Emerald Coasting

Gulf World in Panama City Beach

2008-08-08T11:29:00.006-05:00

Where on earth did the summer go?! I know I keep moving, but still this is too fast. I guess that's because there are too many fun things to do on the Emerald Coast.

For instance, in July I decided to check out Gulf World in Panama City Beach. Online reviews gave it a positive, although a few folks dissed it as being "old" and run down. Well, yes it is old. Gulf World has been around for a while, but additions to the park and some upgrades made for a fun afternoon.

With 14-year old Katie and 4-year-old Alexis in tow, I arrived at the park about 1pm, just in time for the sea lion show. The price of admission was reasonable for an afternoon of fun, about $48 for the three of us (Alexis was free) and there is a lot to see.

The noisy sea lions kept the girls fascinated for the 20 minute show, then we headed out to see the shark and sea turtle pool, grabbed a snack (14-year olds are always hungry, 4-year olds live on pure air), petted the stingrays at the touch pool and saw the penguins, Alexis's favorite.

A brief walk through the bird house brought us to the Tropical Garden Theatre and the Magic of Noah Wells. A magic show may not be the first thing to come to mind at a marine park, but it was a hit with all of us. The magician even sawed a lady in half! Afterward, we hit the magic shop and got to meet the magician and his lovely assistant and bought a magic wand for Alexis who is big at the moment into turning people into dragons, kings and monsters.

The other hit show, at least with Katie and me, was the X-Treme High Dive Team. Not only were the divers cute, they were daring. Katie, a good swimmer herself, and I decided that 85 feet up a small ladder to dive into a small pool, was not what we wanted to do, but it was fun to watch them do it.

More penguin, sea lion and stingray gawking was followed by the dolphin show. Unfortunately, Alexis was getting tired by then, and although she enjoyed it, she was restless and ready to go. The show was good, although shorter than I'd thought it would be, but by then it was after 5pm and we were ready to head home.

I would definitely recommend Gulf World, especially as it was a rainy day and there's enough shelter to keep dry between showers, and yet enough entertainment to keep everyone satisfied.

Happy coasting.

Walton County Recycling: Not Dead, Just Sleeping

2008-06-13T14:26:00.003-05:00

If you happened to go to the Coastal Branch Library this week and ask the librarian for Blue Bags, you might have gotten the same answer I did. The Blue Bag program has been cancelled.

Not so, apparently.

An email to Commissioner Cindy Meadows confirmed that the county is currently out of Blue Bags and awaiting a shipment of the recycling tool. Although the Blue Bag program is under discussion as to its value, it has not, as yet, been scrapped. If you still have Blue Bags, they will be picked up with your trash collections as has been the case for the past several months. If you're out of bags, any blue bag will do, but make sure it is thick and sturdy. Light weight bags that break easily defeat the purpose of loading them with recyclables.

It seems that recycling in Walton County is an ongoing dilemma. As a volunteer program, there is no immediate incentive for people to recycle, especially since everything is going to the same place anyway, but have you actually thought about how much more expensive that petroleum-based water or soda bottle has become over the last several weeks. The oil it takes to make that bottle is is going for $4 a gallon at the gas pump. It's only a matter of time before the price of the water/soda goes up, or they start charging a bottle deposit. (Hummmm??)

However, in the long term, recycling isn't really about how much it costs or how convenient or inconvenient it is. Recycling is about not filling our landfills with items that can be restructured for reuse. It's about not adding massive amounts of usable material to the trash piles.

It's about waste not, want not.

Didn't your mother teach you that? What you throw away today may be something you wish you had, or cause something to change your way of life drastically, tomorrow.

So many of us in Walton County have moved here from other places, some places where as much as a mandated 30% recycling was enforced. We know how to recycle.

Those us us who have lived in beach communities most of our lives also know how limited and precious our land is and how fragile is its ecosystem. Many of us want to recycle, we just need help.

We need a program that works and we need to make it a priority. No it's not up to the County or the neighbor next door. We ARE the neighbor next door. We have to make the difference and make it work. We. You and me.

So, even though Walton County recycling isn't dead, it's going to take a loud alarm clock to wake it up. For the sake of our beautiful coast, I have a few pots and pans in my cupboard I'm willing to bang. How about you?

Happy Coasting.

Saturdays - Seaside Farmer's Market - Be There

2008-06-09T10:02:00.003-05:00

Hurray! This summer you don't have to travel north of the Bay to enjoy fresh Farmer's Market produce. The Seaside Farmer's Market is back.

