You're So SoWal If . . . [2012]

[kurt]

...you're reading this thread!

Please post here, on the form in the article, or email to us. Photos also encouraged.

Thanks for playing!

[kurt]

We had a blast reading your answers last summer and we're asking all SoWal beach lovers to send us more of your good stuff by completing the thought, "You're So SoWal If . . . "

We want to hear from you about what it means to be addicted to South Walton Beaches. What's unique? What's quirky? What's beautiful? What's funny? What's that smell? (the seabreeze of course!)

Send us your creative answers using the form below or email directly to us. Deadline for all submissions is August 15, 2012. Photos representing the essence of South Walton Life are also mucho welcome.

Check SoWal.com, and SoWal Facebook and Twitter often to see some of the best submissions during the contest. Finalists and winners will be published on the site at the end of the season. Commemorative posters and artwork will be available.

Last summer's contest got a flood of responses, with hundreds of entries from locals and visitors. The SoWal Staff and some discerning local judges helped us narrow down the best entries. The judges for 2011 were Kevin Boyle, Renee Georgeff, Alicia Leonard, Jami Ray, Kelli Siler, and Debbie Wheeler.

This year's judges are still being held under wraps for a bit longer until we hear back from everyone including bad-boy coutry-western performer Jason Aldean, who is swimming under double reds at the moment.

Here are a few finalists from last year: You're So SoWal If...
“...you own two pairs of flip flops: one pair for casual and one pair for formal occasions.”
“...you consider a long distance relationship dating someone in Destin."
“...you don’t own a pair of pants.”
“ ...your dog refuses to walk off the sidewalk because he knows he'll step on a sand spur.”
"...you plan your day around what color the beach flag is."
" ...your best suit is a swimsuit."

Our overall 2011 winner is from Jenny Dargavell who wrote her entry in reference to Sundays at Grayton Beach's famous Red Bar, "You're So SoWal if... church consists of giant mimosas, a cheeseburger and Dread Clampitt as your choir."

Click here to read all of last year's winners and finalists.

[30adreamers]

You took the wrong turn and ended up on a road called 30a, only to return two years later making the right turn on 30a as RESIDENTS!

[KISH7374]

You're so SoWal if you consider this paradise home even though you don't live here!!

[Teresa]

OH, gotta go to happy hour with buddies and get creative!!!

[groveral]

If going to Destin or PC seems like driving to the end of the world---and leaving your hood on 30A for another 30A area must be grumbled about first.

[kurt]

You're So SoWal if... you've ever called WCTA Opens Government Tip Line

[FoX]

You've ever fed bush kitties some of your fish at a local restaurant.

[FoX]

You miss the Beaches of South Walton umbrella signs for each community.

[Beach Runner]

You're so SoWal if you wear your pjs and flip-flops to the Borago bar to dine.

(I mean, they were black, so who could tell? )

Corollary:
You're so not SoWal if you get all dressed up to dine in Seaside.

[Jdarg]

How many of us are watching that weather thing getting all hopped up down in the Gulf? Are you So SoWal if Weather Underground is bookmarked on your computer?

[Jim Tucker]

You're So SoWal if your 2008 SoWal Calendar is still hanging on your wall.

[Beach Runner]

You're So SoWal if your 2008 SoWal Calendar is still hanging on your wall.

Heck, I collect the old South Walton phonebooks.

And there is my collection of SoWal ornaments.

[Jdarg]

Heck, I collect the old South Walton phonebooks.

And there is my collection of SoWal ornaments.

This is awesome.

[30adreamers]

From our son... Your so sowal if you are 11 years old, living here for only 2 months and refer to almost everyone as "tourists" and take a bag on nightly walks to pick up trash from the beach!

[Bobby J]

Your so SoWal if your websites start with Sowal...

SoWalproperties.com
SoWalhomes.com

[Teresa]

You're So SoWal if your 2008 SoWal Calendar is still hanging on your wall.

ahhhhhhhh... love it.

[seagrovegirl]

You are so Sowal if people know your dogs name and don't know yours.

[Seagrovestateofmind]

When your 28 year old son is embarassed by the six 30A, SOWAL and Seagrove stickers on your car. Maybe it's because the car tag reads GON230A?

[Seagrovestateofmind]

You go ahead and close on your condo with a tropical storm offshore because you have waited 30 years to have your own small piece of of paradise.

[Seagrovestateofmind]

When your real estate agent asks, "Are you a Destin person or a 30A person?" you quickly answer 30A because you understand the question and you really know the answer.

[James Bentwood]

You know the otter flies at midnight.

[Love 30A]

You're So SoWal If...Almost 3 weeks after you return from your visit there, you are still checking the Surf Conditions daily from Texas, and it occurs to you that you may have a problem. And...you cry when you listen to that Bryan Kennedy "Life Shines" song.

[seagrover]

When you have to go to Destin or Panama City, you sat you're going to town.

[Elaine Ashman]

"You're So SoWal if"...you can't see out your back windshield because of all the beach permits.

Don't forget to email us your entries...on what being " So SoWal" means to you...

[Elaine Ashman]

"You're So SoWal" if...this is how you cook dogs on the beach.

​

[Robert D]

If you were in the Truman Show.

[Allifunn]

Your'e so SoWal if you have partied at Harry's beach cottage beside the Red Bar

[Allifunn]

If you have peed behind a towel at Grayton Beach (wink wink)

[tailwagger]

Youre so SoWal if you've ever woke up on the beach at sunrise with your pants on backwards.

[tailwagger]

Youre so SoWal if you remember waltonunderground.com and b*tchesesofsouthwalton.com.

[tailwagger]

Youre so SoWal if you've ever repaired your beach chair with a SoWal sticker.

[Jdarg]

Youre so SoWal if you've ever repaired your beach chair with a SoWal sticker.

Or your beach truck, or bike.

[Beach Runner]

... you keep SoWal stickers in your purse so you can place them in special places.

[kwalsh0001]

You're so SoWal....... if the most essential items in your toolbox are spraycans of WD-40 and Rustoleum.....

[Jdarg]

Bump! Let's hear some more!

[30A Skunkape]

YSSWI...you take offense whenever someone accuses you of "living in Destin".

[James Bentwood]

When you're on vacation somewhere else and someone asks you where in Florida you are from you answer, "on the beach between Panama City and Destin."

[James Bentwood]

You believe school starts back too early.

[James Bentwood]

You haven't seen snow in 20 years.

[James Bentwood]

You always have a kayak or surfboard on top of your car.

[James Bentwood]

You don't pay attention to weather reports more than 3 hours out.

[James Bentwood]

You can't wait for Captain Larry's next fish report.