Destin is paradise, this is no secret, but within paradise there are still hidden gems and the Grand Mariner just happens to be one of those best kept secrets. What a beauty, this complex is located at 1100 Hwy 98 in Destin, it is a gated, private community sitting directly on the sugar white beach, boasting the Gulf of Mexico as a backyard. Built in the early 80’s, Grand Mariner is unique in so many respects, but what is most notable about this 82 unit complex would be the fact that the residents and owners do not offer short term rentals of any fashion. The homeowners and the Board of Directors consider the Grand Mariner a home, a family place, somewhere that you can get to know your neighbors, and neighbors become family.
“Family” is a single word, with many different meanings. People define family in different ways, but one thing that is common within groups that call themselves “family” is they express to one another the importance they have within the group. On September 5, 2015 the residents and owners at Grand Mariner, who call themselves “family” held a Labor Day Party, which was a true expression of that.
The menu for the evening was potluck, which meant every great chef within the complex brought their specialty dish to share at the party. Tables were set up in the clubhouse area where partygoers shared a meal as friends and family. It was a time for saying goodbye to the old Board of Directors and hello to the new Board of Directors. Stories were shared,folks were reminded Peggy & Gene Wilkinson are still the longest residing family at the Grand Mariner, while at the same time welcoming the newest residents, AJ & Nell Causey. Those who live Grand Mariner are very proud of their community and feel honored to have a few VIP’s of their own, Wayne & Amy Rogers live there, most remember Wayne as Trapper John from M.A.S.H., but at the complex he and his wife are known as “family”, friends, and neighbors. Leigh Anne Touhy is an owner as well, and like most, the homeowners at the Grand Mariner are touched by her life story, which is now a movie familiar to all, called “The Blind Side.” If you were to ask anyone at the party they were either the original owner of the unit they lived in, or the unit had been passed on to them by a family member who was an original owner, statistically 60% of the units are still owned by original owners or family members.
Patriotism is obvious at the Grand Mariner, homeowners are encouraged to fly the American Flag, held by specially made brackets from their balconies on appropriate occasions, which makes for a majestic site on the beach seeing the flags flying, in fact on 4th of July this year homeowners counted 19 flags. This complex is truly a wonderful place to call home and even better to be called by your name and know you have family where you live. Everyone had a wonderful time and although most will celebrate the holidays with family out of state they will gather again to celebrate on Memorial Day. Watch for those flags flying when you walk on the beach, you can’t miss them, and there you will see a hidden treasure.
