Let's Double-Down On the Fun and hit '21!

Saturday,  December 5 - I flew back down to Panama City early this morning for a quick long weekend and Ashlee picked me up at the airport and we scooted directly on back to Destin to catch some sunny beach weather along with our cat-rescue friend, Stephanie, who had come down for a few days. Despite our weather apps saying it was only 57 degrees, it was very comfortable on the beach and we pretty much had it to ourselves today.  We saw two large pods of dolphins off-shore, but they never came close enough for a good picture.  I even waded in the water which also was surprisingly warm enough to be bearable.

Dudley's first beach experience was today during an a beautiful sunset when we rolled him down to the sand in the cat-stroller that he loves to ride in.  We didn't have his leash for an on-the-sand experience, but that's coming soon.

We had an awesome dinner tonight at Boshamps in Destin.  Fresh-catch grouper for Ashlee and red snapper for me.  We love this place! 

Sunday, December 6 - We had a lazy morning before Ashlee had to take Stephanie to the airport in Pensacola for her flight home.  I stayed at the house (and found the hot-tub!) and awaited a couple more friends, Nate and Ginny, who were driving down to stay for a week at the house.  They arrived late in the afternoon and we had a delicious early dinner at The Craft Bar -Destin along with some libations, of course.  After dinner we did an impromptu liquor store crawl of the area stopping at three different places to peruse our beer and wine options.  At our favorite store, Beach Liquors, Ashlee and I even had a drink at the bar they have in the back of the store.  Thanks for driving, Nate!  Cheers! 

Monday, December 7 -  It was already time for me to head back home for some more work this week, but we did have a nice walk on the beach this morning before heading back to Panama City so I could fly back to cold Nashville.  Man, there is just something about black and white beach pictures...

We had a good laugh over the phone as I confessed to Ashlee that I paid $30 to upgrade my seat on Southwest (something I vow never to do), so I could get on early and avoid having to ask someone if I could set in a middle seat next to them during this pandemic.   I had forgot to check in ASAP yesterday and wound up with a C boarding number.  No one sat in the seat next to my window seat going home...so, money well spent!! 

Friday, December 11 - I flew back to Panama City and rented a car and met Ashlee and our beer-loving pal, Nate, at Idyll Hounds Brewing in Santa Rosa Beach which is about halfway back to Destin from PC.  We enjoyed a few libations out on their back patio before heading back to the house.  Their motto printed on their glasses is definitely one we like to live by.

Saturday, December 12 -  The beach was amazing this morning as the strong ocean tide surge had carved out rather tall "cliffs" of sand in several places.  It was windy, but still warm  enough for a stroll along the beautifully clean white sand.  

To say it was a beautiful day to be on the beach today is kind of an understatement.

Hot tub:  FOUND! We enjoyed a dip in the community whirlpool after our beach walk.

Someone needs to tell this little guy:  "No pets at the pool and hot-tub!!"

Ashlee was "Nice" enough to be the DD for a Niceville Beer Crawl this afternoon that Nate and I had been wanting to do.  This little town has 3, yes three, craft breweries and we enjoyed all of them starting with a tasty lunch and libations at the Niceville location (there are two other locations) of Props Craft Brewery.  From there we moved on a short distance to 3rd Planet Brewing where we sat outside enjoying the warm, but cloudy, weather.  Finally, we stopped by tiny Strange Colt Brewing where we sat inside as the temps were cooling off as the daylight slipped away.  

Thanks to Nate for ordering this virtual comedy Christmas special from the boys with WellRED -Trae Crowder,  Corey Forrester and Drew Morgan - which we streamed in the living room tonight back at the rental house. 

Sunday, December 13 - We said goodbye to Nate and Ginny today as they headed back home and awaited the return of Paige and Ella again from Chattanooga.  The morning weather was cloudy and rainy and I took a little road trip north to check out a couple of interesting sites, and Ashlee hung out at the house working on Christmas stuff.  We met back up right after sunset, along with Paige and Ella, for dinner at one of our favorite places, Pompano Joe's Seafood House just down the beach from our rental house.   The food was great and their servers were also wearing masks which we really appreciated. 

After dinner we checked out the fairly new Frozen Dune Rolled Ice Cream which we had never had before and really loved it.  Can't wait to come back!!  Plus we had some more enjoyable hot-tub time before turning in for the night.  

Monday, December 14 - It was a beautiful, but blustery day today as I packed up to head back to Panama City to fly back home for work while Ashlee settled in for another workday from the beach (good livin').   

Thursday, December 17 - I yet again flew back to Panama City tonight and picked up Paige's VW Bug at the airport and headed toward Destin.   Ashlee. in turn, was headed to Disney with Paige and Ella for the long weekend.  So I've got the Destin pad to myself (and three cats) for a few days.  Thanks to Redbubble.com for the cool artwork  above.

