Back from Seagrove Beach!

We're back! WOW, what an absolutely fantastic week at the beach we had. Truly, the weather could NOT have been more perfect, nor the condo we stayed in. I found this condo online and rented directly from the owners. It was just outside Seaside in Seagrove Beach and was just perfect, nestled off the beaten path, with a nice view of the Gulf from our balcony. Everyday was gorgeous weather, not too hot or humid, but spectacular really. We couldn't have asked for more. You never know what you'll get when you rent a condo, but we were all pleasantly pleased and happy with our choice. It was beautiful furnished in a British Classics style (with neutral earthtones) and my friend said it looked just like me! We really, really relaxed and didn't do a lot of going. We enjoyed the beach everyday, went deep-sea fishing one day, State Park one day, but other than that, it was pretty relaxed and unbusy. Someone asked what books I read. I took several & finished up Lifeguard by James Patterson and got through one of my favorite authors, Nelson DeMille, his latest, Wild Fire. I love his books & this one was a great beach book!

One of my closest friends from Atlanta (Wanda & her hubby, Bill) met us there for 4 nights and then they were headed on to Disney World for the rest of their week. We all had a great time! We went deep-sea fishing one day, which was quite an experience. I've never done that before. My hubby, Peter, loves fishing and had a ball. We all decided to fish, although I wasn't too keen on baiting my hook with those slimy fish heads and squid parts, but I sucked it up & went for it. The guys did great and between all of us we caught about a dozen nice Red Snapper (and a couple of Jacks). My 18-yr. old stepson, Nick, ended up going with us at the last minute. Nick is going to the French Culinary Institite in NY at the moment & is a budding chef. He's up there learning the ropes, cooking in a nice NY restaurant and told us all about that experience. I know he'll do well. Anyway, he cooked fish for us 2 nights & it was fabulous! I've never caught fish much at all, much less took it home & cooked it before, but let me tell you...it's wonderful! We have a nice catch in the freezer now for more great fish dinners.

It was a great week for catching up with friends as well & we met up one night with an old college friend and her husband too. They live in the Panama City area and it was nice to catch up with them after 10 years. One of my very closest friends from Atlanta, Vickie, was also vacationing in the area with her family and we met up one day at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City. It's a beautiful place too. My guys took their fishing poles and had a great time and she and I hung out on the beach under the umbrella catching up. It was such a fun week!

And, last but not least, I got to meet up with one of our wonderful blog gals, JustABeachKat! She is just the most precious lady. We met up with Kat and George at their church, Seaside Chapel, on Sunday morning and it was a really sweet service. The church is just beautiful & we really enjoyed it. Kat told us how much they enjoy living down there and I can definitely see why...IT IS PARADISE!! Kat, I just checked your blog & see you mentioned our visit. Thanks, you're so sweet!

So, there's the recap! Enjoy the pics! I'm telling you girls, if you've never been the Gulf Coast beach (Panama City, Destin, Seagrove, Seaside, Ft. Walton), you are missing out on the best beaches around. It is spectacular scenery and truly paradise. Most of these beach pics were just outside our condo. The dunes are beautiful, the sand is powdery sugar white, and the water is the most glorious color of turquoise blue.

The first 2 photos will open bigger (still don't know why some do & some don't), so to get a great view of how truly spectacular these beaches are, open them up BIG!

My closest friend from Atlanta, Wanda, and her hubby, Bill, on the beach.
Me and one of my best friends from Atlanta, Vickie, at St. Andrews State Park. Don't you love how colorful we are? I love this pic...think I'll have to frame it!
It just doesn't get any better than this!
See the red flag? That means the waves & currents are rough.
The beautiful beaches! Me and my hubby, Peter, out for a morning walk on the beach.
Me, walking in the sand.


Shot from the fishing boat.
Sunset from the fishing boat.

Another shot from the fishing boat.

St. Andrews State Park
Me and Peter on the beach at our condo.
This is one of my favorite shots. This is the beach outside our condo.
Me & Peter again on a morning beachwalk.

Here's our condo....it was really pretty and we would definitely stay there again.

View from our balcony.
Another view from our balcony. The ocean breezes on our balcony were heavenly.
Our beach wasn't that crowded at all. I think this week was perfect...right before school is out and the rates are better too! Me and Kathy (Justabeachkat). She was so sweet & personable & I was so glad we got to meet up. And she is just gorgeous too...the beach really agrees with you, Kat!
My hubby, Peter.....the Angler. That man loves to fish. That was one of his main desires in going to the beach, to get to fish to his heart's content. Well, he did! See the string of fish they are holding up? That's what we all caught! The large fish catch is the whole boat's haul. I actually caught 3 Red snapper myself...I was pretty proud of that. The guys did really well. We so much enjoyed our fresh fish for dinner.
I made it out to take a couple of sunset pics....sunsets just don't get any better than on the beach. The last night we were there the sunset was perfect!
Isn't this just spectacular?!

Hope you all enjoyed going to the beach with me and I wish for you all to have a beach trip planned too! Sun and sand.....ahhhhh, it's the best for relaxation! I will be catching up with all of you soon too. Hope your week was grand! I've missed you all, but really enjoyed my break from the computer for a week. It'll take me forever to get caught up now! And guess what I'll be doing for awhile...yeah, laundry!!

xoxo,

Rhoda