Editor's P.S.

Southern Living, Jun 2003 by Murphy, Morgan

During the long Friday afternoons of summer, I'm often tempted to duck out of the office early, drop the top on my old gold convertible, and make for a quiet place along the coast.

My favorite coastal spot-Navarre Beach-lies due east of Pensacola, Florida. just a gussied up fishing village, not much goes on here, though part of the movie Jaws was filmed at the local Holiday Inn in the 1970s. It's a nice spot, and summer rates begin at $120 for a standard room, $170 for a gulf-front room. For more information call (850) 939-2321.

What makes Navarre my favorite are the unspoiled beaches, the family-friendly activities, and the city's close proximity to bigger spots such as Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, and Destin for when I get the urge to play miniature golf. You can find out more about Navarre Beach by visiting www.navarrefl.com or by calling the local chamber of commerce at 1-800-480-7263. Good luck out there. -MORGAN MURPHY

There's no better time than right to plant yourself amid the swaying palms and sugary on one of the South's beaches.

Save the Beaches

We give lots of tips on beaches to visit and activities to do at each one, but we also want visitors to our favorite coastal spots to help keep these areas pristine. Oceana, a nonprofit international advocacy organization, offers a fact sheet with 10 steps you can take to keep the oceans clean for everyone.

Many, such as properly disposing of household chemicals, apply to folks far inland too. For more information call toll-free 1-877-762-3262, or visit their Web site at www.oceana.org for a complete list of ideas.

If you're looking for a beach to visit, Florida International University may be a great resource. They've unveiled a Web site, www.nhbc.fiu.edu, listing beaches that have passed their stringent tests for safety, good health, environmental quality, and fun recreation.

By the Numbers

* Number of trips made by Americans to the beach last year: 110 million.

* Cost of the average family jaunt to the beach, excluding transportation: $850.

* Average number of nights folks stay for a vacation at the beach: 5.9.

Best Sign of the South

We're guessing that the Sunrise Surf Shop is a popular spot in Florida. This sign (at right) was snapped by reader Barbara Tomaszewski of Sebastian, Florida, while traveling along A1A.

Reader Tip of the Month Tricia Weir of Terry, Mississippi, wrote and asked, "Are you a beach bum? Have you seen the cost of renting a chair at the beach? $20-plus a day!" Tricia has come up with an alternative to forking over big bucks for a shady place to sit. She purchases an umbrella, but her chair idea is the ultimate bargain. "We make our own in the sand. Make a tall backrest by packing the sand; slant it for relaxing, or make it straight for sitting up to read. Leave soft sand for your seat, and cover the area with a lightweight blanket. We use two small 3- x 6-inch boards to dig and push the sand. Afterward, we place the boards on each side to use as tables for refreshments."

Readers' Choice

Our Readers' Choice Awards ballot has moved to our Web site, southern living.com (AOL Keyword: Southern Living). For a chance to win an allexpenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World, just log on, and tell us your favorite spots in the South. Good luck.

Do you Have a Postscript?

The travel staff here at Southern Living looks for the best of the South every month. This summer, we'll be investigating the region's best beaches and would love to hear your favorites. Send your sun-and-sand thoughts to Postscript, Southern Living, P.O. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. For each tip published you will receive $25.