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.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Fort Walton Beach's Gulfarium
A coworker spent a day at the Gulfariumand took some wonderful shots of the dolphins at play. The Gulfarium is located on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach and is so easily accessible to Destin and surrounding beach communities. Entertaining and educating the area for more than 50 years, the Gulfarium features dolphin shows, sea lion shows, multi-species shows, animal feeding demonstrations and animal exhibits. The Dolphin Show gets the day started with Bottlenose Dolphins performing in over 500,000 gallons of filtered Gulf of Mexico saltwater. The dolphins enjoy showing off their speed and agility in performing various acrobatic high jumps and other behaviors. They welcome visitors to stand along the tank's railing for a close and personal look at our performing dolphins. Kids love the audience participation as they may get wet standing in the “splash zone,” while a dolphin receives a touch down pass. So, whether you are a local or a visitor to the Northwest Gulf Coast of Florida, take some time to visit our dolphins. If you would like to also witness them n the wild, climb aboard the one of Southern Resorts' favorite partners the Destin Sea Blaster. We always see playful dolphins in their native environment, almost performing as well as at the Gulfarium.
Summer is coming to a close, but it's not over yet. Before you get busy with school schedules and all the extracurricular activities that the fall brings, take one more trip to the beach. With vacation rental rates dropping for late summer on August 2nd or 9th in Southern Resorts' vacation properties, it really is a perfect time before school starts. Visit Southern Resortsvacation specialsfor even more saving these last couple of weeks of summer. Save on Destin vacations as well as the other wonderful beach communities along Florida's Northwest Coast. Visit Panama City Beach, the Forgotten Coast, the Beaches of South Walton and Fort Walton Beach for great savings in beautiful beach homes, cottages and condos. For things to do in at the beach besides beaching it, visit our event calendar.
If you have not already made plans to attend this charming small town festival, there is still time. Every year Port St. Joe, Florida celebrates scallop season with the PortSt. Joe Scallop Festivalfeaturing a wide range of activities and events for people of all ages as well as the much sought after scallop. In addition to enjoying the many ways to prepare this find, many local artists and craftsmen will display their works, and musicians will entertain.
This year the festival will be at Shipyard Cove, moving a little closer to the water and in a park shaded by stately trees, which will make it cooler. The festival has out grown previous venues such as Frank Pate Park. The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Port St. Joe is less than a 2 hour drive east of Destin, Fl and an hour from Panama City Beach, too. It makes a great day trip from these locations! Most guests, however, visit from all over the country. So if you seek a wonderful weekend or week stay to the Forgotten Coast, Southern Resorts still has some availability this weekend. Visit our WindMark Beach vacation rentals at Turtle Glassand Morning Glory.
We had a wonderful afternoon at Grayton Beach State Park today. We celebrated our friend's birthday on Western Lake with kayaks and stand up paddle boards. Both adults and kids of all ages enjoyed the calm water and maneuvering boards and kayaks with ease across the lake. The scenery was beautiful. We saw fish and crabs as we paddled the perimeter and then center of the lake here in Grayton Beach, part of the Beaches of South Walton, just east of Destin. This state park is adjacent to Watercolor. Seaside, Florida is probably less than a mile away. The serene environment and sunny weather provided the perfect setting for us. The pavilion provided shade and picnic area for us to eat as we grilled. With the Gulf of Mexico right there, too, our group of almost 25 had options of swimming in there, walking along the paths, or paddle out. The stand up paddle boards have gained quite a bit of attention in the Beaches of South Walton recently. Our friends own Billabong Surf Shop in Grand Boulevard so they brought two boards for us to use. It was great exercise and fun. It took some effort to balance but can be quickly learned. We enjoyed the experience. We have always loved kayaking, whether on the Gulf, chasing dolphins or in a nearby lake. Both are wonderful ways to explore the natural beauty of the Beaches of South Walton.
Western Lake is one of the Beaches of South Walton's Coastal Dune Lakes. For more information on this unique composition of fresh and salt water, yielding ecological treasures, please visit here.
The Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach is the venue for the Annual Festa Italiana. This festival featuring authentic Italian cuisine has been held fro more years than I can remember. It begins today at 10am with opening ceremonies and continues throughout today and tomorrow. Not only will you be able to enjoy wonderful food, but also great entertainment including dancers, singers - even the Pensacola Opera. This year they are introducing karaoke! That should be interesting. It lasts until late afternoon with karaoke auditions beginning at 4pm. On Sunday, the hours are 11am - 6pm.
So, enjoy the wonderful beach and then come into the shade and enjoy the entertainment and dining that these great Italians provide.
