I got back from Destin about two weeks ago know. We stayed in the Destin Army Recreation Center. It is basically a complex of small buildings comprised of hotel rooms, suites, and small apartments available to be reserved for military members and their family. We stayed in a suite (bedroom, kitchenette, and living room) for a week. The drive was 13 hours and we got in a little late. The office was closed but they left our key in a mailbox outside the door.
We spent our entire first day on the beach. We may have fried some brain cells over the winter, or just underestimated the pale-ness. We may have also lost our ability to tan and not burn in the 14 years since we have been living there. Regardless we burned so horribly. I am just getting over the peeling; the horrible red skin left a week ago.
That day on the beach was very relaxing. The water was beautifully warm, the sun was out, and the sand was so soft. We were in the water for a bit, ate lunch and then laid out and fell asleep. It was at this point that we burned I think.
The next day, because we were so burned that we didn’t want to be outside too much so we went to Destin Commons, an outdoor shopping mall. We got some ice cream and then shopped. We stopped in Blue Spero, a clothing boutique, Lush, Forever 21 and Sephora. Blue Spero had really pretty, soft clothes. I got a face mask and lotion at Lush and picked up some of my cleanser at Sephora.
On Saturday we slept in a little, then investigated the Harbor Walk village. I finally found a pair of sunglasses that fit my head. My head is small and I have a difficult time just dealing with a pair of sunglasses that are slightly big. I found some that I liked, and immediately bought them. Saturday night, we drove into Fort Walton Beach to The Original Crab shack. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was amazing, the live music was amazing. I’ll be honest with you, my sunburn was so painful I was having a rough time being happy and enjoying myself but sitting there on the beach with the delicious crab dip, a perfect breeze, and the relaxing music, I was so purely happy.
On Sunday, we drove into Panama City, were I was born, and went to church at St. Dominic’s, our old church. After that we went to our old house and visited some neighbors who were still living in the neighborhood. We just went to Wendy’s for lunch and then found the hospital I was born in. The charge nurse let us into the maternity ward. There weren’t any babies being born so she spent some time with us and we found out that she was a nurse there while we were there being born. She took us into the rooms and took pictures. She was so sweet and gentle and really made the experience amazing.
On Monday we went out on a Dolphin Cruise which was amazing. It was a lovely sunny, cooler day and we saw lots of dolphins. On Tuesday, Olivia and I went paddle boarding in the Bay. It was so much fun, we even saw dolphins in the Bay. At first, when I saw them, I though, “Oh look! Dolphins!” But then I realized, “Oh look. Dolphins.” And I was nervous, because dolphins are amazing and smart and beautiful and I love them, but they are also animals and I was at immediate water level. I loved seeing them 15 feet below me, but the possibility of them being RIGHT next to me was terrifying. Later Olivia and Mom went parasailing and I went along for the boat ride which was fun enough. They had so much fun parasailing. We went with Sun Dogs, which I recommend, they were very fun and professional.
I had so much fun and it was a great kickstart to the summer!
Kathleen Lucille
Two Dorks With a Blog 