With the slogan, "Keep it Green, Keep it Local, Keep it Organic", Jen Kuntz of Raw & Juicy in Seaside, Toni Wheeler of Perennials & Natives in Grayton Beach and other dedicated foodies have launched a new old tradition. Every Saturday from now until, fresh fruits and vegetables are available from 8AM to 12 Noon on Scenic 30A next to the Raw & Juicy Airstream at the Seaside Amphitheater.

Jen Kuntz is hoping the tradition and the market will grow as word gets out. "We're looking for farmers, bakers, cheese makers, flower growers, coffee roasters, grape growers, fish catchers, berry pickers, goat owners, oil fusionists, preserve melt-it-downififts, and any other food lover." she says.

If the produce available is any indication, growing the Farmer's Market won't be a problem. Last Saturday I bought snap beans and carrots for dinner and steamed them that night to go along with my hormone-free, no-saline-injected chicken. It was my first organic meal in 50 years and suddenly, I found myself at my mother's table tasting flavors I remembered from childhood. After years of homogenized eating, I had forgotten how fresh vegetables are supposed to taste.

With blueberry season upon us, you can bet I'll be at Seaside this Saturday. How about you?

Happy Coasting.

Fresh Veg - Yum

2008-05-29T14:02:00.003-05:00

In case you haven't discovered it yet, there is a wonderful place in Grayton Beach where you can get fresh, organically grown vegetables and native plants for your garden. It's called "Perennials & Natives by a girl named Toni" and it's a real find. Tucked away at the end of Arbor Lane off Highway 283 just north of the Scenic 30A intersection, this nursery/gift shop/produce market has fun stuff for your garden and your table. Phone number is 850-231-0007.

I discovered Toni's shop while taking an Introduction to Permaculture class there last week with Kat McCrite Provencher, certified Permaculture instructor. And what is Permaculture you ask? Basically, it's an integrated process of sustainable living wherein your garden, your home, everything works together to minimize adverse effects on the environment. The class was not only fascinating, I learned a lot, even though I've been known to kill green things left in my care. We talked about growing food, energy conservation, green building practices, recycling, and ways to become self sufficient if you're so inclined. I don't know if I have that much inclination, but the class certainly made me more aware of ways to treat our Earth more gently. Kat will be teaching more classes, but meanwhile, you can read her blog at http://sustainingsowal.wordpress.com/

Happy Coasting.

Arts Quest 2008

2008-04-11T13:20:00.009-05:00

As a newcomer to the area, I'm amazed at how many festivals and events there are along the Emerald Coast. It seems like there's something going on all the time, but with the arrival of spring, the number of offerings increases. This week the four-day long Sandestin Wine Festival celebrates its 22nd year, with most of the action taking place at Sandestin Resort, but there are numerous mini-events happening all along the beach. Next week the popular "High School Musical" is playing April 17 - 20 at the Florida Chautauqua Theatre in Defuniak Springs, featuring young actors from a number of area schools. The Seaside Jazz Festival takes place two weekends in May, and the 2008 Fun Fest in Navarre is May 17th and 18th.

Last night I was fortunate to attend the kick-off, press party for Arts Quest 2008, held at Sandestin's Linkside Conference Center. Arts Quest is put on each year by the Cultural Arts Association whose mission is to foster the literary, visual and performing arts in Walton County and this year marks 20 years for the event. Besides munching some great hors d'oeuvres and talking to some really interesting people, I learned a little about this artsy happening.

Arts Quest 2008 is a week long celebration that includes a performance by the New Gulf Coast Choir, student art exhibits at Butler Elementary School and Seaside Neighborhood School, a Champagne Shopping Tour (now you're talking) and the major event, the Fine Arts Show at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. The whole thing takes place the week of May 4 - 11.

The humble beginnings of Arts Quest as the Grayton Beach Fine Arts Festival in 1989 will be celebrated at a sunset toast at the end of Boardwalk in Grayton Beach Monday, May 5th at 6:30 PM. Bring your own libation, but be aware that no glass containers are allowed on the beach.

On Saturday and Sunday (May 10th and 11th) shuttle busses will take you from parking at Grand Boulevard Town Center to the Fine Arts Show. Admission is free, a bargain for a day of cultural fun. Artists from all over will be showing their work and there'll be food, music and the chance to win a weekend stay at Sandestin, original art from area galleries and many more prizes. Can you think of a better way to amuse the kids and keep the grown-ups sane for the weekend?

