found nice places available in most of these areas but wanted to get some opinions from people who live near or have visited the areas. Any suggestions or favorite places? Also wondering about Mexico beach and The Beaches of South Walton, but haven't checked them out as much yet. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 06-02-2006, 03:37 PM (2 of 10)
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Well you picked out all the places that STILL have hurricane damage from Ivan in 04...not to mention all the damage from all the ones since. Most of the places have condos built on the beach and there isn't much beach left to see. Most of the beaches have also been washed out and they've stopped re nourishment due to turtles. Navarre is near Hurlburt AFB. Base housing is on the beach. GulfShores is small and stiil has LOTS of damage from Dennis, Rita and Katrina last yr. My brother-in-law stayed at the Ramada on Okaloosa Is. Last month. He said it was Ok, but noisy. Most of the visiting military stay all around Ok Is., Destin, FWB, because it's within driving distance to all the bases. So space is limited. I was in Pensacola last wkend. They're still doing all kinds of freeway work ( I think it's on the 100 yr plan, they've been doing it for the past 10 yrs we've lived here.) I don't know about the beaches. They took a bigger hit than ours did in last yrs hurricanes. You might have better luck with the beaches south of Appalachicola. (east of Panama City) They fared better in last yrs hurricanes, because they were out of the 'zone'. You're going to find LOTS of damage all over down here. Beaches are gone (truly), homes, hotels, etc are gone. Vegetation is gone. Condo's are on the upswing. They're STILL fixing highways, freeways, bridges. (the bridge from here to P'Cola is STILL being re-built after being blown away. they're making a whole new one). Hwy 98 from Destin to Navarre is still being rebuilt in some spots. (they're trying to make it water, washaway proof.) We had the usual snowbirds, but NO spring breakers....so I guess you take your chances on what you can deal with..... I wish you luck.....and a good time on your vacation. Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Bama
Date: 06-02-2006, 04:31 PM (3 of 10)
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Thanks Chrys. A couple of the condos I found available say that they've added 50 feet of beach to their area, but I still wonder what it might be like now...... A friend of mine is going to Alligator Point in August. Do you know anything about it? I found houses for rent there that are less for a whole week than a hotel or condo in other areas for 3 or 4 days. How about Mexico Beach? Isn't it east of Panama City? |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 06-04-2006, 09:56 PM (4 of 10)
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Well...I'm a 'beach free' girl...I'm allergic to the sun. I've never been on the beaches here...I DO know that Grayton Beach is east of here. (all the la-de-da's live there...(money) I think Mexico beach is east of here.... 50 ft of beach when the water was UNDER all the buildings, is nothing. (and the water is STILL comming under some buildings...) They used to have a tape availble through WEAR t.v. (channel 3 here) of all the hurricane damage...You might be able to see some pic's or something, if you go to their web site....LOTS of roofs still have blue tarps...power poles are still leaning...trees are still leaning.. Have fun looking...I don't know what condo prices are like. I do know what it costs to rent a house down here now. It -was- $700-$850 depending on the house...now you're lucky if it's $1600. a month...(med house is about 1500 sq ft.) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: Bama
Date: 06-05-2006, 04:32 PM (5 of 10)
I looked at channel 3's website, but I didn't find any recent pictures. Looks like we might just take a chance and drive down with no reservations and look around til we find some place we like. We might end up further south than we thought.  One of my aunts drives to the gulf several times a year and never makes reservations. She said they always find a place. I just know how impatient my hubby will be trying to find a place. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 06-05-2006, 05:12 PM (6 of 10)
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A little oer a year ago (Mardi Gras 2005) we went to Gulf Shores AL, just south of Foley. There was still plenty of hurricane damage there. We had a very good time there anyway...Not having ever been there before to see how nice it could have been, we weren't disappointed, but folks that knew how prett it once was were very sad. I'd love to hear what you come up with.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: ninifav
Date: 06-06-2006, 01:23 AM (7 of 10)
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Hey,Bama...we always hit Navarre beach as soon as school was out...with five kids, it was cheaper to rent one of the houses...and there are very few high rises...If you don't want the crowds and can get a place, it is my all time favorite... Oldest son is a Vet in Panama City and we have been to Mexico Beach for a day trip...nice, not crowded; but definitely not as nice a beach as Navarre (but still nice..) The Edgewater Beach in Panama City Beach usually has nice units; but has more crowds...I'm wanting to get to Sanibel; but the drive is a little long for me...Have heard only good things about there.. I'm jealous...it has been two years since the beach...the only way to relax!!!! |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: Bama
Date: 06-06-2006, 11:43 AM (8 of 10)
Yes, Navarre sounds very nice.  We haven't been to the gulf coast in 3 years, so I'm really looking forward to it.  We went to Va. Beach 2 years ago, but it just wasn't the same since we were visiting family.
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: Bama
Date: 06-14-2006, 12:46 PM (9 of 10)
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Anyone ever been to Cape San Blas Florida? The kids and I have been checking it out and that's where they want to go. It's nothing like Panama City, Destin, or those surrounding areas. It's far away from everything, including restaurants and shopping. I think it would be nice, but I'm a little worried about it being so far away from EVERYTHING except a beach, a bay, and LOTS of nature. Even saw a picture of an alligator on the beach there. The kids think it would be lots of fun. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 06-19-2006, 11:28 AM (10 of 10)
| In early summer we, meaning our extended family, usually rent a house right on the beach on Bolivar Peninsula near Crystal Beach, Texas, a very small town with a couple of restaurants, a grocery/gift shop, bait shop, several real estate offices, an old unmanned lighthouse and miles of beautiful sandy beach. The rents are high, probably a little less than Galveston, the traffic lower than Galveston. It is a short ferry ride from Galveston to Bolivar and the ferrries run every 15 minutes and are free and there are nearly always porpoises leaping around. MariLynntx |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
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