Where's the Beach?

This group shot is taken at "the Beach House", one of my favorite places we stayed. Seems at this point we were able to fit everyone one in one house--a pretty remarkable feat looking back. I remember designing and printing a "Where's the Beach?" t-shirt for this trip. I think I still have mine.

I also remember that it was at the beach house where everyone had assigned cooking / cleaning jobs. Considering the amount of mouths to be fed, that seemed like a good idea.

brothers & sisters

This photo of Clarence, Hazel, Charles, Kathryn and Angus was taken in 1975. I think this is the first  year we went  year we to Santa Rosa Island instead of Panama City. It seems like this was the year the teenagers had a room to themselves, which turned out unsurprisingly to be a bad idea. I have some good pictures from this year I will add soon. Keep looking thru those old pics! 

I remember...

One of my earliest memories of a Panama City vacation involves staying in Maw & Gunk's trailer. We were across the street from the beach--I'm guessing somewhere around Laguna Beach. I remember getting in trouble from Gunk for crossing the street by myself. I don't remember anything else about that trip. It is the only time I remember Maw & Gunk being there. I think they both passed away not too many years after this picture was taken. This photo, showing Gunk, Susan, Kathy and me was always on display in my parents house. 

P.s. I am trying to write something each day as a means of disciplining myself. I hope to one day write a book. Remember all of you who are registered are listed as authors as well and are allowed to add posts as well as comments. I am still waiting for other family members to respond.

Bugging our parents

This to all who have responded so far. As this (internet) is a relatively new medium for sharing info. and photos, let's be sure and aid our parents and others who may be wary or intimidated by this technology. More importantly let's ask our parents about the history of these vacations (of course right now, even as I write this, some of them are in Gulf Shores--almost Panama City) What is their earliest memory, where did they stay, funny things that happened, etc. Ultimately, I would like to arrange everything in chronological order--but for right now, let's just get it all out there. For example, one thing I did not know was that at one time, Gerry Lowery's parents went along. Seems as if I remember that Mr. Crumpton was quite a snorer. Now that we're all adults, I expect we'll here some great stories...

In response to my own challenge, I submit this photo as one of the earliest beach trip photos. It shows Bill, Gerry (i think) and Clarence. I don't know if it was part of the family beach vacation or not. We'll have to get them to confirm.

In the beginning...

I know this photo does not depict the beginning of the vacations but its posted as a challenge. Anybody got any earlier photos. Please share.

First thoughts

I have been planning on creating this for a while, but I did not really no where to start. I hope this blog will be a good way to share our memories of our family beach vacations through both the written word as well as photographs. This technology is still relatively new to me so it will be a learning experience/ work in progress. My goal is for this to be a group blog which can have many authors--hopefully each family member who would like to contribute. I look forward to hearing and seeing everyone's memories of these great vacations. I hope we will be able to continue this vacation tradition in some form or fashion.

Scott