Pensacola Beach Undressed

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18

Aragon Tour and Wine Tasting

Aragon Tour and Wine Tasting – Couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for the the downtown Pensacola neighborhood, Aragon, to hold their fifth annual tour and wine tasting. Aragon is a pedestrian-oriented urban neighborhood integrating Pensacola’s rich history and embracing its architectural past. Aragon is in the center of Pensacola’s historic district, a short walk to downtown and Pensacola Bay.

Aragon features a wide variety of home styles aranged around parks and tree-lined sidewalks. Most homes have hidden courtyards filled with lush gardens like the one above.

A French style courtyard is a common site in this centrally located neighborhood. Seven homes were open for the tour this year.

To read a post on another popular downtown Pensacola neighborhood click on the title below:

Charming East Hill

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17

Pensacola Through Their Eyes

I have friends coming to visit in a couple of weeks and as I was driving to my office today I couldn’t help but look at things as I imagine they will see them. What will they think about my hometown? Will they love it as I do?

My drive to my beach office is about 14 miles with little to no traffic, so a short commute by most standards. I’m heading west, so on MANY Tuesday and Wednesday mornings – if I hit the road early enough – I am rewarded with a SPECTACULAR sight; the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team the Blue Angels taking to the skies with the sun illuminating them from behind me.

Now, I grew up here and I’m the wife of a Navy man, so seeing the Blue Angels isn’t anything new to me. But, I have to admit that no matter how many times I’ve seen them – up close or at a distance – my heart starts racing and I feel the goose bumps rising. I can’t explain it, but when I see that diamond formation of gleaming blue jets turning in tight formation I’m WOWED. Every time, no fail!

So I make a mental note to check the Blues’ practice schedule so, hopefully, I can take my friends to NAS Pensacola for a closer look.

On my trek to work I pass through the Naval Live Oaks Area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. From the highway my view is simply woodlands and a bike path, but I know that a quick turn off Highway 98 will lead me into a quiet preserve of live oaks, with a trail to walk and miles of beach to explore. This might make a great jaunt with my friends.

As I drive along toward the office I take a turn south and head over the Bob Sikes Bridge. Now, I can’t use the word SPECTACULAR twice in one post so I will have to term this one PHENOMINAL. As I crest the bridge I look out on Santa Rosa Island (Pensacola Beach) with the clear blue- green waters of the Gulf of Mexico pressed against the bright, white sand of the beach. Below me is the Santa Rosa Sound. I always – rain or shine – make sure I turn the radio off so I can take it all in.

That’s it for my drive to work, but my friends will surely need to see historic downtown Pensacola, the Blackwater River State Park, Scenic Highway, Perdido Key and well . . . it’s looking like I will l have to work on keeping them here for more than a week!

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15

Pensacola Beach Undressed, it’s all about the exposure

Pensacola Beach Undressed. Yes, undressed. As in stripped down, exposed, bare. But don’t get the wrong idea! This site is G rated to be sure. Pensacola Beach Undressed is a place to find - and share - information about just what’s really going on in the Greater Pensacola Bay Area. The bare facts, so to speak. From upcoming festivals to real estate statistics to the latest happenings at the local government level, Pensacola Beach Undressed is here to expose the very best characteristics of our area neighborhoods, promoting the unique qualities we know and love about Pensacola.

While we’re part of the larger network of NeighborhoodsUndressed, this is our local blog, hosted by none other than little ‘ol me, Robin Sherman. Those of you who know me personally know that I like to talk, so learning that I like to write won’t be a big stretch for you. I hope you’ll check in here often. Please comment. Please share. This is an informal place so let’s undress it! After all, it IS all about the exposure.