Upscale beaches east of Santa Rose

Driving along the gulf coast from Panama City to Destin there are a variety of beach villages far different from the poor fishing village of Carrabelle we departed from a few days ago. The architecture and design at Alys Beach is completely white. It is worth the drive just to see the different beach resorts in the area.

Santa Rosa Beach

The beach is a 10 minute walk from our campsite. What I like best about Santa Rosa Beach is its natural beauty and rural surroundings of the state preserve. It is a far cry form the high rises of Panama City to the east. We have never been on a beach where the forest meets the dunes....so beautiful.

Santa Rosa Beach on the Gulf Coast

We will be at Topsail Hill State Park for the next 3 days before heading to another State Park in Pensacola, Florida for 4 days. Love these state parks in Florida, they know how to do it up right. We also had to drive through Panama City today, and being that it is spring break for 10,000 college kids I thought we would have lunch there on the beach, but Mary Ann over-ruled that decision.

Pre Normandy Invasion on D-Day

Carrabelle is more then just a quiet little fishing village on the Gulf Coast with great sea food and miles of white sugar sand beaches...it was where the US Army trained for their historic invasion of Normandy in WW II.

St Georges Island & St Josephs Peninsula

Within an hours drive of us, these are two must see areas. St Georges Island reminded me of the Outer Banks with all its ocean housing rentals. St Josephs Peninsula has the most beautiful natural beaches I have ever seen, supported by 15 foot high sand dunes. Both places have excellent State Parks for camping. The natural beauty, endless hiking trails and remote beaches are hard to beat.

Apalachicola on the Gulf

Apalachicola is a larger fishing town south of Carabella. It is famous around the world for its oysters and grouper, so what did we have for lunch there at the Tamara's Cafe...oysters and a grouper sandwich. We chose Tamara's, not because we knew which was the best place in town to eat, its because it was Tammy's name. We were not disappointed..... And, back at Carabella, Mary Ann cooked up the best fresh Red Snapper (that came right off the boat) dinner I've ever had.

Carrabelle on the Gulf Coast

We will be at Sunset Isle RV Resort in Carrabelle for 9 days. Our site is in an ideal location with views of the pool behind us and the marina, with all the boats coming in,  seen from our front window. It's a great looking pool, but the bad news is, it's not heated. Carrabelle is a small poor fishing village, but the beauty of the Gulf and it's beaches will keep us on the go.