DESTIN, FLO RIDA

(NK) The further south we have gone the crazier and friendlier the people seem to be.  Destin is a holiday town by the sea and is just on the right side of tacky.

On the plus side the beaches are powder white sand and the sea is perfect for swimming in. On our first visit to the beach we saw a pod of dolphins swim right up to the shore.

Neil and some dolphins to the right (if you squint)

Everywhere seems to be selling Oysters and fresh seafood or trying to ply you with bottomless champagne (cava) and Mimosas. Not much to complain about here. It is also warm, very warm, which is just what we needed after some cold nights in the mountains.

After a couple days in the sun and a bit of work/ tent cleaning we decided to do something active and give paddle boarding a shot. It didn’t look particularly difficult but we went for a 1.5 hour lesson with GUSU to make sure we got the right techniques covered.

I’m in love! Paddleboarding is one of the best modes of transport I’ve ever encountered. It uses every single muscle in you body to balance and propel you along and even Fi can do it. Though I think talk of bull skarks in the bayou had her clinging to the board for dear life.

(FK) Don’t be so cheeky, I was pretty good at it, it was the crazy thoughts about being shark bait and the stupid great white paddle boarding You Tube videos that I had watched that were hindering my greatness. Once I had had a stern word with myself I was rapid(ish).

It was only 3 ft deep here, but my toes are digging in for dear life!

(NK) While in Destin we also discovered the joys of Fresh Market. We’ve been doing a lot of cooking for ourselves and rarely eating out to save money. The food from Walmart that is labeled as ‘Fresh’ is simply vile. Back in DC we’d been sent dizzy by the amazingness of Whole Foods and Fresh Market is like a smaller more manageable version. It allows us to eat fresh healthy food, which is all any free man could ask for. Walmart while good for campgear, containers and other items is a no no for food to be consumed by humans.

We’re talking fresh Tuna sashimi, prawn skewers, seaweed, greens, fruit and a few treats here and there. But our latest love is Kombucha! A fermented drink that usually has good stuff like spirulina, chia seeds and fresh fruits added.

(FK) All in all we’re making a pretty good team in camp and occasions where we want to rip each other’s heads off have been few and far between. We had a lovely neighbour too, Mr Charles Hancock, a delightful and sprightly elder gentleman who had been RVing for the past 40 years. He said I reminded him of his late wife, blonde and a big girl! I took a shine to him and we were sorry that we couldn't take him up on his offer of shrimps with his son and daughter and law. 

Little camp set up

We’re both excited about this weekend when we hit Nu awlins, NOLA, the big easy for Fi’s birthday celebrations. Woop Woop!!