Trip Report May 19-23...a little lengthy...

Day One –

We arrived at Pelican Isle at about 11:30am (we had stayed the previous night in Clanton, AL) and were allowed to check in even though we were about 4 hours early. The check in clerk was very nice in explaining area attractions, our amenities package etc. Our unit (#116) was just absolutely beautiful. The décor was not gaudy as we saw in some pictures of other units, but instead was wonderfully done in a muted palm tree theme. We were especially pleased with how well-stocked the condo was – we never needed the extra tissue and towels we had packed. The kitchen was also well-stocked with every gadget we could think of. The balcony offered the perfect view. Now, I have heard some people remark that the water is still as a bathtub there, but the waves we saw seemed to be pretty strong. But, we didn’t mind in the least. It was nice to be able to hear them while sitting inside…After we unpacked our luggage, we headed to Publix for some supplies. While this store was a little expensive, we found that if we bought mainly generic items, we really did not spend anymore than we would have at the Kroger back home. After we returned to our condo and put away our groceries, we finally made it to the beach. The passes for two beach chairs and an umbrella were really great since it saved us at least $20 a day. After hanging out on the beach for a couple of hours, we got cleaned up and headed into Destin. We perused through a couple of gift shops (we know all these places sell the exact same things, but we just can’t resist). I swear it seems like every gift shop was either named SunSation, Wings or Alvins. After shopping for awhile we tried to go to Fudpuckers for supper, but I was feeling a little queasy and just wasn’t up for the 40 minute wait. So, instead, we went to Golden Corral. Normally, while on vacation, we avoid chain places like that but by that time the baby was telling I just needed to hurry and get something in me. For what it is worth, it was really good. After dinner we headed back to the condo to relax for awhile.

Day Two –

Happy 2nd Anniversary to us! We started our special day with some homemade pancakes with blackberry syrup and sausage. After breakfast, we just went for a drive to get a little more familiar with our surroundings. The drive down Hwy 98 between Fort Walton and Destin is absolutely beautiful! After our drive we decided to play a rousing game of putt-putt at Adventure Golf, where I claimed victory (although my husband claims my protruding abdomen must have given me some kind of advantage. Ha!!)

After the golf, we decided to hang out on the beach for awhile. Having not always been avid beach-goers, we both are still impressed by how relaxing it is to simply lay in the sand and doze to the sound of the ocean. However, it was this day that I was also reminded why it is that I normally avoid the sun like the plague. By the end of the day, my skin showed quite a resemblance to a broiled lobster. And while I attempted to bathe my scorched flesh, my husband preened in front of the mirror admiring his new swarthy self. I really hope our baby inherits his complexion!! However, a quick stop by the Publix for some Aloe Vera gel soon made everything all better. After the beach, we got cleaned up and headed to the Old Bay Steamer for our anniversary dinner. Now, I know I may catch some flack for this, but we really were not impressed. I don’t know if we Kentuckians are just not accustomed to true fresh seafood or what, but I do know that having to behead, deleg and otherwise gut our shrimp was not a pleasant experience. Having been raised in the country, I wouldn’t bat an eye about cleaning a squirrel or rabbit, but for some reason those little, red, beady eyed creatures had me chewing on saltines like my life depended on it. Hubby wasn’t crazy about them either. For our main course I ordered the New York strip and he had the same with some King Crab Legs. The steak was WAY over seasoned, but he claims the crab legs were pretty good. Now, I know that you always run a risk when trying a new restaurant, but it was really disappointing to have to go home and have a peanut butter sandwich after an $80 dinner. After our quick snack at the condo, we headed down to the beach for a sunset stroll, where we amused ourselves by reverting to age twelve and filming each other writing little sayings in the sand. It was right after my husband was putting the finishing touches on a lovely “Kerry Loves Rebecca” diagram that some jerk jogged by and very rudely and loudly informed us “There’s no printing on the beach!!” Seriously? If this is indeed a rule, can someone please explain to me what it is hurting to write something in the sand that will be washed away by morning anyway?

