Campground Spotlight
Twin Lakes Camp Resort
With 3,500 feet of waterfront on King and Holley lakes, campsites at Twin Lakes Camp Resort in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, offer pristine views.
About an hour north of Destin, Florida, and situated on an 18-acre peninsula in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Twin Lakes Camp Resort (pictured on this month’s cover) is a picturesque campground with a tranquil setting. It’s a convenient stop off Interstate 10 but far enough away from the hustle and bustle that you can revel in the quiet of nature. The resort boasts 3,500 linear feet of waterfront on King Lake and Holley Lake, as it’s nestled right between the two. With 12 docks to choose from, there are plenty of fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities. The resort is frequently visited by food trucks, so you may even have an opportunity to try something new to eat.
Twin Lakes Camp Resort is family owned and operated. It’s a place to relax, and many consider it to be a secret fishing hole. If you don’t have your own watercraft, you can rent kayaks or electric boats for half and full days.
The park offers 61 full-hookup sites, and three of them are buddy sites. You can either pull through or back into each site to take advantage of the lake view, as utilities are available on both sides. Fire pits are portable to accommodate individual needs and come with premium sites; they are available for rent on other sites. All sites have level concrete pads, 50-amp electrical service, water, sewer, and cable TV. Amenities include a camp store, swimming pool, bath house, activity center, laundry facility, Wi-Fi, and more. Daily RV rates start at $75. To make a reservation, call (850) 892-5914.
In DeFuniak Springs itself, a mix of eateries await downtown: Perla Baking Company, Café Nola, and Bogey’s Bar & Restaurant, for starters. Boutiques include Soiree’s for gourmet foods, jewelry, and home gifts and Vault 46’s eclectic home décor and accessories. Take a walking tour of the historic district along Circle Drive, a once-gated resort/campus established as the Florida Chautauqua for the pursuit of art, education, recreation, and religion.
More Info
Twin Lakes Camp Resort
580 Holley King Road
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
twinlakescampresort.com
(850) 892-5914
DeFuniak Springs Visitors Bureau
1162 Circle Drive
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
mainstreetdfs.org
(850) 333-2241
Bookshelf
Mystery In The American Southwest
Best-selling mystery author Anne Hillerman will speak at the FMCA convention in Tucson.
If you love following clues in a good detective story, consider diving into The Way Of The Bear (HarperCollins), the featured “Supersized Book Club” selection at FMCA’s Tucson, Arizona, convention this March. And if you enjoy the book club experience, make plans to meet Anne Hillerman, the author, who will be on-site to discuss her latest thriller.
The Way Of The Bear is Anne’s newest addition to the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, which was created by her late father, novelist Tony Hillerman.
The book takes place in and around Bears Ears National Monument, perched at the edge of the Navajo Nation in southeastern Utah. Sacred to many Native American tribes, the land is interspersed with ancestral sites, abundant fossils, canyons, pinyon and juniper forests, and two buttes situated in such a manner as to suggest the “bears ears” name. This backdrop is the setting for much of the book’s action.
In The Way Of The Bear, an unexpected death on a desolate road near the monument raises questions for Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito, a married couple who are both Navajo Tribal Police officers. It’s unclear why the victim, a seasoned outdoorsman and paleontologist, would freeze to death not far from his car. When a second unidentified man is discovered dead after a home invasion, with not much taken from the residence, the story grows more complicated. Factor in dangerous encounters that threaten the couple’s safety, discovery of a fossilized jawbone, hints of witchcraft, and a mysterious disappearance during a blizzard, and the plot deepens even further.
Tucson convention attendees can meet the author in person on Saturday, March 23, during the “Supersized Book Club” presentation. Anne will read excerpts from the book, describe her background and writing career, and answer questions from the audience. She’ll also reveal details about her next novel, Lost Birds, which is slated for release in April.
It is not necessary to have a copy of The Way Of The Bear to attend the presentation, although reading the book beforehand is encouraged. For more information, visit join.fmca.com/AZ24bookclub/.
In addition to winning numerous awards for her best-selling mysteries, Anne has authored seven nonfiction books and is an executive producer of the “Dark Winds” television series on AMC. Learn more about her at annehillerman.com.
Social Life
Beat The Winter Blues
Tiny paper umbrellas are a must for tropical drinks.
Whether you’re experiencing cold-weather doldrums in a northern climate or happily spending time in the sunny South, hosting a tropical-style celebration and inviting your friends and family to attend is sure to liven things up.
After you’ve issued the invites, you’ll need decorations. Create a festive atmosphere by converting the party site — be it your RV, the campground clubhouse, or your sticks-and-bricks home — into an island paradise. Think pineapples, coconuts, tropical flowers, and leis. Paper lanterns and balloons can also add a pop of color. Visit a local party store or perhaps search online for printable decorations.
Of course, another key ingredient for a successful celebration is food. The possibilities are endless. One idea that caught our eye was flip-flop sandwiches! With a flip-flop-shaped cookie cutter — available at craft stores or online — you can turn a classic cucumber-and-cream-cheese finger sandwich into the perfect snack for a tropical gala. Cheese sticks and blueberries complete the look on these summery sandwiches. For the recipe, visit cutefetti.com/flip-flop-sandwiches. Plus, the cookie cutter can be redeployed to create flip-flop cookies for dessert.
You’ll also need drinks. Whether you serve cocktails or mocktails, tiny paper umbrellas are mandatory for a tropical-themed soiree. One island-inspired drink possibility is Sparkling Piña Colada Party Punch (lizoncall.com/sparkling-pina-colada-party-punch).
And don’t forget about music to help set the scene. Create a lively playlist with tropical vibes. Of course, anything by the late, great Jimmy Buffet or the Beach Boys will have partygoers moving and grooving, and probably singing along. Or keep it simple and tune in to RadioTropRock (www.radiotroprock.com) to be transported instantly to the islands.
Last but not least, remind guests to dress the part by wearing their favorite Hawaiian shirt or other brightly colored attire.
Numerous other ideas for winter party themes can be found online. Remember, though, it’s less about the theme than it is about connecting with people and shaking off winter weariness.