January 20, 2013. A Gem on the Gulf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 20, 2013.  Today, we found a gem on the Gulf - Seaside.  Seaside is an unincorporated area east of Fort Walton Beach.  Seaside was developed on eighty acres by the grandchildren of a man who originally purchased the coast land in 1946.  The development began in the early 1980s with the goal of creating a simple, basic and elegant beach town which would become a statement of human optimism.  So successful were they that the unincorporated area became the location for most of the outside shots in the movie, The Truman Show.  Seaside was named as one of the top twelve destinations, worldwide, by Frommer's. 

The community was constructed on the original eighty acre tract.  Eighty acres is a quarter-of-a-mile by one-half mile.  The thought was that size is the perfect size for a town.  Everything is within walking distance.  There are no big box stores.  The community is served by one local market which has been in the same family since the beginning.  At the end of each beach street is a beach pavilion which is eye-grabbing.  I have included photos of many of them above. 

The sand is white and the Gulf water is the purest green we have seen on this trip.  As you look out over the Gulf, the water color changes from clear to green to blue.  Those variations can be seen in the photo of the girls doing cartwheels on the beach.  Seaside is the one place we've seen this trip that gets the joint recommendation of Annie and Malachi.  If you are within 100 miles of Seaside, it is worth the drive to see it.  We may go back tomorrow. 

Tonight finds us in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.  This park is more like an RV resort.  There is a pool, cable TV and full hookups at each site.  The bike trails are wide and smooth and miles long.  The beach here is similar to the beach at Seaside, lovely.  The amenities are reflected by the price.  It is about fifty percent more than St. Andrews and some of the other state parks where we've stayed. 

So far, the only responses to last night's quiz have been from my fourth daughter and one of my oldest friends, the one who was specifically disqualified from the contest.  My daughter honestly identified seven of the ten objects.  My friend claimed to have identified all ten and wanted to know how to collect his winnings.  I am doubtful.

Oh, the first picture above reminded us of Emory and Miles.  There is a street vendor in front of the ampitheater called the "The Melt Down."  Its slogan is "Gotta have grilled cheese."  That reminded us of Miles, too.