Day Two Hundred Eighty Two 2013

“Perhaps it is too late. I want to run
the beach's length, because it never ends.”         
~Deborah Ager

Neil and I arrived here two weeks ago today. This is the longest vacation we’ve ever taken, anywhere. Ever. It may be the last. The beach is wonderful. Destin is the best. We have enjoyed every moment of it. But two weeks, even in paradise, is a long time.

Today was very chilly, with a northerly wind. It started out cloudy but got sunny and stayed chilly, and the choppy waves returned. The fishermen/women didn’t seem to mind.

That’s a ‘pirate’ ship in the distance ~ saw it yesterday, too, advertising….something.

Today Kelly, Kerry and Knox had to head back home. They’ve come to enjoy breakfast at the Donut Hole, and we went there to eat, but the line was out the door, so we ended up at Another Broken Egg Café, which turned out to be a pretty tasty place for breakfast.
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Cuddling with Knox

We kept an eye on Knox while his mom and dad packed up and checked out.

Kerry and Knox and Kelly say so long to the beach ~ I was sad to see them go ~ with all our peeps gone home, this place was way too quiet.

We lazed around on the beach this afternoon for a couple of hours, reading and trying to soak up as much of this place as possible.

Toes in the sand one last time

I love how the water turns silver in the late afternoon when the sun starts to set.

One last dip in the ocean

It’s hard to turn your back on the ocean, but we are ready to go home.

We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant, then wandered down the boardwalk and found the fishing boats docking here, bringing their catch in to be weighed. The Destin Fishing Rodeo 2013 is in full swing. It is an annual competition that’s been held for decades here.

All I had was my cell phone camera [forgot to bring my big one] so I had no zoom. This group of six ladies brought in their catch of Red Snapper ~ impressive big fat fish. Wish you could see it. I thought it was funny that most of the people bringing in their catch were women.  [They got to keep theirs, Don~just saying]

Aarrr!

The sunset was pretty awesome, once again [I was longing for my long lens for this one]. Neil and I spent the rest of the evening packing up, getting ready to leave in the morning. We have enjoyed a wonderful time here, and as all good things do, it passed by way too fast. At least we can take the memories home with us.

Day Two Hundred Eighty One 2013

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea! You and me, you and me, oh how happy we'll be!  
~By The Beautiful Sea ~ From the musical "For Me and My Gal" (Harold Atteridge / Harry Carroll) (1914)






















Holly, Jerry, Shelby and Elijah headed back home this morning. I was sad to see them go, and they hated to leave. They enjoyed their brief stay. It’s always hard to leave the beach behind, especially for the kids. The weather here today was perfect. The ocean was so calm and quiet that it was almost eerie at times ~ we’re so used to the violent crashing of waves against the shore. The water was crystal clear and warm and filled with boats and ships and sea life we couldn’t see until now. This was Kelly and Kerry and Knox’s last full day here. They head home tomorrow morning. Knox really enjoyed playing in the sand and in the water. The sunset was a strip of fire along the western horizon. Venus has been an incredibly large bright ball in the sky each night. And tonight the crescent moon cut a bright silver path through the smooth black water. Even if I could have taken a picture, it wouldn’t have done it justice. One more day for Neil and me ~ it’s all gone by so fast.

Day Two Hundred Eighty 2013

If there is a heaven for me, I'm sure it has a beach attached to it.
~Jimmy Buffett

Can you tell it’s Fall Break at the beach? This group ordered twelve chairs together. I think maybe it’s time for us to go home.

Woke up to a chilly blue sky Autumn day.

The red flag finally came down ~ yellow flag went back up

The dolphins had everyone’s attention this morning as they swam back and forth looking for breakfast

The water was perfectly clear, all green and blue and warm ~ no seaweed ~ Holly, Jerry, Shelby and Elijah rode the waves which were gentle compared to the past week or so







Not a cloud in that perfect October blue sky

The dolphins were so much fun to watch ~ I’m so happy I got to see them


Beach bums






Knox joined us late this afternoon ~ he was running around faster than my lens shutter could snap his picture



Elijah has been after us to play Monopoly ~ he and Shelby and Neil and I got a game going ~ two hours later we called it a draw because nobody was trading any property and we were going in circles ~ but Shelby ended up with the most money, so she was declared the winner. The Myers family is heading back home in the morning ~ they didn’t get to stay very long but enjoyed the time they did have while they were here ~ Vacation is winding down ………