GLOBETROTTING

Miramar Beach - The Emerald Coast in the
Panhandle of Florida

And there we were, already excited about being at one of our favorite destinations, and then it rains just about every day of our stay on the Emerald Coast in west Florida.

#1 State Park and RV Campground
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, FL is one of the most desired State Park RV resorts in Florida - always being voted #1 in the State of Florida.  This geographical area of Florida is referred to as The Emerald Coast because of the vivid blue green color of the water in the Gulf of Mexico.

Santa Rosa Beach, FL
How can you forget the white confectioner sugar sandy beaches?

This area is very desirable as far as real estate is concerned and so much development is taking place since our last visit.  Hard to believe all the new construction as you drive down Highway 30A. This popular and scenic highway connects Santa Rosa Beach to other planned communities such as Watercolor and Seaside to name a few.

While in Destin I completed an 8 week online business course which will enhance future ARTitude Adjustment classes. During our time in Destin I flew to Toronto for a 4 day business conference that had been scheduled since last April.

Toronto, Canada at nighttime

Toronto, Canada - on beautiful
Lake Ontario

 The trip in itself was worthy of a blogpost, but I'll just say the trip was very successful and worthwhile in many ways.

We are officially on our way to Red Bay, AL and will be in Montgomery, AL for an overnight.  We are traveling with our friends, Clay and Frances Croom, and Mrs. Lynette Croom, Clay's 87 year old spunky and lovable mother.  Our choice of a place to stay while we are getting service in Red Bay is always the Downtown Red Bay RV Campground.

Downtown Red Bay, AL -
Home of Tiffin Motorhomes

Highway 24 - also referred to affectionately as
Tammy Wynette Highway

The next few weeks will be interesting because northwest Alabama holds lots of exciting opportunities....but you have to look for them sometimes.

If you want the freshest catfish dinner anywhere, you
head to Swamp John's Restaurant, Red Bay, AL

The Rattlesnake Saloon  - yes, a pickup truck takes you
to the cave where the restaurant is located inside

Celebrated once a year on Labor Day Weekend - Worth a visit!
Only AKC Registered Coon Hounds are allowed to be buried here.

 By the way, Red Bay is the birthplace of our motorhome, Tiffin Motorhomes, and while we usually pull into town every year, this year we will be here as Red Bay celebrates 200 years on Founder's Day on September 21.  We try to make Red Bay one of our travel stops if possible, where we not only get to visit special friends but we receive exceptional and professional service for our Tiffin Allegro Bus.  

DUNES AND 'COONS

If what they say is true, time flies when you're having fun, and we've had a great time visiting one of our favorite campgrounds in Florida, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  As is the case in all Florida state parks we are allowed to stay 14 days and then we have to leave.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park - Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Lake at Topsail Hill State Park

Outside Theatre at Topsail Hill State Park

Flowers growing in Sand Dunes at Topsail Hill

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

We met a pesky little rascal that had become a permanent resident of our site at Topsail before we arrived.    His apartment resembled a squirrel nest but the difference is that every time he turned over in his bed a shower of leaves and debris fell on us.

Raccoon resting 

Raccoon peering out of nest

Raccoon getting ready for a night on the town

We alerted the park rangers who said to keep our eyes on him and if he becomes a nuisance or exhibits strange behavior to call.   We were warned upon registering to beware of the Florida black bears in the campground, however, we never encountered them.  They will enjoy the campground as long as people continue providing nourishment.

Tucker Bayou off Chocktawhatchee Bay

Pier at Eden Gardens State Park

Kayaking on the Gulf at Sundown

Surf Fishing at Santa Rosa Beach at Sundown

There are several State parks within about a 20 mile radius of Topsail that are definitely worth visiting.  Admission is minimal, and if you're in the area of Topsail it is worth noting that each park has its own personality and appeal.  We decided to visit Eden Gardens State Park one afternoon, and now we understand why this park is such a treasure to the State park system.  There is quite a history to the Wesley House, an antebellum home in the park, as well as the fact that the house still contains the second largest collection of Louis XVI furniture in the country.   The property is on the Tucker Bayou which flows out of the Choctawhatchee Bay.

The Wedding Tree at Eden Gardens State Park

Wesley House at Eden Gardens State Park

Wesley House at Eden Gardens State Park

The Emerald Coast still has miles of natural unspoiled beauty.  What appears to be indiscriminate zoning and disrespect for the beauty of the area is an issue now.  There are times of the day when traffic is a challenge traveling east or west on US Highway 98.  Big box stores, tourist traps, high rise condominiums and McMansions threaten what once was a scenic and tranquil setting.   Commercial and residential development is alive and well and sometimes it isn't a pretty picture.

Sundown at Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Leaving Topsail we are headed east toward Apalachicola and will go from one extreme to the other - St. George Island State Park, a barrier island off the coast.  All we hope to leave until next year are our footprints.

Footprints in the Sand