Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A Walking Tour of Seaside

I think somewhere in my line of ancestors there must be a sea captain, or a mermaid….at the very least a pirate. I am never happier than I am at the beach. The crashing of waves is the song of the sirens for me. We just returned from a wonderful week in Florida which is, at least for now, unspoiled by oil.

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We have been vacationing in Destin FL for many years, but decided to try something new this year. We rented a fabulous house (a craftsman bungalow you can see here) in Seagrove just a few miles away. Water Color, Seaside, and Seagrove are all beautiful planned beach communities that run into each other. Right away we loved the sense of community we felt. We arrived on Saturday afternoon and got settled. On Sunday morning we walked about two blocks to a good old fashioned Fourth of July parade filled with children, bicycles, and politicians throwing beads and candy.

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I took a few pictures of the homes in our little neighborhood. We were a short walk from the beach.

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Most of the homes were beautiful pastels with privacy provided by lots of natural vegetation. I loved this one.

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Each house had wonderful porches on at least one level. Look at the starfish in the transom above the front door in this home that was a gorgeous shade of blue.

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Lots of attention was paid to the details in this planned community. Much of the 1998 movie The Truman Show was filmed here because of the idyllic setting.

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We spent our days on these sugar-like beaches. Groups of two or three scouts for tar balls came by at least once an hour.

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Lots of bocce ball on the beach!

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When we had had enough sun for the day, we walked to town which was built like a town square with a common green. There were shops, restaurants, art galleries…..but my favorite…..

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Air stream trailers with food! I regret to say that I was not there long enough to try every flavor from the Frost Bite snow cone trailer, but I can personally recommend the lemon meringue pie with a shot of cream :)…..no make that :0) :0) ….double big happy faces! There was also a cupcake trailer!!!! I had the best key lime cupcake ever!! And then I waddled home :)

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The sun has set on this vacation. I am glad to be back home (no dogs allowed at the beach house :(! But we came back with enough memories to last until next year.

I am joining Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Please join her for more of this wonderful world we live in! Thanks for visiting….leave me a note!

24 comments:

  1. Oh, *sigh* these pics are just gorgeous...I'm glad you had a good time...that sunset is beyond words...wow.

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  2. I am glad you had a great time, Susan. Looks like a fun place, definitely charming! Your last picture of the sunset is amazing. The sunset reflects even on the wet sand. It's really gorgeous!...Christine

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  3. I love the beach and that looks like a wonderful vacation. Beautiful sunset!

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  4. These are beautiful pictures, Susan. They really capture the spirit of your vacation. I have heard of Destin and it sounds like a place I'd love to go. I really got a kick out of the bocce ball picture, I never noticed the ball!

    I'm so glad you had a good time. Best wishes getting settled back in!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  5. Susan, your vacation looks so inviting. The pictures you are sharing are wonderful. Love the beach ... glad you had such a lovely time. The homes are cool!

    Have a lovely summer's eve ~
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  6. Lovely! And nice to see the beach still pristine--one can only hope! Destin looks like a charming destination.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  7. Oh my! What a pretty place to vacation! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us. The lemon meringue with a shot of cream sounds wonderful. Hope the thunder storms stay out of the area tonight - I need a full nights sleep!

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  8. What a great spot to vacation! Love the idea of those Air Stream trailers! Sounds like some great food flavors!!

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  9. These are delighful, and I was so happy to see white sands and clear water in them.

    I know that I would love that little beach community. I will remember it for the future!

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  10. Great post. I love Seaside.

    You captured the ambience well. Looks like so much fun.

    Your sun over the water is truly beautiful.

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  11. Thank you for taking us with your ! I have never been to Florida and it looks beautiful !
    Kammy

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  12. I have friends who spend Thanksgiving every year in Water Color and love it. I adored your pictures. Our house in St. Augustine looks to be close to that shade of blue in the one you photographed. If I had it to chose (which I had this handed to us), I would probably go yellow or pink. I love pastel colors in Florida. What works here is not necessarily what works in other areas, but I do love the tropical colors for fun.

    Loved ALL of your pics, Susan, and that cupcake sounds like it was out of this world. Glad you all had fun, and I am praying and praying that the tar and oil stay away!

    Dogs should be allowed! Our dogs always loved the beach.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  13. Hi Susan
    This looks like a magical vacation! I love the Florida beaches and I'll be heartbroken if the tar and oil reach them. Your sunset photo took my breath away! Gorgeous!
    Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

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  14. I love that area and I was at the Watercolor Inn for my birthday a few years ago and it was one of the most relaxing birthdays ever. I want to live there! Glad you had a fun time on those white Flour sands.

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  15. This does look idyllic. I love the beach - not so much sunning...but, it is a very peaceful beautiful way to vacation. The homes look lovely,
    Kathy

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  16. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics. I enjoyed them. Beautiful beaches!
    D

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  17. Beautiful place and beautiful pictures. Wish I were there!!!

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  18. Im heading to the beach this weekend myself. I hope to have such pretty views! Have a good rest of the week :)

    Hood Photo Blog

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  19. What a wonderful place to vacatio. Your photos are great!

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  20. What a great trip and I would have liked to sample all the food in the trailers too! Joni

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  21. I've been to Seaside and love it. I always say I want to live in one of these perfect little towns...if only...loved your post!

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  22. Looks wonderful! A landlord has to restrict dogs/cats. He would limit his rental pool as so many people are allergic to them.
    The sand looks so white!

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  23. Hi Susan,

    This looks like the perfect holiday and I am like you love the seaside.
    It was great to see your photos and thank you for sharing. The homes are beautiful and yumm! ...would like to try one of the snow cones.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  24. Susan, that sunset is beautiful! We have always gone to Perdido Key, but you've sure made me want to try this charming place. I've been reading about people selling food from Airstreams around the country. This looks like the perfect community for that type of vendor. I don't believe you have ever waddled any place! laurie

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