Beach Beyond
HEAD DOWN TO FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST (ALSO
KNOWN AS 30A) FOR MORE THAN JUST FUN IN THE SUN
MAKE SOMETHING
Who knew working with glass pieces could be
an art form (and so fun)? The Shard Shop
(locations in Grayton Beach and Destin), where
visitors make their own mosaic art involves
selecting glass pieces and arranging them into a
3-D painting. And don’t worry; the workers
there can give lots of help and provide stencils
to get everyone going. The art is then covered in
resin to hold the pieces in place, and picked up
the next day. Classes range from $40 for
children to $85 for adults.
Other options: Get the whole family
involved in an Instagram-worthy sand-castle,
thanks to some professional help. The folks at
Beach Sand Sculptures help create structures up
to four feet tall during the two-hour lesson,
with lesson one covering how much water is
needed for ideal castle-building materials.
Prices start at $220.
THE
BY LISA MOWRY
We all head there for the sugar-white sand and turquoise water,
but there’s oh so much more to those beaches six hours south. For one thing, there’s not
just one beach community to lure us, but a wide stretch of tempting places to explore.
Whether you call the area 30A, South Walton or the Emerald Coast, this section of
coastline along the Gulf Coast has around 30 miles of oceanfront property, and that
includes 16 different neighborhoods. From the Miramar Beach/Sandestin area to the
west over to Santa Rosa, Grayton Beach, Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach
(with more in between), that’s a lot of places to explore. Once you’re there, consider
these alternative activities to complement time at the beach.
Below: Large containers
full of glass, rocks, and
other small objects add
a sparkle to DIY mosaic
art at The Shard Shop, a
place for all ages to
make an artistic
souvenir to take home.
A resin coating holds
everything in place and
adds a shimmery finish.
PHOTO LISA MOWRY
20 COBB LIFE | APRIL 2020