| I've lived on the east coast of Florida for many years | | | | can hike, picnic, bike along one of the trails, snorkel, fish |
| but it wasn't until recently that I spent a few days in | | | | and go boating. Try horseback riding or bird watching |
| the Panhandle. I was so surprised at how different it | | | | with the family; Navarre Beach is a great place to be |
| was from all the other places I had been in Florida, and | | | | still and get back to nature. They have many hotels, |
| I have been all over Florida. For one thing the water is | | | | resorts and vacation rentals should you choose to |
| a beautiful shade of emerald green and the beaches | | | | vacation on the beach. |
| are white sand where as the water along the east | | | | Destin is also known to be a big resort town and one |
| coast are a beautiful clear blue and the beaches are a | | | | of the most spectacular examples is the new Emerald |
| lovely oatmeal color, quite a contrast. One of the other | | | | Grande at Harbor Walk Village; this 5-star resort is |
| things I noticed was how the area, especially around | | | | located oceanfront and is available for weekly rentals. |
| Destin, was so beautiful and peaceful. There were | | | | Even with an estimated 4.5 million people visiting the |
| tree lined streets, small pastel painted houses, outdoor | | | | area, there are people who live in Destin year round, |
| malls that were cleverly disguised as quaint wood | | | | and according to a 2004 census, that number was |
| framed buildings which held all the designer brands and | | | | reported to be just over 12,000 people |
| labels and at least a dozen well manicured golf | | | | The East Pass, which is also called Destin Pass, is at |
| courses. I'm sure you've all heard of Florida Panhandle | | | | the western tip of the peninsula and is the only outlet |
| Beaches like Pensacola and Panama City Beach, but | | | | of Choctawhatchee Bay into the Gulf of Mexico. The |
| let me tell you about these great spots in between. | | | | claim has been made that this pass was dug by hand |
| Dotted along the road between Destin and Panama | | | | but it appears on early maps of the French, Spanish |
| City Beach are the picturesque, beachfront towns of | | | | and English surveyors, so this is likely not true. The |
| Seaside, Watercolor, Sandestin and Miramar. These | | | | East Pass must be dredged on a regular basis in order |
| towns are small and homey, with tree lined streets and | | | | for it to remain navigable, the first known map of the |
| pastel painted houses; they look like something out of a | | | | East Pass was drawn by Don Francisco Tapia, who |
| movie. Hollywood thought so too, and so they decided | | | | was commissioned to survey the coast of Florida and |
| to film the movie "The Truman Show", starring Jim | | | | draw the map. |
| Carey, in the town of Seaside. If you've ever been to | | | | The community of Destin has existed for over one |
| Hilton Head, South Carolina, Sandestin is a lot like it; | | | | hundred and fifty years and started as a humble |
| very understated and classy. Sandestin is known for | | | | fishing village. The city of Destin, FL can trace it's roots |
| its fabulous Golf courses and the Village of Baytowne | | | | back to the 7th century A.D. when it is believed that |
| Warf, which consists of 50 boutiques and specialty | | | | the American Indians lived in the area. Destin is named |
| merchants which overlook Choctawhatchee Bay. | | | | for Captain Leonard Destin, who settled in Northwest |
| Watercolor is small, approximately 500 acres, but | | | | Florida around 1845; he moved here from Connecticut |
| packed with many resort and residential areas all just | | | | and was a pioneer in the fishing industry. Today Destin |
| waiting to be rented for your perfect Florida vacation. | | | | is touted as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and |
| Miramar is the place shop. Home of the Silver Sands | | | | claims the largest, best equipped fishing fleet in Florida |
| Factory Stores, it is called the largest designer outlet | | | | docks are in Destin Harbor. When you visit, you can |
| center in the U.S.; they have over 100 designer outlet | | | | play golf, tennis and of course do anything you can |
| shops. | | | | think of on the water, including snorkeling and diving. If |
| Navarre Beach has soft white sand, emerald green | | | | you'd like to charter a boat to do some fishing in the |
| water and is one more place to stretch out and just | | | | Gulf, you'll appreciate the fact that the 100 Fathom |
| relax. It's a great place to kayak along the shore or sail | | | | Curve is closer to Destin than any other spot in Florida, |
| out and see what fish are biting today. Navarre Beach | | | | making it the fastest way to get to the deep waters in |
| is the fastest growing community in Santa Rosa | | | | the Gulf. |
| County, partly due to a new and scenic road that | | | | No matter where you are in the Panhandle when the |
| connects it to Pensacola Beach. While you can hit the | | | | day is done, do yourself a favor pick a beach and |
| greens for a round of golf at one of the many area | | | | make it a point to stop and just sit and watch the |
| courses, Navarre Beach is all about nature. Eight of the | | | | sunset, it's a memory you'll take with you and cherish |
| 12 miles of beach here are part of the Gulf Islands | | | | for the rest of your life. |
| Natural Seashore and are federally protected. You | | | | |