The Florida Panhandle

White Sandy Beaches

Let’s Get Things Started!

Welcome to our first blog post of 2026! With one full year of trailer travel under our belt, we are having a blast and are excited to share our first adventure in what we hope will be another fun year.

Over the next two months, we will be escaping a cold, KC winter while traveling the entire coast line of Florida. We are starting in the panhandle before heading down the gulf coast (that would be the Gulf of Mexico for anyone keeping track) to the Keys, and then working our way back up the Altantic side. We will follow up Florida with a visit to a few other Southeastern cities, before heading home. At the end of this trip, we will have checked off four more National Parks and a handful of states. So buckle up, and we hope you will come along for the ride.

Grayton Beach/30A

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

When in the Florida panhandle, we normally stay in Inlet Beach, but this time we decided to check out Grayton Beach and, specifically, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This is a beautiful 1640-acre park offering pristine beaches, freshwater coastal dune lakes, old-growth longleaf pine forests, and wetlands. There is an abundance of wildlife in the park, including countless deer (which we saw daily) and three alligators (which we thankfully only heard about). Reportedly, the gators range from 2 to14 feet in length! So, those signs that say “Caution…alligators live here” ARE FOR REAL!!

While the weather was unseasonably cool, we still got to enjoy a lot of outdoor time. We sat at the beach a few times enjoying the sun, sand and views, and took advantage of some of the nice hiking trails that run through the park. We also got to break-in our new bikes including a 20-mile ride one day. One of the highlights was enjoying lunch at the Shrimp Shack while overlooking the beautiful waters of the gulf! One final shout-out for a new restaurant in Grayton Beach called Beignets and Brew. They offer beignets in a wide variety of flavors with Christina’s personal favorite being the cinnamon sugar. Can you say YUMMY?

Eden Gardens State Park

Wesley House

We made time to visit some of our favorites spots (i.e Inlet, Rosemary, and Alys Beaches) along highway 30A, but also found someplace new! Eden Garden State Park is a wonderful place rich in history and beauty and located off Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach. The centerpiece of the park is an 1897 mansion, formerly owned by lumber tycoon William Henry Wesley, that is available for tours. You can also explore the grounds on your own which will allow you to enjoy several different mini-ecosystems that exist within the boundaries of the park. There is a fun little area dedicated to the Camellia flower with dozens of different varieties on display.

All in all, this was yet another enjoyable visit to this part of Florida. This place is truly a gem!