Thank You Letter from a Happy Vacation Rental Guest

One of the greatest joys of owning a vacation rental is hearing about all the wonderful memories families have created within our home. I simply love connecting with our guests, and establishing friendships through the common bond of a home and community we've all come to love. If the walls of Summer Dream could talk, I know they would tell us some beautiful stories. With permission from our guest, I'm sharing Labor Day memories at Summer Dream....

The Stark Family travelled from different locations to meet up at WindMark Beach. Summer Vacation Home features a unique layout with private suites connected by porches and decks ~perfect for family reunions!

WOW! We’re back from a truly amazing weekend at your SUMMER DREAM house in WindMark Beach and I want to take some time to send you a note to thank you for sharing your beautiful home. While we were anticipating a beautiful “rental property”, Summer Dream is clearly a home and it felt like that the minute we arrived. From the décor to the layout to the furnishings to the smallest of touches (including the guest books and the fantastic album of restaurant options, things to do, etc), Summer Dream was just that ~ a “SUMMER DREAM”, and WindMark is truly a treasure!

We loved the quiet and peacefulness of the beach and neighborhood, the always available bikes and kayaks, the extremely well kept grounds and the quality of the boardwalks, benches, bike racks, pool, landscape, etc., etc., etc.

Quick summary: It was a wonderful weekend filled with a combination of relaxation, celebrations (our wedding anniversary, my daughter’s birthday, and my birthday), giggles over time issues at WindMark (**cell phones kept switching back and forth from Central to Eastern time!), and fun in the sun ...

Ghost Crab on WindMark Beach

We enjoyed walks on the beach, floating in the ocean and discovering a multitude of sand dollars, watching the jelly fish (from afar), observing a trio of dolphins playing in the ocean, flying a kite on the beach, saw a ghost crab walking up on the sidewalk/bike path (thanks to a book in your home, confirmed the name of the creature!), sunsets on the beach, kayaking, biking, time at the voluminous pool, making meals together in the gourmet kitchen...relaxing on the porch with the porch swing, and simply put: spending time together. It’s time we always cherish and our weekend at Summer Dream will definitely be a treasured memory.

We do have one negative comment: The days just weren’t long enough, and our time at Summer Dream was too short!! This past weekend truly is a memory our family will forever treasure and we thank you so much for the opportunity.

Thank you to all our guests who visited this Summer and throughout the years we've owned the home. The pleasure is truly ours to welcome you to Summer Dream in WindMark Beach.


** Cell phone coverage is dicey at Summer Dream because it is rural community located at the Eastern/Central Time Zone line. To make it easier to call your friends and family who couldn't join you, Summer Dream provides FREE long distance calling and WIFI.

NEW Virtual Tour of Summer Dream Vacation Rental in WindMark Beach

Check out our new virtual tour of Summer Dream Vacation Rental in WindMark Beach in Northwest Florida from Panhandle 360!
The most luxurious porch bed swing is calling me home!
In celebration of our new partnership with Pristine Properties, we are offering 15% off ALL Fall rentals through the end of October!!

Your SUMMER DREAM awaits this Fall in WindMark Beach.

Summer Dream Porch - "A totally sexy place to hang out"

"No matter how many years I've worked with designers and showhouses, I'm always surprised to see the finished product. I've poured over the floorplans of this house, studied the board presentation by Dale Trice, had numerous conversations about this outdoor furniture by Frontgate, but still, when I walked into this house

it took my breath away.

I'd somehow not remembered that there would be curtains on these porches, nor rugs, and I loved how cozy and inviting this seating arrangement was. It's on the breezeway, which they call the dogtrot, which runs down the center of the first floor. The curtains billow in the breeze all day, changing positions.

It's a totally sexy spot to hang out." ~MyHomeIdeas.com

Summer Dream Porch Swing

Summertime. Cousins. Popsicles. Porch swing.

SUMMER DREAM

photo by: Kim Stone Photography

Best Florida Beaches -- The Forgotten Coast

Visit Florida's Best Beaches ~ The Forgotten Coast

"There is something about a big, empty beach that makes you realize how little you need to be happy beyond your brood (and a Frisbee). When your family has the run of a shore so quiet and elemental, you feel both zenlike and Swiss Family Robinson–adventurous.

