Columbus, OH to Destin, FL - Day 7

Thursday had come and I woke up with a pit in my stomach.  It might just be me, but I absolutely dread the last day of vacation...I worry about it the whole trip and feel so sad when it comes.  The anticipation, planning and build-up to the trip takes forever and then the trip is so fun that it seemingly goes by in a flash.  Now, this wasn't technically our last day of vacation, but it was the last full day in this beautiful place.  We had to make the absolute best of it!

Today was the day that we planned to spend every waking minute at the beach and that's exactly what we did.  The girls woke up before the sun and took our chairs to the beach to watch the sunrise.  There is something so peaceful and freeing watching the sun wake up while listening to the waves wash up on shore.  You should experience it during your lifetime if you haven't.

In the morning we saw a small sting ray near the beach and also dolphins playing offshore.  The dolphins were really close to shore initially, but they moved offshore as the morning went on.

The sand was so cold under our feet, but nothing was going to keep us from enjoying this morning. 

Once the sun was fully awake, we got the rest of our beach stuff and set up our location.  I like having tons of space to keep people away so we grabbed as much as we could by spreading our stuff out.

Erich went to get doughnuts from Parlor again and generously shared with us and joined us at the beach.

Today's weather was supposed to be perfect! Clear, warm, bright, and no rain...it was going to put all the other days to shame!  I can't even describe the blue and turquoise colors of the water.  It was stunning! I love the Gulf coast so much; it will always be my favorite.

Susan brought her Stand Up Paddleboard to the beach and floated on it in the surf.  This was one thing that she had said many times was on her wish list to do.  Luckily, today was the day she would get to do it! She looked so happy floating on it, she probably could have stayed out there all day.

We swam, flew kites, and soaked up all the rays we could.  The water was much warmer than the other days and it was incredibly clear.  You could see the bottom so clearly.  Did I mention that I love the Gulf!?!  Today, I wished I could hit the pause button and just stay in this moment for even a few minutes longer...

Susan and Erich went to lunch at Rockin' Tacos, and they said it was great!  Next time it's on our list for dinner!

We had some naps in the sun and under the umbrella, but we stayed all day! There was no way we were leaving until the sun had set!

The guys did eventually leave to go get pizzas for dinner and brought them back to the beach so we could watch the sun set and sink into the Gulf.  What an incredible day!

I honestly believe that God gave us the other days of cloudy, cold and foggy weather so that we could truly appreciate this one incredibly amazing day.  Do you ever go through your days on autopilot?  I do, and think that if we had had all perfect days, we may not have appreciated just how beautiful Destin, FL and the Gulf of Mexico is.  

#airstream #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs #destinfl #destinwestrvresort #sunrisetosunset #sup #gulfofmexico #surfstyle #vacation

Columbus, OH to Destin, FL - Day 6

Overnight, there was a lot of wind, the flags we had on the front of our campers were whipping and rocking the campers, so we had to take them down to get some sleep.

I couldn't sleep much, so on Wednesday, I was up before the sun.  I headed to the bay to see if I could catch the sunrise; however, I was not prepared for how COLD it was!  It was 50-55 degrees with blustery wind and probably a wind chill.  I made it for the sunrise but as soon as it came up I bolted for the camper for more clothes.  The pictures don't even capture the temperature, but the sky was beautiful!

This was a bummer since the sky was incredible and clear for the first time!  

Since it was going to be even colder on the beach, I thought today would be a good day to pack a picnic and go to the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola, FL to visit Fort Pickens and get our National Park Passport stamps and also get Erich his first passport book.

I started mild Italian sausage and peppers in the crockpot for later and we were on our way.

It was about an hour drive there and we stopped to get a photo at the National Park Sign.  A nice couple on a motorcycle took our picture for us and we reciprocated.  It was luck that they pulled up just as we did and great to get a picture of all of us!  Look at that sky!!

We were on schedule to arrive on time but when we got about a half mile from the park toll booth, the traffic was STOPPED!  What could be going on!? 

Turns out...the Blue Angels were having their first practice of the season and the park was packed with people watching.  The gatekeepers...and I am serious about calling them that...told us to come back in an hour.  THAT was NOT going to happen after waiting all this time...

