Perfect Water and Sand

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After scouting the state's beaches for three-plus years, I've drawn the conclusion that the best are in Northwest Florida on the Gulf, parallel with US 98. Where else can you swim in gentle, crystal-clear waters without doing the cold midriff, tippy-toe dance as you wait for your body temperature to adjust to the water? In Destin, where I spent a few days at one of Sterling Resort's (sterlingresorts.com) beach condos, I walked right into the blue-green water and ahhhh, it was like instant therapy. Looking down, I could see the ripples in the white sandy bottom -- not a shell or stone poking my feet -- and I could even watch a silver fish or two glide by. An umbrella, lounge chair and front viewing for an aqua-and-pink sunset made the day. You should try it.