"As it turns out, such a sense of discovery is still possible here in the U.S., in a corner of Florida known as the Forgotten Coast. This roughly hundred-mile-long stretch along the Gulf of Mexico, comprising several barrier islands and a village named Apalachicola, certainly does have screen saver–perfect beaches. But you'll also find dense forests to hike through, quiet bays, and time-warp seafood restaurants. And the region's nickname isn't just a clever tourist-board invention: The area is still relatively undiscovered."

~From "Best Florida Beaches" By Miranda Crowell, Cookiemag.com, 02/13/09

Click the link to plan a SUMMER DREAM vacation you'll never forget to Florida's Best Beaches ~ The Forgotten Coast.

Florida Girlfriends and a Summer Dream Porch Swing

Found this quote on an Apalachicola friend's Facebook profile today, and I just couldn't agree more:

"Strong girls come from New York, sweet girls from Alabama. But Florida girls, we have sunshine in our souls. Darlin, we can wrestle a gator, bait a hook, clean a fish, tan without burning ~ all while eating grits at a fish fry. If we have an opinion, you know you're gonna hear it and if you don't like it ~ well ~ bless your heart. I love being a Florida girl. "

Pictured here: SUMMER DREAM porch swing. Minutes before sunset. Birds serenade. A gentle Gulf breeze kisses the cheeks of three Florida girlfriends reliving stories from their youth.

And yes, some of those stories DID include fish and tans and good Old Florida style food, along with boys and sports cars with the top down and Spring Break beaches. Oh how the sun blazed within our hearts that weekend!

I will always treasure my girlfriend getaway at WindMark Beach!

WindMark Beach "Day on St. Joseph Bay" Video

Summer Dream - Luxury Living in the WindMark Beach Idea House

Summer Dream luxuriously accomodates three generations of family and all the wonderful memories they will create during their WindMark Beach vacation.

Satellite TV, video and board games, music system, and gourmet kitchen are just a few of the amenities to keep families entertained indoors.

The Master Suite is a textural delight with vintage barkcloth draperies, sea grass rug, and soft, luxurious bedding.

The office space is perfect place to pen a memoir or a postcard to friends back home. (Summer Dream postcards are provided during your stay!)

The carriage house apartment features a kitchenette and private balcony. A great retreat for the grandparents or honeymoon couple after a day at the beach.

The Sunrise Suite is located across the porch from the main house. It showcases coastal treasures found within the local shops in Port St. Joe.

Giggles abound in the bunkroom -- with enough beds to accomodate 6 of your favorite Summer Dreamers.

Comfy bunk beds with trundles underneath, childrens books, toys and video games will keep the younger set entertained while parents linger for cocktails on the porch.

Click here to experience the Summer Dream Porch Life.

WindMark Beach Summer Dream Porch Party, May 9th -- Win a Free Stay!

We'd love for you to join us for a:

Summer Dream Porch Party & Open House

Saturday, May 9th, between 11am-5pm EST

While visiting WindMark and Port St. Joe for the Plein Air Paintout,

Stop by Summer Dream for snacks and lemonade.

Tour the MyHomeIdeas 2008 Idea House and

Enter for Your chance to WIN a two night stay at Summer Dream**.

We can't wait to see you at WindMark Beach!!

Click here for directions to WindMark Beach

** This Two-Night Stay has no cash value. Winner may NOT transfer prize to any other party. Two-night Stay Subject to Availability. A signed rental agreement through Southern Resorts will need to be obtained prior to stay. . . Taxes & Cleaning Fees will need to be paid in connection with stay. (Approximately $225). . . . Winner may apply two-night stay voucher to discount a longer visit to Summer Dream. . . Winner of two-night stay will be held responsible for any loss or damages at Summer Dream. . . Winner may trade Two Night Stay for $100 Cash Prize.

Plein Air Paintout AND Summer Dream Porch Picnic!!

