Destin - Pompano Joe's Alive & Well!

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Hello all!

You have to love the sound of crashing waves. It is nature's radio station. Sometimes it's turned up loudly with the mix of waves, seagulls, laughter, jet skis, and speedboats. Other times it is on softly, just the gentle sound of the waves. That is what it is like now, at 6:38pm Tuesday afternoon.

I am sitting at the dining room table with my work spread out and April is at the other table near the couch, working as well. The only difference is that now, while working, I turn my head and look out at the sun setting an emerald green water glistening. I am going to take a deep breath and appreciate this moment.

Destin puts April and I in a certain state of mind that is hard to explain. Even more so than Orlando, I can see myself living here. Destin has everything I need. A modern, yet old fashioned atmosphere. Lots of great shops, nightclubs, restaurants and best of all -- SCENERY. I feel like I am among a town of fellow "parrotheads" -- It is like Jimmy Buffett is the mayor!

Last time I wrote I mentioned our check-in process at The Pelican Beach Resort. Yesterday we got a very, very late start to the day. We were enjoying our balcony and view of the ocean and by the time we looked at the clock it was already after 4pm! Since we hadn't eaten we decided to dine at one of our favorite restaurants--- McGuire's Irish Pub! This place is just plain cool. It is quirky and odd and has $375,000 one dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and walls. There is a great stage set up in the far left hand corner for nightly (free) entertainment and a gift shop for all your Irish fan fair needs! What I love about the restaurant is that it is dim and has that "old shacky" feeling.

I ordered the Shepard's Pie and April ordered some steak bits in wine sauce covered with a flaky dough type thing. I love the Shepard's pie here, even though I only end up eating the top...lol..this time I only got through several bites before being too full to finish!!!! April noticed that it was 2-for-1 Monday. She had been in the mood for a margarita since we got here, and who doesn't love something free! Heck, TWO margaritas sounded just fiiiiiine to her! LOL! When the drinks came her eyes lit up! Before long.....the drinks were GONE and April's cheeks were rosy red. For some reason it always brings a smile to my face when April has a drink. She rarely does, so when it happens we have fun with it. We make silly jokes. She is such a "good girl" -- and then there is the "bad ass side" -- the side that likes a margarita....or two....hehehe.

April swaggered out (ok, ok, walked...) of the restaurant. We then decided to run to Super Walmart because we had to stock up our condo with food so we wouldn't have to run out for breakfast or lunch. I know...we are such exciting girls! LOL! We did our shopping and then rushed home so April could see her beloved 24 on TV!

After getting off the phone with everyone at home I relaxed and went to bed.

This morning I was up bright and early (around 6:15am). I did an exercise dvd I took with me while looking outside at the ocean and sunrise. It was such a great way to start the day. Before long April was up and we were -- WORKING! But we stopped and by noon we were out the door.

We went for lunch at our favorite place in Destin -- Pompano Joe's! This adorable restaurant is located on Mirimar Beach in Destin. I mean, literally ON THE BEACH. The views are spectacular and the food very good (not to mention cheap prices). We enjoyed our lunch and then headed toward scenic Route 30A which takes you by all of the beaches of South Walton County (Grayton, Seagrove, Rosemary, Seaside etc.,). We stopped to walk around and browse the shops at Seaside. This beach town was built in the late 80's. It is a gorgeous, if not surreal place. All the houses look alike, less the paint color, and there is a town square. The Truman Show with Jim Carry was filmed here. It has a "steapford wives" feel to it, but the people are VERY laid back and nice. After peaking at the beach and browsing the shops, April decided to stop for some shaved ice. She got coconut flavor. I took a bite and boy was it gooooood. SO REFRESHING! The little place she bought it from was SO adorable. It was inside an old silver camper. I love things like that!!

We then hopped back in the car and continued north to Panama Beach. OK, this is the SECOND time we went here and it will be the LAST. This is one gross, dirty, run down, poor, scary beach town. It had that "scary clown at the carnival" type atmosphere. Almost like a ghost town. We had to visit one more time because last year we were appalled by how ugly and run down it was. We were convinced it had to be better this year -- it wasn't. Whoah.....Whoah......SCARY. Please -- if you are going to be in the Florida panhandle section of the state -- avoid Panama City Beach and go to Destin! Nothing even comes close to it. Ape went in a store at Panama City Beach last year and told the local lady at the cash register that we were heading to Orlando and she said, "where's that"? April almost fainted. That's all I am saying people. That's allll I am saaaaying...lol.

We turned around and headed back to Destin. We wanted to hang out at the beach a while and do more work.

Stained sock puppet, sally strutters naked torso doll, trash talking terry, and tootin tootie were at the beach all day. They will be coming with us tomorrow when we rent a patoon boat!!! Stay tuned for that...lol.

Anyway,

We are going to our favorite BBQ place for dinner tonight and then maybe to a movie.

Until tomorrow....

Happy Travels!

Des & Ape

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