US Airways - April 2014 - (Page 38)

pristine, these habitats conjure a vision of primeval nature, where you could glimpse a rare Florida panther through the palmettos. At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, named for a soaring dune that ships once used as a beacon, most people head for the inviting, three-mile-long beach. That leaves dune-framed Campbell Lake largely deserted. "This looks like it did a thousand years ago," Topsail's park services specialist Jeff Talbert observes. "We have a lot of herons and ducks and birds that spend the winter here, like Northern tourists." The amount of public land offers ample territory for what staffers at the visitor center on U.S. Highway 98 call "ecosploring." Of course, you don't have to visit a park to jog or stroll on the beach. Or to bike along the paved path that runs the length of 30A. Even if your idea of outdoor activity is hoisting a beer at Bud & Alley's rooftop bar, where they ring an antique ship's bell when the sun slips into the sea, the area's natural beauty captivates. It inspires local artists such as Allison Wickey, who shows worthy work (including her own) at her eponymous gallery in Seacrest Beach. "This is kind of a mystical place," she muses. "Our sand is made of quartz, which is a healing stone. I like to imagine and paint it the way it looked before people came, before manmade structures were here." For design-savvy visitors, manmade structures are a big part of South Walton's appeal. The area is 38 APRIL 2014 usairwaysmag.com http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - April 2014

Table of Contents
Perspective: CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know
Hot Spots: Bars and Restaurants with a View
Connections: Everybody's Business
Golf: Michigan
Gatherings: Grandover Resort, North Carolina
Gear Up: Travel Gear
Style Spotlight: Derby Duds
Great Escapes: Paladium Resorts
Great Tastes: Bonefish Grill
Travel Feature: Highway 30A, Florida
US Airways Feature: oneworld alliance
Make-A-Wish
Charlotte USA
Best of Living: Reef Residences
Santa Barbara: Culture Redefined
Best of Health: Miami Beach Foot & Ankle Surgery
Must Read: The Critical First Years of Your Professional Life
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Audio Entertainment
Video Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
oneworld alliance
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - April 2014