For those who requested more info about our recent family vacation, here it goes (and you can check out all of our past road trip and vacation posts here). We decided to take our week-long summer vacation in Destin, Florida this year. Since my family wasn’t doing a beach week like usual, and we were already going to be in Atlanta for the Haven conference, it felt like a no brainer to accept the Bowers’ invite to join them for week on the Florida panhandle.
Katie Bower’s husband Jeremy did the hard work of finding a house to rent for the week (finger snaps for him, everybody). Since their extended family rents frequently in the area and finding vacancies can sometimes be tough, they like to keep it as their little family secret – but for anyone looking for a place, we were near Miramar Beach and you can use sites like VRBO.com to hunt something down and read reviews. Our place wasn’t beach-front but we could easily walk to the beach, which was more cost effective than splurging for a beach-front one – plus it even had a little pool. Suffice it to say it was exactly what our rag tag group of four adults, three children, and a chihuahua needed. And how fun are these bunk beds?
If anything, we were most impressed with the outside. There were these great arbors with vines all around them and a nice little courtyard patio to insulate us from the road and the bike path on the other side.
Right beyond the courtyard was a little pool that ended up being our second home, only to the ocean. It wasn’t big enough for hosting swim meets or anything, but it was plenty of room for a few kids, a few adults, and the occasional doll.
In fact, it doubled as a synchronized swimming practice on one particularly odd afternoon (I think the sun was starting to get to us by this point). #claralovedit
But mostly the pool served as a nice place for Clara to practice her kicks and slowly get braver about putting her head under the water. Or at least under the daddy bridge.
But enough about the pool. Let’s talk about the real star of this vacation. THE BEACH.
We’ve vacationed on Florida’s Gulf Coast before, but I don’t remember sand this white or water this clear. And forget clear, the best part about the water was how warm and calm it was. Something I especially appreciate because it meant Clara embraced the ocean more than she ever has before.
The water was so calm after the first few days that we took it as a sign that we should rent stand-up paddleboards (from a place on the beach called La Dolce Vida). We got two (one for each family) and once we got the hang of it ourselves, we took the kids for a bit of a spin too.
The paddleboards were pretty easy to use (thanks calm water!) but I think everyone but Jeremy managed to fall off at some point. I missed catching Katie’s spill on camera by a split second (that’s her in the background of this shot). She’s probably happy about that.
We did realize it was easier to ride the kids around when we adults were either sitting or kneeling. Our balance was much better that way, plus the kids seemed to feel better being closer to us. Heck, Katie even took both of them out at one point.
As fun as the paddleboards were, most of our beach time was spent just playing in the water or building sand castles. But usually around lunch time we’d get the kids fed and then try to squeeze in another activity before their nap times, like going for a spin on the bikes that were provided by our rental house (the trailer carrying Will and Weston is theirs, though).
Clara rode with me on her iBert, which I always love. Our game of choice this time around was guessing what color the collars of dogs that we spotted up ahead on the path would be.
But perhaps the cutest biking couple of the trip goes to these lovebirds. Get a room, ladies.
Speaking of a cute pair, Clara and Will had a great time together. I’m not gonna lie and say it was all pinwheels and skipping (they’re both three, and sharing is not necessarily a mastered skill yet) but it certainly was fun to have another kid on the trip to play with. Though I should say kids, since Clara was pretty enamored with Weston too. And Sherry and I appreciated having other parents there to back us up or at least help us smile through a tantrum.
We did brave eating out a few times (it is vacation after all) and between the recommendations from you guys and the Bowers, there were great eats to be had. My favorite meal was probably at The Red Bar (not shown because the picture came out, well, too red) but Sherry declared her extra spicy shrimp at Stinky’s Fish Camp (bottom left) her favorite.
I also really liked the coconut shrimp lunch I got at Pompano Joe’s one day during a bike ride. It was right on the beach and it kinda made me wish more buildings could get away with a color scheme like this.
A few of you reported having bad weather in Destin the week before we arrived, which made us nervous. But aside from some quick evening thunderstorms we only got one dreary afternoon, which gave us a good excuse to try out some non beach fun – like outlet shopping (for the girls) and go-kart rides (for the dads and big kids). How we didn’t end up with the #7 car I’ll never know.
Like any vacation, the last day came all too quickly. We realized there were all sorts of things we hadn’t gotten to do – like going sea kayaking, hit up thrift shops, and taking some family pictures on the beach. But by some miracle we managed to make all of that happen in the final day. Sherry shared their thrifting adventures yesterday, but sadly there aren’t any photos of Jeremy and I braving the (suddenly quite choppy) seas in our kayaks. But I did get some of Katie doing her pro photographer thing though.