Join us at Summer Dream for an artful celebration you'll not soon forget! (Scroll down to learn how you may WIN a two-night stay at Summer Dream!!)

PLEIN AIR PAINTERS CREATE LASTING MEMORIES OF FORGOTTEN COAST IN GREAT PAINT-OUT MAY 7-17, 2009

“Plein Air” Defined: According to the website, PleinAirFl.com
“Plein Air” , a French word, simply translated means ”open air”. The roots of plein air painting are found in 19th-century Europe. An Englishman, John Constable, believed that artists should forget” formulas” and trust their own vision in finding truth in nature.

About the same time in France, in a small village called Barbizon, a group of artists focused their attention on a subject matter that had never been done before, everyday life and the natural world surrounding it. These realists laid the ground work for the next development: Impressionism. Plein air forever changed how artists see the world.

A true plein air painting is done on location, capturing the atmosphere of the moment. The majority of the painting must be completed on site with little to no work to be done in the studio. Most artists agree this is the true test of skill as it requires complete confidence in placement of color and brushwork in a short amount of time. For example, a sunset may only last 30-40 minutes. That would be all the time the artist has to capture the scene.

Nationally recognized plein air artists have been selected to capture the allure of the Florida's Forgotten Coast with paint and canvas. Artists will be painting on the beach, across the marsh, beside the lakes and throughout the streets of waterfront towns from Mexico Beach, Windmark, Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island, Carrabelle, and inland at Wewahitchka. You are cordially invited to join us at this premier art exhibition and sale featuring on-location artists. Experience beauty through the eyes of America's finest plein air artists!Plein air is all about capturing the light and the nuance of life in a natural outdoor setting.

Schedule of Events
May 8-17 Watch Art Happen, artists paint between Mexico Beach and Alligator Point

May 10-16 WindMark Village Center Town Hall: Available Works, art viewing & sales
Daily 11-5pm EST

May 11-15 Plein Air Classics, an exhibit of private collection paintings, Gulf County TDC Welcome Center, Daily 9-5pm EST

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

May 9

SUMMER DREAM Porch Picnic, Home Tour, and Free Stay Giveaway!! Enter to win a two-night stay in Summer Dream! Visit us in WindMark Beach between 1-5pm EST before attending WindMark Beach's opening reception at 6pm. All visitors to SUMMER DREAM Porch Picnic and Open House may enter our drawing to win a two-night stay.

May 8

Dual Opening Receptions, meet the artists, event organizers and patrons: In the
West at the WindMark Village Center, In the East at SummerCamp, both 6-8 pm EST

May 9

Reid Avenue Quickdraw, artists from the region capture Port St. Joe in the Plein
Air tradition, children's art project and music, 10-4pm EST. More information and
application.

May 12

Student Art Day, Maddox Park, lunch follows at the Gulf County TDC Welcome
Center, Port St. Joe, 10-1pm EST

May 13

Art Tete-e-tete & Wine Tasting, artist reception, Prickly Pears, Mexico
Beach, 5-7pm CST

May 15

Plein Air TGIF, relax with artists overlooking St. Joe Bay, Gulf County TDC WelcomeCenter, Port St. joe, ticket required, 5:30-8:30pm EST

This is only a PARTIAL event listing for activities taking place in Port St. Joe and WindMark Beach. For a comprehensive listing of Plein Air Paintout events along the Forgotten Coast, visit PleinAirFl.com .

Flip Flop Stop!

Our flip flop stop has been featured as an owner tip on HomeAway.com . HomeAway asked, "What gifts do you offer to welcome guests?"

"Flip Flops! We won our vacation home from MyHomeIdeas.Com. When we arrived to the home, the outdoor shower was stocked with flip flops. Our children quickly tossed off their street shoes and chose a colorful pair of flops for their stay. We were so touched, we decided to purchase a case of flip flops, and keep the shower stocked for new guests upon arrival. The flip flops have been a huge hit, and a fun way to welcome guests to our Summer Dream Beach House in Windmark Beach." -Leisa, Port St. Joe, FL (HomeAway #94102, VRBO #220237)