It’s the sand. It’s white, like snow.
At this latitude, it’s about as close to a white Christmas as it gets.
We’re staying at the WaterColor Inn & Resort in nearby Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Our house is a short walk to the beach. The kids are really excited about spending part of their Christmas here, mostly because they love the beach.
The adults? Well, if we can’t have a white Christmas, this’ll do.
Seaside is practically empty at this time of year. I’m told everyone comes here during the summer, although there are a fair number of year-round residents at WaterColor and in Seaside, which are both part of what’s sometimes referred to as the Florida “Planhandle” because of its many planned communities.
I like WaterColor — it’s classy without being pompous, which is something that can’t be said for many other Florida beach resorts. Plus, it’s family-friendly without selling out to the kids. (No theme-park rides or annoying cartoon characters. Not that there’s anything wrong with cartoon characters, but there’s a time and place for them, and it’s not here.)
Seaside and Santa Rosa Beach have a great feel, too. Like you’re vacationing somewhere in the Midwest. Every house looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. Oh, remember that movie The Truman Show? It was filmed here.
Our time at WaterColor was too short. We’re driving home tomorrow morning. At least we had our white Christmas.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the Panhandle area. If you’ve never been, let me highly recommend the Naval Aviation Museum on the Pensacola Naval Base. It’s free, there’s an IMAX Theater and you all would love it. There are a lot of kid-friendly activities, but they will be educated so subtly, they won’t even realize it. You can even touch the planes. It’s super-cool-neato-keen. One of my favorite things to do when I’m in the area. There’s always something new to see.
Welcome to my neighborhood! Hope you enjoy your visit here :) I’m an avid lurker on the blog here, but felt compelled to comment since you’re in my small, wonderful neck of the woods.
Dont worry about the snow, you dont want it. Its cold, icy, and right now, not even good enouph for snowmen. Your much better off at the beach. Merry christmas