Gulf Coast Summer Vacation??
Posted By: looking for ideas/locations on 2007-12-05
In Reply to:
Hi! My DH and I are looking for ideas on a good place to stay for a Gulf Coast vacation. We usually rent a beach house every summer in the Outer Banks (North Carolina), but want to try the Gulf area this year. We've looked at renting a beach house in Florida, but it's really expensive and would really appreciate somewhere not so expensive. We've never been to the Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana or Texas coasts and are hoping someone on this lovely board has a personal experience with vacationing in one of these areas. We're going with a bunch of my family (including kids), so we want somewhere that is family friendly and safe. Thanks for any help!
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Gulf Coast Summer Vacation
Might want to look into Gulf Shores Alabama, my family has been going there every year for the past 30 to 35 years and Gulf State Park offers either camping or cabins.
Gulf Coast people
BE SAFE. Praying Ike doesn't do as much damage as sounds like they are expecting. I have kids and grandkids there and they're planning to ride it out.
Summer Vacation
We plan on going to either the Jersey Shore or Maine for a week this Summer. I've never been to either place even though we live in NY State and it's within a reasonable driving distance. Also, my daughter's friend is visiting from Florida, and we'll also take a lot of day trips that week to keep her entertained.
Poll: Summer vacation
 Our backyard!
Summer vacation volunteering
My granddaughter is going into 6th grade. My daughter is at her wit's end to try to figure out ways to keep her entertained this summer vacation. My daughter has a home sewing and monogramming business, and while she can take short breaks, most of the time she needs to work whenever she can, obviously. My granddaughter just wants to go somewhere and shop or have someone over to spend the night, etc. -- all involve spending money! I'd like my granddaughter to get involved in something to learn how to do things for others, not just spend money. Any creative ideas on activities or volunteer agencies who would like an 11 year old? I've come up with Red Cross, Humane Shelter, hospital, or library. She is already going to go to one session of vacation bible school, but that's only 1 week. Part of the problem is, it's a small town and not too many summer programs without driving at least 25 miles to the larger city, or spending over $100/week for things like Y day camp or cheerleading camps, etc.
Thanks. I guess what I am really asking is when do most families stop taking Summer vacation and
start getting ready for school opening.
I moved coast to coast...sm
First, your niece is adorable! Can't blame you for wanting to be near her.
I moved from New Jersey to Seattle when I was 29. Knew absolutely no one. Friends/family asked me what I would do if I didn't like it, and I reminded them that I was not in exile; I could come home at any time. Still in Seattle, no regrets, visit family/friends almost yearly. Mom and sister eventually moved out here. Definitely do your homework. If possible, visit the area you plan on moving to, check out apartments/homes, the environment. If you have a lot of stuff, check into location/prices of storage. I had visited Seattle about a year before moving, talked to a few apartment managers to explain my out-of-state status and protocol for securing an apartment by phone when the time came, then eventually bought a house. At that time, I was not an MT, so worked for Kelly Temps for a few months. Again, my mantra--you are not in exile; you can go home if it does not work out. By moving to Seattle, I never have to ask, what would have happened if I had moved to Seattle? Best wishes, whatever you choose to do.
I live about an hour off the Gulf....sm
in south Mississippi. That is pretty funny but some of it is true.
We live in Arkansas so more than likely Florida or Gulf Shores?
Camping is a great idea! - When do you think it is too hot for camping at the beach?
Exactly what is happening further up the coast
never been hit but could be and so insurance companies hightailing it. Where I live tornados (hurricaines on land) come through occasionally and I am sooo scared of these as sure most others are. I used to live on the coast on St Simons Island, hated it, but do not care for either situation as far as weather is concerned.
East Coast 11:30 a.m. and
It's a rainy, gloomy day, and I'm still in my jammies!
I love this job!  
near the coast myself, used to love
taking the kids down there. You probably don't have jelly fish that far north, but take a small bottle of meat tenderizer in case of stings. Familiarize yourself and the kids with flags and what they mean. Undertow is a big deal, never try to swim straight back in, let the current carry you until you can get past it and then swim in. Then again, you can get far away from each other without even noticing, so look out for that. I can almost smell the beach just reading your note. I hope you have a wonderful time. Sunscreen, of course, bucket to rinse off sand from feet and legs before getting back in the car. Been too long since mine were that size.
