One of the most beautiful beaches in the world…

My family went on vacation to San Destin, FL and, since we were near by, decided to go see what’s advertised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world…we intended to see.

as our car bobbed and weaved through the sand dunes, I affirmed that there wasn’t too much special about this place yet. Scruffy brush and brown grass spread before a blue sky characterized our view. We rolled gently to a stop next to the bright white ticket stand where a man welcomed us to the park trading our money for his smile and pointed us to our destination. With a turn to the right we were in the parking lot and swiftly found a space to stop. I stretched and yawned as I slid out of the car and surveyed my surroundings. The concrete jungle where cars live surrounded me about the size of a basketball court, but beyond that the sand dunes rose up and down, up and down, a series of shrunken mountains.

A single wooden bridge snaked its way through the dunes creating a graceful arch into the dunes and then hugged a corner where the eye beckoned the spirit to follow. And there lay redemption.

As I rounded that first corner the sun burst in all its glory from behind a sand studded hill. The wooden bridge is supported by piers so one feels as if they glide while trailing through the plump mountains. The dunes are sprinkled with life abundantly, different shades of greens and gold waving and flowing as you continue your winding way to your destination. And then you smell it. The salt of the sea.

As you approach the final straightaway, shadows cast by dunes guarding each side, you see the line of blue on the horizon growing closer and closer and closer and closer until finally you are released from the dunes into the light. And you see the journey was worth it.

Standing on that final goodbye of wood, you are greeted by the sand and the ocean and the sky and as your gaze wanders to the right, you see the sand and the water receding in a perfect 1-point perspective to the town in the distance. Turning to your left the same transpires. The day is glorious. And as you sink your toes into the warm sand you feel a rush of joy. Walking to the mid point between the bridge going back and the ocean going forward you receive the distinct impression of standing in a globe and you are the center. And as the sun sets in the distance you realize this is a little bit of heaven.