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