Toes in the Sand
Posted on April 8, 2008
Filed Under Personal |
There are nice beaches—and then there are really nice beaches.
During spring break my family and I discovered one of the most beautiful slices of sand and surf in the country—thanks to an extremely generous friend who gave us the gift of saying at their beach house. It’s a picturesque town 
called Seaside, located on the Florida panhandle halfway between Panama City and Pensacola. Forgive me if I sound like a travel agent, but Seaside will take your breath away. Talk about an idyllic family vacation spot, this ocean haven is amazing!
Seaside overlooks the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Soft, sugary-white sandy beaches stretch for miles in either direction. Like two busy beavers, the boys spent several days building and defending their sandcastles from the advancing waves. For our part, Jean and I kicked back and enjoyed doing absolutely nothing. We talked, read books, napped, and recharged ourselves from the busy pace of life.
After getting our fill of sun, we ducked in and out of quaint boutiques and watched other vacationers ride four-seater bicycles through this charming getaway. Dining on hotdogs, pickles, cold drinks and ice cream was followed by watching the setting sun splash pastel colors across the horizon. 
No two sunsets were alike, as if God was having fun painting the skies with His rich palate of light.
While we were there, I learned something about the history of Seaside. In short, the dream that became Seaside was first planted in the mind of developer Robert Davis when, as a boy, he and his grandfather, who had purchased the 80 acres, went for walks through the track of beachfront property.
Years later Robert became an award-winning builder who envisioned a place that would transport guests back in time—back when families lingered on the front porches of their cottages to swap stories and reconnect. In 1997, the tranquil master-planned community Robert developed attracted the attention of Hollywood. That’s when actor Jim Carrey and team rolled into town to film the hit movie, The Truman Show.
I’m thankful Robert Davis acted on his dream. I like the idea of families kicking back on the front porch, playing board games and sipping lemonade. Some might criticize that as being too nostalgic, critical of the 50’s TV series “Leave It To Beaver.” I can hear them say, “The world doesn’t work that way anymore.” Isn’t that a shame?
Make the world a better place tonight and play a game with your kids—whether or not you happen to be at the beach.
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Jim Daly is the President of Focus on the Family. He has been married to his wife, Jean, since 1986. They have two sons. The Daly family resides in Colorado Springs. Finding Home represents Jim's musings on work, family and faith.
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Jim…I just read your article on Seaside from my office. It is spring vacation and Seaside is filled with visitors from Atlanta, Kentucky and several other states. The amphitheatre is filled with children playing all sorts of games, some organized and some just made up on the spot.
In a world wracked with violence and assorted weirdness, Seaside and all of South Walton County is almost sanctuary-like in it’s ability to take you away for even a few days to a much more simple laid-back lifestyle. My wife and I along with all of our friends are so blessed to be living in an area that shelters us from the unpleasant things that occur in the rest of the world. We thank God every day for this blessing knowing how short-lived it could be.
Thanks again
Blessings,
Billy