Hunky-Dory: Everyone should believe in something. I believe I should go to the beach.

Destination <> Destin

October 4, 2021

Took four long years to drive to the beach. Well, it’s been that long since we’ve been here. And it always seems like the trip is taking years to reach our destination. This view never gets old. Ever.

October 5

Tuesday morning view from our first floor balcony

The sea was angry that day, my friends.

Red flag angry

This was Ella’s first beach trip. She loved it.

Knox had no fear of the fierce waves.

Ella took off down the beach chasing the birds

She held her arms out to them. The birds probably thought she was offering something to eat.

Beach Please. Kelly’s happy place.

Ella loved the waves, too.

Ella and Knox both enjoyed playing in the water more than playing in the sand.

Neil captured this one

Grandpa tried to interest her in building sand castles but apparently she’s a water baby.

Silver sea

Ended the day hoping the sun’ll come out tomorrow.

October 6

Morning view. I see blue.

Fishing boats lined up on the horizon.

So many different shades of blue

Grandpeeps can’t wait to ride the waves

Knox always makes a beeline into the waves no matter how high they crash.

Ella could jump over the waves all day long.

Heads up!

Watching for the next one

Sittin' in the big chair at the Back Porch

Afternoon clouds and a pinch of blue sky

Southeastern sky at sunset

Sky on fire in the west ~ the sun drops like a rock here it seems ~ if you’re not paying attention you can miss it

This wood carving/sculpture sits in the Kimbrough’s living room. Pretty amazing. Just don’t trip and fall into it. Those dolphin fins could be lethal.

October 7

The morning started out nice even though the water was still choppy.

Torrential rain drove us inside around lunch time

90 minutes later. You gotta love Florida weather.

Beautiful sunset and calm sea

Lens flare. Or somebody dropped a bomb.

Meanwhile Holly sent this pic from the backseat of their car as Shelby took over the driving and Elijah rode shotgun on their way to join us in Destin. They finally arrived around midnight.

October 8

Our first day of awesome weather since we arrived on the fourth. Holly, Shelby, and Elijah chose the perfect time to come.

Let’s be beach bums today.

Love the silver reflection of the sunrise on the water.

Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair. —Zac Brown Band

Beach babe with her Rice Krispy Treat

Knox is thinking about running into the waves.

Girls just wanna have sun!

I wish that Beach Therapy was covered by my Health Insurance

Good times in the sand and under the sand

Ella’s not too sure about this situation

There’s no place like home. Except the beach.

Especially when there’s WIFI

How to have a beach body: 1. Have a body 2. Go to the beach

Shelby and Ella making sand pies

Palm trees. Ocean Breeze. Salty Air. Sun kissed Hair. Endless Summer. Take me there.

Mellow Mushroom is a must on a trip to Destin.

Hungry peeps but always leftovers to go. The Kosmic Karma is my favorite.

The not-so-yellow submarine

October 9

“If there’s heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.” – Jimmy Buffett

Planes used to fly advertisement banners back and forth along the shore. Now there’s a tug boat towing a big screen flashing commercials and even reminders to apply sunscreen.

Beach bum

Beach bunnies

Probably shouldn’t feed the birds because ...

… you end up with new best friends who won’t leave you alone ...

… until you run out of chips.

Bob’s friends watch as he dies happy after eating his fill of chips and ascends straight up into heaven.

Elijah spent some time skim boarding this afternoon. Sometimes you can balance on a perfect wave ...

… and sometimes you can’t …

Kelly in her happy place.

Knox in his happy place.

Shelby in her happy place.

Practice makes perfect

Holly in her happy place.

Waiting for the perfect wave. Timing is everything.

“Feeling stressed? There’s a beach for that.”

Ella and Holly watching ... Spongebob?

It’s time for UNO!

Plotting to skip you when it’s your turn

She looks friendly, but she will slap a Choose Four card on you in a heartbeat and laugh about it.

Actually, we all do that.

Holly snapped this group selfie, and I said send that to me and I’ll put it on my blaaahhhhggggg.

Yeah, I said it just like that. And here it is. On my blaaahhhhgggg.

October 10

"To escape and sit quietly on the beach — that’s my idea of paradise.”

Peeps at the Porch in the big chair

Ella’s got shade

Knox and friend

Holly and E down by the sea

A good book and the beach—two of Shelby’s favorite things

A floatation device is a must

Time to reapply

Smile!

Beach corn hole. Don’t know who won this competition.

"Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.”

The kids had a great time playing in the sand.

Ella thought this was the coolest thing when Holly buried her legs in the sand.

One of my most fave pics from this trip.

Sunset gazing

October 11

Never gets old

It’s a good day to have a good day.

Pool time with Ella and friends

Kerry, Knox, and Kelly went parasailing. This was Knox’s first time. He admitted later that he was pretty scared. Not sure he enjoyed it all that much.

Meanwhile, back on the beach, Holly kept Ella entertained.

Shelby was happy just chilling.

Kerry, Kelly, Knox, and Ella went on a pirate ship cruise.

This was Holly, Shelby, and Elijah’s last day here. We enjoyed dinner at the Back Porch.

October 12

Neil captured the sunrise

Another beautiful day in paradise ...

… and our last full day here.

So glad Shelby got to spend her fall break here.

Elijah had been on the fence about coming with his mom and sister. I’m glad he decided to come, but I think he was ready to get back home to his friends.