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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Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
I love Destin, I have been several times and I am hoping to take the family there in the next couple of years. :) SO glad you guys had a chance to unwind and enjoy life!
Carrie Lea says
Good lord I am an emotional mess. I miss Destin so much I got all teary! Glad you guys had a fun, beautiful vacay! You deserve it!
Alina says
We leave for destin tomorrow! After watching EVERYONE we know go to the beach this summer while stuck in my office, I am SOOOO ready. Thanks for the restaurant and paddle boarding recommendations!!!
Lauren @ The Highlands Life says
My husband and I love the 30A area so much! It spoils you rotten because of the awesome ocean and sand. We were in North Carolina at the beach this past week, and while it was awesome, it just isn’t quite Destin/30A area awesome. Glad ya’ll had a blast!!
Amanda says
I’m jealous of the whole endeavor! Bit, I think I’m mostly jealous of your 3 year old and her car-tripping abilities. I have a 3 year old who has NEVER ridden well in the car despite having taken many, many trips.
Looks so beautiful. Glad you enjoyed your much-deserved break!
Camille says
I was a synchronized swimmer in high school and still miss it. I am so happy that dolls are taking part in synchronized fun! Really made me smile.
Debbie @ PinkTexasChick says
I think I am finally sold on Destin. For years I’ve heard of people vacationing there and I’ve seen a few pictures here and there but now I really want to go! It looks like you guys had a relaxing time. Thanks for sharing. :)
Elaine - visual meringue says
Thanks for the recap! What an awesome sounding vacation. So glad you all had such a great time :)
Jodi says
it looks like SUCH a nice vacation! thanks for sharing with all of us.
and seriously? the barbie synchronized swimming is THE BEST. i showed my co-worker and we can’t stop smiling about it.
Katie says
I can relate! My family and I were in Pensacola last week visiting my brother and his family. We only got in one visit to the beach, and I didn’t want to leave!
Maria@TheBrooklynFig says
Such beautiful pics- it looks like you are in the Caribbean! I love the beach but am actually pretty scared of the water here in Jersey with the big waves and all. That beach with it’s calm water looks right up my alley. I’ve never heard of Destin but will be adding it to possible vacation destin-ations ;)
Melody says
So I know it’s a small and silly thing, but thank you for including a gay couple in one of your pics. It’s so nice to see that one of my favorite blogs is gay friendly, even if that’s totally beside the point of the blog.
You guys are the greatest!
Kim Rily says
That water makes me want to go there alone! Gorgeous! And I live 45 minutes from the beach cities in California.
No where NEAR that clean!
(Also, this might explain my daughter’s friend’s name– Destin.)
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
I just finished up something huge at work…so nice to read you’re relaxing beach vacation post afterwards!
Kate S. says
Still can’t get over the Barbie synch video. The best. Also way too excited that you guys are demoing something. I live vicariously!
Vanessa says
Looks like a great vacation. I am so jealous. We live in Texas and we are hopefully planning a trip out that way to enjoy the beach, maybe next summer. :) Thanks for sharing.
Manda Wolf says
I think it is funny. My hubby and I drive 15 hours to get to VA and I ache to get there every chance we have. I lived at Ft Eustis for 6 years when I was little and I absolute love the east coast. We spent 4th of July in your neck of the woods at Colonial Williamsburg and the beach and I am already trying to figure out how we can get a few extra days off in October to go back.
Glad you had fun on your vacation!
Kristi@Chatfield Court says
Ahhh…Destin. Love that place. The water is unlike anywhere else in the United States. We used to go to a campground there that was right on the beach. Reading about your vacation brought some lovely memories back for me. Sounds like you had a great time.
Ariana says
We have a home in Rosemary Beach and love it! The water is like a bathtub. But SERIOUSLY? You’re gonna throw out the d-word with no hints? Suspense is my least favorite emotion. One hint. Small hint. Instagram hint? Comon!
YoungHouseLove says
The hint is that it’s somewhat piggy backing off the deck makeover. You know how when one thing looks nicer the thing near it looks worse by comparison?…
xo
s
Ariana says
Oh boy oh boy. I’m gonna guess you are de-fishbowling the sunroom, even though that seems like a really huge project to tackle right after vacation….. maybe just staining sunroom floors? Guess I’ll have to check back on Monday. Thanks for the hint!
Katie says
SUNROOM! I bet those sliding doors are coming down. :)
Rose says
Sshhh!!! You’re not supposed to tell everybody about the best beach around! :) I was just there last month. Can’t wait to get back! Working on a new favorite quilt today. Comforting color to snuggle up with until I can get my toes back in that sand.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos!