It was just about the perfect evening to end our trip.
It was almost cruel how much it made us not want to leave.
But alas, all good things come to an end. So the next morning we packed up and headed back to Atlanta for a quick overnight at the Bowers before completing the other half of the 14 hour trip the next day. Clara, thank goodness, is actually quite the road trip warrior – thanks mostly to the fact that we’ve done long drives with her since she was four weeks old (our current tips for long rides with a three year old are: lots of books, lots of toys, lots of snacks, and a few iPad games when you get desperate). Somewhere around hour 11 we all started to get a little stir crazy, but we made it home.
So a big thanks again to the Bowers for the invitation and for making it such a fun and memorable trip. After 12 days away from home (thanks to the conference beforehand) we were pretty excited to sleep in our own beds again… and to hit the ground running when it came to projects (dude, we’re demoing something today!).
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As a little Friday bonus, here are four fun projects, chats, or questions going on over on the Forums. We also announced this week’s giveaway winners, so you can click here (and scroll down to the Rafflecopter box) to see if it’s you.
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| by Hello | by michelelouise | by DesertDomicile |
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Man, I am so jealous of you guys. This looks amazing! Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you a bit. :)
We also travel from VA (C’ville!) to the panhandle to beach it every year because our family is in Louisiana, so they are able to drive over easily. Growing up going to Atlantic coast beaches makes the gulf feel like a tropical oasis! Just a heads up, the vacation rental site is VRBO.com for anyone looking–no B–it’s been our tried and true rental source for years! :)
Thanks Amelia! John said the site name out loud and his V sounded like a B! Haha! All fixed.
xo
s
I always like these Petersik/Bower vacation posts. :) It’s so fun that you guys are able to take vacations together! Yay, thanks for all the details too…the beaches look so beautiful! I bet it keeps getting more fun watching those kiddos GROW. I seriously can’t believe how BIG Clara and Will are getting!
But then again, our little man just turned TWO yesterday. Donno how that happened! ;) I captured his last moments of being one…happened upon him “helping” dad shave, ha. You’ll get a kick out of these: http://hennablossom.com/?p=4302 (promise!) :)
Looking forward to all the new house posts now that you’re refreshed and ready to DIG IN! :)
Those pictures are ADORABLE! I couldn’t stop smiling at my computer!
xo
s
I love how close you guys are to the Bowers. It’s a beautiful thing! I wonder if you’ll still be blogging in 20/25 years when Clara & Will get married :)
The pool! I need one of those babies right in my backyard! haha Looks like a lot of fun, makes me want to drive to Florida right now :)
I think renting a house is the only way to go on vacation with young kids.
Before our little one came along, the wife and I took all of our vacations by motorcycle and would always rent a little cabin (always with a hot tub!) that was as far in the middle of nowhere that we could find.
I love beach vacations and this looks like a lot of fun! Thanks for the info about Destin. I’ve never been and it looks like I need to add it to my travel bucket list.
(dude, we’re demoing something today!) –> as if we needed incentive to come back on Monday! Tease!
Destin is officially on my vacation bucket list.
Oh man, it’s a MESS. I’m GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT! Cue the maniacal laughs.
xo
s
That looks like an awesome vacation! The house is so cute! We rented stand up paddleboards on the Hanalei River on Kauai in May and loved it. The Mr is going to get one even though we’re pretty much landlocked to a degree. At least it’ll look good in the garage. :)
Yeah for narrow pools and tall (limber) daddies!
How fun! Looks like you guys had an awesome time!
I am not a fan of water other than pools but your beach pictures make the ocean look pretty tempting!
This is totally off topic, but I saw this earlier today and thought of you guys… maybe you’ll enjoy it!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/strangely-satisfying-examples-of-power-washing-porn
So funny! Someone else sent that link our way yesterday. John’s eyes glazed over with love.
xo
s
I love my hometown and I am so glad that you all enjoyed it as much as I do! Sounds like you had the perfect Destin experience!
STINKYS!!! When I saw you were in the Destin area, I was SOOO hoping you’d eat at Stinky’s. It’s our absolute favorite, we plan all our beach trips around our meals at Stinky’s! We usually stay in Seaside/Seagrove area, but this year we tried Blue Mountain Beach and loved it. So glad to see your fun beach photos — makes me want to go back! Right now!
Thank you for sharing your vacation with us! I love going to Destin to visit my cousin stationed at Eglin AFB. You just motivated me to book my next flight!
Looks like a fabulous getaway!
I have to say, as a first time mom of an 11 month old, it never fails that I keep reading that as Des-i-tin instead of Destin… I guess we have had a bit too much diaper rash around here!
