Redneck Riviera!

What an amazing return to a beloved location for both of our families!  My mom was able to join me and my husbands' family to go to Destin, FL.   Forty years ago, we had lived up the street in Fort Walton for two years while dad was working civil service for TRW.  I remember this white sand, in part because mom often spoke of it, but also because when we cleaned out my grandmother's home in Chicago seven years ago, we found a jar of it in her basement!   It now has a place of honor with some seashells in a crystal bowl she gifted to me at some point.  

Richard's famiy had vacationed here annually up until seven years ago, so this was a grand reunion for his side of the family as well.  His mom, husband Ben, father Poppy, sister's family and brother were able to be there as well as my two step kids. 

Crabbing, swimming, eating, walks on the beach, and even some spectacular shopping took place.  The  weather was extraordinary, we had sunny skies for almost the whole time, one sprinkle of rain, and lovely temps not yet in the 90's.  I remember the clouds every bit as much as I remember the ocean and waves.  As a child, I spent a lot of time looking at the shapes in the clouds, watching them change and shift into new shapes, and it's something I'd forgotten until we were back in humid country.  

I've lived my adult life in dry climates.

Arriving at night, we went straight to the beach.  The ever present and somehow relaxing sound of surf crashing greeted us.  Once we got the shopping done, we tried not to go out on the main drag.  The traffic rivals California now, and with only one road up and down the shoreline, it never ceases to be rush hour.

I loved my first true swim back in the Gulf!  Warm waves crashing over you, toes finding precious edges of buried shells or sand dollars, it was definitely like coming home for me.  I've experienced that type of beach too infrequently; most recently in Puerto Rico and Guymas San Carlos, and those were 10 and 30 years ago.  Barbados was a close third five years ago.  I'm clear I'm a water baby, and I want my water swimmable!

So I'm already planning next year's return to the beach of my youth, but this time, we want a less crowded place and fewer drives into town!