From now on, when I think of Florida, one word will come to mind: October.

My husband and I spent a week there recently, and I can honestly say we saw Destin and the Beaches of South Walton at their best.

I have been visiting the area since I was a girl. I love the spring-break Florida. I am a regular in the pile-the-kids-in-the-car summer vacation Florida. But the laid-back, fabulous-weather fall Florida is a new pleasure for me.

The mornings were crisp and clear, the afternoons hot, but not blistering. The water was pleasant, a bit cool and on some days pretty choppy.  The crowds were non-existant, making a walk through usually packed Seaside even more pleasant. Heck, we even got to eat a late lunch at the Back Porch in Destin without a wait (if you've been there you know.)  

Now, you might say the trip was relaxing because we were sans kids. I didn't even miss my usual Florida jobs - making sure no one drowns, wanders off or gets eaten by a shark. But you'll never convince me that the season wasn't the reason that made Florida shine.