Welcome to the Southern Resorts Blog. We want to share our experiences and upcoming activities on Florida's Panhandle along the Coast in Destin, Beaches of South Walton, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, Florida. Let us know what you think by commenting and sharing your experiences, too.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Cobia Encounters
The first Cobia of the Destin Cobia Tournament was caught on Sunday, March 16th and the tournament is well under way. Weighing in at 27.2 pounds, the catch obtained the first prize of $300 dollars.
The Destin Cobia Tournament is strategically scheduled during the last month of the year that these mainly solitary, pelagic fish will be near the coast. Cobia are migratory and travel to seek out their preferred water temperature range of 20-30 degrees Celsius. Upon their departure from our coast, they will be back out to open ocean to spawn and then head north toward Maryland for the summer.
Their solitary nature and the fact that they usually travel in the company of sharks makes them a very difficult fish to catch. Despite this, however, they are still a highly sought after food source and prized sport fish and are known to be quite tasty, averaging two meters in size and 150 pounds! Another interesting fact about the Cobia is that they have bands of teeth on their jaws, tongue and the roof of their mouth which help them eat their primary diet of crabs and squid. They also lack a swim bladder which is what most fish use to control their buoyancy.
It's no wonder this interesting and elusive fish is the focal point of The World's Luckiest Fishing Villiage during March and April!
Several thousand onlookers turned out to watch the aerial acrobatic feats of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds yesterday at Tyndal Air Force Base near Panama City Beach, Florida. In addition to the famous F-16 planes, the US Army Parachute Team, the "Golden Knights" were on hand, as were the Aerostars Aerobatic Team. Watching the incredible formations and capabilities of these beautiful planes was the main draw, but visitors could also look firsthand into cockpits of real planes exploring their allure. As a child of an US Air Force pilot, I frequently went to air shows as a child and still have a great deal of respect for the military and what they do for our country. If you ever get a chance to visit an air show, I highly recommend it. It marvels the old and young alike.
This particular show had a bonus ending with Tyndall AFB's 2008 Gulf Coast Salute welcoming Country Music Star Aaron Tippin.
I had the opportunity over the weekend to take a nice stroll down the beach from our beautiful Water's Edge to the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk. The weather was beautiful and comfortable and the water seems to have warmed up enough to at least get your feet wet! The Boardwalk was bustling with activity - there were people playing volley ball, football, Frisbee, and flying kites. There was live music at the Swamp and great food at the Crab Trap. Spring is here! It's going to be another beautiful season in Fort Walton Beach, Florida!
Our little beach communities are busy with visitors and locals taking this beautiful day to relax at the shoreline. With so many festivities in Destin, Panama City Beach, Port St Joe and all the little beach towns along the Emerald Coast and the Beaches of South Walton yesterday, everyone may need a day to rest. We spent all afternoon at the Destin Commons for the On the Coast Magazine's 5th Anniversary Kid's Day. My daughter rocked climbed, bounced, had her face painted and enjoyed a snow cone while watching cousin and friends perform with dance groups. It was a busy day with lots of people! Today is truly a day to soak in the spirit and relax. The weather is beautiful. Visit the Southern Resorts beach cam to keep current with real time views. The morning was perfect for sunrise Easter services at the beach. I knew of a few, starting at 6:30 am at Beasley Park in Fort Walton Beach and another at Henderson Park in Destin. I imagine it was beautiful! We could not get our crew out there for that so made our way to Mass at 7:30. It was packed and I know all the times will be busy. It is so good to see all the visitors to our area. We are glad to have you and hope this week is full of sunshine and fun!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! On Saturday, April 5th, the SaltAir Farmers' Market opens from 9am-Noon at the corner of Hwy 71 & Reid Ave in Port St Joe. This Market, bringing fresh seasonal produce from local small farmers and much more to Florida's Forgotten Coast, will continue to open every 1st and 3rd Saturday through November. Throughout the growing season, regionally grown vegetables and fruit, locally harvested Gulf seafood, carefully crafted artisan goods, and educational opportunities highlight the market's. Located in downtown Port St. Joe, the SaltAir Farmers' Market serves as a community gathering place and cultural center where attendees can enjoy arts, workshops, live music, and exhibitions while shopping the market and Reid Avenue's retail district. There is no better place to be on a Saturday Morning.
