Miramar Beach, that is. Better known to the DDFF Trojans as Destin, Florida. With the gulf’s emerald green waters and white sand beaches and the hospitality of Greybeard and Sara Jean – Life was grand! At least for the week. Saturday and Sunday, we all headed home to the real world.
The beaches in the area are actually made of quartz sand eroded and washed down rivers from the Appalachian Mountains. Makes a perfect beach. Trouble with a beach like that – you want to spend all of your time there. Not unlike that Perfect Margarita that GoldenGirl and TwoDogs talk about. Hang around the beach or the margarita too much and you will get into trouble…..Different troubles, but trouble just the same!
This year, there were 10 DDFFers. Same number as last year. Flygirl and her Hoosier Boy were not able to make it this year. We missed them (so did our favorite waitress at Kenny Ds). Carol and Tracy took up the slack. Carol was not feeling well and that put a little damper on their stay. Hope Carol is feeling better. We enjoyed having them. Harry and Carol stayed at the complex this year instead of driving home every night. Harry even brought his Bass Cat (great fishing boat) with him. TC and Harry fished the rivers and lakes for 4 days. I’ll let them tell you how they did….
Cinders and I arrived on Sunday evening and made a bee line to Kenny Ds. Great Mahi Mahi. That night, we sat on the balcony, enjoyed the company and the conversation. It had been windy for a few day and the swells were really rolling in. You could hear the surf from the balcony. Really nice evening. The skies stayed clear for the next couple of days. Took in some sun on the beach the next day – Us Yankees couldn’t stay out in it long, though. Dinner for the group at Callahan's Restaurant & Deli Monday evening. Seems as if everyone had a great dinner. Desserts were too delicious!
Next day, another nice one. Guys got up early to go fishing again. Some of us hung out by the pool and in the afternoon, went to Destin Commons. Nice area – didn’t see it last year, but, enjoyed it this year. That evening, we all went to Grazi’s. Italian – pasta dishes w/seafood. WOW…. Again, all 10 went. Not sure Carol was able to enjoy it like the rest of us, though.
Wed., 5/14/2008. What happened 42 years ago? Happy Anniversary, Harry and Carol!
Day started like the others. Guys were gone fishing before the sun rose. Sara Jean made delicious breakfast sandwiches and then we all decided to head southeast to Seaside, a 45 minute drive from Greybeard’s Condo. The little village had something going on and there were tons of people milling around. Interesting layout of homes. Most of them hidden by lush foliage. Got out/milled around/got in and headed back. Stopped at the outlet mall for a quickie (remember, we are old – so it is either quick or not at all!) I’m talking about the shopping….. That evening, H & C, TC and Sharon and Carol & Tracy went to Baytown Wharf to help celebrate the anniversary. Greybeard, Sara Jean, Cinders and TwoDogs went back to Kenny Ds for some red beans and rice and that great Mahi Caesar.
The beaches in the area are actually made of quartz sand eroded and washed down rivers from the Appalachian Mountains. Makes a perfect beach. Trouble with a beach like that – you want to spend all of your time there. Not unlike that Perfect Margarita that GoldenGirl and TwoDogs talk about. Hang around the beach or the margarita too much and you will get into trouble…..Different troubles, but trouble just the same!
This year, there were 10 DDFFers. Same number as last year. Flygirl and her Hoosier Boy were not able to make it this year. We missed them (so did our favorite waitress at Kenny Ds). Carol and Tracy took up the slack. Carol was not feeling well and that put a little damper on their stay. Hope Carol is feeling better. We enjoyed having them. Harry and Carol stayed at the complex this year instead of driving home every night. Harry even brought his Bass Cat (great fishing boat) with him. TC and Harry fished the rivers and lakes for 4 days. I’ll let them tell you how they did….
