Annie Lee the Argosy Update No. 023

 Top Sail Hill Preserve State Park

Santa Rosa, Florida

  

WARNING - this post could be very photo heavy - 

I'll try to edit it, though - 

  

This was our 2nd [3rd?] vintage event with Tin Can Tourists and it was a little different with the social distancing protocol in place. 

 

Meaning - due to our desire to continue social distancing as much as possible we had few opportunities to meet new people. 

But we did enjoy visiting with other [vintage] camper friends that we knew prior to this event.

So. Top Sail Hill- 

Y'all know we've camped the entire 35 + years of our married life, right?

Well, funny story - back in the day when this campground was private we tried to camp here in our little pop-up and we were turned away because it was limited to the big rigs... so we are so happy to see that it is now a public park 

and available to everyone! 

It's a BIG campground that is about a mile / half from the private beach.

The tram wasn't running due to the pandemic, so it was fun to ride scooters to the beach several times a day...

And I always hate to admit it - but Florida's water is just prettier.

There. I said it.

They're called the emerald coast for a reason.

Just beautiful.

Even when it was flat as pancake - 

as it was during most of our time here...

The wild and wonderful beaches of Top Sail were just gorgeous! 

And even though many campers rode their bikes to the beach it never felt crowded.

We also enjoyed exploring a few trails throughout the park...

loved the flowers and trees that we went through while getting to the beach - 

And we even spotted a deer one morning...

But nary a gator... or a bear - 

despite some signs warning of them!

  

I've made no secret that I love {{LOVE}} sunrise on the beach 

so we set our alarms one morning and got up early enough to get there just as the sun was peeking over the dunes...

There's just something magical about being on a deserted beach 

as God gives us another day!

And of course, you can't be in the Destin area without going to the Donut Hole.

And we can assure you - there was no social distancing there, 

so we got ours and ate in the car. ha.

Our campsite was spacious... and we had enough room to put our screen room towards the back with our table [camp kitchen] in front. In the past we had a cute outdoor set-up for Lottie Scotty, so I thought #AnnieLeetheArgosy needed a little decor since she's been in to the beauty shop.

I put the leftover wallpaper on the inside of the door one afternoon while we were there. It's temporary, but I'm loving the pop of color it gives!

The weather was WONDERFUL while we were there so 

we ate most every meal outside.

I loved our set-up with the sheer curtains [for a bit of privacy] and lights around the top [these will be switched to clear after October.]

On our last evening we stepped outside to go watch a ball game at some friends' site and we could see the glow of

THE MOST GORGEOUS SUNSET.

So, change of plans!

We  scooted down to the beach to capture it in all of its glory!

You can see the water just across the dunes...

It was a perfect way to end our stay at Top Sail Hill! 

But of course we had to go back to the beach the morning we left  -

[It's so hard for me to say goodbye to the beach! True story: once, when I was a kid it was so hard for me to say goodbye to the beach that our dad stopped at public beaches along the way for me to get out "one more time" until the beaches were no longer in site. - In retrospect, I bet he was looking for a way inland the entire time, lol.]

The good news: 

We saw some waves!

I could listen to that sound all day long!

[Under shade, with SPF 125 - ha.]

On the way to our next destination we stopped at a Shrimp Basket that had a HUGE covered patio and sat outside and ate our fill of shrimp.

Always good - and definitely a beach tradition for us.

And I couldn't resist taking an[other] photo of Annie Lee

because I just think she's SO PRETTY y'all.

My review: We will definitely be here again. It's the best of both worlds - a great campsite, and beautiful secluded beach! Bath houses were clean and well maintained. Internet and cable were good. 

It's close enough to touristy things and stores to pick up needed items.