Parks

October’s crisp mornings and bright blue skies coupled with the arrival of Monarch butterflies and sprouting wild goldenrod make it an ideal time to get outside and explore one of SoWal’s most treasured and often-overlooked resources - Point Washington State Forest.

The forest preserve covers over 15,000 acres in Walton County and includes various opportunities for outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, horseback riding and even hunting.

As a frequent visitor to Eden Gardens State Park, I admit driving down the pot-holed old road to the park could be a trying experience. But I miss the grand entrance that allowed me to enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful first glimpse of the white columned Wesley House with its wraparound porch dotted with rocking chairs.