So funny! I do that too when I read it sometimes!
xo
s
The west coast of FL was Jasper’s first beach vacation and I have to say, it was way better for him than our this year’s vacay to the outer banks.. the calm, clear WARM water of the gulf is just perfect for the littles! Glad you all enjoyed it so much!
What a beautiful and fun vacation! I love that you were able to do it with the Bowers. How fun! glad you got to get some time away from work!
Beautiful! And what an amazing rental house!
that second to last photo of Clara on the beach is amazing!!! Glad you all had a nice trip!
Looks like a great time. I absolutely love Destin! Pompano Joe’s is such a great little place.
Gosh, that just sounds amazing! It’s been years since I’ve been to an ocean beach, and it really is a lovely way to spend a week.
Destin looks like an amazing place to visit (especially in contrast to the rainy cold snap we’re having here in famously hot South Carolina!
Oh man…. that looks so beautiful and relaxing. Love the photos. Can’t wait till Monday’s post to see what you’re tearing up!! ;)
What a fun and beautiful trip! We’ve been thinking about a trip to Destin or Seaside and I appreciate this!
Best area ever to vacation. We go every year and my heart hurts to leave. So many good memories there, thanks for the flashback this morning :)
Ha! We were over in Grayton Beach the same week you were in Destin! Man, we all lucked out on the weather. My family has been vacationing in Destin for the past 22 years and we LOVE it down there (even though it has changed so much in that time it’s unbelievable).
If you go back again you should definitely check out the restaurant The Back Porch then wander across the street to the Candymaker to have a praline. So. Much. Fun.
I’m heading there a week from today! It’s my happy place. We are only 4 hours away and spend so much time there. I love to see how much everyone else loves it, too. It’s heaven on earth!
Looks like a great vacay! We love doing vacation rentals with other families too! It’s more fun for the kids to have others to play with and it shares the workload (meal prep, kiddie supervision) so you get more relax time on your vacation! Ideal, really.
We also hit some great weather and warm waters on our co-family PEI, Canada vacation last week! Cheers!
The photos look gorgeous. I’ve been to Florida quite a few times, but never to Destin. Yet another vacation spot to add to the wishlist! ;0) Thanks for sharing your trip…Definitely treasured friendships & memories to cherish!
I love going to Destin!!! There are so many great things to do around there. Next time you should check out Navarre and the national sea shore that is there. It is a great day trip. The beach is gorgeous. Also try out Old Bay Steamer that is on Okaloosa closer to Ft. Walton than Destin.
Emily
eageremily.blogspot.com
Emily, we live in Navarre and you’re right, it’s gorgeous! I love it because the beach is every bit as beautiful as Destin, but not as many people know about it so it’s much less crowded during tourist season.
Old Bay Steamer is THE. BOMB.
Best steamed shellfish you will EVER eat.
I’ve been to Destin many a time, and I’ve never seen the water as pretty as it is in your pictures – lucky!!! Looks like a great time – and I was glad to grab a pic with Sherry while at Haven. So cool! have a great weekend, y’all
So nice to see you at Haven, Kelli! I had the best time!
xo
s
Looks like an amazing time! I’m super jealous! I haven’t been to the beach in almost 2 years, I want to go!
Destin is one of my favorite places and I have only been there once. We stayed on the beach in a house right down the sand (lol) from Pompano Joe’s. We ate/drank there at least 5 times while we were there.
Hmm…we were talking last night about how we want to steal away for a quick family weekend trip after school starts. I was thinking the hills of Georgia are calling my name and we might do a VRBO cabin out there. But Destin sounds legit so who knows where we’ll land? I’m so glad you guys had what looks like a blast down here in our neck of the woods. I’m such a flighty vacationer. I like to see it all so we rarely go back to the same place twice. (psst…I’m already planning our master 10 year anniversary getaway to the beaches of Mexico. It will involve me kidnapping the hubs, whisking us off to the airport and not letting him know where we’re headed until we get in the air.) Do you guys like to go to the same place over and over?
My best, Lynn
We usually like to see new places on road trips and then do annual family vacations to the same area of Delaware since John’s family has a house there.
xo
s
That shot of Clara alone on the beach, footsteps trailing –just fabulous. That is one to enlarge and hang on your wall.
HOW FUN!!! Seriously, that looks like the best vacation ever….I need a beach. Who do I talk to about getting an ocean in Missouri?
Haha! I’d like to put an order in for an Ikea in Richmond while you’re at it!
xo
s
Oh wow…Destin is gorgeous! My fiance and I are looking for a honeymoon spot, and this might fit the bill. Does anyone know…is it a big Spring Break destination? We’re getting married next month but not honeymooning until February or March.