MS, on the coast. It's still pretty bad here 18 mos. after Katrina.
And just for an added kick in the gut, after the storm our hospital gave our jobs to MQ.
Why can't the east coast people
talk about Idol as long as they state posting about Idol results and those on the West Coast should not read if they do not want to know the results.
I think only fair as some of us east coasters might want to discuss it as it happens.
Just a thought.
In VA about 2 hours from the coast, after the last hurricane - sm
in 2003 (also due to 9-11 though) ours jumped from $400 to 650; which compared to those of you in FL is nothing obviously but at the time it seemed quite large. Our car insurance is still quite low though about $400 a year for each of our 2 trucks.
West coast is all expensive...
So you settled back at home, 13K! WOW I would never settle back in Cali... like you said it's way too expensive and the wages (at least what i make) definitely don't keep up with the cost of living. I have found in the South the living is sooooo much more affordable, but then I have to think of the pros and cons like the weather (never been in a hurricane, they kinda scare me)... but the people are absolutely wonderful! at least everyone I have encountered was so nice and polite, again nothing like the west coast. I just visited Atlanta when I was in NC two weeks ago and fell in LOVE with it. However, it's a bit big for me but I am curious to know more about it... just as an option. Do you mind if I email you directly? Thanks again for your insight!
34 right now, central Oregon coast range....
20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. May get up to 47 today, woo hoo!
Best places to visit on the East coast
In June, my husband and I will be attending the HD Bike Week in Laconia, New Hampshire. If you had to name just two or three places that everyone should see on the East coast {Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, etc. down to North Carolina} what would they be? We will be visiting Maine - that is already on the agenda. We plan to visit Arlington National Cemetary and the Capitol. We have been on the Freedom Walk in Boston.
We have not determined how much time we will be spending on the East coast. Please just name the places you think we should visit if time wasn't a concern.
Thank you very much for your time, assistance, and input. I appreciate this very much!
I live on the East Coast where this is extremely common
for "older" women to be having babies. As long as you're healthy, I don't see it should be a problem. I was WAY too young when I had my daughter (19) and really wish I would have waited until I was in my 30s. The biggest problem I see here with women in their 40s having babies is that a lot of them are so focused on their careers that they don't spend enough time with their kids. I would think 39 would be okay, but you really are greatly increasing your risk of complications/birth defects if you wait much longer.
Needless to say, I'm ecstatic right now! I may live west coast now..
but am forever a phillygal!
Upper Texas coast, Houston area. sm
Now living in Austin near my daughter and grandson. God bless Texas! :)
I live on the East Coast, definitely not "small town America"
Again, you shouldn't make excuses to spoil your kids and you absolutey shouldn't make assumptions that I live in "small town America" as that's definitely not the case. I was extremely careful driving because I always knew that if I got any kind of traffic violation, I was going to have to pay for it with my insurance rates going up. I grew up with a lot of kids that were spoiled as they "had" to have the most expensive clothes and shoes and, of course, couldn't pay for anything else and then mommy and daddy would foot the bill! Absolutely insane!
Just heard that a massive tidal wave (or Tsunami) is headed for England's coast and sm
could reach land in the next 12 hours.
I'll be watching this and I'm sure you'll be hearing more about it soon!
My vacation and yours?
I am this year planning on taking myself out to the wild west visiting Yellowstone, Montana, Wyoming and the like. My family does not like to travel so this year, as last when I went to Alaska, I will be traveling by myself there only to meet up with a tour and it is loads of fun! Hopefully as in Alaska there will be not only the beautiful scenery but also loads of animals. I am in 7th heaven just drooling about this all. Everything planned out for you, all you have to do is pay your money and meet up with their start point. Could not be easier... I will send you postcards!
vacation
If you haven't seen your brother and family for years, I say go for the pricier condo with more room. The last thing you want is to be on top of each other, getting on each other's nerves. 8 days can be a long time! Go for it and celebrate spending time with your loved ones. After all, it's just money!
Vacation
My kids start back to school this month.
Why did you vacation with them?
And why did SIL agree to vacation with you? If I had a family member who did not like me or vice versa, no way would I spend the time or money to vacation with them. I find your brother to be at fault also. If you two are so close, why did he not speak to wife and especially daughters and tell them to act civilly at least for the one week? He is the parent too, and to allow them to behave like that, especially to his sister, is wrong.
