DuckSouth.com

Its time to take the kids to the beach for the first time, and I really don't want to make the trip to Destin. I lived there in the eighties and would like to remember the way it was, if you know what I mean.

I remember reading about Holly Beach, LA and how "family friendly" it is, but have never been. Not much on the web, and I would like some input from some of you in the know about this area.

What I am looking for is a cabin to rent for a few days close to or on the beach. We need something with a kitchen, and from what I can tell the seafood is readily available there. I think I even remember you could take your dog to the beach in Holly.

The web site http://www.cajuncabins.com is pretty rinky-dink, and the link to the pictures always freezes up my browser.

Anybody have some input?

Capn T.....try Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce. I moved from Lake Charles in '69....alot has changed since. Good Luck and have a good trip!

Captn T, I saw on the news today that the storm that went into Texas put plenty of water in Cameron (Holly Beach area). Make sure to check before you go. I have never been to that area. In the middle of the state there is Grand Isle. The water is not like the blue you find to the east in Alabama and Flordia. However, the kids can have a good time in the water. You can crab. fish,and flounder right off the beach. You can probably do the same things at Holly Beach if it is ok after the strom. Jack

Be sure and take yo 'bug' stuff......mosquito bar, dope, headnets, etc........and don't take a dog unless you plannin' on him sleepin' in the tent with you........flies will drive'em NUTZ!

Holly Beach isn't exactly what I would call "family friendly". One of my good friends has had a camp there for his entire life and I went down there with him last year. Of course it depends on what you're into. If you like oppressive heat, (yes, worse than here), mosquitos, and lots of drunks stumblin' around then I would say take off. But it's not all bad. The trout fishing is outstanding, Calcasieu is just around the corner, and the duck hunting is pretty good at the right time of year.

It's kinda like the Neshoba County Fair, if you take away the rides, the law, and add unlimited alcohol and the cajun mentality. It would be cool if you were in your early twenties and liked to stay drunk and fight. On second thought it's kinda like Bourbon Street, everybody should see it once. Give me a condo at Perdido Key,a grill, a six pack and my wife in a bikini and I'm set.............. I'm just an old hillbilly.

I would have to agree with Timberjack on this for the most part. We have had a camp down there for the past five years. The fishing is great but I do not think I would really care to swim in the water. It always seems to be very muddy to me. They did pump alot of new sand up on the beach this past year and the beach is alot bigger than it has been. There are no places to eat around there as of the last time I heard. There use to be two restaurants but one shut down and the other one caught fire and burned down. If it was me, I would probably just go to GulfShores. If you are wanting to fish I would go to Holly Beach. The fishing is much better there for specs and reds than gulf shores. But as for the beach there is no comparison.

msudog

Hey guys, thanks for all the input. After reading what you have said and further research, I think I will have to look to AL or FL. I found some great houses in Gulf Shores, but they are booked for the time we need to be there. Check them out, I will definitely keep this one bookmarked : http://www.shgulf.com

I remember one year after I finished high school a few friends and I hopped in the car and headed to Destin, only to find nothing available, We ended up renting a cottage on the beach (no A/C) for $55 a night. It was old, but clean and had everything we needed. Of course they bulldozed that place long ago. That's what I am looking for this trip, nothing fancy but close to the beach and removed from the tourist traps. Just want a place for the kids to play on the beach. Trying to stay away from condos.

Thanks for the input.

Jack had a pretty good suggestion in Grand Isle if you are looking for seafood andbeaches. The close proximity to the mississippi keeps the water brown rather than blue, but you do have beaches and excellent fishing. Can also get a camp down there for cheap. If you go, gotta try fishing off the broken bridge at nigt, it's unbelieveable. Go to HOlly beach in duck season some real fine duck hunting barring a hurricane.

sounds like a Dauphin Island trip to me.... it is fairly remote, you can rent from humble to fairly nice. not allot of 'junk' goes on, and it is family friendly. we have had a house there for years, and it is a great get away. we usually buy shrimp & fish right off the boats each day to grill at night.

not many places to shop, and a bunch of people live there year round. easy to charter a boat for a fishing trip. and the red fish are running right now around that area

there is also a ferry that runs hourly from the island and for $5 you can go to Gulf Shores for the day. it has several public beaches. and a marine research facility that the kids will love.

Dauphin Island Parkway runs south where I- 65 and I-10 intersect in Mobile.

If you make the trip through mobile I recommend peepee of the Walk. It's nothing extremely fancy but the food is great.

I would suggest staying on Perdido Key, FL. Gulf shores has gotten almost like Destin. the beach at Perdido is better than Gulf Shores and you are just minutes from all the kid stuff in Gulf Shores. Plenty of good places to eat in Perdido, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores, as well. There are good houses, condominiums, and hotels anywhere along the beach there. I just like Perdido Key because its less crowded with not so many high rises. We stay in a condo that has six units right on the beach and has a pool. the one bedroom we just rented for the week was 860 for the week and will sleep 4. Let me know if you decide to go that way and I will give you some info, as I jus tleft there yesterday. Water was great, no seaweed. It's 6 hrs from Jackson driving the speed limit.

timberjack wrote:

It's kinda like the Neshoba County Fair, if you take away the rides, the law, and add unlimited alcohol and the cajun mentality.

Bwwwwwwwwaaaaaahhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TJ, I can tell you have DEFINITELY been "fairing" before!!!!!!!!