Seaside, Sandestin, FL & an Observation

After leaving Fairhope, Alabama and crossing into Florida at the “Flora-Bama Bar and Grill line”, I settled into Sandestin, Florida for the purpose of discovering the Destin to Seaside area.

SEASIDE

Seaside, Florida, created in the 1970’s and 80’s, is one of the first communities in America to be designed on the fundamentals of New Urbanism.  New Urbanism is based on principles that existed prior to the advent of the automobile when the only way to get around was by horse – if you were lucky to own one.  So communities were built to be highly accessible for walking with wide streets, everything within walking distance and a strong sense of community.

Seaside was built with the same principles in mind.  Seaside is privately owned, no other municipal governments have planning jurisdiction over Seaside, and therefore the developers are able to write their own zoning codes.  Some of these include wide “lanes”, everything accessible within walking distance, no private front lawns and only native plants, all signs are white with blue lettering, including signs that contain the name of the home and the majority of the homes, if not all, are built in Victorian or Neoclassical design.

Seaside is a whimsical community where children run around and parents sit out on the front porch greeting strangers as they walk by.

 

 

 

Seaside’s homes range from the simple whimsical to three-story mansions.Within walking distance of the community is Florida route 30-A.  On 30-A, in Seaside, is a cornucopia of food trucks that the community lines up to have dinner and enjoy the community spirit.

Seaside, Florida was truly impressive and if you ever get the opportunity to visit, I assure you of a great vacation location.

SANDESTIN

Sandestin is a nice resort community in Miramar Beach, Florida.  Sandestin and neighboring Santa Rosa Beach have some decent restaurants, beautiful beaches and a are a community where the streets roll-up at 9 PM.  Seriously, if you are out past 9 – 10 PM, do not count on any commercial transportation because many Uber and Lyft drivers are retirees and have gone to bed (a glimpse of my future? — NOT)

My evening started at Johnny McTighe’s Irish Pub, where else?  A great dive bar where the kids are invited as well.  Albeit, in another room, but the kids are hanging out while Mom and Dad, in the words of Billy Joel, slowly get stoned.  Really a fun Tavern with great bumper stickers – worth the visit.

And let us not forget the Bumper Stickers.

After leaving Johnny’s Mctighe’s, I was off to the Growler Garage as I heard that they served beer, wine, and motorcycles are on exhibit – they do, just not past 8 PM.  They were closed for adult beverages, but the door was open for Motorcycle viewing.

Growler Garage is owned by Mitch Omar, an artist of rebuilt motorcycles and the owner of O’s Custom Paints (ww.ospaint.com).  Mitch focuses on the custom hand painting of all makes and models of motorcycles.  O’s Custom Paints is the exclusive custom painter/designer for the “Elvis Presley Harley Davidson Series” (I didn’t even know they had one).

And, Beautiful custom Bikes.

Following an interesting conversation with Mitch at Growler and as the Growler Garage was closed, I wandered across the street to La Playa – A mixed age bar with a three-piece band.

OBSERVATIONS

As my adventure draws me East, I feel an evolution of the people and culture from Louisiana to Mississippi, to Alabama to Florida.

In Louisiana, at least in Thibodaux and Breaux Bridge, I was surprised at how open and welcoming the people are.  However, in North Western Florida (Sandestin, Miramar Beach, etc), I find the folks a bit jaded.  I don’t say this as a negative but as an observation.

When I passed small town and villages in Louisiana, the people were genuinely interested in my travels.  They simply do not get a lot of “strangers” in their community, so I was an anomaly.  A new ingredient.  Something to check out.

In North Western Florida, as this is a huge vacation destination, the NW Florida community is not impressed with “strange visitors”.  They are used to transients (vacationer) passing through.  This has made it more difficult for me to strike up interesting conversations and interactions.

But, I will continue to try as I make my way to John and Denise Kuendig’s house in Ormond Beach.  In the meantime, I’m off to Apalachicola, Florida.  Apalachicola harvests over 90% of the oysters sold in Florida and 10% of the nationwide supply.  Guess there are more oysters in my future.

Keep Wheeling!