The event is hosted by the local Sons of Italy. This not-for-profit fraternal organization has many fund-raising activities all for charitable causes, including scholarships to college-bound students from Okaloosa County. So please head to Fort Walton Beach and take advantage of this fun, delicious time, all while supporting a good cause. Our Emerald Coast Conference Center is located on Okaloosa Island, just minutes from our Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals and only 6 miles from the Destin bridge. It's close enough and large enough for visitors and locals alike! Viva Italiana!
Southern Resorts applauds theSilver Sands Factory Stores in Destin, Florida for partnering with the Destiny Worship Center and The Walton Sun newspaper for this annual “Backpack 2 School” drive. Last year’s drive provided supplies and clothing for more than 600 children and the goal this year is to assist at least 750 local children. With every $25 donation, the Backpack 2 School program can provide a backpack full of the required school supplies to children K-12 whose families have financial needs. Each child also receives a new pair of shoes and a haircut, along with certificates to purchase some new back-to-school clothing. What a wonderful cause.
But, 300 backpacks are still needed to fulfill this year’s requests and donations are due by July 25th. If you'd like to help, stop by Silver Sands Factory Stores!
Silver Sands Factory Stores is the nation’s largest designer outlet center located in Destin, FL. The Center currently features more than 100 designer factory stores with 465,200 square feet of retail space, and ultimately 700,000 planned for the ultimate shopping adventure. Visited by over seven million shoppers each year, Silver Sands was recently voted “Best Outlet” by Florida Travel & Life. Designer merchandise is available at up to 75 percent off retail prices. Visit online at silversandsoutlet.com.
Head to the beach before the end of summer and visit Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals for last minute vacation specials on beach homes, cottages and condos along Florida's Northwest Gulf Coast. With a few openings here and there, we can offer great rates on some wonderful vacation rentals. Look at our 4 Some Fun vacation home in Destin that is open July 26 - August 1, 2008 for only $435 Daily & $2,395 Weekly. Stay in this beautiful 5 bedroom home in Maravilla, just a short walk to the beach and SAVE! Visit 4 Some Fun. And visit the Specialspage for more savings in available properties in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Beaches of South Walton, Panama City Beach and the Forgotten Coast.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundationis hosting a Surf Camp on August 2, 2008. This one day surf camp will be hosted by Innerlight Surf Shopon Pensacola Beach, Florida from 10am - 1 pm. The cost is $50 with all of the proceeds benefiting CFF. While I do not typically blog or promote the Pensacola beach community, since Southern Resorts'focus is on the shores to the east beginning in Fort Walton Beach through Destin, the Beaches of South Walton, Panama City Beach and over to the Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe coastal communities, this event warrants some attention. Good for them. Attendees can be age 8 and up and all you need to bring is yourself, positive attitude, towel and plenty of sunscreen. The surf boards will be provided for your use. I think it is worth the drive over there to learn an incredible sport, while supporting an incredible cause. For those of you that may want to continue to learn about surfing, Destin has a great camp, too. Billabong sponsors the Ride on Surf Campin Crystal Beach. Our small summer waves are perfect to learn the fundamentals. And don't be fooled by Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast seemingly flat waters. The waves here can get big. And, as most people here for their Destin vacation can attest, there are not many places in world with as pretty white sand beaches and emerald green water!
Southern Resorts is proud to help support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information on how you can help, please visit here.
Clark and Blake Brennan's School of Fish restaurant in Windmark Beach, Port St. Joe, Florida, is now open 7 days a week. They are now serving their wonderful dishes Monday - Saturday, 11am - 9pm with Sunday brunch 11am - 2pm. I looked at their menu and loved all of it. I cannot wait to head back over to the Forgotten Coast and sample the menu and experience what they refer to as elegantly relaxed, gulfside dining. If it is as good as their Destin counterpart Royal B, a Southern Resorts' favorite partner, I am sure it is fantastic! Stay there at Windmark Beach at the new vacation lofts managed by Southern ResortsVacation Rentals. Experience Morning Glory encompassing two and three bedroom vacation rentals and Turtle Glass featuring one bedrooms. Explore the possibilities!
Today is Tuesday and if you have not planned anything for tonight, I highly recommend going to Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, just east of Destin, Florida. Every Tuesday night they have kids activities starting at 7PM with jumping "playgrounds and slides", boat riding, music activities and a very nice playground. Lexi, my 4 year old just loved it last week. We will definitely be back there. The end of a great evening is their fireworks. Unfortunately, we did not experience it since that was the ONLY thing my Lexi did not like. Hopefully that will change soon.
Last night my husband and I celebrated our 18th year anniversary. We wanted it to be special and when I saw that Commander's Palace had just opened, we made reservations to dine there. We were greeted with open arms and were very impressed. The decor is absolutely outstanding, as well as the view. They could not have picked a better location. Now the food.... it was absolutely DELICIOUS. Words alone cannot describe it; You need to experience it. I will definitely return to Commanders Palace.
