LIVE FROM THE 11/19 Turkeyday Magic....

[Tri-circle-D]

Andrew,
It looks like Seaside is only about 70 miles from Pensacola. We will be about 45 miles the other side. Not a bad drive up hwy 98. Why don't you bring your family up to spend a day at the Beach Club?
Kelli and the girls will drive down and arrive Wednesday morn(June 27). I am flying in Friday evening, and we will be there til Wednesday, July 5th.
So, any day Saturday-Tuesday would be great. Nearby Foley, AL. has a go cart track called The Wild Woody that my girls love. It is a two story wooden structure and the go carts go up and around the upstairs part, then back down and around. (I guess I kinda enjoyed it , too.)

Willie

Dubbya- Thanks for the invite. I'm not sure that we will make it to Alabama on this trip. We will just be arriving on Saturday July 1. It is about a 7 hour drive for us to get from our home on the West coast of Florida to Seaside. A lot of folks find this hard to believe, but Florida is really a huge state (maybe not to somebody from Texas). It is right at 400 miles for us. I am sure that there will be a ton of things going on in and around Seaside for the 4th of July, including a great parade which my girls will more than likely be marching in that morning. I guess we will just see how it goes.

And, about your loving the "Wild Woody"- I would say that that is too much information for this family board! ( I thought that was your pet name for Lampy. )

TCD

 

[WMILLER86]

Sounds go to me! Can we come too? We'll bring nachos and a margarita machine.

First thought that came to mind when Willie asked 'what are everyone else's vacation plans this summer?" was 'not a Disney cruise, sigh. ' We're actually planning a 3-4 trip to NYC . Quite different from a cruise or beach vacation, isn't it? Rachel wants to visit American Girl Place, I want to hit up the stores and Rob wants to go to the Oyster Bar at Grand Central station. (Like Vegas though, we can, (or only Rob) can only stand the fast-pace of that city for a few days.)

Willie, are the waters in Alabama similar to the ones in the Caribbean? The only other beachwe've been to (close-by, where we can drive, we'd love to take another road trip) is South Padre. Tell us more about this place.

Andrew, your FL panhandle sounds neat too. It's good to hear about other beaches from fellow cruisers.

I loved the Beach Club at Gulf Shores. The water is not as blue clear as what you get in Mexico, but still pretty nice. Here are some pics from our trip in 2004.
And YES, everyone is invited. The website is beachclubAL.com

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Dubbya- I took a look at the website for the Beach Club. That place looks very nice, and the prices are much better than those at Seaside, especially on the properties for sale. Did this place make it through Katrina? That kind of surprises me, but maybe so.

Priscilla and Lisa- My girls have all asked to go to NYC, and we are probably going to have to make that trip pretty soon. Since I grew up in Joisey, I really would be fine without ever going back to NYC, but I do think that the kids would like it.

TCD

 

[WMILLER86]

Andrew,

The people at the Beach Club say that they survived Katrina fine. I think they had more of a problem with the hurricane that hit in '04. But the lady I talked to said that Katrina just made the beach alot wider than it was.
When we were there in 2004 they had all sorts of stuff for the kiddos to do. We took my brothers kids with us. They had a carnival thing with petting zoo, face painting, stuff like that. Even has an ice cream shop. Had live music by the pool each night.
The only day we felt crowded on the beach was July 4th. And back in '04, the management was lacking. Had a few problems with bungled dinner reservations and they were no help.

W

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Leave it to friends from the Disboards to know of the best websites and links.

Willie and Andrew, those are the best beach websites yet. For the past few years, I've done google searches when looking for beach vacation properties. It's always been Rob's (and mine too, I guess) to one day own a small beach condo. Not anytime in the very near future though. We're still awaiting the prices for the Med cruise. Seriously though, we like to go on recommendations from others, and never would have known about these places. The beach club site is great. Rob's already requested brochures.

Andrew, yes, I'll bet your girls would love NYC. I can't believe the wonderful family atmosphere in Manhattan now. When I was there in '86, it was nothing like it is now. (Of course, you know that, having grown up in Joisey, LOL!) When was your most recent visit there?

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

Anybody ever take a summer vacation at Gulf Shores, Alabama? We are returning there this July 4th week to the Beach Club Resort. A very nice place.

Where is everyone going this summer?

Willie

Hey Willie, I took a peek at the WebSite!! Looks nice. We still don't have our "stage II" vacation planned yet; stay tuned! Stage I in June we're headin' to WDW then to Atlantis for a week.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Leave it to friends from the Disboards to know of the best websites and links.

Willie and Andrew, those are the best beach websites yet. For the past few years, I've done google searches when looking for beach vacation properties. It's always been Rob's (and mine too, I guess) to one day own a small beach condo. Not anytime in the very near future though. We're still awaiting the prices for the Med cruise. Seriously though, we like to go on recommendations from others, and never would have known about these places. The beach club site is great. Rob's already requested brochures.

Andrew, yes, I'll bet your girls would love NYC. I can't believe the wonderful family atmosphere in Manhattan now. When I was there in '86, it was nothing like it is now. (Of course, you know that, having grown up in Joisey, LOL!) When was your most recent visit there?