Cinders and I arrived on Sunday evening and made a bee line to Kenny Ds. Great Mahi Mahi. That night, we sat on the balcony, enjoyed the company and the conversation. It had been windy for a few day and the swells were really rolling in. You could hear the surf from the balcony. Really nice evening. The skies stayed clear for the next couple of days. Took in some sun on the beach the next day – Us Yankees couldn’t stay out in it long, though. Dinner for the group at Callahan's Restaurant & Deli Monday evening. Seems as if everyone had a great dinner. Desserts were too delicious!
Next day, another nice one. Guys got up early to go fishing again. Some of us hung out by the pool and in the afternoon, went to Destin Commons. Nice area – didn’t see it last year, but, enjoyed it this year. That evening, we all went to Grazi’s. Italian – pasta dishes w/seafood. WOW…. Again, all 10 went. Not sure Carol was able to enjoy it like the rest of us, though.
Wed., 5/14/2008. What happened 42 years ago? Happy Anniversary, Harry and Carol!
Day started like the others. Guys were gone fishing before the sun rose. Sara Jean made delicious breakfast sandwiches and then we all decided to head southeast to Seaside, a 45 minute drive from Greybeard’s Condo. The little village had something going on and there were tons of people milling around. Interesting layout of homes. Most of them hidden by lush foliage. Got out/milled around/got in and headed back. Stopped at the outlet mall for a quickie (remember, we are old – so it is either quick or not at all!) I’m talking about the shopping….. That evening, H & C, TC and Sharon and Carol & Tracy went to Baytown Wharf to help celebrate the anniversary. Greybeard, Sara Jean, Cinders and TwoDogs went back to Kenny Ds for some red beans and rice and that great Mahi Caesar.
Next day, Carol and Tracy headed to Ocala and Greybeard’s Mother and Sister arrived from Pensacola. For me, it was very nice to see both of them after such a long time. Both were Valley Girls. Nellie even worked at the Bee Hive for awhile. It rained on and off that day, so we spent the day visiting…
Friday, with time winding down, the groups split up. Some went to a movie and others went to Destin Commons. Consensus was that we would meet back at the condo and go to the Back Porch for dinner. Had a good dinner that evening and returned back to the condo to play Hand and Foot. The guys snookered me into playing (I had never played before). Played partners and Cinders and I held our own to the very end. Very enjoyable game. Lots of rules to remember, but, with 5 women helping???? me out – I made it to the end. 0030hours – time to hit the sack…
Saturday morning came quickly. We rose early and were on the road by 0645. Home 12 hours later. Reflecting back, the DDFF hosted by Greybeard and Sara Jean has been a great getaway for us. Fish or no fish, I’ll be back for more….
4 comments:
Good reporting TD.
And your count is more accurate than mine...
Ten last year, and ten again this year...
I guess I should have said I was counting those "in residence" at Gulf Winds East. It was great having H&C close this DDFF... made visiting a lot easier!
Sounds like I missed out on learning how to play a new game. Next year at DDFF you'll have to teach me how to play "hand and foot"
Tracy & I have decided we are not going on the Alaska trip. I know its going to be beautiful and everyone will just have to bring back a lot of pictures.
We feel like we had rather take several small trips and are planning on taking all our kids on a week trip. We took them 3 years ago to Kentucky Lake and we all stayed in our own little cabins. Year before we took them to a water park. Last year we rented house boats at Patoka Lake. I decided a few years ago since I was forgetting a least one of my grandkids (and now have added 2 great grandbabies) birthdays, that we would get together once a year and celebrate all the birthdays at one time. Sure has made life easier. And truth be known, I think it has been a little cheaper then celebrating 29 birthdays at different times of the year. The kids remember the trips & AND THEY THINK I'M A GREAT MOM & NANA. hehe
The time was great just too short. Carol and I had a great time visiting with each and everyone. Yes it has been 42 years seems like yesterday. As a fishing guide I was a complete failure. I still had a great time trying to catch fish.
When you have great friends or should I say family it is always fun.
Thanks for the good times.
Harry
Hello Everyone,
It is good to see you all had a wonderful time and survived.
Good food and good friends are priceless.
Ken and I have thought of all of you so often.
I hope Carol feels better real soon and until we all meet again.
Take care.
Suzan
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