We got through the toll booth, it's $25 for a carload and good for 7 days, by the way, and went as far as we could get before the road was blocked.  We parked near the Battery Langdon, which was Fort Picken's most powerful gun emplacement during World War II, to watch the Blue Angels.

(Nothing says 'Merica more than the Blue Angels and their afterburners!)

We dipped our feet in the water and looked for some shells on the National Seashore.  We also saw a majestic Bald Eagle!  It was amazing to see!

We finally made it to Fort Pickens to get our NPS Passport stamp and took a look around the fort.  Erich got his first passport book and stamp! Mama Jackie was proud!

By then, our picnic lunch was calling!  We found a nice shelter on the shore where we could see the beach and ate our sandwiches and snacks.  It was frigid!!  There were some people flying kites and fishing!

We made our way back to the camper, but first we stopped at Ace Hardware, which is a favorite stop for the guys, and also Camping World!

Once we made it back, we spent the rest of the day at the beach before heading back to have sausage sandwiches and fried potatoes from last night on the Blackstone!  Maybe I'm the only one but I don't think there is any meal better than those we make while camping...including leftovers!!

(Susan, formerly afraid of kites, flying one like a pro!!)

Fingers crossed for warm and sunny weather for Thursday!!

#airstream #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs #destinfl #destinwestrvresort #gulfshoresnationalseashore #fortpickens #NPS #baldeagle #blueangels #american #redwhiteandblue #merica #goflyakite

Columbus, OH to Destin, FL - Day 5

 Tuesday morning...fog again...it's funny how it comes and goes throughout the day.  Would it stick around today?  Time would tell...

Susan, Colleen and I loaded up our coolers and beach cart to the brim we were beach bound for the day.  We checked the weather before we went and there wasn't a high chance of rain until later in the day.  We were good to go!  Today was the day we wore our Buc-ee's swimsuits we got in Alabama!

I haven't mentioned it yet I don't think but the campground isn't directly on the beach, it's on the other side of a 4 lane divided roadway.  Not interstate highway but there was a lot of traffic and vehicles turning in and out of the campground and the hotel across the street.  At check in, the front desk gentleman said that we could easily cross it if we wait for an opening.  He was right, we didn't have too much trouble crossing but sometimes were scarier than others.  

Anyway, the beach cart seemed heavier than usual as we were crossing the roadway and also pulling it through the sand...but we made it.  We set everything up.  Umbrella, chairs, kite...everything...then it started sprinkling.  It was nothing new, misty with fog was the weather of choice for March in Destin it seemed.  We crowded together under the umbrella, a little sprinkle wasn't going to stop us.

Then...the lifeguard drove up on her 4-wheeler..."There's a storm coming, and we recommend that you leave the beach."  I think we all looked at her the same way, as in..."what do you know?" But we looked at the radar and yep, there was a storm coming.  We had to pack EVERYTHING up.  

We made it back, rinsed off in the pool and then the thunder and lightning started.  We got out of the pool and went to our campers.  The storm lasted a few hours, so we spent time in our campers napping, watching TV, and cleaning.

After the rain cleared, the guys had some maintenance to do on the Airstreams.  They installed our custom screen door guards that we each designed from Weathered and Worn and installed their Mopeka propane monitoring sensors.  

(Susan and Erich's)

(Lindsey, Brad, and Colleen's) 

The storm had really cleared the sky and the weather was beautiful afterwards.  So...the girls headed back to the beach for a few hours...dragging the cart behind us.  We got our exercise that day taking the cart over and back 4 times.  

When we came back for dinner the guys had gone to the grocery store to get some Steak-umms and peppers for dinner.  While they were there, the girls went to the large community fire pit.  The campground doesn't have individual fire pits at each site but on Tuesdays and Thursdays they light their large gas firepit near the bay for all the guests to use.  We roasted some marshmallows and made a few s'mores.  It's not really camping if you don't roast marshmallows over a fire and make a s'more....am I right?  What a beautiful sight with the blue sky, the blue water and America's flag waving in the background.

When the guys got back we had baked potatoes that were cooking in the crockpot all day with cheese steak sandwiches on the Blackstone and grilled garlic, bacon, corn.  Camp cooking! YUM!

