SnowBRRds: Cold winds blow in Destin's annual winter guests (PHOTOS)

Destin’s annual visitors from the north were greeted with a familiar chill in the air at the Destin Snowbirds’ Big Registration day Tuesday morning.

“I don’t like it,” Evan Johnson said of the frigid temps. The Plymouth, Minn., resident was bundled in his jacket and flat cap as he made his rounds through “the Roost” at the Destin Community Center signing up for a winter of fun.

Since the beginning of December, snowbirds have been trickling down to Destin. But with the holidays over, the flock is out in full force —  and with 25 more members than last year.

The club started with 376 snowbirds Tuesday morning. By the end of registration at noon, they were up to approximately 1,157. 

Johnson was No. 1,110. He and his wife have been Destin snowbirds for more than 15 years, but because she is disabled the white sands and emerald waters aren’t their main attractions.

“Our condo is only 50 feet from the beach, so we can still enjoy it,” Johnson told The Log. “But mostly we enjoy associating with old friends we’ve made over the years.”

The Destin Snowbird Club offers a variety of activities throughout the season to keep its members active and social. The Friendship Club meets weekly for those flying solo. There are games of bowling, poker and pinochle and trips to New Orleans, Biloxi, Miss., and the Western Caribbean.

In addition to playing bridge with her fellow flock, Missouri snowbird Georganna Beachboard says she likes to “shop, shop, shop and eat, eat, eat.” 

“After retirement, we used to vacation to Fort Myers, but then a friend brought us to Destin and we’ve been staying here ever since,” said Beachboard, as she warmed up with a cup of complimentary clam chowder. “I’m looking forward to the warmer temperatures this weekend and taking a walk in the morning.”

By 11:30, most of the birds had made their way to the roost and all that was left were a few late birds.

Harry Goggins and Bob Moerschel were collecting membership fees and greeting old friends. The two Destin residents have been working Big Registration day for more years than they can remember.

“Once a snowbird, always a snowbird — especially when they need volunteers,” Moerschel said.

Registrations will be held Mondays from 1-3 p.m. at the Destin Community Center Jan. 9, 23, 30 and Feb. 6 and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 18. For more information about the club, visit www.destinsnowbirds.org.