Vacation
When you have plenty of time you should continue where Skyline Drive changes into the Blue Ridge parkway and goes down into North Carolina. The spring or fall would be the best times. There are miles and miles of beautiful mountains. The highest mountains are at the lower part of the Blue Ridge parkway. Some things you could see along the way would be the Mabry Mill, Biltmore House at Asheville, and the viaduct.
You need a vacation.
dd
at least you got a vacation!!
x
Vacation? What's that
Oh yes, that's what you take when you don't owe the IRS thousands in dollars because they didn't take out enough last year and this year your taxes double (and I had a hard enough time surviving on what was left after sending in taxes last year).
A vacation isn't a vacation when
Your in-laws wake up at 6:00 a.m. when you want to sleep till 9:00.
Your houseguest mistakes your guest room for a hotel with maid service.
Your hostess has a Doberman with an anal gland issue.
I'm with you - give me a hotel!!!!
You took the gnome on vacation? lol
Getting a kick out of this thread! Thanks ladies. lol
According to my vacation planner
where I go Wyoming, Utah and the like is west, leaving from Denver-have been to California but am sure will enjoy wherever it is. Going solo, my family do not want to join me in my vacations. Oh well, I will send them a postcard.
Florida vacation
There are several things to consider when planning your vacation to the theme parks: If you stay in Kissimmee you'll have to drive to the parks. There has been a lot of road construction on southwest side or Orlando. I don't know if it's completed or not. The hotels associated with the parks have a lot of extras for the kids so you can relax while they watch movies in the pool, ect. The rooms are often suites with murals and fun beds for the kids. There are some that are close to the parks, with shuttles, that might be a bit more affordable than the big ones on the parks. While you certainly have to go to the Magic Kingdom, especially for the younger kids, if you love the big rides Universal's Islands of Adventure is a must too. Our kids are into the bigger thrill rides so they prefer Universal. There's also a nice area for the younger kids at Islands of Adventure that has a Dr Suess theme. October will still be hot down here, but if you want to take a day trip over to the beach it's best to come before December. December temperatures are typically fall-like, but it can get down into the 40s on occasion.
I would never vacation in Mexico
They are sucking the blood out of this country. They come here by the thousands everyday because people like you will hire them.
They pop out babies every year at the American taxpayer's expense, and then we pay for their health care and education.
They sneak into this country, keep wages down, crime and the birth rate up, overcrowd our schools and our jails, then have the nerve to march in our streets and DEMAND citizenship.
On their side, they do not respect our laws, will not extradite criminals wanted in the U.S.
I would never give them one penny of my vacation money. They are NICE to you when you are there because they want your money.
OP says nothing about vacation just camping.
//
Please Please enjoy your vacation. sm
I just went on vacation with my family and had something (nothing compared to your worry) that I just had to put on the back burner and enjoy every second I possibly could. I hope you have faith, because God does not give us anything that we truely can not handle. I will pray that your worries are unfounded. You have been given some wonderful advice above and just believe in that. Happy vacationing.
vacation from husband
Don't divorce him, it's a hard life out here without a husband and there's no prince charming to ride up and save you from being destitute. Doesn't matter if you love him, if you don't like to do the same things, just do your own thing and let him pick up your bills. Don't even really have to like him, just tolerate him. I had one who made 75k+ and paid all the bills, my money was just that, my money, and now I'm supporting myself and my older sister and cranking it out for this bloody bonus.
Take a cruise or go on a vacation by yourself (sm)
give him a taste of what it is like without you there! And if he doesn't change - then leave. Even if you just leave temporarily....
Vacation ideas
Am looking for somewhere not real expensive but interesting, with either malls or shopping areas, for my daughter and myself to travel to on vacation, distance does not really matter - have been to Mall of America and the Sawgrass Mills in Florida, looking for something similiar, - any suggestions would be appreciated.
Vegas Vacation
"haven't seen a beatin' like that since somebody stuck a banana in my pants and turned a monkey loose."
