• Why not give the gift of a trip this year? Jupiter Beach (Fla.) Resort & Spa makes it easy for you to do so. Through January 31, 2009, the property is offering a $50 resort credit for a two-night stay and $100 for a three-night stay or more. The credits can be used in the restaurants, spa or other places on the property. Book online, or call 800-228-8810 and use promo code THAW.
• Wondering where you can find some travel deals? Check out your favorite southern city’s CVB/tourism sites. For instance, Destin, Fla.’s site list all types of specials for the area. Lexington, Ky.’s site also features the latest holiday packages available as well as Chattanooga, Tenn.’s site. And don’t forget about all the great deals that can be found here and here.
• Let Sterling Resort’s properties take care of your guests this holiday season with their low rate plus a $20 grocery gift cards. This special is valid for new reservations only through December 30. Book online or call 866-934-9178  and be sure to request promo code MLP. This discount cannot be combined with any other.

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On my brisk bike ride from Redfish Village to WaterColor and Seaside, I past by Grayton State Park.  Since I didn’t have a pressing agenda (I’m at the beach, after all), I decided to was going to explore it. And I’m glad I did.

After paying a $1 entry fee (remember, I was on a bike; it’s $4 for a car), I was taken aback by the park’s natural beauty. I know that I have talked up a blue streak about how pretty and old Florida like this area is, but it really doesn’t sink in until you’re at Grayton State Park.

Since it was getting chilly and the sun was beginning to set, I didn’t get to spend as much time as I wanted here, but enough to take in the scenery.

There are trails accessible to hikers and bikers, fishing opportunities (fresh and salt), as well as kayaking, canoeing and even Yolo boarding on Western Lake. Or you don’t have to do anything at all except for enjoying the surroundings.

You can even stay overnight in cabins, or bring your camper to enjoy the full-facility campground.

photo credits: personal collection

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I love to go exploring when I’m away, yet really don’t want to explore by car. So, I will walk or find another means of transportation. You can’t imagine how happy I was to find out that Redfish Village offers complimentary bike rentals.

So braving the cold and donning a stylish gray bike hat, it was time to hit the bike paths.

For those who aren’t familiar with the area, 30-A is about 20-miles long. At first, that may seem like a lot, but since the communities are close to each other and there is always something new to see, it’s not that bad at all (even in the cold.)

From Redfish Village, I took a left and headed toward WaterColor. This community is perhaps best known for WaterColor Inn and Resort (home to Fish Out of Water restaurant.) The AAA four diamond property has received many accolades and is a great place for families. Actually, this whole area is. In addition to the resort, there are also vacation property rentals available. WaterColor is home to the Telluride MountainFilm tour that happens typically around the first of November, coinciding with Beaches of South Walton’s AutumnTides celebration. Also at WaterColor, you’ll find a small shopping area with shops, boutiques and eateries. It’s a fun place to spend a couple of hours just wandering around.

And wandering around was just what I had in mind, which I glad I did. If I hadn’t park my bike, I wouldn’t have discovered the Odgen Satellite Museum. Now this is an offshoot of Ogden Museum of Southern Art/University of New Orleans that opened  in July 2008. Here, you’ll find changing exhibits that highlight southern artists and their works.

Returning back to my bike (and helmet), it was time to go to Seaside. You probably best know Seaside from Jim Carrey’s movie, The Truman Show. It heralded as the first of New Urbanism - the sense of community and the ability to get anyway via foot or bike.

Seaside’s shopping area is larger than WaterColor’s, and includes places like the Sundog Books & Central Square Records , the Seaside Store and more. A must visit is Modica Market, which is quaint, family-owned gourmet grocery store filled with all types of treats and necessary items.

Across the street, you’ll find Pickle’s Beachside Grill, which is a great place to have lunch. I recommend the burgers. If you are still in the shopping mood, something a little unique is Perspicacity, a open-air style market. Of course, no visit to Seaside is complete without eating at Bud and Alley’s (highly recommend the grilled shrimp and grits.)   Now, if you can’t make it for a meal, be sure to join them for a sunset cocktail of your choice and the “ringing of the bell.”

At Seaside, rentals are available or you can stay at the Inn by the Sea and indulge in with their breakfast (PDF file).

Hopefully this give you a taste, well, enough to whet your appetite to come and explore the Beaches of South Walton’s communities on your own. You never know what you might discover.

photo credits: personal collection

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I’m somewhat of an outdoorsy-type person. When I say “somewhat”, I mean that never pass up an opportunity to go walking, hiking or just exploring the outdoors - especially when I’m on vacation. When I was at Redfish Village on Blue Mountain Beach (Beaches of South Walton/30-A in the Florida Panhandle), I had it planned out to go for a walk early morning and late evening. I also wanted to go bike riding if possible. So, when I heard about Yolo boarding - I knew it was something I just had to try. 

Perhaps I should’ve mention that I’m quite the klutz and when I heard that Yolo boarding was stand up paddle board, I thought to myself, “Maybe the water won’t be too cold.” However, everyone who had done it before assured me that I wouldn’t fall in. In fact, I was told that if I had walking around sense, I wouldn’t fall off. Out loud, I agreed with them, but silently I was preparing myself that I might get wet.

The outdoor adventure was taking place on Western Lake, a 200-acre  coastal dune lake. If you aren’t familiar with coastal dune lakes, these are very rare. In fact, there are only four other places around the world that have them. The Beaches of South Walton claims 15  - the most in one location.