Priscilla- If you want recommendations about beach resorts in Florida, I am your man. We love the beach. We live about 5 minutes from Honeymoon Island State Park, and Caledisi Island. The beaches here are consistently rated among the best in the world! The only problem for us is that there are no overnight accomodations at the closest beaches, and Clearwater Beach, which is beautiful is just too commercial for us.

So, let me suggest that you take a look at useppa.com and palmisland.com. These are resorts located on honest to goodness islands in the Gulf of Mexico-the only access is by boat. We have been to both resorts. Molly and I especially love Useppa Island as a place for an adult weekend. There is a little marina on the mainland just to the west of Ft. Myers where you can catch a ferry out to the island. There are no cars on the island. The beach there is not the greatest, but you can rent a little skiff, and go where you want. Cabbage Key is right near there. There is a restaurant there that allegedly provided the inspirtation for Jimmy Buffet's Cheeseburger in Paradise (but I have heard other places make this claim, too). Palm Island is more of a family place, and the beach there is amazing!

As for NYC, the last time I was there on a vacation type trip was, ironically, in 1986 right after Molly and I were engaged. My parents were living in New York at the time, and I had a great Aunt who owned a condo in Manhattan. NYC was indeed a scary place back then. I have flown into JFK airport a couple of times since then for business related stuff, but I have not actually visited any of the tourist type attractions, and I know I haven't been in Manhattan since the 9/11 attacks. When I do go back, it will be weird. My Aunt's condo was just a few blocks from the World Trade Center, and we must have been there dozens of times when I was growing up in Joisey.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I meant to include this in my post. There is a fellow who calls himself Dr. Beach, who rates the best beaches in the US at the beginning of each summer. His website is DrBeach.org. He is usually on the Today show and so forth around Memorial Day weekend. Here is his list for 2005:



1. Fort DeSoto Park - North Beach, St Petersburg, Florida - National Winner
2. Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina
3. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
4. Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater, Florida
5. Fleming Beach, Maui, Hawaii
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
7. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
9. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
10. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii


The number 1 beach is about 1/2 hour from our house, and #4 is like 5 or 10 minutes from our front door. Caladesi Island is in Dunedin, Florida, where we live, but it is listed as Clearwater, because not many people have ever heard of Dunedin. I have been to Maui, and I can't believe that Dr. Beach rates the Florida beaches ahead of the Hawaii beaches, but our beaches are nice.

TCD

 

[LAMPSKIES]

My vote for th #1 beach in the world..........

04 Thanksgiving................

 

[Tri-circle-D]

My vote for th #1 beach in the world..........

Ron- I think that I know more about beaches than Dr. Beach, and I will agree with your vote. I couldn't think of a better beach to go to. It's just a little far to go for a quick weekend trip!

TCD

 

[momsgoofy]

Hey Willie, I took a peek at the WebSite!! Looks nice. We still don't have our "stage II" vacation planned yet; stay tuned! Stage I in June we're headin' to WDW then to Atlantis for a week.

Hey, Doug...not Willie, but noticed ya'll are heading to Atlantis...using your points I'm guessing...would love to hear what ya'll think of this place with regard to the "family" atmosphere. Since it was added, we've been kicking around the idea of going, but just not sure if it'd be a good choice with Nic...he'll be 14 in May. So, if ya could after you get back, let us know how it was. I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

My vote for th #1 beach in the world..........

04 Thanksgiving................

OOOOOHHHHH yes! Most definitely!

Priscilla

 

[Scorpio1112]

Hey all!

With all this talk of Florida and beaches, I'm heading to Miami on Sunday for work... never been ... anyone near enough to give me a weather picture... I see what it says on weather.com but know that that's not always what's really a happening!

Sherri

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.K...............Alli is going to Gattlinberg for spring break, Jessica is going to Michigan with friends....looks like me and Mama have a "date week" comming up....any ideas????????

 

[Mickeyhugger]

O.K...............Alli is going to Gattlinberg for spring break, Jessica is going to Michigan with friends....looks like me and Mama have a "date week" comming up....any ideas????????

Yes, come to Miami and catch the RCCL Explorer of the Seas with Rob, Rachel and I! It sails March 12th. (It's uh, the western, but, long story. ) And no, it's not DCL, but still a cruise!

When is your spring break week?

Priscilla

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Spring break is the last week in March.....think we can "take over" the sailing?


oH yA!! tOP Oh SoRry wrONg thReAD.....

 

[LAMPSKIES]

O.K......Dad moment happening here......tell me Jessica is not getting older!!!!!!!!!

 

[KennyK]

I can't believe you are still at it with this thread.

We are scheduled for a 3 day wonder cruise on March 9th. 2 days at the parks on either side.

Plus allot of running around in reference too our new home in Florida.

Yes, we bought a home in Lakeland, Florida. We probably will move in sometime beginning of June at the latest. Then its start to build our dream home (geo-desic dome) in North Polk County.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. Super Bowl tomorrow. Party time.

Anyone going to be down at WDW between March 7 & 14 th. Maybe we can meet for a drink some where.


Kennyk

 

[bfosbenner]

Lampy,
Wait for an 06 with 6speed paddle shift. You will love it!

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

O.K......Dad moment happening here......tell me Jessica is not getting older!!!!!!!!!

Lamps you goin' SB 06? Eastern?