Southern Resorts is excited to have this wonderful shopping option for our guests at the Barefoot Cottages in Port St Joe, and just down the street in Mexico Beach, our new beachfront Starline Aduplex.
The outlook is sunny for Destin and surrounding areas staring tomorrow and spilling into the weekend. This is great news as the beach is busy with our Spring Break visitors, and this weekend brings a new group of families celebrating the Easter week at the beach. For those of you staying in Destin, bring your children ages 12 and under to the BIGGEST Easter Egg Hunt EVER with more than 25,000 eggs at the Destin Elementary School Athletic Fields. This is sure to be a special family event. There will even be a special egg hunting zone for crawlers and toddlers. The event will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp, so don't be late! Sponsored by City of Destin'sRecreation Department and the Destin Assembly of God Church, it includes prizes, food, drinks, and inflatable jumping toys. For more information call the Destin Community Center at 654-5148 or the Morgan Sports Complex at 650-1241. The fields are centrally located in Destin to many Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals. MAP IT!
There are not too many places more beautiful to celebrate this holiday than at the beach. If you still can getaway for the week or at least Easter weekend, try to visit Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach or Port St Joe. Southern Resorts vacation rentals has availability and each area has something to offer this coming weekend. But, even if you miss the Easter Bunny at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach on Saturday, Mar 22nd, or the Easter Egg Hunt in Port St Joe that same day, our area churches provide incredible East Vigil and Day services. We also have the most beautiful beaches to relax and reflect. Come stay at the beach!
What a great day it was to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Destin Commons. Beautiful sunny weather, Irish Bagpipes playing and the very familiar fountain fun. For those locals with smaller children, we all know the fun the kids have at the playground area and fountains. Many times we have had to bring a change of clothes because the squirting water proves too difficult to resist. Today was no different. The playground area was full of children and parents taking a break from the great shopping the Commons has to offer. Into the evening, it was still busy with new shoppers coming off the beach after a perfect Spring Break afternoon at the beach in Destin. If you are visiting here now, or plan to in any of the surrounding areas like Fort Walton Beach or the Beaches of South Walton, plan some time for the family to visit this mall. Everyone, even Dads, have fun with the shopping, dining, live music and playtime!
Get ready at the beach! We have a few Irish on the coast, or at least more than a few that love to celebrate this tradition. This weekend in Destin, Sandestin, Panama City Beach and surrounding areas things are turning green!
Panama City Beach begins on Friday night at Granite's Cafe and continues Saturday with a parade. Enjoy plenty of corned beef and cabbage, Irish whiskey, Irish coffee, green beer, live music and a special appearance by the Panama City Pipes and Drums with the famous Irish Dancing Girls.
Destin has several including a Sunday concert at the Destin Commons Center Plaza with an authentic Irish Bagpipe. On Monday evening the Village of Baytowne invites everyone to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the traditional sounds of Irish/Celtic music and jubilant entertainment Village-style. To accompany the live music will be Irish dancers and a bagpipe and drum corp strolling throughout the Village all evening long.
Save the date - March 22nd from 11am - 5pm to celebrate On the Coast magazine's 5th anniversary in Destin, Florida. Plan for a fun filled day for the whole family at our Destin Commons. Enjoy non-stop entertainment on two stages. Free crafts and activities, rock walls, bungee jumps, bounce houses and more. Indulge in our huge birthday cake and sign your baby up to participate in the Emerald Coast's first Diaper Derby. Great prizes given all day. Visits from the Easter Bunny and Bearemy the Bear from Build-A-Bear Workshop!! The Destin Commons is conveniently located close to the Crystal Beach and Miramar Beach communities just a few miles from downtown Destin. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to come join the fun.
This Friday will kick off this spring's weekly fireworks display over the Destin Harbor. Viewable from just about any Harbor location, the show will light up the sky for about three minutes each Friday at 8pm. The Emerald Grande pool deck will be open to spring visitors who would like to view the fireworks as well. Make sure you get a chance to see our beautiful harbor illuminated by the fireworks before the last show on April 18th!
