We took our first trip to Destin, Florida a couple weeks ago for a week long beach vacation. My family rented a big vacation house across from the beach back in the winter and we planned and we planned and we dieted (well, some of us) and we packed and packed and packed and then it was time to go!
I was quite nervous about the 10 hour drive with Abby and Jimmy but surprisingly on the way there we didn't have many problems at all. We left early (around 5am) and for the first couple hours, Abby, and eventually Jimmy, slept in the car. We stopped for breakfast and lunch to eat and burn off some energy and the drove on and on and on. They did great in the car, napped off and on and enjoyed the iPad and all The Wiggles had to offer. And then we made it. We arrived around 7pm!
And one word to describe the Destin, FL (Crystal Beach location) is: Beautiful. The house was awesome and the set up worked great for us. We stayed in the carriage house above the garage, which had a separate bedroom and living space. The main house had three levels, with bedrooms on each floor. The views from the balconies off the bedrooms were amazing!
The Plantation Home
The beach was white, soft sand and the water was stunning, so crystal clear and beautiful in many shades of blue. See for yourself:
The view from the top of the Public Access boardwalk/seating area
The house had a nice, refreshing pool that we took advantage of quite often. Abby and Jimmy were able to practice swimming and jumping in!
We went to the beach a couple times, which was fun for all. But my OCD kids didn't really like having sand on their hands and feet (Abby mostly) and with them being used to the calm waters of the Frybarger backyard pool, the ocean waves scared them a bit. But nonetheless, they seemed to enjoy the time at the beach.
Burying Jim in the sand
Not so sure about the sand at first
Relaxing at the beach
Allie - little swimmer!
We went to Destin Commons one morning (as our mornings started quite early with them waking around 5am every day) and enjoyed the Starbucks and playground and the fun that the Commons had to offer. Abby and Jimmy (mostly Jimmy) loved the orange juice they were treated to after a hot morning playing at the playground.
The playground at Destin Commons - within walking distance from our rental!
Peek-a-boo
Cheese!
Fun slide
Come on Mom, get me off this thing
Beverage break
Love this picture of Jim and Abby
Chugging the OJ!
Look, I was there too!
The Big Kahuna waterpark was also a blast. We floated in the lazy river and played in the kid area for a while. My parents rented a cabana area so that when we got tired or hungry, we had a great place to go to to relax for a bit. And not surprisingly, after a fun morning at the Big Kahuna water park, both Abby and Jimmy passed out within seconds of getting back in the car. So Jim and I drove around for awhile checking out the area and daydreaming about how awesome it would be to own a beach home around the Destin area!
Come on Mom and Dad, let's go!
Relaxing on one of the lazy rivers!
We went on the Seablaster (was that the name?!) dolphin watching speed boat tour, which was awesome. We were able to see some dolphins right up next to the boat and once the boat sped off, the dolphins started jumping in the wake. It was amazing. Abby and Jimmy seemed to love it too - as much as they loved the ice chips that they were given to cool off on the boat.
It was hot but once we got going the breeze was awesome!
There they are... three dolphins. Not the best pic, but they eventually came out of the water
On another morning we checked out the Gulfarium. It was a little tiny bit like Sea World, but not nearly on the same level. It was a nice time for all (us and my Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa came along). Jimmy didn't have nearly the same amount of interest in seeing the animals, and instead seemed to really enjoy running up and down the wooded paths. We were able to take in the seal (oh shoot, or was it the seal lions) show and the dolphin show before the exhaustion (lack of sleeping in!) hit the babes and we had to depart. But overall the Gulfarium was a fun time!
Cool
The loved watching the dolphin show
A quick family picture
The last day there, Jimmy ended up getting sick with a 103 degree fever. He was quite sick looking. So Jim stayed back with him napping, while the rest of us went to the beach one last time.
Later in the day was parasailing, but unfortunately right when everyone got out on the water, they canceled the trip due to some heavy thunderstorms in the area. Huge bummer for all. But I imagine the next beach vacation there will be some parasailing for sure!
The best part of the trip was hanging out with our family. It was great to spend time with everyone and enjoy a relaxing vacation!
A cute picture - too bad it's blurry
Relaxing (cool shirt Avery!)
Abby and Jimmy loved watching the Wiggles with their big cousin Amber!
Hanging out on the porch
Trying to get out for parasailing before the storms
Enjoying some frozen ice at HarborWalk
A fun mini train ride
We had an awesome time in Destin - and hope visit again sometime soon!
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