Ol' Timers' & Natives Sowal Spring Memories

What I remember of Santa Rosa Beach as a teenager was that it was incredibly boring. In the winter, there was nothing going on, no traffic, all the beach houses were empty, theves would break in to them and stay a couple of weeks. There was nothing to the west on 98 until you got to the Green Knight.

I sometimes miss boring...

FloridaGirl is correct; as a teenager, it was incredibly boring by most people's standards. However, we were pretty successful at making our own funn. ;-)

One thing that stands out in my mind is that, if I was going somewhere with anyone other than my immediate family, it was very difficult to get anybody to come pick me up. My home then is where my home is now...except back then, it required about three miles of dirt road. How things have changed!

Looks like some of ya'll locals live in that magical PW area. :cool: So when did your road get paved?
I love Eden Gardens and the little nature trail too. Shhhh...seems like no one is ever on it. ;-) I sooo wanna bring our canoe sometime and get back in that water. Where would be some of the best canoe places? How about Morrison Springs? Are there any other springs in Walton County?Sure would :wub: a piece of property in the country with a little spring on it down there somewhere. Just wonder how much the state paid for that little piece of heaven? :idontno:

The Reagan Era. Back in the 1980s, I spent my first week on the emerald shores of the Gulf Coast. It took residence in my heart from that day forward. Senior year spring break was spent in Fort Walton Beach. My best friend and I drove down by ourselves. We felt so liberated without adults around.

Shortly I became a Seminole, and I would leave FSU's campus on a sunny Friday afternoon to drive three hours to Seaside. It was just a baby back then, lol -- the Sundog Bookstore was a narrow trailer-like structure with screens for ventilation. The outdoor stage was just a dirt area.

Dozens of trips I took to little nooks and crannies beyond the tourist areas of the Gulf -- Port St Joe, Cape San Blas, St George Island, Mexico Beach. What a pristine, unadulterated place it was, and still is, compared to some other US beaches.

I remember the Oaks Restaurant near Panacea, a rural gulf coast fishing village. There I ate unshelled oysters served in a large bowl. Visual appeal was not a priority with world-class Appalachiacola oysters -- they sold themselves on the taste alone. I topped them with cocktail sauce, and it was well with my soul.

I could never afford to rent a condo or a beach house at SoWal. Even a hotel room is too much in high season. But I do have my own private room I can always afford: my tent at the Grayton Beach State Recreational Area. I can stay for a week for the price of two nights at a hotel. And I sleep under the stars with an ensemble of frogs, crickets, and waves singing me to sleep.

Looks like some of ya'll locals live in that magical PW area. :cool: So when did your road get paved?
I love Eden Gardens and the little nature trail too. Shhhh...seems like no one is ever on it. ;-) I sooo wanna bring our canoe sometime and get back in that water. Where would be some of the best canoe places? How about Morrison Springs? Are there any other springs in Walton County?Sure would :wub: a piece of property in the country with a little spring on it down there somewhere. Just wonder how much the state paid for that little piece of heaven? :idontno:

I'm thinking that East Point Washington from Bay Drive to Dick Saltsman Rd was paved about 10, maybe 12 years ago. My son is 14 and I know it wasn't paved when he was born (I'm in labor, and Fuzz hits every pot hole and tater ridge he can find to hit on the way out!). The rest of my road is being prepped for paving now, which has made things very dusty, plus all the clearing and digging seems to have the rattlesnakes stirred up :creepy:.

I can't think of any other springs in Walton County that would be suitable for canoeing, other than Morrison...and even then, it (and Vortex Springs in Holmes County) is more famous for swimming and diving. There is a place called Natural Bridge in Northen Walton County, but I don't know much about it. I adore Eden as well; there is a little "branch" behind Eden that you could probably go a little way in, but I personally would be afraid of snakes and alligators. You'd have to put the canoe in at the end of Hwy 395.

As for what it cost...you'd have to ask my uncles. :cool:

...all the clearing and digging seems to have the rattlesnakes stirred up :creepy:.

...go a little way in, but I personally would be afraid of snakes and alligators. You'd have to put the canoe in at the end of Hwy 395.

As for what it cost...you'd have to ask my uncles. :cool:

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: Think I'll just try that river boat tour first, thanks for the advice, SN. :bow: The Natural Bridge sounds :cool: . Wonder whereabout? Is there a spring there too?

Rick's Run a Ground

😱 Yikes! Have not heard that one in awhile!

Wow that does go back a long (long) time!

How about the saying on Rick's tshirts?
'I got wrecked at Rick's' Pretty good times for sure.

Mark from Cali

OMG..Diamond Jim's.....I bartended for Jim Howell (1988) who developed One Seagrove Place. My husband at the time leased to own the building from Jim and created the Island Grill.

The place was robbed and torched, but the building survived and the locals all pitched in to get it reopened (no insurance)....we had many fire brewed parties getting it open again.

Old man Mac was a staple...Mac Shelfer... a retired 1st seargant...what a guy....we all loved him.

We gave One Seagrove fits about the music and the cops were there quite a bit...LOL. We were the pioneers of getting in trouble for loud music. Then there was a lady named "the Titty Lady", she could not keep her clothes on.

We grew up near the "Boy Scout Camp" in Dune Allen. We used it as a short cut to get to friends houses and it was sooo spooky. Never, ever walk thru there alone!!!

The brightly colored houses in the brick yard back then were Mr. Heperle's houses that he rented out to unsuspecting tourists...kind of like the Bates Hotel. He was the advertiser for young women to work for him for room, board and whatever he could get. He eventually either shot or beat up a renter and went to jail. We were terrified of him as kids. Looking back, our radar was right on the mark.

OMG..Diamond Jim's.....I bartended for Jim Howell (1988) who developed One Seagrove Place. My husband at the time leased to own the building from Jim and created the Island Grill.

The place was robbed and torched, but the building survived and the locals all pitched in to get it reopened (no insurance)....we had many fire brewed parties getting it open again.

Old man Mac was a staple...Mac Shelfer... a retired 1st seargant...what a guy....we all loved him.

We gave One Seagrove fits about the music and the cops were there quite a bit...LOL. We were the pioneers of getting in trouble for loud music. Then there was a lady named "the Titty Lady", she could not keep her clothes on.

I forgot about Mac. What a great guy! Good memories.

Remember this bumper sticker?

Remember this bumper sticker?

I lost my parts on Chat Holley......lol​

:lolabove: For sure!

Anybody remember seacrestkristi? 😀