Nan Ream, Arts Quest Chair, mentioned the need for volunteers, so I will be womaning the shuttle busses both days. I thought it would be a great way to meet and greet a lot of people and the least I could do for a chance to be a part of such a great event. More volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs so call them at 850-622-5970 or visit www.culturalartsassociation.org/. I hope I see you there.

Happy coasting.

Okay, So Who Stole March?

2008-03-25T15:59:00.006-05:00

Where did the month go? I have to admit, I have kept busy doing some area exploring, but time really did pass me by.

The great weather we've had, despite the wind, has allowed me to get outdoors and I think one of the more striking things I'm learning about the Emerald Coast is the number of state parks and protected lands we have here. From beach-front parks to deep woods trails, the variety of state land available for public use is amazing.

After fighting my way past some Spring-Breakers, I arrived at St. Andrews State Park last week and found a great little treasure on the tip end of Panama City Beach. Located on the site of a former military reservation, the park offers a variety of water-based recreation from fishing and boating to snorkeling and swimming. It has picnic areas, two fishing piers, nature trails, a boat ramp and a mile and a half of beaches stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Grand Lagoon. The park is available for day-use and also offers both primitive group and full facility campsites. An Environmental Interpretive Center where you can learn about the fragile ecosystem of the area is located just inside the gate. There's even a shuttle to take you to Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island just off the west jetty of the park.

The Camp Store seems to be the heart of the operation. Here you can buy camp supplies, rent canoes, kayaks, snorkeling gear, beach chairs and umbrellas, or just chill with a soft drink. Snacks are available in the park, but there is no restaurant, so bring your own grub.

The park fee is $5.00 per car (up to eight people) for day-use and $8.00 if you're launching a boat. There is no fee for fishing but you do need a Florida fishing license, available in the camp store.

While you're there, you might see locals gathering on circular metal objects on the beach near the jetties. These are WW II vintage cannon platforms left over from the park's military days and they make great sunset observation points.

My trip was quick, but it's the sort of place you can visit again and again, especially with a family picnic and some outdoor game equipment.

More on Emerald Coast state parks in future posts.

March Fourth

2008-03-04T16:04:00.004-06:00

Remember that old joke that used to tickle you as a kid? "What date is a command?" Well, I probably have a strange sense of humor, but forth we go into March. It's still raining in some parts, but that's a good thing as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

Yesterday I started my Emerald Coast explorations. I explored the inside of Gary Smith Honda dealership's waiting room. "Esmeralda, The Jewel of the Road, " my rally-red Honda Civic coupe was in for her 60,000 mile check up. Can't go exploring the countryside unless your coach is pulling on all four horses.

As I drove the 25 miles to Fort Walton Beach along US Highway 98, I saw some of the old standbys from years past are still going strong, particularly Big Kahuna's Adventure and Waterpark, the Indian Temple Mound and the Gulfarium. They've been joined by new attractions such as The Track Family Recreation Center and the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island as well as some interesting looking shops. Destin Commons just blows my mind. In the 1980s, a big day of shopping in Destin included a generous amount of time perusing the aisles in Delchamps grocery store. It seems there is a lot out there I need to go and see.

So I'm making a list and checking it twice; no that's another holiday, but it is going to take a little planning and a logical approach to check out all the fun things to do along this coast. It will also take some time and probably a little wine. At least Esmeralda is lubricated, thanks to the service team at Gary Smith Honda.

Leap Day

2008-02-29T16:29:00.001-06:00

The 29th of February seems an appropriate day to begin a new blog. That date will stay unique for four years, making this a one-of-a-kind post, at least until 2012. Furthermore, it's a beautiful day on the Emerald Coast; but then it usually is, except last week when we got all the rain we could handle in two days and sent the rest to Georgia where it is badly needed.

So why actually am I here? Surely this is a question for the ages, but in a less philosophical vein, I'm here to explore the Emerald Coast, where to go, what to see, and what to do along this stretch of barrier islands that is the last frontier of Florida (and it still has a Southern accent).

I'm looking for suggestions from natives, and I hope to be able to impart some small knowledge of my own to folks who are interested in visiting or moving here. There are hidden gems along this coast, some I know about and some I hope you will help me dig up as we go along.

So, put on your sunscreen and that big floppy hat and let's start coasting. Oh look, a jellyfish!