Day Three – After breakfast, the hubby headed down to beach for a few hours while I chilled in the condo. I was still pretty burnt and decided I better not risk it that day. After he returned, we headed out to the Fudpuckers in Fort Walton for a late lunch. The food here wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, but it was still really good. It was kind of fun to be allowed to graffiti the walls. After lunch we went out to make our souvenir purchases where the local vendors successfully pawned off on us their coffee mugs, shot glass, shells in bottles, t-shirts and hermit crabs. Upon returning to the condo, we went down to the pool for awhile and then went for another late afternoon walk on the beach.

Day Four – Our last day  . After breakfast we went down to the beach for a few hours and got in some last minute rays. Well, he got in some last minute rays. I hid under the umbrella. We did see the lifeguard have to haul in two girls after they went in to ocean right after “Do Not Enter – Rip Current” signs had been put out. Some people just have no common sense…That afternoon we headed into Destin and went shopping at the Silver Sands outlet mall. AWESOME!! My husband got a Perry Ellis suit that was 60% off and I got my first (and probably last) designer purse at Dooney %26amp; Bourke. After hitting the Carter’s Children’s Clothing store, we had lunch at Ciao Bella where I had the best manicotti. If you decide to go shopping here, be sure to have lunch at Ciao Bella. After shopping we headed back to the condo to pack up and be sure we were ready to head out bright and early. We decided to forgo all the warnings we had read and have dinner at the Crab Trap that night – we thought it was really good. I had the grilled chicken and he had the shrimp platter, which I am happy to report arrived at the table minus their head, legs and shells. My only complaint is that it was SOOO crowded there! It didn’t help that after the hostess seated us, we were promptly forgotten about. After about 20 minutes of sitting patiently, a waitress finally noticed that we existed and the rest of our dinner went pretty smoothly. It was pretty fun to be able to watch the surfers while we ate. After dinner we headed back for one last stroll on the beach…

Overall, we could not have chosen a better place for our “babymoon”. We got some much needed R%26amp;R, but we also found enough activities to keep us as busy as we wanted be. We are very much looking forward to bringing our daughter in the years to come!!

Trip Report May 19-23...a little lengthy...

“There’s no printing on the beach!!” Seriously?

You must use the Quartz font. Don%26#39;t you guys know the rules?

Trip Report May 19-23...a little lengthy...

Where did you stay? Pelican Isle? Where is this?

That guy%26#39;s just mad because nobody loves him enough to write his name in the sand!

yeah, no printing on the beach has been a rule for eons. Also, you will need a permit for building sand castles. I know, this seems petty, but the over building in Destin has gotten out of control. Finally, you can only make a right turn out of your parking lot and onto the road. It%26#39;s to keep traffic moving. This is for alternate days so if you arrive on a Saturday, it%26#39;s the right turn rule. If you arrive on Sunday the left turn rule is enforced.

Glad I could help.

I know you might not have been trying to be humorous, but I couldn%26#39;t help but smile while reading your trip report. Ya%26#39;ll sound like pretty good sports, but don%26#39;t let someone on the beach ruin your good time like that! Good luck to you and your little one to come.

I guess you learned this the hard way - but when you are pregnant your skin burns even easier!

I DID hide under the umbrella (I am plae and always do) when we came down while I was pregnant, but just the times I went in the water and walked the shore I burnt to a crisp. I was actually sick from it! Be careful when you are pregnant and in the sun!!!

Yes, we stayed at Pelican Isle. It is on Santa Rosa Blvd (little ways down from the Holiday In Sunspree Resort).

Quartz? Well, that was our problem!! We were thinking that Times New Roman was the approved font to use. You would have thought they would have told us that when we purchased our Sand Castle Permits.

I can now say that I firmly agree that pregnant bodies scorch more quickly than the unpregnant variety! Bring on the SPF!!

“There’s no printing on the beach!!”

The first thing that occurred to me was Tom Hanks%26#39; quote from the movie A League of Their Own, ';There%26#39;s no crying in baseball!';

How was the drive to Destin? Was the beach crowded?

I had no idea I was runnning the risk of being hauled off to jail by the ';no printing on the beach police.'; My ';crime'; is even documented with my pictures under my Trip Advisor photos! Yikes...

Great report. I loved the idea of your Babymoon.

How sweet is that!