Blessings of Summer Traffic

Ok. Many of us have lived here way before the tourists discovered us and jammed up our highways and back roads. Some call it progress. Some call it keeping Destin alive. Whatever you may call it, IT IS SO DEAL WITH IT and Be THANKFUL you live in one of the most beautiful places in the United States, maybe even in the world! So it takes a few minutes longer to get somewhere because now we are sharing our Paradise with others. How nice, we are now sharing. God Bless you for sharing! Smile, you are Blessed!

The Gifts of the Emerald Coast

Sometimes those of us, who live along the Emerald Coast, whether full or part time, take the plethora of joy of this area for granted.  Well, it is time to become a tourist in your own “backyard”.

Have you noticed the most magnificent sunsets that we have in this area?  It is as though the sun slowly falls into the water, seeping its orange and yellow hues into the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. And during the summer months, it is fun to watch the sun rise also.  It appears as if  the sun is rising out of the water, drawing the yellow and orange water into itself to fulfill its glorious glow until it has risen well above the Gulf.

Take a look at the sand dunes and grasses.  Have you ever just sat on the sand and watched the summer breezes blow though the tall grasses?  They look like hula dancers on the beach.

Or take a walk in one of our many seaside towns.  There is eye candy for all walks of life.  From art galleries to clothiers to cafes to Silver-streams selling yummy bites to eat to hand made jewelry to hand blown glass art.  Oh, there is so much to take in.  All while strolling in the clean, salty air of our beautiful coast.

The children and children at heart love to build sandcastles out of our quartz sand because it just lends itself to being molded with a little water.  Take a walk along the water’s edge to find what treasures the Gulf has brought forth that day and imagine where that shell or urchin was a year ago, or maybe just a few minutes ago.

Grab a canoe or Yolo board and experience one of the tranquil lakes along Scenic 98 or 30A.  Or take a bicycle ride with family or friends and pack a snack to stop at one of the rest areas along the beach.

Walk across the Destin Bridge and look down at the boats in the gorgeous turquoise water with the white sand glistening along its coast.  It is truly breathtaking and almost surreal.

Or seize that book you have been meaning to read and sit on the beach and enjoy the background sounds of the surf while you fall into the depths of the story being told.

Sure is fun and relaxing being a tourist in your own backyard, isn’t it?

Give a Hand

Don't ever be afraid to reach out and give someone, a stranger maybe, your hand.  Helping our fellow man is the rule of love thy neighbor as thyself.  If you were in need of a helping hand, would you not want even a stranger to help you if that is what it would take?

Well, don't be afraid to give of yourself and you will see the joy you receive in your heart.  It is like no other joy in the world. 

God's Little Creations

Someone posted a picture of a child with a disability and said that this child may not have been born.
How dare we even think to interfer with God's work.  A child is a blessing without words; without description, without a reason other than God wants that child to be His.  How dare we ever think of taking God's child from Him?  Never-ever shall we interfere with God's plans, His work, His love. 
Instead, receive His love, His forgiveness, His sacrafice for our sins and BE THANKFUL- ALWAYS.

Hotel Shopping on the Web

Sometimes I am surprised how hard it is to trust some websites.  For instance.  I booked a hotel in Houston which I thought looked fairly nice on their website.  Yes, I realize their best rooms will be present on the site but heavens, you should have seen the dump this place turned out to be.  As only God would have it, I was able to book into the hotel we normally stay in but was previuosly known to be booked for the term we needed, hence why I had looked for another hotel. 

Anyway, even after reading reviews, try to contact someone, whom you trust, before you stay at a hotel.  If that is not possible, then stick to a reputable chain that is always rated with 5 stars.  It just is not worth the savings to end up in a dive, for a fair amount of money, and not even want to put your suitcase on the filthy rug let alone sleep in the questionable bed!   UGH!!!

Marriott Courtyard is fairly rated and safe to say a clean, nice enviroment.  Hampton Inns are fairly nice for a quick stay.  Usually clean and accomodating for a shorter stay,  for a longer stay ,I recommend a suite. 

If you are looking for more posh accomodations, there is always the Hilton.  Except I personally think the Hilton in Houston Medical Center Area has become a bit seedy for the price. Of course there other wonderful, extravagent type hotels but when traveling, I personally don't need that for the 8-10 hours I will be there for.

My little two cents on hotels on the web.

Flip Flops in the Sand

Have you ever noticed that when someone wears their Flip Flop sandals on the beach they cause the sand to flip into the air like a small geyser?  Have you ever wondered just where this crazy footwear came from and where they got the silly name of Flip Flops?

Well, I did a little digging and found some interesting facts about those things we wear so much along the Emerald Coast.

• The Flip Flop Sandal has been around for some 6,000 years.  No kidding!
• The oldest surviving Flip Flop is made of papyrus and is displayed in the

British Museum and the circa is 1500 BC.

• The Ancient Egyptians made their Flip Flops out of papyrus and palm leaves
• The African Misai used rawhide for their Flip Flops
• In India, wood was used to make the sandal
• Both China and Japan utilized their rice straw for theirs
•  Sisal leaves were used in South America for their Flip Flops
• And Mexico used the Yucca plant to make their Flip Flops.
•  The Japanese Zori (Flip Flop) became popular in the 30’s

The Flip Flops became the most popular in America during the 50’s when soldiers fighting the Korean War brought home rubber Flip Flops  as souvenirs.  Those were made poorly, causing blisters and fell apart easily.  When the American began wearing the Flip Flops, they were brightly colored, reflecting the 50’s era.  The Flip Flop became indigenous to the causal lifestyle known in California, especially with the surfers.

Did you know that the Flip Flop is also called other names throughout the world?

• In Japan, they are called the Zori
• In New Zealand they are called the Jandal which is short for Japanese Sandal
•  And they are known as Thongs in Australia.
• In India and Pakisatn they are popular;y known as Hawaii Chappal.

So when you are walking  down the Emerald Coast Beaches made of Appalachian quarts and watching the Flip Flops whip up that pristine white sand remember, those sandals have been around almost as long as the beach they are treading on!

                                                            Just a tid bit!

Restaurant Reviews

I used to review restaurants and night spots in the greater New York and New Jersey area a while back and have been ghos twriting reviews for others.  I will, on occassion, blog about restaurants that I have visited to giveyou a heads up on the local cuisine and the approximate price range.