Exploring the Emerald Coast

Other than the fabulous sand and the very occasional sunset, there really is not a lot to do in the Miramar Beach area, known locally as the Emerald Coast. However, even though they are a bit isolated here, they have heard about the latest trends in camping – that being Glamping. So, we have been watching them build some permanent tents on raised decks, complete with nice cots, to capitalize on this current trend. Frankly, Colectiva II is good enough for us.

Roaming around in Camp Gulf RV Resort we have seen quite a few interesting RV’s, some that we think would work for us and others that we think would not. As you can see, the Woman’s head would bump the ceiling in this coach – even if she were standing outside on the pad. It’s hard to imaging how much she would have to crouch if she actually stepped up the foot or so to get in!

We have been on the Gulf Coast in the winter many times, sometimes in Texas near Corpus Christie or down on South Padre Island. Other times we have been on the Florida west coast. Still others we have nestled in Louisiana, Alabama or Mississippi. But I had completely forgotten what it was like staying in a Gulf shore RV Resort in the winter – the population in all of them is very, very old, and very, very white.

We spent a part of a day exploring Fort Walton Beach. The town was originally a Confederate military base known as Camp Walton, but it was also the site of indigenous populations for thousands of years. Fort Walton Temple Mound is a native burial mound that is believed to date back to as far as 500 BC. We climbed the mound (using the supplied boardwalk to protect it), and scoured the museum for all the local artifacts on display. On site, they also had to old school house, the post office, and a civil war barrack with displays as well, all interesting.

Before we toured the Landmark, we grabbed lunch at the Magnolia Grill. Although we knew that Sears and Montgomery Ward used to sell complete homes out of their catalogs, we had never actually been in one, at least that we knew. In 1910, Dr. G. G. French ordered a catalog house when he proceeded to assemble. It was interesting that 110 years later the solid workmanship still showed through, although converted to a trendy restaurant. We enjoyed a nice lunch, and marveled at the quality of what you could buy in a catalog in 1910.

As we headed back to Colectiva II we were tempted to stop at Fokker’s Pub for a bit of refreshment. I, in particular, wanted to try their signature drink – they referred to themselves as “The home of the Motherfokker!”

Talk to you soon.