We spent a total of five nights at Rocky Bayou State Park, our first visit to this beautiful state park. The weather wasn’t the best, cloudy, cool and even cold at times. We did have a few hours, here and there, of sunshine!
Rocky Bayou State Park is located in Niceville, Florida, just over the Mid Bay Bridge from Destin and a few miles from Fort Walton Beach. Most of the RV sites, in the park, are either sand or gravel. The sites facing Rocky Bayou are the largest. We stayed in site 33, which was huge and from our front window we could see the Bayou. The park offers something for everyone: there are several very nice nature trails, birding and butterfly watching and you can rent kayaks to paddle around in the bayou. Lots to do in the park!
The only negative aspect of staying at Rocky, for some people, might be the training flights from Eglin Air Force Base and ammunition detonation, which are very loud and can be heard and felt within the park. I don’t think they train everyday, perhaps every other day!
It did take “the girls” a day or two of adjustment ! It really didn’t bother us too much. We tried not to react to the loud noise so they would stay calm. On one occasion, the noise was tremendous and unexpected and I did react with a few choice words; well that set the girls off – barking their heads off. They really don’t bark or react to things, but they reacted to my outburst this time!!
We did travel a few times over the Mid Bay Bridge to Destin, which by the way cost $3.00 each way. I have to say the beaches in Destin are beautiful. The sand is white and the landscape pristine.
I really enjoyed our walks on the beach; however, I didn’t enjoy the commercialization of the area. Way too crowded for us! Returning to the park, after being in the congestion, was truly appreciated and brought back a sense of peace.
On one of our outings over the Mid Bay Bridge we drove through Henderson State Park, which was beautiful; a must stay on a return trip. We also drove through Top Sail Preserve State Park/Gregory E, Moore RV Resort, which was in a very nice location, but we felt was too crowded for us. The cost to stay at this park is $47.00 a night plus tax!!
We enjoyed a couple of nice lunches at local restaurants, some grocery shopping at Fresh Market (what a selection of fresh fish and seafood they have) and our visit to the Air Force Museum was fabulous! Four days probably wasn’t enough time to get a feel for the area.
A few additional photos from our visit.
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The Gulf Beaches
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Sunlight on the WaterSand DunesPristine sandGulf WavesHere come the Lifeguards!All decked out!Pelicans in FlightA PierWildlife and Habitat protection areaThe Bay Side
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The Woods
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A hiking path at Rocky Bayou State ParkThis stuff covers the forest floor.Moss and Ferns
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The Park
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Boat Ramp and Pier
We enjoyed our first visit to Rocky Bayou State Park and will return! We are currently staying, a few nights, at a state park in Alabama (yes, we have finally traveled out of the state of Florida!) called Meaher State Park, which is located in Spanish Fort (near Mobile). This is our first time to stay at this state park and our first day has been wonderful!
~Brown Thrasher~reddish-brown above, streaked below, yellow eye and down-curved bill
Added to my Birding Life List in January of 1988~
Brown Thrasher
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“I’am trying to hide”
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This Brown Thrasher was a frequent visitor to a wooded area near our campsite. I was delighted to see this bird and amused watching it hunt for food. At times it looked like a jack-hammer, repeatedly stretching upward and then coming down pounding the ground with its large bill. At times you would see dead leaves and pine needles flying in all directions as it sweep the forrest floor with its curved bill.
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Jack-hammer Thrash
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A nice view showing its streaked body and white-wing bars
If you are interested in learning more about the Brown Thrasher, please visit this web-site or any other birding web-site:
It can be tricky to glimpse a Brown Thrasher in a tangled mass of shrubbery, and once you do you may wonder how such a boldly patterned, gangly bird could stay so hidden. Brown Thrashers wear a somewhat severe expression thanks to their heavy, slightly downcurved bill and staring yellow eyes, and they are the only thrasher species east of Texas. Brown Thrashers are exuberant singers, with one of the largest repertoires of any North American songbird. (description as taken from All About Birds)
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Enjoy Birdwatching!
It can be entertaining as well as educational!
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Just as I am! Every Friday you may participate in Feathers on Friday at Prairie Birder.
A few scenes from our walk this morning in Rocky Bayou State Park near Niceville, Florida. The weather here has been cold, but the expected rain has been delayed!
ReflectionGreat Blue HeronStream Restoration A habitat once destroyed is coming back to life!This is what the stream currently looks likeAnother viewSheila and Howard being goofy. Standing on the bridge crossing the stream. Looking straight down into the waterGreat Egret fishing in the streamGreat EgretSee ya!A colorful mushroom growing on the forrest floorMoss covered fallen treeBlooming Water LilyBeginning to bloomGreat Blue HeronOur front yard for a few days!Our back yardOur Side View
We enjoyed our day today: an early morning walk through a beautiful forrest; a wonderful lunch at a family restaurant, which opened in 1954; and a visit to the Air Force Armament Museum.
Fighter pilots, flying overhead near the museum, truly entertained me this afternoon during their practice runs. They were flying the new F35 fighter jets! Take off, landing, take off – over and over again! Hopefully my photos came out and I will be able to share with you what they look like!
For some reason these pinecones, stopped by other vegetation from falling to the ground, caught my eye. They are Longleaf Pine tree, pinecones. Big!
A very young Longleaf Pine Notice the looong needles!All grown up Tall, straight and strong, the Longleaf Pine!Mixed in with the Longleaf Pines – the Turkey OakA Stink Bug crossing the roadRed-bellied WoodpeckerWhite-throated SparrowCarolina Jasmine Vine Almost ready to bloom“Want to race Kloudy”, Skye asks“I.am trying, I have shorter legs you know”“I give up”“I’am tried, after my big race” Kloudy“Mom, will you come get this pine needle out of my way” Skye
Photos taken March, 2014 (1st/2nd) at Blackwater River State Park. These are a few of my remaining photos from our visit.
Today, we drove about forty miles to Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, Florida. It was a short and pleasant ride! After setting up and walking the girls, we drove out of the peaceful, treed park looking for some Florida seafood. We stopped at a small restaurant called the Big Fish Grill, which overlooked a marina and enjoyed a delicious late lunch.
We decided after lunch to take a drive. We drove a big loop through Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Destin arriving back at the park. Whew, lots of traffic, shopping centers, restaurants and high-rise hotels and condominiums!
Before we leave this area, heading west, I want to walk on the beach. I remember visiting Fort Walton Beach with my Mom and younger sister when we were kids; Dad always stayed home. We spent some fun vacations here swimming in the gulf. It sure is different from what I remember; of course that was a long time ago!
Tonight will be chilly, low of 37. Tomorrow we plan to visit an Air Force museum.
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