Monday, December 21 - We met up for lunch today in Seagrove Beach as the girls were coming back from Disney and I was headed to the airport in Panama City.  We had some delicious grilled grouper tacos at the Seagrove Market Cafe.  They are doing a great job with social-distancing and we sat outside in nice weather at a covered picnic table they have set up there.  Not sure how long their "grilled love" goes back, but these guys have been doing it right for a long time here.  I'll be back in a few days, hon.

Wednesday, December 23 - I took my last flight back to Panama City for this snow-birding session tonight.  I had left Paige's VW Bug in long-term parking to get me back to Destin since I was coming in fairly late and to save Ashlee some driving time.

   Thursday, December 24 - We exchanged presents tonight on Christmas Eve and one of the best ones Ashlee got us was matching sweatshirts for our time in Destin.  

Friday, December 25 - Merry Christmas!!..and matching flamingo hats, of course...it was a little cool on the beach, but if the sun was out it was pretty nice.  

 I treated everyone to a showing of the new movie, Wonder Woman 1984, in IMAX at the AMC Theaters at Destin Commons near the house tonight.  We masked up and enjoyed the comic book romp with good social distancing inside the theater.  

Ashlee also got us some Florida lottery scratch-off tickets for Christmas.  I won $14 to start with and then cashed those in for seven more $2 tickets, one of which hit us a $200 winner!!  It was decided we would use this new-found dough for dinner for all of us somewhere here in Destin. 

Saturday, December 26 - Almost-always bold and unafraid Dudley was definitely a little nervous at the beach today.  But we had to at least let him put some sand between his toes one time. 

Sunday, December 27 - Another sunny, but cool day on the beach today.  We took a long walk admiring the many beach-front houses that we can't afford to rent here at Destiny by the Sea.  Oh, well, just around the corner is fine.

While it's known for its sunset views, you can also get a pretty good moonrise view at Pompano Joe's which we did while walking in for dinner tonight.  The seafood was great as usual and compliments of the Florida Lottery!! 

Monday, December 28 - We had another terrific beach day today and this one was really special as the surf was very calm allowing me to capture the video below of a school of stingrays swimming very close to shore.   This is hands-down the best video I have ever shot with my IPhone.  I give Ashlee credit for suggesting the slow-motion setting:

Tuesday, December 29 - More sun and more fun today in Destin.  This shot is very reminiscent of the photo we took of these three travelers at the cabin at Fall Creek Falls State Park back in November of this year.  

The coolest thing to happen today on the beach (besides the amazing weather) was this U.S. Navy osprey in low flight right along the beach.  

The sunset tonight was simple, yet stunning.

Even Dudley agreed.

Wednesday, December 30 - So someone is officially changing here name to BEACHLEE.  We enjoyed our very last day of sunny weather on the beach today for this trip as rain was forecasted to be moving in tomorrow.  The surf was booming, but the temps were mild and enjoyable. We had a great dinner at Osaka Japanese Steakhouse tonight.  It's become kind of a tradition to have one of our last dinners here while in Destin. 

The mild temps continued into the night and this grainy picture of the beach under cloud cover of a full moon trying to break through was the best I could manage with my IPhone camera during our walk tonight after dinner.

Thursday, December 31 - Bye 2020 Felicia...We spent the gloomy day (weather-wise and spirits-wise) packing up the house for the drive home tomorrow.  Our New Years Eve was quiet, but we did enjoy bingeing on the popular Netflix series, "The Crown," deep into the night.  

Friday, January 1 - Happy New Year! The drive back from Destin was looking sketchy weather-wise, but we trudged on in hopes of dodging as much of it as possible. 

Several episodes of the fun pod-cast, "Small Town Dicks," really helped the miles go by.  "Policing ain't easy." - Ben Harper

It was surprising blue skies by the time we hit the Tennessee River near Huntsville, Alabama, and continued with us the rest of the way home.  Traffic was manageable and it was a pretty smooth trip. 

Man, talk about travel-troopers.  Doris and Dudley took everything in stride.  And even nervous Byron seemed to do better going home without much stress.  He's back inside their carrier in this pic relaxing as we make a stop for litterbox use, some water and a few treats.  

Even ol' Zippy seemed to have missed us as he lay on the couch between us for a little while tonight when we got back home.  We have the best kitties!! 

The 2020 Collage turned out pretty good despite the weird year it was with the damn pandemic that won't seem to go away.  I had to get a little creative to fill space since concert tickets and other events memorabilia were not available due to cancellations or postponement until next year.  Thanks to Redbubble.com for their awesome collection of stickers for just about any occasion for coming to the rescue.  We dedicated this one to our beloved Ms. Bea who we actually lost late in 2019, but after that year's collage was already put together.  We miss you, sweet girl.  We also introduced our newest family member, Dudley, to the fray.