Part of the Gorge has Moved South
by Jim Stickley, post date Dec. 29, 2007

Have you ever hiked along the ridge tops in the Red River Gorge and wondered why the white sand looked like the sands of the Gulf Shores? If you have, your association was right on target. Millions of years ago, most of the white sand in the Appalachians followed rivers southward, and deposited itself on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The sand from the Red River Gorge area is believed to have landed in one specific place, a place that is now known as Siesta Beach. Today, this beach in Sarasota county, Florida, is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, because of it's pristine sand.

While most sand is comprised of pulverized shells, lava, or coral, the sand on Siesta Beach is 99% pure quartz, with a soft texture that has been compared to finely ground sugar, and is so reflective that it stays cool under the blazing sun. This may sound like tourism hype, but I know it to be true.

When my daughter was four years of age, she threw herself down on Siesta Beach, extended her hand, and asked, "Daddy, will you drag me through the sand again?" We drew a lot of laughs as I walked down the beach dragging a happy little girl behind me. Now that's soft sand!

If you're a camper who would like to follow the Red River Gorge sand south for Spring Break 2008, Oscar Scherer State Park is the place to pitch your tent. From there, you will be minutes away from the Siesta Key barrier island, although you may have to wait in traffic if the drawbridge is up to let a majestic ship pass by.

The State Park alone is worth the trip, with secluded white sand trails and a fresh water lake to swim in. For the price of a hotel room for two nights, you can spend a week there. Both offer hot showers, but the park offers two things that hotels don't: evenings spent around a campfire, and mischievous racoons. It's best to feed only the fire.

Have you been there? Do you plan to go? Let us know by joining in on our Forum.