Great article - thanks for posting LadyD.
Ok, now I'm not happy. I cannot access the link without having to register. That sucks. So here is the article, and the picture.
Florida, beyond the beaches
David Bailey Photography
Canoes and kayaks are available for those hoping to sample the coastal dune lakes along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida.
By Sally Walker Davies
Special to The Commercial Appeal
August 5, 2007
rich ecosystem that often goes unnoticed is just a stone's throw away from the sugar-sand beach that hugs the Gulf of Mexico along Florida's highway known as 30A.
Near the lush resort of WaterColor, a lone kayaker's oar rhythmically pushes through the otherwise still water of a coastal dune lake.
On a trail through the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, a family explores a coastal forest rich with magnolias and scrub oaks. They pause at a pond, hoping to catch sight of the alligator known to seek out the cool water for comfort on a steamy day.
On the almost-empty stretch of Topsail's protected beach, a naturalist shows a group of children and their parents the bits and pieces of marine life that wash up with the tide.
This is the other side of South Walton County, the one that encompasses the natural wonders, which are less well known than the sugary beaches and emerald waters along Florida's panhandle from Destin to just north of Panama City.
The beaches of South Walton, stretching from the bustling Sandestin Resort to the quiet neighborhood of Inlet Beach, are the featured entertainment for most people. But for those willing to walk away from the water and leave the beach behind, a rich natural environment and outdoor activities beckon.
Water, water everywhere
Beyond the beaches is a collection of 17 coastal dune lakes -- the largest such concentration in the world, according to the area's Tourist Development Council.
These extremely rare ecosystems are found only on the Florida Panhandle and the Pacific Northwest in the United States, and in Australia, New Zealand and Madagascar.
What makes these lakes so unusual is their intermittent connection with ocean waters. The coastal dune lakes and the Gulf are separated only by a sandy dam, if you will. When the lakes become full of rainwater, they burst through the dunes and empty into the Gulf -- the salty water of the Gulf then returns into the lake, creating a brackish estuary teeming with an incredible diversity of wildlife.
The lakes are protected natural areas, but kayaks and canoes are allowed. Most of the lakes, including Western, Campbell and Morris, are easily accessed by the public, either by foot from the resorts or within Grayton Beach, Deer Lake and Topsail State Parks.
Canoes and kayaks are readily available for those hoping to take to the dune lakes or the waters of Choctawhatchee Bay.
A variety of outfitters also offer guided kayak or canoe tours of the dune lakes. Many of the outfitters have gone through a certification program to ensure the experiences they offer are accurate and environmentally sound, with a focus on conservation and protection of the natural resources. Guided tours start at $40, including equipment.
At Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, canoes and kayaks are free of charge for guests, who can explore Choctawhatchee, either on their own or with a guide.
For those who prefer to stay above water and not in it, nature cruises are available aboard the American Star, which docks at the marina at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Resort.
At WaterColor, guided tours of Western Lake and Grayton Beach are available for guests, as are sunset tours of the lakes.
Hiking and biking
The coastal dune lakes are also accessible by winding trails, especially in the state parks, which encompass almost half the lakes.
Throughout the state parks, resorts and simply along Highway 30A, hundreds of miles of hiking and bike trails await those who want to use pedal and foot power to explore the natural beauty of the area.
The Eastern Lake hike and bike trail, located in Point Washington State Forest, offers three loops through a varied ecosystem that includes pine scrub and longleaf pine flatwoods, cypress ponds, wet prairies and swamps. In the works is a 27-mile trail connecting the forest and Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park, Topsail Hill State Preserve.
Bikers can also take the scenic route, skirting along 30A on the winding Walton County Bicycle Trail. Eighteen miles in length, the trail extends from Dune-Allen Beach to Inlet Beach. Almost half of the trail is paved, and at parts it is as wide as 8 feet -- perfect for a family bicycle outing and exploring a variety of parks or beaches.
Bikes are readily available for rent, by the hour or the week, from a variety of sport and bicycle shops along 30A. Many of the resorts have onsite bike rentals for guests including, Seaside, Rosemary Beach and WaterColor. For guests at Sandestin, bikes are free.
Stay in nature
Most of the accommodations in South Walton are well-appointed cottages, beachfront homes and family-friendly condominiums, but there are plenty of options for those wanting to be a little closer to nature.
Both Grayton Beach and Topsail offer cabins and camping options. Grayton Beach's 30 cabins can each accommodate up to six people and include fireplaces, air conditioning and central heating, screened porches with grills and fully equipped kitchens and linens. The year-round nightly rate is $110.
At Topsail, one-bedroom bungalows rent for $690 a week year-round, and include full kitchens and linens, as well as cable television -- an option not available at Grayton Beach.
Camping options include RV and tent camping, with daily rates ranging from $19 to $68.
If You Go: The Beaches of South Walton
South Walton County is roughly an 8-hour drive from Memphis; the area is serviced by the Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola and Panama City airports.
For general information, including activities and accommodations, visit beachesofsouthwalton.com or call (800) 822-6877. Links to each of the resorts mentioned here, as well as outfitters and bike rental companies, can also be found at this site.
Information for the state parks is available online at floridastateparks.org or by calling (850) 245-2157; cabin and camping accommodations for Topsail Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park are also available through each park's Web page on this site, or by calling Reserve America at (800) 326-3521.
Nature cruises on the American Star are open to the public and leave from the marina in the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. Prices are $28 for adults, $14 for children ages 3 to 12. (850) 267-8875 for reservations. american-star.net
Kayak and canoe rentals and guided tours, as well as bicycle rentals, can be arranged through a number of vendors listed on the Beaches of South Walton Web site, including:
Blue Sky Kayak Tours: (850) 368-3155, blueskykayak.com;
Big Daddy's Bikes & Beach Sport (2217 W. 30-A or 5 miles west of Seaside on 30-A, (850) 622-1165;
30-A Bike Rentals, (850) 865-7433
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Hopefully you won't have to worry about that Beach Runner.