I'm on vacation this week, so ...
brought some movies along to catch up on. I watched 27 Dresses, which was just okay. I loved PS I Love You. Also been watching The Office with my sister and DS, and Emergency!, which aren't exactly movies, but lots of fun. It's been a great week with my family. Almost hate going back to work on Monday!
Jamaican vacation
...anyone planning on going to Jamaica to Couples Negril - save your money. My fiance and I returned from there after 2 weeks vacation. We frequently visited the "Couples" message boards and were very excited to go. Now I find out that they only allow "positive" postings about their resorts. If we had known the truth, we could have saved a few thousand dollars. In a nutshell - bad service, chunks of glass on the beach, employees mocking visitors (although if you don't speak the lingo you wouldn't know this) and "get your own drink because I can't get a tip" attitude. We were thinking about planning our wedding there but have changed our minds. The mgmt. hoards all tips and the employees never see the "pool" of tips that they "allow" vacationers to give.
For my vacation I have a lady
who comes over once a day to feed and water my 3 cats. I would rather have them here at home where they are comfortable than leaving and going to be caged up while I am gone. This is on trips hubby and I take. On trips I made alone hubby is here every other day and he gives extra food and water in between the days he is home. Of course he always gets calls most every day wanting to know how they ate, did they have their "treats," etc. They give me so much pleasure and I want them to have the necessities (and a few treats, their toys, etc., etc.)
Wanting a vacation now
My husband never wanted to go on any vacations. So, when the kids were young, my kids and I went on a vacation every year. We either drove or one time took the train to the Grand Canyon from Chicago. Not once did my husband go with us. We went twice to Disney and had such a wonderful time. My kids are now grown, and I really miss those vacations. My husband missed out a lot.
vacation blues
We are going on vacation tomorrow - to the beach. Internet says it is 10 hours 15 minutes to get there. I have been there many times and with the normal amount of stops, it takes about 12 hours. Problem: Hotel we booked with (small hotel, oceanfront) called today saying their office closes at 6:00 p.m. on Tues. If we will not be there by then, we will need to make other arrangements to get our keys - so I say okay, we probably won't be there until about 7:00. She says she will leave our keys OUTSIDE UNDER the newspaper machine. Does this sound like a good idea??? I don't know what other recourse I have besides trying to get a room in another hotel once I get there. I have stayed at this hotel many times in the past and never had a problem but have not been there for probably 10 years. What would you do? By the way, my fiance is flipping out about it.
Yeah! Took it on vacation and took pictures of it
had him sitting on the 2nd balcony railing and went down to take a picture and laugh at ourselves (of course) and SPLAT! He hit the floor!! Too bad we couldn't get a picture of OUR faces!! All the OOOHHH NOOOO looks!
We've enjoyed our little gnome, as ugly as he is with his duct-taped head!! LOL
He's still a member of the family and has his little photo album complete with sticky-note messages on the pictures proudly displayed in the back den! LOL
In the past, great vacation
I have been to several Club Meds, started out in Eluthra in the Bahamas, then Cancun about 3 times, Paradise Island in the Bahamas, Ixtapa in Mexico, Playa Blanca in Mexico and then the last trip my daughter and I took was to Turks and Caicos. You can see, I really loved Club Med at one time when children or just my daughter and I traveled together. I loved the fact that all you had to do was get your suitcase there and from then on your trip all paid for. Now having said that, I feel now Club Med is overpriced for the deals you can get now days. At one time the all inclusive was Club Med and now so many others have the same to offer at lower prices. The last time I was in Cancun I was very disappointed in the food, not like I had been all the other times. I had a wonderful time for those years I did go, though.
Florida vacation spots
My favorite spot is Santa Rosa Island just on the other side of Pensacola, FL. Although was run out twice due to hurricanes (10 years apart exactly) but was on the last night of vacation. I can also recommend the Iberostar resorts in Mexico - Carmen Del Playa and Cozumel for family - Cancun is more for the young adults/adults. It was actually less to go to Mexico than Florida with an all-inclusive package.
when I vacation in Mexico, I never find
the people there to be anything but absolutely wonderful, nice, giving, assistive. I love going there and have never thought I was hated, in fact the other way around. I have let people work here at my home and they might be legal and might not have- having said that they will work a lot harder than most I know and no whining, no this and that, no sitting down when there is something to be done and whatever the job is usually pay $10 per hour and then a tip if the work is good.
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