Eden Gardens

IN A SOMEWHAT SECLUDED SPOT, not far from the coastline of northwest Florida, is a place of quiet contemplation and tranquility - as well as eye-popping natural beauty. Situated on 115 acres of land adjacent to Tucker Bayou - a part of Choctawhatchee Bay - is Eden Gardens State Park. This is a leisure destination which offers an opportunity for real relaxation and enjoyment in "the real Florida."
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Eden Gardens is located between Destin and Panama City Beach. From U.S. Highway 98, County Road 395 North leads to the community of Point Washington, and signs direct visitors to the Park entrance.
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What was once a lumber mill and historic homestead has now become Eden Gardens State Park. In a setting of moss-draped live oak trees - one over 600 years old - an 1895 mansion reminds visitors of a prosperous era before the virgin forests of long leaf pine and cypress were mostly diminished in this part of the state. The mansion, surrounded by lawns and gardens, has been restored and furnished with remarkable antiques and period pieces. A reflection pool provides a glimpse back into time, and numerous flowers provide colorful accents in the nearby gardens.
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An ornamental garden, a butterfly garden, and separate gardens for camellias, azaleas, and roses are all a part of the landscape. The peak bloom season is probably mid-March. Also included on the grounds are fountains, statuary, hiking trails, picnic tables, a seawall, places to fish, and a gift shop located inside the mansion.
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In the early 1890s, the site was literally buzzing with business activity. It was hub of the Wesley Lumber Company. It included a saw mill, a planer mill, and a dry kiln. A dock which stretched out into Tucker Bayou was used for loading lumber on barges for shipment. Some 20 company-owned houses, plus a commissary, were also located on the property. The company was in operation until after World War I. When the lumber mill burned for the third time, it was never re-built. The mansion - called the Wesley House - had 5600 square feet of space, and was occupied by members of the family from 1897 until 1953.
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In 1953 the Wesley House and property were sold by the family. New owners, however, allowed the building and grounds to fall into a state of disrepair over the next ten years. In 1963, Lois Maxon purchased the former Wesley mansion and surrounding land, and a renovation process began. Although Maxon made changes to suit her own needs, she restored the structure and acreage to much of it's original splendor. In 1968 Maxon donated the entire estate to the State of Florida in memory of her parents.
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Eden Gardens State Park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset 365 days a year. The entrance fee is $2 per vehicle. Tours of the Wesley House are available for a small additional fee from 10 to 3 Thursdays through Mondays. Various special events are scheduled each year including an Easter sunrise service and a Christmas candlelight tour. Numerous weddings, family reunions, and picnics are also arranged throughout the year.
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Eden Gardens is one of those special places where many visitors want to return again and again. My wife and I visit the Park several times every winter. It's also a place where we like to take guests who come to our home. Therefore, it's easy for us to suggest this hidden Florida treasure as an ideal leisure destination. Most people we know would be happy to discover Eden Gardens!

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-- In the photo above, the Wesley House is seen in the distance at Eden Gardens State Park.

Port Aransas

AT THE NORTHERN TIP of Mustang Island, and only thirty minutes across the Bay from Corpus Christi, lies the small Texas city of Port Aransas. This lovely beach community provided the ideal leisure destination some years ago for our family's celebration of Christmas - Texas island style!
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My wife and I were on Christmas break from our busy lives on a university campus in southwest Missouri. My parents, who were already retired and wintering in the Rio Grande Valley, were changing their scenery a bit by traveling north several miles to the Gulf Coast city. Our son was taking a few days off from his harried schedule as an attorney in New York. He flew-in to the Corpus Christi airport. Soon after the family came together, all of us knew that Port Aransas was going to be the perfect peaceful spot: close to the water, but away from the crowds.
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Arrangements for lodging were made by our son. The wonderful accommodations - plus several delicious meals - were part of his Christmas gifts to the rest of us. We enjoyed a beautiful beach house, complete with beds and bathrooms enough for all of us. In addition, we had a living room, kitchen, laundry room, wrap-around deck, and even a car port. The house was located in the dunes, but a board walkway - perhaps 30-40 yards long - led directly to the beach. We could see the waters of the Gulf of Mexico from our deck.
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During our week-long stay, we visited and got caught-up on the happenings in each others' lives. We played games. We strolled - and flew kites - on the beach. We toured the city and the surrounding area. We made a couple of trips into Corpus Christi - one using the southern route across the JFK Causeway; the other using the northern route on the ferry. From the ferry we enjoyed watching playful dolphins. We shopped in several boutiques, galleries, and other mom and pop Island stores. We ate some of our meals at the beach house, and we ate other meals out. We enjoyed a variety of restaurants, cafes, and eating establishments. Perhaps our most unique dining experience was at the "Crazy Cajun." The food was great - and the unusual serving techniques will not soon be forgotten!
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Port Aransas is not only a great choice as a destination for the holidays. It also offers a very attractive option as a getaway location on a year-round basis. The city - and Mustang Island - provide miles of beautiful and natural beaches, gentle Gulf breezes, plus a nearly tropical atmosphere much of the year. The average annual temperature is 72 degrees. Great fishing, shelling, birding, and nature activities abound. Kayaking, kite boarding, surfing, boating, jet skiing, para sailing, golfing, horseback riding on the beach, community theatre, and an annual sand fest all give ample opportunity for leisure involvement. Types of housing options include RV park, motel, cottage, bed and breakfast, apartment, beach house, and condo.
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It's always a pleasure to tell others about great leisure experiences and where they may be found. When sharing this kind of information, I'm sometimes asked, "Would you do it again?" The answer to this question, as it pertains to Port Aransas, is a resounding "Yes!" In fact, our family did "do it again." The following year all of us returned: same area; same city; same beach house. And, it was just as marvelous the second year as the first - if not better.
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Viva Port Aransas!

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-- The beach at Port Aransas, Texas is shown in the photo above.