I have been vacationing at the beaches of County Highway 30-A for more than
30 years, and, at the risk of sounding smug, I admit I took for granted the
powdery white sand, placid blue-green surf, and painterly sunsets of the Florida
Panhandle.
The Beaches of South Walton have grown dramatically, adding more than 1,300
new houses in 2004. The change isn't all bad. Good planning has won the county
its third annual Blue Wave certification from the Clean Beaches Council. We
used to fetch drinking water in old milk jugs at the gas station up the road.
Now we have potable water in the taps and fancy bottled water in the gourmet
markets.
From west to east, Highway 30-A links beach towns like a thread through a
string of pearls, connecting Dune Allen, Santa Rosa, Grayton, Seaside, Seagrove,
and Rosemary Beach. And shopping in the area is better than ever before.
At Rosemary Beach, a design district has emerged. Tracery sells contemporary
and antique furniture, as well as art by Teresa Cline. At The Gourd Garden
Courtyard Shop next door, you can sip wine from the Medusa Rouge Wine
Shoppe while perusing garden accessories. Shabby Slips, where owner
Donna Pelous specializes in custom slipcovers, also has an array of Belgian
linen by the yard, antiques, coral, custom-made shell mirrors, and lamps. Flavours
of France features an eclectic mix ranging from chic Art Deco furniture
to more traditional wares.
In July, designer Phillip Sides will open his shop, Phillip and Co.,
in Seacrest, bringing his clean, signature look to home furnishings. At Bohlert-Massey,
designer Susan Massey shows off fresh bags, beach towels, pillows, and lighting.
On the beach side of 30-A, nearing Seagrove, is the headquarters of The
Gourd Garden and Curiosity Shop, owned by Randy Harelson. Outside, plants
suited for Panhandle conditions are clustered in garden settings. Indoors, party
goods, garden tools, and folk art defy you to leave empty-handed.
