Text from my friend who just got back

[Allifunn]

Like it or not, tourism drives OUR economy!! Period

 

[DD]

Well Allifunn, that just about says it all, huh?

 

[CPort]

Thank you Sheila. I can certainly understand why folks would want to keep SoWal a secret, and I know the overflow from the west and east can be annoying to some when it's tourist season. I recommended SoWal to my dear friend because I wanted her to experience what she's been hearing about from me for years. I have no beef with Destin (home of my beloved Crab Island), PCB or even FWB. The attraction to each area is unique. For some, SoWal might not offer what one looks for while on vacation. Those people go to FWB, PCB and Destin. I know if I had grown up in SoWal, I'd probably be shaking my head at all the changes. For those of us not as fortunate, we are grateful to be able to visit a couple of times a year and we thank you for sharing paradise with us.

well said DD my friend.

 

[DD]

 

[NWFnative]

Wow

After reading all the negative responses to my post, I went back and reread it. Surely I did not say that I disliked SoWal...did I? And in response to Theresa....was i disrespectful towards the poster?
I did not find any such comments in my post. I adore SoWal! I also adored Destin 20 years ago, before most anyone knew it existed. 30a was a deserted road to Seaside and Grayton Beach State Park. I could park anywhere in Seaside and walk out to the beach (that I could see from the road!!)
What prompted my post was that I was personally offended at the bashing of the beautiful city that I grew up in...the one that USED TO look like SoWal does today. When I hear residents of SoWal talk about how much better it is than Destin, it frankly comes off as pretentious. Again, if it wasn't for Destin and it's tourism, SoWal would not be nearly as successful as it is. And it continues to be more and more successfully each year.
Hence my other comment: watch out...Destin used to be what SoWal is today. But it seems to be catching up. One word: Seaside. I have more trouble parking, shopping, beaching there than I do in Destin.
Northwest FL beaches are the best in the world. Let's not knock each other down.

 

[tsutcli]

Guess your definition of "success" is different than mine. Any success Destin might have had is lost on most of us. To each his/her own I guess.

 

[NWFnative]

Let's see

Guess your definition of "success" is different than mine. Any success Destin might have had is lost on most of us. To each his/her own I guess.

Based on all the advertising 30a and SoWal does, it seems that success is based on tourism dollars.....just like Destin.

 

[seal]

Amen, NWFnative. I agree with your points, and thank you for starting this thread.

To expand on my major point above, Walton (and our neighboring counties) are about to get a once in a lifetime huge sum of money to "restore" the area to what is was pre-Macondo(BP) oil spill. We all know this as the RESTORE Act. Here is a recent clip: http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/jul/09/f-ar-4098436/

I believe that Walton County should take some of this minimum $1Billion and buy up some of the beachfront properties and PRESERVE this vanishing part of SoWal for now and future generations. (Disclaimer: I am not a Realtor, nor do I own any of this beachfront property).

Here is a document showing the potential allocation of RESTORE Act funds. Make yourself aware of what's going on with these funds. Otherwise, the politicians will spend this on who knows what.

 

[tsutcli]

Based on all the advertising 30a and SoWal does, it seems that success is based on tourism dollars.....just like Destin.

I repeat, your definition of success is different than mine. Yours obviously is driven by money with no regard for other impacts. Do we really want to wind up a mini-Destin?

 

[iloveflorida]

Is arguing with liberals like trying to play chess with a pigeon?

No matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon (liberal) is just going to knock over the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like it's victorious.