#airstream #buc-ees #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs #destinfl #destinwestrvresort #weatheredandworn #fog #mopeka #steak-umm #blackstone #american #redwhiteandblue

Columbus, OH to Destin, FL - Day 4

Monday morning was again thick with fog and overcast.  What is with the Florida weather?!

Susan, Colleen and I inflated our kayaks and stand-up paddle board and launched them in the bay that borders the north edge of the campground.  We spent an hour paddling west out to the US Route 98 bridge to Okaloosa Island and back.  We saw lots of birds and ducks that would go underwater for their breakfast.  It was a very relaxing and peaceful paddle and as the sun came up, the weather got a lot nicer and warmer.

While we were on the water Brad and Erich went to get doughnuts at Parlor Doughnuts.  The doughnuts were huge and were considered a Cronut.  They were very flaky with lots of layers.  The little bite size beignet like ones seemed to be everyone's favorite.  

We all went to the Surf Style shop to get some beach wear before heading back to camp to pack our lunch.

Today was our boat rental to visit Crab Island!! We rented a 14-person, double deck pontoon boat that had 2 water slides on it!  Luckily the weather was much nicer than the morning and most of the fog had lifted.  

Erich was the Skipper, Brad the Safety Manager, and Susan the Charter Representative, all extra responsible members of the boat crew!

We motored out to Crab Island which is an underwater sand bar near the Destin Harbor.  It's nice and shallow and usually there are lots of boats docked there enjoying the warm water and sun.  The water was not warm but we all did the slide and had fun.  Once you were in long enough it didn't feel that cold anymore.

We parked and ate our lunch of Italian subs and other snacks.  By then we were all hungry.  We had always seen videos and pictures of the vendor boats that float around Crab Island selling food and items.  There weren't many out today, like we hoped, but we did get the Ice Cream boat to stop!  Next time maybe we can get the Cheeseburger Boat.

  

We saw a partially sunken sailboat which was pretty creepy as the people's cooler was still bobbing in the water.  There's wasn't anyone on board so hopefully they were rescued successfully when it happened.

We also saw a giant sting ray as we were driving around and, on the way back, we saw a few glimpses of dolphins!  At first, they were really close to our boat, but they moved on pretty quickly.  There were also seagulls flying with our boat and they would get close enough to take a chip out of your hand and even from your mouth!

Sadly, the 4-hour rental was over before we knew it, it was really sad to have it end.  This was certainly a highlight of the trip and one to be booked again next time.  Hopefully on a warmer, sunnier day.

When we got back we cleaned up and ate dinner.  Hashbrown casserole was cooking all day in the crockpot, so we threw some burgers on the grill for a quick dinner.  It was probably the best meal we had on the trip yet.  

Overnight another bad storm came through but luckily no damage! Surely better weather in store for tomorrow, right?

 #airstream #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs #destinfl #destinwestrvresort

Columbus, OH to Destin, FL - Day 3

Sunday morning and our first full day at the beach!  But wait?! Why is it overcast with thick fog? This is not what I expected to wake up to.  Either way, we packed up our beach carts, headed to the beach and staked our claim for the day.  

(Can you see the pier in the background?  No? It's there...In the fog!)

Double red lifeguard flags again! The surf was closed due to strong rip currents.  But, like yesterday, that didn't stop us from getting our feet in.  

Susan and Lindsey did a photoshoot under the pier thanks to photographer Colleen.  Such fun we had although Colleen got annoyed after all the re-takes.  We had to get the perfect shot, and we did!

We placed our grocery order for the week and picked them up later that day.  It's a very handy service to use when you travel that far and don't want the extra weight of groceries on the way.

Overcast and foggy days are the most deceiving and we all ended up getting more sun than we expected.  We were all a little pink.  It's almost like you feel violated by getting the effects of the sun without the warmth and light.

When we went back to get cleaned up for dinner, we heard the fun music of the ice cream truck.  It was making it's round in the campground! How fun!  We had seen that in YouTube videos but were still surprised when it happened.

Dinner was at Rick's on the Water.  There was a musician playing live music with his guitar, we put in a few requests, all of which he did a really good job with.  Great Balls of Fire was a new one for him and he killed it!  Luckily, Rick's was right next door to the campground so we could walk back without having to drive or beat traffic.  

