Down by the Bay

Another evening adventure in Destin, FL

This time we are on the other side of the bridge on the bay.

(From Dewey Destin's)

A little marina on Choctawatchee Bay.

Try saying that with a mouthful of shrimp!

There is a new high-rise resort on the bay with all these cool little shops and restaurants.

So, we are checking it out.

Who are those cute kids?

I'm guessing you can take a fishing trip here.

(See below.)

This is the little strip with the shops, etc.

Ben checking out the boats coming and going. 

This is one of our favorite restaurant stops, the Lucky Snapper. 

The food is okay, but the view is awesome! 

Open windows, sea breezes, lots of activity.

What more can you ask for?

Party barges, fishing boats, glass bottom boats, and on and on.

People hanging out on the beach and boats everywhere.

They do charter fishing boats here and take you out for some deep sea fishing.

We haven't tried it, because my family tends to barf from motion sickness.

No thanks!

Even a pirate cruise, matey!

It's the Black Beard II

Wonder what happened to Black Beard I?

If you find yourself in Destin, check it out. 

There was a crazy band there also this night playing 80's music.

Fun for the whole family!

Just to be Fair

Okay, so I need to tell you that my little cute comment from a couple of blogs ago,

"Dude, I don't think a wave is coming!" was very inaccurate for this pic.

(Check "Florida, Finally" from a couple of posts ago.)

Trying to be funny can be very inaccurate, but hey!
I think the dude on the left is actually surfing, but the one on the right is Stand-Up Paddling.
You would think they could come up with a more zippy name, but that's it. 
We saw a lot of people doing this on our trip.
It is supposed to be a great workout.  (400 calories and hour. Wow!)
And you don't have to have big waves.
There is actually a YouTube video, (of course there is) if you are interested.
http://www.youtube.com/
Search "SUP: How to"
My favorite video was the NSP about halfway down the search.
Check it out. 
I'm gonna try it, next time, really!

Dewey Destin, Seafood Paradise

We always head straight to Dewey Destin for our taste of Florida.

It's not fancy...it's a shack...we love it.

They actually opened another site last year that is air-conditioned and fancy.

No thanks, I like the original with the open doors and no frills.

The main seating areas are on two piers jutting out from the shack. 

Daddio looks very happy.

2Groovydude and Lulu looking pretty happy also.

Food, food, we need food!

Grilled trigger fish.  I never heard of it, but it was tasty.

I got the grilled Mahi-mahi. 

I want to go back, right now!

So, I totally forgot to shoot Cole's fried shrimp basket with tons of fries and hushpuppies.

I got so distracted by my fish, I dropped the camera and chowed down.

Mmmm!

Happy Daddio, full of Dewey Destin Seafood.

Right on the water, so fun. 

If you are ever anywhere close to this place, go there!

Love it! Crave it!

FUN NUGGET:

Just for Lulu:

http://www.jerseymikes.com/

Lulu loves Jersey Mike's.

The subs really are great.

Everything is sliced fresh after you order...mmm, tasty!

Florida, Finally!

Even though, Memphis was fun, Florida was the final destination.

Okaloosa Island, right near Ft. Walton beach.

This was my first look out the balcony when we arrived. 

Dude, I don't think a wave is coming!

Beautiful, don't you think?

Daddio and 2hipchick.

Have you ever seen such big sunglasses?

What a bunch of okies.

Or couldn't you tell from the hat?

2Groovydude ready for a splash.

2Groovydude and Cole (Cole, of Lulu & Cole) relaxing in the sun.

Lulu by the dune. 

Beautiful, powdery white sand like no where else.

(Okay, just wanted to show you how my camera looked most of the trip.

So much humidity that it would take and hour for the glass to de-fog.

I don't like to touch my lens...and I left all my nifty lense cleaning devices at home.

So any clear pic, I just counted as a miracle.)

She still looks cute.

Eventually, I could get some clear shots, like my little wannabe surfer.

He's checking for a radical wave.

He's riding it in. 

So fast, I almost missed it.

Just being one with the ocean.

Of course, I know you are wondering about the oil spill, but we saw no signs of it the week we were there.

The only thing we saw was some oil-covered trash.  I guess the trash moves faster than the spill.

I felt sad many times looking at the beautiful gulf, wondering what it would be like next week or next year.

Heart breaking.

"And that's all I have to say about that."

                                -Forrest Gump

FUN NUGGET:

http://www.destinseafood.com/

Look for my next blog of our favorite eating place in Destin, FL

It's great!

Memphis on the way to the Beach

The family took a little trip last week. 

Our first stop was in a happening little town called Memphis.

The Mighty Mississippi.

The Muddy Mississippi

And down to the important stuff...food.

If you want some unique and really tasty, delicious BBQ...head to the Rendezvous.

We always ask the locals at the hotel to find the best places to eat. 

They have not lead (led?) us astray in 3 years now.

This is a pic of the waitstaff at the Rendezvous.  You can't get a pic because they move too fast.

There are tons of waiters and these guys have been working here for a long time and they know what they are doing.  They move some food.

However, it was so dark that I couldn't get a good shot of the food.  But believe me it was to die for BBQ.

If you are ever in Memphis look it up.  And you will have to get directions because it is in an alley beside the Peabody Hotel and easy to miss.  Order the meat and cheese appetizer.  I'm telling you!

Cinderella where are you?  How cute is this? 

Horse drawn carriage with all the little lights. 

I love that.

Now, if you know anything about Memphis,

then you know it's all about the Blues, baby!

Loud music, but good music. 

And so very historical.

Of course, I had to get a shot of the Red Rooster.

It reminds me of home.

I miss my chicks!

I tried to get a good shot, really.  I leaned against everything (dreaded camera shake) and could never get it.

But you get the idea and BB Kings in the background.

Boogie on! 

I think I might have spotted Elvis.

FUN NUGGET:

Well, I couldn't download a cool pic for you, but check out:

http://www.bakedbymelissa.com/

Some really cool photos and delicious cupcakes (tiny mini-cupcakes).

Minimum order of 50 which will set you back $37.50

I'm talking peanutbutter and jelly cupcake, tie-dye, cookies & cream...okay, I just had to wipe slobber off my chin.

Cool site.

Hey, Chicklettes! Hydrangea Bonanza

Hey, Chicks and Dudes!

My computer has been out of comish for a week.   A very long week.

So, sorry for the absence, but you know it makes the heart grow fonder.

So, here is my biggest batch of strawberries.

They have already wound down now.

Aren't they gorgeous?

I have been so busy that the pics are suffering.  But here are some new photos of my current Hydrangea bloomfest.

Oakleaf hydrangea.

It's a monster.

Beauty zoom. 

See the hints of pink on some blossoms?

Two beauties right out the window where my computer sits.

Handy for up-close inspection.

Some are blue.

Some are pink.

Some like to mix it up.

And an occasional renegade purple. 

Those zany hydrangeas. 

What can you do?

FUN NUGGET:

Aveeno Active Naturals

Pomegranate + Rice

Body wash and Exfoliator

Mmmm...

http://www.drugstore.com/