Annelise in Edmonds says
Wow! I want to go to Destin, too! Those beaches look amazing – quite different from the rocky beaches of the Pacific Northwest! Thanks for sharing your vacation! I will be taking mine in less than 3 weeks! Amsterdam – Edinburgh – Copenhagen! But probably no awesome beaches there – as long as there is internet everyday to keep up with YHL!
laurie Jones says
Ok seriously I can’t get over this pool! I want a pool so badly but without the huge up keep and really I just want a place to splash around in and play with my baby boy! Pinning the image now to show the hubby! Thanks for sharing with all of us not only your great projects but your getaways too!!!
Patti says
So fun! Your pictures are so beautiful, the one at bottom of post with Clara stepping in the ocean … gasp! I’d frame that asap! And the one of S&K holding hands kinda choked me up a lil, so sweet. Totally off topic, I have to give a shout out to you guys for the forum foursome on Fridays…Lovin it!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Patti! So glad!
xo
s
Amanda says
I’m so glad you enjoyed Destin! We took our first trip to Florida beaches (we hit up Daytona Beach) in June and loved the sand and calm waters! :) So different from beaches we’ve visited further up the East Coast (in NJ, DE, and MD).
J. Beck says
I love the Destin area as well! Now that you are safe and sound at home I will tell you my excitement there while I was visiting from Oregon this summer. I(along with my daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons) had to make a quick exit out of chest deep water just in time to see 2 big sharks swim in the area where we had been enjoying the gorgeous water. Yes, when you hear people start saying the word shark while at the beach – pay attention! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Eeeks!
xo
s
Kimberly @ Turning It Home says
I live in St. Petersburg (same county as Madeira Beach) and I have never seen water so clear here before. Of course, our beaches are still beautiful and worth spending hours on, but WOW, that water is really something!
Meg says
I am craving a beach vacation but it just isn’t in the cards anytime soon. When it is a place like Destin would be great. As for long car trips with the little guys, we used travel tokens for our 14 hour trip to Maine and boy were these a life saver. I timed out the trip that he would get a token every 45 minutes of driving. The tokens were erasers I picked up at the dollar store and my little man kept them in a baggie in his car seat. He knew he needed to get to 12 total.
I did a lot of other pinterest found printables to keep him entertained but the tokens were the only thing that really kept his interest.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a smart idea!
xo
s
Anne @ Planting Sequoias says
I have never been to Florida (a travesty, I know!), but seeing that water is giving me quite the itch. Oh, but you all should head north to Michigan and the great lakes for a future vacation–it’s pretty incredible up here too!
Andie says
How awesome! We always stay in Miramar Beach too! THat is our favorite area. If y’all go back to Pompano Joe’s they have pretty awesome black beans & rice. Our 2 year old loves them! and The Crab Trap right down the road in Crystal Beach has amazing hush puppies!
We go every summer to Miramar,usually in May, and then again later on in AUgust or September. There are so many great rentals and it is such a great affordable place to stay!
I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it! :)
Regina says
Your synchro video just made my day. Thank you for sharing your lovely vacation.
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
Sweet tamales – that looks like the absolute perfect vacation!
Sue says
I thought this was a home design/decor DIY blog?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve always occasionally worked other posts into the mix (especially about saving money or road trips since readers request them). In fact we have an entire category devoted to travel (we’ve written over 50 posts on that subject!).
xo,
s
Al says
For pete’s sake its their blog and it’s called Young House Love, and in the mix of love there is a life. Besides they are not miracle workers with endless money. House design/decor takes time. There wedding tab at the top doesn’t cover design/décor and neither do many of the things in the categories tab. Who says this is only a design/décor/DIY blog anyway. Sheesh.
Al says
I guess I was wrong, I just read your about us page and it does say it’s your DIY blog. Maybe you could add Life to that. But again you can’t please everybody.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Al! I think our little bio right on the sidebar hopefully covers that when we say: “Here’s where we chat about transforming our house, living in it, and all the random bits in between.” I’ll have to add a line like that to our About page too. Also since “Random” and “Road Trips & Travel” are listed as category favorites on our sidebar, hopefully that helps people know what to expect when they come here too.
xo
s
Al says
Good job on adding random bits on your about us page. Happy Friday to you :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Al! You too!
xo
s
Sue says
Then what is the purpose of having a separate category called Young House Life? I guess that’s why I’m confused. A post about vacation seems like it’s more suited to that section, but I guess you just need fillers to maintain your posting schedule?
YoungHouseLove says
Posts over there tend to be shorter and more random, so when we have a more substantial life event we often post it over here instead (especially when we receive several requests to hear more about it).
-John
Nicole O says
Y’all biked right by our beach house! Secret is safe with me.