Back at the dock, I got my quick instruction on Yolo boarding, and of course, those who have done it before had no problem pushing off, crouching and paddling, and then standing and paddling. I still did not trust myself and decided I would go kayaking first. To me, sitting down in the kayak posed less of a threat of falling into the water.

This is the time I need to be honest - I never kayaked before. I’ve always been interested, but never have had the opportunity. Until now.

After going in around in circles a few time, and running into the brush on both sides of the expansive lake, I finally got the hang of it. I was soaked, but didn’t care. I was actually moving in the right direction. Even better, since the lake was so smooth I could rest for a little while and let the current take me. The best part was going under the bridge.

There was a actual destination that I was heading to, which was to a coastal dune that you could actually hike on.  It may just be one of the best kept secrets on 30-A. The landscape and views are incredible. When you are walking along the trail, it’s very easy to forget that 30-A is  behind you.

But what about Yolo boarding (and exactly what does Yolo mean?) Well, I’ll answer the second question first. Yolo stands for “You Only Live Once,” and yes, I did try it. And no, I didn’t fall off.

Now, I admit that I was somewhat of a chicken and couldn’t fully stand up on the board. My arms were sore from kayaking and I didn’t want to chance it. Once I got the hang of it (yes, I went around in circles again), I could see how Yolo boarding can become addictive.

For those who know what they are doing (and once I get the hang of it), many take the boards out to the Gulf from Western Lake. Who knows, this spring/summer, I just might be telling you about my adventure paddling into the Gulf.

photo credit: personal photos

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Do you need a jump start to get into that holiday mood? I just might know something that’ll have you feeling that holiday spirit in no time -  lights and a lot of them.

Not only does the days soon after Thanksgiving bring sales, but also large configurations of lights as well. From now until New Years, many towns and cities across the South will glow with different colors.

Prepare to be dazzled from the Holiday Trail of Lights that includes Kilgore, Texas‘ “Christmas in the Oil Patch” to Fantasy of Lights in Sumter, S.C., to Zoolights at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.

In Arkansas, the 13th Annual Lights of the Delta in Blytheville runs through December 27. It features over 6 million lights, 30 displays and much more on 1.5 mile driving trail.

Celebrate “Iron Mountain Christmas” during Iron Mountain Lodge & Marina in Arkadelphia through December 31. The event features over 2 million lights.

By now you know it’s true that things are larger-than-life in Texas, including light displays. The town of Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights as 7 million lights (125,000 of those adorn the courthouse alone) and holds the distinction of being one of the largest Christmas celebrations in the nation. The event runs through December 31.

You’ll find a little bit of everything plus lights at Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail. 11 towns in Hill Country participate including Fredericksburg, Llano, New Braunfels and Johnson City. The lights last through January 1, 2009.

Bastrop’s River of Lights is set up from Fisherman’s Park to Ferry Park. The whole trail is glowing with lighted displays.

Even the unwelcome visit of Hurricane IKE couldn’t stop the 11th Annual Dickinson Festival of Lights at Paul Hopkins Park, November 29 - December 31. The entire community helps with the displays (over a million lights) and festivities.

There is a surprise at the end of the trail on the 11th Annual EmilyAnn Theatre’s Trail of Lights in Wimberley. The pathway, decorated with lighted exhibits, leads to the Christmas tree. Not only that, but also while you are on this hill, you are treated to a 360-degree view of Wimberley Valley. The event runs November 29 - January 1, 2009.

Don’t miss Christmas in the Park in Cuero. This driving tour lasts through January 1.

Enjoy walking through Gonzales Pioneer Village as it’s decorated in lights of all kinds. Don’t miss out on the other activities going on as well. This event takes places on November 28-29, December 5-6 and 12-13.

Drive along the route during the Grayson County Holiday Lights in Denison. Set in Loy Lake Park, this free event concludes on December 26.

In Louisiana, you can celebrate “Christmas Wonderland in the Pines” in Jonesboro. The over 5 million little lights are lit on November 29. The event runs through January 1.

One of the other stops along the Holiday Trail of Lights is Christmas in Roseland (PDF file). Taking place at the American Rose Center in Shreveport, it features a lot of lights entertainment and much more. This ends on December 26.

The Safari of Lights takes place nightly at the Zoo of Acadiana in Broussard on November 28-29, and then December 5 - 30. It features over 30 lighted displays.

Beginning on December 1 is New Iberia’s Christmas in the Park at New Iberia’s City park. You have the opportunity to walk or drive through to see the lights.

In Mississippi, half a million lights set to Christmas music will adorn numerous exhibits at Central Park during Southern Lights in Southaven.

If you are looking for lights in Alabama, the Christmas on the River in Demopolis is a week long festival that begins on November 30 and ends on December 6. During that time, not only can you see lights on the river, but there are other events, such as candlelit tours of antebellum homes and more.

In Tuscumbia, the Christmas Light and Water Show features lights and dancing spouts of water, jettison 150 feet in the air, all set to Christmas music. This free events at Spring Park concludes at the end of December.

It’s all about the lights during Bellingrath’s Magic Christmas in Lights. With over 3 million lights on over 800 displays, the garden is transformed into magical place.  After you stroll through the gardens, don’t miss the home that is decorated for the season. Located in Theodore, the lights conclude on December 31.

In Tennessee, you’ll find, Christmas on the Cumberland in Clarksville has over a million twinkle lights. Set in McGregor Park Riverwalk, it includes various scenes and displays. This ends on January 1, 2009.

Don’t miss your chance to drive on “The World’s Fastest Half Mile” at