Worldly Wednesdays – Destin, Florida

Well here is another in the series of my worldly travels were I got to travel on someone else’s nickels. Last time I said I would tell you about a warmer place, so here it is. I know it says Florida and that Florida is not really worldly, but it involves me leaving my tiny corner of Texas. And when you leave the state of Texas it is like traveling to another country. I mean have you ever seen how big Texas really is?

Anyway back in March of 2009 for Spring Break I packed up my kids and we drove to Georgia to help their grandparents move into a new house that they had just bought the week before. We stayed there 4 days doing all of the moving, cleaning, painting, and other stuff which goes along with moving into a new house. On the 5th day we (me and their grandparents) packed up the kids and drove south down to Destin, Florida as a reward to the kids for their help with moving.

The whole way driving down to Destin we told the kids we were heading north to Canada, which the kids believed until we actually go to Destin and they could smell the beach air. They were a tad bit pissed off at our lies and deceptions because they were actually by that point wanting to go snow skiing. But they got over it really quick when they discovered that our hotel was a resort on the beach.

We got there on a nice, crisp, COLD Thursday evening and my kids being who they are, just had to go swimming immediately. So we proceeded to unpack the cars and get everything into the resort room. This room was beyond what words can describe, it had 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a huge living room. Oh and the best thing about it was that I was not paying for it. I was impressed to say the least living like rich folk live.

So we quickly headed down to the beach and it was freezing cold. I did not even go into the water because it was so cold, but my kids being kids jumped in head first and swam until way after dark. After a few hours of that we hit up the resorts heated swimming pool, which I did partake in some of the hot tub.

We spent the next two whole days at the beach from sun up to sun down. The kids were in the water swimming. And since it was Spring Break, I was observing the college co-eds to make sure that they were not drowning. Yes I know what you are thinking, you are a damn pervert. I was sitting in my lawn chair drinking beer; of course I was going to watch the ladies. Sheesh I am a MAN after all.

Words just simply can’t describe how beautiful the beaches of the Florida panhandle truly are. The sand is white and clean, and the water is a light blue and crystal clear. And when I say crystal clear, I mean crystal clear. You can see all of the marine life all around you in the water if you are one of those paranoid people who don’t like sharks.

We also ventured around town a little bit and did some shopping and some eating. The only negative thing I would say is if you ever go to Destin, DO NOT eat at a place called “Fudpuckers”. The place blows chunks, the food sucked, the service sucked, and it is highly overpriced for shitty food and service. You could have a better meal at McDonald’s.

Well after playing on the beach for 3 days, Sunday came around and we had to get on the road for the 8 hour drive back to Texas. Which was depressing to say the least, but I was thankful for the opportunity to get to visit one of the South’s best beaches. If you ever get a chance to go there, I would highly recommend it. You don’t even have to go to Destin, you can go to any of the beaches along the Alabama or Florida panhandle to see a truly beautiful beach.

Next time around I will take you somewhere outside of North America.