Next time check out, crab island, Dewey destin and the boathouse
May as well get a sitter and go to funky blues shack too!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! It’s such a small world.
xo
s
Annie says
Totally off topic here, but just wanted to say that my copy of your book arrived in the mail last night and I LOVE IT. I’m on call for work this weekend which gives me the perfect excuse to do nothing except sit on the couch and pore over every single page (and hopefully not get called into work!). Happy weekend, Petersiks!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Annie! I’m so glad!
xo
s
April says
We honeymooned in Destin and you cannot beat their beaches. So glad you all went to Pompano Joes. It was one of our faves too.
Dina says
Your vacation looks like so much fun! I’ve been meaning to ask you, and this seems like as good a place as any… we are starting a vacation roadtrip of our own from Philly to OBX on Sunday, and we’re planning on stopping overnight in Richmond (so we’ll be there Sunday afternoon/half of Monday). Any tips for fun things to do or yummy places to eat with a 22 month-old in RVA? You also mentioned iPad apps for the car trip – any faves?
YoungHouseLove says
Clara loves this lego one (you hold a button and drive a lego truck across the screen and then you solve puzzles and build things and count coins as you go. I don’t know the formal name but maybe search “lego” and see what comes up? She also loves dress-up games (so we search “dress up” and give the free ones a try) but the lego one is her favorite by far.
xo
s
Gina says
Destin has sweet memories for me as it was where my husband amd I honeymooned 12 years ago. We stayed right next to Henderson State Park at the Henderson Park Inn. The Inn was destroyed in a hurricane a few years ago. We still love Destin, though, and the Grayton Beach area.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so sad that it was destroyed.
xo
s
Nicole O says
Gina!
Worry not, Henderson is fully restored and up and running.
The hurricane and oil spill gave Destin a hard time, but everything
is back and running. You should go back for an anniversary, lucky 13!!!
Gina says
Ooh, good to know! Thanks! You just never know what you’re going to learn on this blog, lol. :)
Christina says
Sounds like a great time! Cannot wait to see some demo destruction!
Chris Tickle says
Syncronized Swimming Dolls…what a HOOT! LOVED IT!
Jessie says
I think it’s SO cool you guys went to Destin! I’m from the mitten but my fam & I go to Destin every year for Spring Break! My grandparents have a vacation house there.. if you go again I bet I could bump elbows w/ my Pop to give you a steal of a deal for rent! :) It’s a beauutiful place. It’s so fun to see your pics cause I’ve been to almost all of those same places!
Katie says
one word my friends…
YOLO.
that is all :)
xo – kb
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahaha! To the trip that taught Katie the meaning of the word Yolo (literally)! Cheers, Destin!
xo
s
Sandi says
Saw this on line and thought of you guys: http://www.allmodern.com/Nova-Lucky-7-End-Table-NVA1500.html
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo
s
Megan says
Tell me more about your iBert! I bought a Yepp front seat for my son’s 1st birthday a month ago, only to find out that it won’t fit on my Trek mountain bike. I was so dissapointed. What kind of bike do you ride? Easy to install? Easy to ride with her?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, ours are road bikes but Johns is a Trek and it fits right on. You just use an alan wrench to tighten it. Hope it helps.
xo
s
Sue says
Looks like a lovely, relaxing vacation. For a beginner swimmer, though, I would recommend doing away with the water wings (they interfere with getting the hang of things). We used a styrofoam bubble that strapped to the back; it provided flotation support without getting in the way of moving arms (my middle child was the only one that needed the help, but when she outgrew it, we passed it along to 2 more families that also used it successfully). Just a thought.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Sue! Those are actually called “Puddle Jumpers” that Clara’s wearing, so it’s a ring around her body as well as her arms, but something about the way they’re attached helps with good “swimming posture?!” – haha! They were recommended by her swim teacher, but I had never heard of them!
xo
s
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Looks like you guys had a blast! Thanks for including my shelves in today’s forum foursome! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sure thing! They look great!
xo
s
Meredith says
Omg I love The Red Bar! But it is so dark inside I’m not surprised your picture didn’t turn out!
Carla says
This holiday looks dreamy. I LOVE holidaying with friends, just adds extra fun to the whole deal. That last pic makes me ache to be on that beach, I’m telling you (and that’s from half a world away!).Glad you had a great trip :)
Jen says
Is it crazy if I want to use that picture of Clara on the beach as the background on my computer???? ;) What a gorgeous shot!
Erin says
I kept playing and replaying the synchronized swimming Barbie dolls. Hysterical.
And love the Pompano Joe multi-colored windows.
But I’m still trying to figure out how John got into that bridge arch over the pool…
Meredith says
What did you have at Red Bar?
It is our FAVORITE place in Destin– we’ve been going since 1996. Just had my first visit to Stinkys, and I think it was one of the best meals I have ever had in Destin. Next time try Dewey Destin’s– It’s become a regular for our group.
YoungHouseLove says
I had the stuffed eggplant and John had something with pasta and shrimp.
xo
s