For Mother's Day 2011 we decided to take a vacation to Rosemary Beach, Florida. A dear friend of mine owns a beautiful home at this beautiful ocean-front resort community. "Casa al Fin" (meaning "Home at Last"!) is a beautifully designed and comfortably decorated 3000+ sq. ft. luxury home in Rosemary Beach. It is just within a block, with a gorgeous view, of stunning white-sand beaches of the Emerald Coast. Super for family getaways where fun and R&R are top priority! Click on the Casa al Fin link for a beautiful YouTube video.
The developers and designers have done an incredible job and are to be commended. This community is like no other that I have ever visited. "Rosemary Beach is a neo-traditional town located on northwest Florida's gulf coast, between Panama City and Destin, at the eastern end of Scenic Route 30A. The Rosemary Beach Land Company and President Patrick Bienvenue had a vision they wanted to share with the world. In 1995, that vision became a reality and Rosemary Beach was born. Rosemary Beach Land Company’s development plan is founded in the principles of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Development. Inspired by other classic beach towns, the 107-acre, gulf-front town of Rosemary Beach was designed to bring back the notions of community, neighborhood and convenience. In other words, this slice of heaven on earth offers residents the opportunity to live and work in paradise.
My parents, living in southern Georgia, drove out the night before we arrived from California so that we could be picked up at the airport. Upon our arrival to the Rosemary Beach community we were taken back by its beautiful architecture, urban feel and prestine white sand beaches.
The community is master-planned and features a "down-town" or "city-center" area that offers quaint restaurants that go from quick and easy deli choices all the way up to dressy dining options; of which we didn't partake during our beach vacation. One of my favorite daily stops was The Sugar Shack.
Many people who have not experienced the beaches of Florida's west coast, particularly this section of the panhandle known as the Emerald Coast, can't truly grasp just how fine and powdery the white sand is. It remains cool under your feet and if you dig down just a bit it will actually be very cool and refreshing. Although I spent as much time as I could at the New Jersey "Shore" growing up and have incredibly fond memories, my preference is for this white powder sand.
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| Beverly & My Mom, Gail |
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| One of the beautiful homes along the boardwalk on our way to the beach. |
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| Do you not just immediately fall in love w/ the architecture? |
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| The cozy fire pit in our private courtyard. |
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| Beverly, Andrew & my Mom, Gail |
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| Warm and crystal clear |
During our stay we rented a pontoon boat and went to Shell Island. Shell Island, Florida, runs approximately seven-and-a-half miles adjacent to St. Andrew's State Recreational Area. Totally uninhabited by humans and only accessible by boat, Shell Island is a hidden gem for surfers, scuba divers and snorkelers. Because this barrier island is relatively secluded, its guests will be welcomed by pristine sand dunes, flocks of colorful seashells and rare ecological delights preserved from eons past. While we were on the beach we we able to watch hermit crabs traveling thru the clear water, live sea urchins as well as some vacated urchin shells that we brought home and live sand dollars.
Our east-coast beach vacation ended on a wonderful note - a incredible thunder storm came through the night before we left. The rain came down in buckets and the thunder and lighting shook the house and lit up the night as if it was Noon. For me, a east coast native who grew up with the strong storms, it was a welcomed event. We sat in the screened-in patio and just listened to mother nature make her music.
If you are looking for a up-scale, relaxing and simply beautiful vacation - make sure you check our Casa al Fin @ Rosemary Beach.
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