Thinking about driving to one of the nearest ocean beaches from Des Moines--
- Thread starter Uwe.Blab
- Start date
Funny story about that. Well, not really that, but close. I was driving through Chicago on my way to South Bend or maybe Detroit, can't remember. Anyways, I drive through Chicago several times a year. You know when you start making charges on your credit card outside normal activity you will get an alert. I had never before gotten an alert while traveling in, around, or through Chicago until I stopped for gas in Joliet. Instant alert to my phone. Is Joliet that rough of an area?I assume you took the ferry boat across the lake from Wisconsin and backdoored in, instead of going through Gary, Indiana, since you're apparently still alive...
- Sep 13, 2002
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It's pretty rough and is home to a gigantic federal prison.Stateville makes Shawshank look like a Club Med.
- Sep 13, 2002
- 97,800
- 203,882
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Yeah, Rod Blagojevich would shank you in a heartbeat for a pack of smokes...
Did I ever tell you about the time I developed a Bustos in my Loebsack? Damn near made me Blagojevich!
We lived in Madison when I was a kid growing up and between Indiana Dunes and Door County, I never felt like I missed out on trips to the ocean at all.
Then my inlaws got a place down in Marco Island, and I was even more convinced. I loved visiting down there - especially in winter when it's freezing up here - but nothing about the beach experience is intrinsically better down there than at the better beach spots on the Great Lakes in the summer.
BTW, OP might want to consider a driving trip to Door County instead of Alabama. So much more cool stuff to see and do up there and it is absolutely gorgeous this time of year:
I would take Door county over any place on the Gulf during the month of August. I'm probably going to head up there the first week in August and hopefully play a little golf in Kohler on the way.
- Sep 13, 2002
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I want to play Whistling Straits someday, but am a bit afraid of shooting a 150 with my golf game!!
I have bad news for you. They aren't just in the Florida lakes. e.g. Panama City Beach.
I have seen TONS of them at St Marks Lighthouse on the beach. Definitely stay in Lake Michigan. Florida is basically America's version of Australia, everything wants to kill everything.
That is approaching Jurassic Park status right there.I have bad news for you. They aren't just in the Florida lakes. e.g. Panama City Beach.
I have seen TONS of them at St Marks Lighthouse on the beach. Definitely stay in Lake Michigan. Florida is basically America's version of Australia, everything wants to kill everything.
That's a pretty famous picture of a python trying to eat a gator and it was too big. Not sure if it's real or shopped.
Anyway, I am not really afraid of gators. We have them all over the country club here and they generally keep to themselves. I've hit balls 5' away from them before and they don't even flinch.
Buffalo Reef in Ft. Walton Beach is a great place for wings. You also have to play Goofy Golf in Ft Walton. It’s what mini golf should be.
Pensacola Beach is full. So is Navarre.
Destin is the answer. Fort Walton Beach is a good second choice.
BTW, I live halfway between Gulf Shores and Destin.
i could see us doing outer banks sometime for sure. going to try to drive down there one of the days maybe. we are flying into Norfolk airport, yes.
Torbee, Good Call, but I prefer the beaches along the Western Shore of Michigan.Why not go to America's newest National Park? Much shorter drive, less rednecks than in the places you mentioned, and no gross saltwater:
Just to be clear, a 1100 mile drive to a beach is fine, but a 1500 mile drive to a beach is crazy?
Today's Destin sea temperature is 85 °F.
Statistics for 13 Jun (1981–2005) – mean: 82 °F, range: 79 °F to 84 °F
Waves 2 to 4 feet. The water temperature off Michigan City is 61 degrees...and 56 degrees off St. Joseph.
Statistics for 13 Jun (1981–2005) – mean: 82 °F, range: 79 °F to 84 °F
Waves 2 to 4 feet. The water temperature off Michigan City is 61 degrees...and 56 degrees off St. Joseph.
Those are great beaches! I lived in Grand Rapids for three years and the ex-wife (pic in another thread) worked in Grand Haven. We spent a lot of time there in the summers.
We've stayed at the Sugar Beach condos a few times - right side/top left - and really like Orange Beach. Very reasonable. We were there early in the summer before Ivan hit. Went back the next year. That empty lot to the left of Sugar Beach used to be another building.
Speaking of our own 5 star beach in river city (aka Iowa City, IA), check this out:
https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2019/06/11/beach-day-turns-case-domestic-abuse/1413746001/
https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2019/06/11/beach-day-turns-case-domestic-abuse/1413746001/
thanks for the info. we ended up finding a place in the destin/Miramar beach area for a really nice price. a townhome. going to drive like 17 hours with 5 kids for just a couple days at the beach. then drive back, and it is always a little slower going uphill.We've stayed at the Sugar Beach condos a few times - right side/top left - and really like Orange Beach. Very reasonable. We were there early in the summer before Ivan hit. Went back the next year. That empty lot to the left of Sugar Beach used to be another building.
You likely won't have the time but the National Navel Air Museum at the Pensacola Naval base is incredible. Worth checking out if the weather is bad.
We have done Sandestin which is adjacent to Destin. Also spent most of the time at the beach. The Sandestin area also had a bunch of decent restaurants we could walk to from the condo we rented. Would recommend.
Have a summer home in Cumberland Wi.They have wolves and black bears in Door County.
Bear walked through my yard last week.
Lost a free range chicken Friday from our group to a fox that came up within 30 ft of wife(no pic) to take it.
22 was on the other end of the house in the shop area so she never got a shot off.
Chickens will probably never free range again unless someone watches them with the 22 by their side.
There is a free air force museum in Ft Walton beach. It is small but they have a B52 and
SR71 sitting outside to look at.
Goofy Golf, Buffalo Reef for wings and that museum is a decent afternoon in Ft Walton.
Last time I was there they had a MOAB sitting outside also. Mother Of All Bombs.
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