Beachy Keen (11/6/25)

After a fun happy hour last night, a great run on a trail this morning, and a trip to a couple of state parks today, Bob and I are feeling a stronger affinity for this area, although we just can’t get away from those nasty signs.

When Bob and I were walking around yesterday, we saw a nice looking place called Restaurant Paradis that promoted a happy hour from 5-6:00. We decided to go, and the locals were waiting to get in when we got there at 5 which seemed like a good sign. We each had an $8 martini and a nice chat with the bartender who told us about a recent big wine event that had just been held last weekend.

This morning I ran on a trail along scenic highway 30A. It was fun to see the current beach houses as well as those still being built. After breakfast, Bob and I drove a short 2 miles to Camp Helen State Park. The state park is on a site along Lake Powell and the Gulf that originally had a hotel in the 1920s and then became the site of a recreation camp for employees of Avondale Mills between 1945-1987.

The lodge, originally built as a single family home in the 1930s
and then used as to house Avondale Mills’ management
and high level guests.

Looking across Lake Powell to Carillon Beach

Starting out on our short hike on the park’s North Trail.
There was a sign at the trailhead warning us of bears
and to not run, speak calmly, stand tall,
and back away if we saw one.

There was a brochure by the trail
which identified some of the plants along the trail.
We learned that this is deer moss.

One part of the trail ran behind some houses.

A water tower built in the 1930s,
which still stands as a landmark for CampHelen,
as you can see it above the trees from the highway.
You cannot, however, climb up it.

We saw these on our hike to the Gulf.
We did not run, we spoke calmly,
we stood tall and backed slowly away.
It worked — they left us alone!

Another reminder that we are in Florida.

Lots of sand to walk through to get down to the Gulf

Looking across the dunes to some beach houses

Our Airbnb lies in between two state parks, so after leaving Camp Helen State Park, we drove about 6 miles to Deer Lake State Park. This park basically provides public access to the beach (for a $3.00 entry fee) via a long boardwalk. It had the same Gulf of America sign, but this time right in the parking lot.