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Drop dead gorgeous view of beach from our resort. What does a wall mounted blue marlin, Britney Spears and plastic flowers have in common? They are all, or at some point, been in this condo Ape and I are staying at. Do I know for a fact Britney Spears was here? No. But from the look of the tin, blue marlin's face (hanging above the plastic Floridian couch adorned with fishes no less) I would say it is probable. The marlin looks spooked. Like he has seen a lot in its wall hanging days. Also, someone wrote in the guest book (in the room mom & Elizabeth are staying in) that Britany was in the next door unit (ours) and since I did read about her vacations to Destin in various magazines I tend to think its true. Big woop, I know. If anything it makes me VERY weirded out...VEEEERY.
Anyway -- enough about that! We are in Destin (which coincidently has been voted America's # 1 beach this year). I was so excited Mom & Elizabeth were going to enjoy this paradise!
When we awoke early Monday (in Orlando) we went for our free breakfast at The Spring hill Suites (why is it that thin waffles, 1/2
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Drop dead gorgeous view of beach from our resort. toasted bread and warm apple juice taste better when they are free)?
The day was spent driving & peeing and peeing and driving. We took The Florida Turnpike to I-75 north to I-10 west, which has got to be the most boring stetch of highway in Florida. I like to think of Destin as the "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow"! It makes the drive down I-10 bearable. We had beautiful driving weather (sunshine and low 80's) and caught a killer sunset as we entered the Destin area.
The drive into Destin is always a sight to see. The midway bridge is gorgeous and offers and expansive view of the bay (on both sides) and a faint glimpse of Destin in the forefront. I think the best time to drive this road is exactly as the sun is setting or LATE at night when the city of Destin is "lit up"!
We had "da mammas" driving behind us and all they could say when we pulled into Pelican Beach Resort's driveway was, WOW! and how impressed they were. They seemed so happy to be here. I was so excited! After all, they have heard
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View leaving our room... me talk about Destin for over 2 years now!
We had rooms next to each other. Their room was WAY MORE PRETTIER that ours. Their condo was decorated in deep reds, cream and like a pretty deep mint green color? It was classy and spacious looking. Our condo, well, not so pretty. I am sure you all remember my FOF (fear of fish) -- Well, for the love of God -- I am practically in a fish bowl in this room! Our condo has an angry looking marlin hanging on the wall over the plastic feeling couch with fishes on it. There are pictures of fishes hanging up. Shower curtains with fishes. Little fish figurines. Fishes are everywhere. I am sleeping with the fishes. Oh well, the view makes up for the decor. When you step onto that balcony and hear the gentle Gulf of Mexico waves crashing, you truly feel like you are in heaven. Not to mention the moon and stars that seem to glow brighter down here.
We were hungry so we decided to head out for dinner, but first we took da mammas to "feel the sand" -- it is just like baby powder.
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View crossing Destin Pass bridge. It is THAT soft and THAT white. They seemed very impressed. The beach was illuminated by the resort's huge flood lights. The beach is open 24/7 which I think it wonderful.
We took mom & Elizabeth to Sandestin's Village at Baystown Wharf for dinner at Jim-N-Nicks BBQ, but they closed at 9pm (it was like 9:15 when we walked in). April said we hitch hiked all the way from Providence for this but he didn't really care and yet still managaed to come across as a polite southener!
We decided to go to McGuire's Irish Pub. This is a favorite restaurant of mine and April's. The decor is so fun inside. It is VERY dim with dollar bills hanging up everywhere (I heard they have over $350,000!!!) -- We were lucky to be there during karaoke night, however, there were only 3 1/2 people there...lol! It was also $2.00 margarita night so April (and Elizabeth) were very excited!
Ape ordered wine with steak and a $2.00 margarita to wash that wine down. Elizabeth got a grilled chicken sandwich, mom got a salad, and I got the shepard's pie. The food was great and listening to the loud
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Pompano Joe's! music and 3 guys sing karaoke was fun. But, buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut....the best part of the night came when my mom had to excuse herself to use the ladies room only to find out she went to the wine room and was ushered out. Then she fell for a "prank" the restaurant does - she "accidentally" walked into the men's room! As if that wasn't bad enough -- the karaoke guy was there, um, err....relieving himself of those $2.00 margaritas!!! The sign read LADIES, but in small letters it also read do not go in as it is the men's room...LOL! My mom came back with a shocked, blank expression with one eye twitching, and a little delay with her back left leg. She straightened the chair - oh no - blinked again and explained what happened. The man she invaded came up to the table with TOO BIG A SMILE ON HIS FACE, pleased with the prank. Cost of gas to Destin - $30. Cost of dinner at McGuire's - $25. Look on mom's face - PRICELESS! LOL!
After "Rhode Island Babes Gone Wild" we went back to the condo. We all had that I am !*&*$@& tired look! A
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Pompano Joe's! few minutes later I heard a frantic knock on our door. Could they need toilet paper already? Nope - the look of disgust on their face could only mean one of two things -- a.) Britney Spears was in their room or b.) they saw a bug! Ding! Ding! Ding! The answer is B!!! Oh my gosh....da mammas saw 2 baby cockroach's -- which meant mamma cockroach was lurking! UGH! Da mammas were out of that room quicker than Flash Gorden's lightning bolt! What a shame too....I mean, the owners of that condo obviously spent a lot of money. I guess these things can't be avoided witht he contstant flow of guests. They were instantly moved to one floor below, room # 1504. Ape and I are in # 1607 and our room is proving to be just fine. They also took 15% off their bill!
The next day, around 12pm, we went for lunch at my favorite here in Destin, Pompano Joe's. The ocean and bay were aglow in beautiful shades of emerald green, turquoise and dark blue. It was gorgeous. I never get tired of the views....especially when we drive over Destin Pass Bridge and scenic 98.
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Mammas in front of ocean! Elizabeth reminded me of how I was the first time I was there -- taking one picture after another. It is just so beautiful.
Before we knew it we were at Pompano Joe's, sitting in front of an open window, practically ON THE BEACH. The colors of the ocean were amazing. The mammas & I got grilled chicken sandwiches with pineapple and April got some sort of eggroll texmex thingy. MMM...MMM.....we also shared a desert (chocolate cake) but it was way too rich.
After lunch and some sightseeing we went back to the resort as I felt icky and needed to rest. Mom and Elizabeth went to the beach and pool.
We ended up staying in for the night and watched American Idol and Nashville Star.
We have decided to go to Orlando with da mammas instead of Key West. The ride from Destin to Key West would be over 13 hours and with them flying home in a week it really would be too much to squeeze in. We are going to stay at Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando instead. They love it there and it will be very relaxing and peaceful.
Until
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Our view during lunch! then!
Happy travels...
Des
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Beautiful
Hi Moms! I am sitting here in Pakistan and always looking at your pages. You are so cute and smiling girls and you got the same choice as mine. Crystal clear water and milk powder kinda beaches! You too look so cute together. Thats true, friendship is for ever.