Seaside Tuesday Night Concert Series Featuring The WaCo Ramblers
Tonight from 6-8pm enjoy the 40's style bluegrass music of the WaCo Ramblers in Seaside's amphitheater. The WaCo Ramblers are made up of 6 talented string players that bring a little bit of country, a few parts old school rock, and a dab of bluegrass punk to the table for an overall experience that is very South Walton County. With a little bit of something for everyone, a cool spring evening listening to the WaCo Ramblers in the beautiful town of Seaside is the perfect end to an awesome beach day in Seaside, FL.
Yesterday evening I dined at The Back Porch in Destin, FL. Conveniently located on the beach and just across the street from The Trackamusement park, The Back Porch is an ideal location for families to enjoy a delicious meal in a casual setting with an amazing view. There is indoor and outdoor dining available along with a playground and a gift shop in case you have to wait for seating. We enjoyed several helpings of fresh oysters on the half shell while waiting for our Blackjack Tuna, Amberjack, Grouper, and Shrimp - all fresh and caught locally. We had the ultimate seafood feast while enjoying the company of friends, family, and our delightfully helpful server, Erin. Just another reason why I love to live, play, and dine on the Gulf Coast!
Spring Break has officially begun on Florida's Northwest Gulf Coast. Today was a beautiful day at the coast and families flocked to the beach. A bicycle ride through Crystal Beach in Destin showed kids of all ages coming and going to the beach for hours of relaxation and even a little beach volleyball or football. The water still felt a little cool, but some were even testing that a bit. As our snowbirds begin heading back up north, it is nice to see the spring visitors arriving. We hope to have a lot of sunshine and warmer weather for them. If you have not made your spring break plans and are over 25 years old, visit Southern Resorts' website. With wonderful promotions and a few hot deals, you can catch a rate break, too.
Destin's largest shopping center is about to get bigger! The Destin Commons just received approval to add 160,000 square feet of shops, a hotel, a new parking garage, and four restaurants. There will be a total of three new buildings that connect by a walkway to the parking garage with shops on the ground floor of all of them. Then new addition will be constructed in the southwest corner of the Commons where a parking lot currently exists. Construction is expected to start in mid to late summer and be completed by the fall of 2009. With all the activities and entertainment that the Destin Commons already provides to our community, this welcome news assures that there will be much more to come! Take a peek at the Destin Commons expansion here.
Yesterday evening we had the opportunity to tour one of Southern Resorts' newest additions to the vacation rental program in Destin, FL. This lovely home is right on the beach and boasts some of the most beautiful panoramic views on the Gulf Coast. With a very unique floor plan and more beach frontage than you can imagine, Il Paradiso is an absolute wonderful vacation destination. I could only imagine my family vacationing here with our cousins and having plenty of room for all of us. Sleeping 16 - 20, it is the perfect place for families or friends vacationing together at the beach. Take a video tour on-line to see for yourself.
Registration for the 12th annual DestinCobia Tournament is nearing an end! March 15th is the last day to register for the Harborwalk Marina's annual month long Cobia tournament. The events will begin with the first official Cobia caught and end on April 30th. There will be prizes in several categories and festivities all month long. The kickoff party is March 7th, 6:30pm at the Harborwalk Marina. What a great way to take part in the rich heritage of the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village"
The Gulf Coast's sea turtle nesting season is just around the corner and it's time for all of us to prepare for them! Each year, several species of sea turtle mothers come up on our beaches in the exact same spot where they were incubated and lay their eggs in the middle of the night. Human encroachment has caused a decline in their reproduction rate but with new ordinances and education tools, we are well on our way to a speedy recovery. Researchers estimate that only 1 out of every 1,000 hatchlings make it to adulthood. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to witness a nesting a couple summers ago. Even though it was the middle of the night and pouring rain, it was incredible to see this massive creature so gently and carefully find exactly the perfect place to leave her eggs. If you would like to know more about how you can help protect our sea turtles while visiting the gulf coast, click here.
The first Cobia of the Destin Cobia Tournament was caught on Sunday, March 16th and the tournament is well under way. Weighing in at 27.2 pounds, the catch obtained the first prize of $300 dollars.