This Thursday, July 17th, begins a new art series at the Grand Boulevard in Sandestin, just east of Destin. An already wonderful place to shop, it now will feature a little evening life too. With the Beaches of South Walton already such a patron of the arts, it is only natural that this shopping center embraces it. From 5pm to 9pm, this new sidewalk art show will feature a variety of art mediums, with both artists and gallery staff available to discuss the pieces. Aptly held on Artisan Lane, the street between Gallery NU Fine Arts and The Orvis Company the series is free and open to the public. As an added highlight, guests can also enjoy refreshments from Cantina Laredo while enjoying the sounds of progressive funky jazz by Green Hit. It is sure to be a grand evening and the beginning of an even grander vision of supporting the Arts.
For more dates on this Art Series, visit Southern Resorts'event calendar.
Florida's Emerald Coast has quite a few state parks preserving the natural beauty of our many beach communities. In Destin, I often frequent our Henderson Beach State Park. Starting in downtown Destin and ending in the Crystal Beach community of Destin, this park is a great way to get away from crowded beaches and buildings. Being centrally located in Destin is wonderful because it allows the area to still have a touch of pristine untouched nature amidst development. My husband and I biked there today before the showers began. Today was apparently "state park" day because it was free to get into all state parks throughout Florida today. The park was busy with beach goers. The gazebos had visitors seeking refuge from the sun and the beach and crystal waters were had lots of families enjoying their day at the beach. I was surprised, however, at how much empty and open space there still was. The state was even building more boardwalks and gazebos and parking for future park goers.
It was all very nicely done. The facilities look and operate great and there was even Dunes Dogs hot dog vendor busy supplying lunch.
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Wine And Cheese Reception
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge will be holding a wine and cheese reception from 3PM to 5PM at the Magnolia Grill in downtown Fort Walton Beach. ECWR volunteers will be showcasing a number of animals that are housed at the Wildlife Refuge and explaining their natural history and rehabilitation needs. Tickets are $15 each and all proceeds benefit the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge.
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge is a not-for-profit organization that has been serving our community for over 13 years. They take in, house, and rehabilitate our local injured and/or orphaned wildlife from the smallest baby opossum to large, stranded marine mammals. They are also involved in numerous community events and outreach programs to educate on our wildlife and their habitat and what citizens can do to help them.
The wine and cheese reception at the Magnolia Grill is sure to be fun and informative for everyone. For more information, purchase tickets or donate, call ECWR office at 650-1880, go to www.ecwildliferefuge.com
Southern Resortsvacation rentals has some last minute July specials that are hard to resist. Take advantage of some exceptionally great values including this at Il Paradiso, an incredible beach front vacation home in Destin for only $4,995 the week beginning July 19, 2008! Not many homes on the beach in Destin boast the kind of beach frontage Il Paradiso does - 72 feet of beachfront. The beach home also sleeps up to 20 and has spectacular panoramic views of our Gulf of Mexico. If you cannot getaway to the beach for this opportunity, take a look at this beach home for future Destin vacations. It is also one of the few beach front homes for rent in Destin that allow beach weddings.
Tonight is the perfect evening to head over to the new Pier Park, lifestyle Center in Panama City Beach, Florida. On Thursdays, the Summer Concert Series is the main attraction, but certainly not the only one. This free concert series is at the Aaron Bessant Amphitheater in Pier Park. Relax to wonderful music in this dynamic location. The concert is from 7pm - 9pm. Either get a quick bite to eat before or a later snack at one of the many great dining establishments at Pier Park. The Back Porch has been a favorite in Destin Florida since 1979. The new one at Pier Park will surely gain the same attention. This two story, 600 seat restaurant, with an ocean view, is already a favorite with vacationers and locals, alike.
And, you can never go wrong with Marble Slab Creamery. You can definitely enjoy that during the concert.
All of Southern Resorts'vacation rentals in Panama City Beach are very close to Pier Park. Make a wonderful evening of it!
The bear was tranquilized for relocation when he bolted toward the water in an attempt to escape his captors. As the tranquilizer began to take effect, Adam Warwick realized that the bear would not make it across the four mile stretch of water. Adam jumped in and took control.
“At that point, I decided to go in after the bear,” Warwick said. “I wanted to keep him from swimming into deeper water...I was in the water swimming toward the bear, trying to prevent him from swimming into deeper water, he was now losing function (an effect of the drugs) in his arms and legs, and was obviously in distress.”
In a last ditch effort and clearly unsure of what was going on, the bear raised up on his hind legs toward Warwick, and fell backward into the water. After a few moments, the bear surfaced and Warwick then wrapped one arm under the bear and used the other to keep his head out of the water as he walked the bear 25 yards over barnacle covered rocks to the shore.