Anyone know that? It seemed more of a family place than a spring break-ish spot, but we were off season for that of course.
xo
s
Hi Leeann! Destin does get some of the spring break crowd, but not nearly as much as nearby Panama City Beach, or Orange Beach on the Florabama line. Sometimes its still pretty cold in North Florida during Feb/March, so if you are planning to jump in the water, you might want to head a bit further south.
Panama City is more the Spring Break spot, but you can get some of the rowdy’s in Destin as well. If you can get a rental in some of the more expensive locations (I can recommend some condos on Holiday Isle) you can pretty much avoid those crowds, except at AJ’s at sunset.
Different question: did Clara sleep in one of those bunks?
We bought her pack and play, which she still seems to prefer, so we didn’t argue! But Will slept on that bottom bunk for part of the time!
xo
s
PCB is the big spring breaker location, but it can get quite busy around spring break…look in the Seaside area. Same beach and much less crowded :)
I’ve lived west of here all my life so I know…Yes it is a spring break destination, but not as popular as Panama City which is another hour east from there. It’s more of a family spot, but local teens know this spot and do spring break there. If you want a nice condo, the Harborwalk Village is very nice and across the street from the sandbar where a lot of people rent a pontoon and stay out all day. They also just installed a zip line, make sure to eat at McGuire’s across the street and kiss the moose! =)
It can have a handful of spring breakers, but generally, no, you should be ok for the most part. the majority of the spring break crowd heads down to Panama City Beach, which is about another hour down the road. :)
Thanks so much, everyone!
We used to spring break there as undergrads, but it’s not quite as kitchy as Panama City (especially if you stay in the Rosemary Beach/Grayton Beach/Seagrove area). Most Spring Breaks are over by the second week in April.
This looks like it was SUCH a fun trip! I’ve known a lot of people to vacation in Destin, but for some reason I always thought it was on the Atlantic side of Florida until about 2 months ago. Duh!
One of my good friends has been there all this week and from her instagram feed it looks like she is having a blast, too.
Thanks for sharing!
It looks like you guys had an amazing time! And thanks for keeping it real about the non-sharing/tantrum moments with the kiddos. It makes it a little easier to hear it’s not just my girl that has a hard time with it sometimes. I soooo want to go visit Florida now, but unlike Clara, my little Abigail has HATED the car from day one and would not make for a very pleasant rode trip. Maybe when she’s a few years older. Can’t wait to see what you guys are demoing!
Looks like you guys had an amazing time! We were on vacation not too far from you, in Gulf Shores, Alabama this same week! :-)
I’m so glad y’all went to The Red Bar! You can’t go wrong there. Pics of the whispering sands brings me back to lots of spring breaks down there. Haven’t been there since 2006 and feeling like I need a beach vacay stat!
It looks like you guys had so much fun! What a wonderful getaway.
My favorite image has to be the one with Clara and her doll in the pool. Dollies have to do laps too.
I’m really jealous of Haven. It sounds awesome and I hope you’ll give us a round up of your adventures there.
love friends that are like family. so happy you guys found one another!
What a great vacation!
I just wanted to share our little secret spot. It’s not for everyone but my husband and I try to get down to Indian Pass, FL at least once a year. There are no high rise hotels, a large house (like sleeping 12+) might run $1500 for a week in mid summer, you practically never see another soul on the beach, AND the beaches and most homes are dog friendly. It is HEAVEN for us. There is also a ferry that will take you over to Saint Vincent Island nature preserve to spend the day biking on paths and seeing pristine never lived on beaches and amazing wildlife. There is only one restaurant and an awesome fish market in Indian Pass (we grill most nights!), otherwise you drive about 10 miles to Apalachicola or Port Saint Joe. We love it and will be going in just a few weeks!
Just wanted to share because it is a great option for families that just want time together and not all the crowds. We spend the days on the beach with no one for miles, throwing tennis balls for our dog and reading good books!
That sounds amazing!
xo
s
Good to see that you had an awesome vacation guys! Sometimes you just need to step outside of your own little bubble and take some time off.
I’m glad to see that you guys were able to do that.
We had our honeymoon in Destin during Christmas time, totally magical, glad y’all were able to go there!
-Sarah
We vacation in Blue Mountain Beach every other year with my husband’s family. Seaside, the Red Bar and the outlet malls are on our to-do list every time. Next year, we’ll have a 18 month old which will be super fun. Glad you all got to experience Destin!
Agh! You guys were close to my house. I live 20 mins from that go kart/family fun place. :) My two little ones love it there.
I loved your Barbie synchronized swimming video…a nice laugh to start the morning! Too cute. I have been to Destin a few times on family vacations as a kid and it is absolutely one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to. This post makes me want to go back!