Monday, January 5, 2009

Christmas at the Beach

I just got back in town late Saturday night and have been trying to catch up on my blog reading, sew a little, and I went back to work today. I was not ready to wake up early! It was beautiful down in Florida between Christmas and this past weekend and I took many pictures-I apologize for the profuse amount of pictures that are about to follow! I did slim it down, not that you can tell.


We went to the docks in old Destin where you can get a boat to go deep sea fishing or take in some restaurants in this new devlopment.

This is from the same area looking out towards where the Gulf meets the intercoastal waterway.

Windart in Seaside, FL which is also where they filmed the Truman Show.
I love cow paintings. I want the one on top. I may have to paint one for me!

Doesn't this look like a lovely spot to sit for a while?
I rode this lovely red bike all over Seaside, Watercolors, and Sandestin. It is the one I always choose for a jaunt from the bikes that are available. I don't wear red very often, but I love a red bike!
The marshes at Seaside are beautiful!


One of the golf courses at Sandestin was closed for the season, even though they maintained it so we were able to take long walks on the course.
Do you see the owl in the picture above? My mom and I were taking their dog, Riley, for a walk and heard it hooting at us. We, of course, hooted back. :)

I love Spanish moss hanging on trees!

Walking on the golf course. Riley received 4-5 walks a day while we were there. He loved it! It is such a beautiful place to be able to go for walks.



On New Year's Day in between eating collard greens, hoppin' john, and spicy peach chicken and watching football, we went to Grayton Beach State Park.

I love this sign!

It is neat to be able to see how the beach looks without modern development. Here we are hiking up the dunes!




We ended the hike on the beach at sunset. It is beautiful!

This is from my Uncle William's cabin on the bay where we stopped for a picnic.

The marina at Sandestin is full of beautiful boats.
This is from early in the trip when we went to Panama City. It was misty and cool on the beach at about 7:30 in the morning. We were some of the few people walking around.

I had a wonderful time even though I am happy to be sleeping in my own bed! It was around 70 degrees while we were there (except for New Year's when it was freezing!). It truly was a shock to leave 68 degree temperature and arrive home to 20 degrees. It was 12 this morning when I left for my first day back at work.

8 comments:

jacquie said...

what a wonderful trip, audrey. there's nothing better than a walk on the beach!

Stephanie D said...

Those are some gorgeous photos! I haven't been down that way in years, but it's every bit as pretty as I remembered.

Welcome back to winter! BRRRR!

QuiltedSimple said...

how pretty. what a wonderful trip!!!
Kris

Tamara Lund D.C. said...

What a fabulous vacation. I love all the photos. You have a real eye for it.

isolada. by design said...

How good that you enjoyed wonderful, warm days in Florida with loved ones this holiday time. The photos are fantastic. You captured fine details that will bring a little sun for days to come! The red bike rocks, the prayer one I could read most every morning to remember Mother Earth. So good! Thank you for sharing and know a New Year...each moment, each day given...of joy and beauty!

Sherry said...

Thanks for sharing your vacation. Glad you had such a good time with your family. We always have a good time down there with them, too, and it is a beautiful place. I also loved your mosaic and am amazed at what you accomplished in 2008.

Dionne said...

What a wonderful vacation. I couldn't get away, but it was so nice to see the pics from your trip. It's like taking a virtual vacation myself!
Cheers,
Dionne

Unknown said...

What a great way to spend the holidays! Especially since it was soooo wintery at home :) Love all of your pictures!