Lifestyle – Forgotten Coast Fun

When Visiting the Forgotten Coast, Don’t Forget to Look Up

Admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 01:40:00 +0000

The Forgotten Coast is a paradise for birdwatchers. With its coastlines, forests, rivers, and bays, the Forgotten Coast is home, or at least a temporary home, to an incredible variety of birds, including bald eagles, osprey, falcons, warblers, herons, egrets, owls, cardinals, and so many more.

Winter is an excellent time for spotting many species of water birds, including ducks and loons and other water birds enjoy the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Coast.

Some of the best spots for birding on the Forgotten Coast include St. George Island State Park, Bald Point State Park, Old Carrabelle Beach, and the entire town of Apalachicola.

The Forgotten Coast is home to a wide variety of beautiful birds

These Beaches Were Made for Walking…

Admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 12:19:15 +0000

While the beaches of the Forgotten Coast are breathtaking to view, they are also perfect for exploring on foot. The views are always changing as you are treated to a wide variety of birds, as well as dolphins, along with an occasional shark or ray.

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Even though walking in sand is more difficult, beach strollers tend to walk for a longer time because of the beauty of their surroundings.

Take time to explore the quiet beauty of the Forgotten Coast’s beaches on foot. Not only are you doing something healthy for your body, but your spirit as well.

Health Benefits of Walking on the Beach:

The texture of the sand forces your muscles and tendons work over twice as hard as walking on a hard, flat surface
Has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation
Strengthens muscles and tendons in the legs and feet
Burns significantly more calories than walking on a flat surface
The sand exfoliates the dead skin from your feet as you walk
Your body will use the sunlight to produce Vitamin D
Strolling barefoot has many benefits, but for longer walks be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes to avoid potential shin splints and heel tendon pain.
Since so many of our beaches are pet-friendly, it’s a great way to get exercise with your pup.

Walking on sand can be quite beneficial for your health. However, as with any new physical activity, you want to start slowly and increase your distance walked over time. Even walking can lead to injury if you go for too long or try to go for too great a distance before your muscles are ready.

Best Places to Walk on the Beach Along the Forgotten Coast

St. George Island
Cape San Blas
Mexico Beach
Dog Island
St. Joe Beach

A Visit to the Forgotten Coast is a Great Way to Increase Vitamin D Levels

Admin — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 12:15:00 +0000

Have you been feeling tired or lethargic lately? You may be low on Vitamin D. Since your body makes this essential vitamin when skin is exposed to the UVB rays of the sun, the Forgotten Coast provides an excellent place to boost your Vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins for good health. Because it helps the human body use calcium from the diet, it is essential for strong bones. While it has many roles in the body, instructing the cells in the gut to absorb calcium and phosphorus is one of Vitamin D’s most essential functions.

Humans obtain vitamin D from sunlight and the food we eat. However, some people, including those with darker skin and those over the age of 65,are more at risk for being deficient in Vitamin D. While most people with a deficiency don’t experience symptoms, in extreme cases a lack of vitamin D can lead brittle, thin bones in a condition called rickets. With rickets the bone tissue fails to properly mineralize, which results in soft bones, in addition to skeletal deformities. Research continues to reveal that Vitamin D plays a major role in protecting the body against a number of health problems.

If you live in northern latitudes, are homebound, or wear head coverings or long robes for religious purposes, you may need to add more vitamin D-rich foods to your diet or take a supplement like cod liver oil. Some foods rich in Vitamin D include salmon, swordfish, cod liver oil, canned tuna, beef liver, egg yolks, sardines.

The Forgotten Coast of Florida is a great place to visit when you want to increase your Vitamin D levels. Hundreds of miles of beaches and trails, along with unforgettably quaint downtown areas and riverfront boardwalks provide perfect ways to spend time in the Florida sun.

Midday is the best time for being in the sun to boost Vitamin D. Remember to limit time in the sun and be sure to use protection when you aren’t trying to boost your Vitamin D levels. You should also consult your doctor for medical advice before making major health-related changes.

Vitamin D is known as the “Sunshine Vitamin” because when skin is exposed to the UVB rays of the sun, the body makes Vitamin D from cholesterol in the skin.

Serious Health Consequences Linked to Low Vitamin D Levels

Osteoporosis
Cancer
Depression
Muscle weakness
Death

Lighthouse Full Moon Climbs on March 9th & 10th

Admin — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 06:02:00 +0000

In the mood to do something different? The Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will host its monthly “Full Moon Climb” on March 9, 2020 from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm. The price of admission is $15 for the general public and $10 for the members of the St. George Lighthouse Association, which includes water and finger foods.

Since space is limited, reservations are recommended. For reservations or more information, please contact the Lighthouse Gift Shop at 850-927-7745.

The Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle will host a Full Moon and Sunset Lighthouse Climb on March 10, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm at the lighthouse park at Carrabelle Beach. Visitors can climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast, Crooked River Lighthouse, to see breathtaking views of the bay under the glow of the sunset and the rising Full Worm Moon.

At March’s Full Moon event, the Crooked River Lighthouse will have live entertainment. Enjoy this opportunity to see the gorgeous natural surroundings of the St. George Sound, Carrabelle Beach, and Dog Island, under the night sky at this special Crooked River Lighthouse evening climb.

The museum and gift shop will also be open for guests’ enjoyment. All climbers must be 44 inches tall.

Crooked River Lighthouse is located in Carrabelle, just west of the Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle. For more information, contact the Museum and Gift Shop at 850-697-2732, carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com or https://www.crookedriverlighthouse.com/. Reservations appreciated but not required.

The March full moon was called the Worm Moon by Native Americans because it corresponded with the time that earthworms would begin to emerge from thawing soils. Tribes would name the moons to mark the changing of seasons.

Fresh Spring Styles Await at Local Boutiques

Admin — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:10:23 +0000

The cold winter will soon be just a memory, so there’s no better time to start thinking about new looks for spring. The Forgotten Coast has a laid-back, beachy style all its own and no one captures it better than the folks at Walter Green Port St. Joe and Apalach Outfitters. Forgotten Coast style is feminine and flirty, but never fussy.

Apalach Outfitters has the Spring Styles You Love

Stop into one of our local boutiques today and leave with a fresh new style for spring!

This ensemble from Walter Green Port St Joe is perfect for a Spring evening on the Forgotten Coast

Winter on the Forgotten Coast

Admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:36:51 +0000

After a busy summer and brisk fall season, the Forgotten Coast of Florida is preparing for winter. The spectacular sunsets compensate for the cooler temperatures and shorter days. The pace slows down as the area settles into its quiet time. As winter temperatures drop, we welcome our northern friends fleeing the frigid weather for the inviting shores of the Gulf Coast.

Whether you fancy a walk on the beach or just relaxing in the winter sunshine, the shorter winter days are filled with a peaceful sort of fun. The crowds are gone and it feels like you have the area’s world-famous beaches all to yourself.