Since the rescue about a week ago, Adam Warwick has become an international star, appearing on a multitude of news talk shows and even receiving three marriage proposals! We, along the Forgotten Coast, are very proud of Mr. Warwick for his brave actions to save a helpless member of our community and for the selfless work he does every day to keep our local flora and fauna safe and healthy! Thank you, Adam Warwick!
Yesterday's blog ended with a mention of the riding through Windmark Beach in Port St Joe, Florida. This development is about to get a lot of national attention as the Southern Progress Corporation will give away one of the beautiful homes in Windmark as its Idea House. To follow the progression of furnishing this wonderful home visit the video here. Also look to this site for videosof Port St. Joe and Windmark Beach. The videos have captured the essence of this laid back old town that is growing and developing the right way, in my opinion. The planners and locals will keep the charm, yet make it more progressive and modernize where appropriate.
Come check out the area for yourself. Southern Resorts Vacation Rentalshas properties at Windmark at Morning Glory and Turtle Glass lofts.
I put together a few images from our trip to Port St Joe last week. We really lucked out with only one day to actually scallop. We had two groups, one took off from the Port St Joe Marinaand the other launched at the Port St Joe boat ramp. Both proved to be easy in the great weather and calm seas. My brother-in-law knows just where to go to find the most scallops so we follow him. It may help that he has been going there for years and had a days head start on us this year. I pay less to the direction and more to soaking in the beauty of St. Joseph's Bay. The dolphins were playing right in front of our boats. I will never tire of watching them play and swim. There was even a mother and her baby. The kids all love that, too. As tempting as it may be, we did not jump in with them. We were on our quest... scallops. Lucky for us they were found at both stops we tried. I found the water cool and refreshing under the hot sun. While maybe I should have gathered more scallops like my nephew, pictured here with an great catch, I enjoy snorkeling and looking at the sea life. (I must admit that I fear the more I catch, the more I clean). David is much better at both! We did see so much. Look at the seahorse and starfish in the pics. You actually see these things in the water. We also caught Florida's wonderful blue crabs to go with our scallop dinner. It was a very successful day. Back at our Barefoot Cottage, we prepared a great feast and relaxed the night away, managing to get a little swim time in at the main pool, too. If you have not tried scalloping and then eating them you are really missing a fun time for the entire family. PS. I also ran and road bikes through Windmark Beach, less than a mile from the Barefoot Cottages. It is incredible!
What a beautiful day on the Emerald Coast over to the Forgotten Coast. The beach is packed along all the wonderful beach communities spanning the area newly referred to as The Beach. Vacationers from all over the southeast and even a little further have travelled to the beach for this Holiday celebration. We are so glad you are here!
With quite a few firework displays tonight and the perfect beach weather now, we hope it will be a wonderful 4th of July! Be safe.
Tonight's firework displays will be presented at the following locations.
This weekend I had the privilege of getting into several of the beach front vacation rentals in Fort Walton Beach that we manage. I only gave a look around, but I could envision staying there easily. Okaloosa Island has some real treasures. Some may be older than others, but in those, you'll find charming touches and comfort in the simplicity of visiting the beach. Others, like the condominium I toured - Azure, offers every modern convenience and luxury. Each accommodation was decorated differently, but all had upscale finishes and detailing. They really were nice. And, the views were spectacular. I wish I could have sat there all day looking out onto the Gulf.
Southern Resorts is offering some wonderful specials in our Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island properties for next week if you have not already booked your Fort Walton Beach vacation. Visit El Matador #246, Pelican Isle #606, Surf Dweller #210 and keep your eye on our specials page for current Hot Deals!
With all the talk of scalloping and snorkeling, I thought to research another spot on Florida's Gulf Coast Panhandle that offers a nature based experience for all ages. I have often heard of Shell Island, but never ventured there, yet. In Panama City, Florida, it is a natural, undeveloped island which lies between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay in Bay County, Panama City Beach, FL. Approximately seven miles long and anywhere from two hundred yards to three-quarters of a mile across, Shell Island got its name, obviously, because of the abundance of shells found there, including sand dollars, moon snails, conch shells, and olive shells. Apparently there is no limit to how many you can take for souvenirs. The waves along the seven mile Gulf beach of Shell Island continually uncover and carry in new shells. You can also use a snorkel and mask when searching the sand bars along the bay side of Shell Island.
Like many beach goers, I love walking along the shore looking for seashells. It warrants some attention.
If you love nature, the island's pristine beauty and abundant wildlife make it an enjoyable and exciting way to spend the day. The waters around Shell Island are also home to one of the world's highest concentrations of bottle-nosed dolphins so getting there must be fun, too.
The 