We were all exhausted, the sun (or lack thereof) can really take it out of you!

Hoping for better weather on Monday.

 #airstream #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs #destinfl #destinwestrvresort

Columbus, OH to Destin, FL - Day 2

 Wow! What a night! I'm not sure how much sleep we all got but I know for sure, we were ready to leave Alabama and get to our final destination...Destin, FL.

We got on the road while the fields were still dewy, the air was still wet and the fields steaming.   There was a bird in the tree that was so happy and singing, a picture couldn't do her justice, but she was happy that the night of storms was over, and her nest was spared.  We could relate to her relief!

We got on the road early to hopefully get through Birmingham, AL and into Florida.  The beach was calling us!!

We saw more Airstreams coming the other way! It's so fun to see other streamers!!

We stopped for gas between Montgomery, AL and the split off into 2 lane road to FL.  The 2-lane all the way to Destin, FL is slow but it's the quickest way there.  There is a cool site of older military airplanes at the Eglin AFB!

Experiencing the relief of pulling into the Destin West RV Resort, checking in, parking and relaxing for really the first time in 2 days is something that is worth it for reasons unexplained.  

We set up camp and went straight to the beach, where of course, rip current warnings and double red lifeguard flags meaning "Water Closed" were flying.  

Do you think that stopped us from getting in the water??

Hello Destin, FL!

For dinner we went to LuLu's which is Lucy Buffet's version of Margaritaville.  We had a fun time!

#buc-ees #athenalfire #airstream #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs #destinfl #destinwestrvresort

Columbus, Ohio to Destin, Florida - Day 1

 This trip was a year in the making.  I will never forget the excitement I had the night we committed to it and made the reservations at Destin West RV Resort in April of 2022.  When I say "I couldn't sleep" I mean it, I looked at websites for hours that night looking at the turquoise blue water, sugar white sand and all the activities that awaited us. I couldn't wait but had to...the time ticked slowly...but I am well aware that the anticipation is the best part of the trip. 

Friday morning finally came and we hitched up together and were on I-71 by 9:00am, headed to our first stop over in Nashville, TN at the Nashville North RV Resort.  We hit a little traffic in Cincinnati, OH and Louisville, KY but nothing that slowed us down too much.  We reached Nashville, TN around 2:30pm with plenty of day light left.  There was a threat of bad weather and tornadoes reported for Nashville that night so we decided that we should continue on a few more hours to hopefully avoid that bad weather.  I made a call to the Northgate RV Travel Park in Athens, AL to see if they had 2 openings for us that evening and luckily, they did.  So, we continued through the Nashville traffic that is...to say the least...NO JOKE.

We saw several Airstream campers on the way down! Some with BRNs and some without, 7059 and 8233 were two that we saw!

We made it to Athens, AL around 5:00pm, checked in, got camp set up for the night and then went to find some dinner.  If you're familiar with the south, you've heard of Buc-ees! That's exactly where we headed!  Wow, what a place!  I'm not sure how many gas pumps they had but at least 50!  We bought a little of everything including clothes, souvenirs for our young nieces/nephews, swimsuits, and of course Brisket sandwiches and Beaver Nuggets!  What a place! 

After dinner, we went back to get some sleep.  TOMORROW we would be in Destin, FL!!  

Fast asleep in our campers we hear the tell-tale sound of a WEATHER EMERGENCY!! TORNADO WARNING!! IF YOU ARE IN A MOBILE HOME, SEEK SHELTER NOW!

Holy cow did that scare us... we hadn't talked about what we would do in the event that this happened, but we took it seriously and went to the Athens, AL Fire Station #1.  We ran in there like our pants were on fire to find the fireman completely calm and unphased.  He was so polite and told us we did the right thing and to make ourselves at home.  He showed us the tornado shelter and we sat there and in their garage until the warning was over.  We watched them go on several runs in the hook and ladder truck while we were there.  Nothing but professionals!!  Thank you, Athens Station #1!!  We returned back to camp to find no damage.  Thank GOD as there were tornadoes touching down all around us.  We weathered the rest of the storm in the camper and finally got a little sleep.

TODAY....we will be in Destin, FL.

#buc-ees #athensalfire #airstream #liveriveted #springbreak #adventure #camping #bffs