Day 8 - Destin Commons and Johnny Rocket's

We needed to swing by Bass Pro Shop to see if they had any lifevests (mine is beginning to show some wear). They did... there just weren't any cute enough for me.

They were having a Fourth of July sale. Rachel got a $5 tee-shirt with the American flag and a bass in front of it. It's so redneck.

We went into Build-A-Bear to get a Destin bear tee-shirt for Rachel. I don't know why she wanted it. I suppose to dress a bear (that would make sense, wouldn't it?).

We wanted to eat lunch at Johnny Rocket's - it's tradition. Johnny Rocket's didn't open until 11:00, so we had about 40 minutes. I had been asking about a Disney store, and there's a Disney Character Outlet at Silver Sands, so we decided to drive to Silver Sands, then come back for lunch at Johnny Rockets, then hit the road.

The traffic was fine until we wanted to get into Silver Sand's. Dad was in the left turn lane, and the light was very short (not to mention the cars were taking their sweet time turning). Only four cars made it through each light. We sat there about twenty minutes until we got into Silver Sands. We headed directly to the Disney Character Outlet and... in it's place was a Levi's. What the heck? I don't want Levi's! I want Disney! We circled Silver Sand's just to make sure it hadn't moved to a different location. Nope.. wasn't there.

So, we went back to Destin Commons, and stood right in front of the door to Johnny Rocket's until they let us in.

We were the first seated, and we all knew exactly what we wanted to order (for me this was the Original - no mayo). Our food was brought promptly, and we ate in good time.



We then loaded up and headed back...







As you can see, everyone fell asleep but me.

We made good time (with few stops) and got home in time to go out on the lake and watch fireworks.

Day 8 - Checking Out

The garbage truck woke us all up at 7:00. So, we just got up, got ready, and started packing.

We were loaded at about ten after nine.

Of course, before we could leave, we had to take our annual airbrush tee-shirt pictures.








We're such rebels...

Day 7 - The Track

We brought our balls back to The Track to finish our round of putt-putt from the previous night. We decided that we'd play the first five holes, and you could count the better of your two scores. I think I only improved on one hole. Putt-putt was still pretty backed up, but we didn't think it was as bad as the night before. However, we did have a lot of goof-off time in-between holes...






Helen shot her first hole-in-one EVER!





After putt-putt, we headed over to race go-carts. It's a multi-level wooden track that goes around in circles. It's fun, but the line is always very hot and completely outrageous. Dad thought we didn't have enough tickets, so he bought six more. It turns out we had just enough before. It's three tickets per person to ride (and the minimum age to drive is 14).

We waited about thirty minutes until we finally got to go. We were at the back, and no one passed me the entire time. I passed two people, I think. I know I passed one guy because I got right in front of him, then slammed on my brakes. I was also swerving from side to side so he couldn't pass me. I'm pretty sure I ticked him off.

Helen spun out. bahahaha... she was right behind me, then I wasn't paying much attention. Apparently the guy I passed and made angry rammed right into her right before they were going back into the loading area.

Dad had his camera out and was trying to take pictures, but the lighting is terrible. He did take video, though.



Here's our one picture after, in front of the track.

Day 7 - Beach

It was our last full day in Destin. By now, we have this down to a routine - wake up, eat breakfast, BEACH.



There were a lot more umbrellas on the beach, today. We figured that people had come in for the Fourth.





We were stuck beside the drunks, again. They taught us a drinking game - shotgun. Apparently, it is quicker to cut a hole in the bottom instead of trying to drink it out of the top. This one girl could puncture a beer can with her teeth. It was hardcore.









We decided to eat in, tonight, so we'd have more time for putt-putt and go-carts at The Track. We finally left the beach at 5:00. I don't think any of us wanted to go, though Meredith was the most resistant (Rachel was a close second).

Day 6 - High-Steppers at HarborWalk Village

After the air show, we ventured in the other direction to find the High-Steppers, a dance company composed of mainly senior citizens who performed "exhilarating" patriotic tap routines.





We were told that the fireworks show didn't start until nine, and we didn't want to hang around for another hour, so we decided to head back towards our condo. Rachel requested that we stop by the $5 Souvenir store on our way back. As soon as we get out of the car, we see fireworks going off in the distance. So much for starting at 9:00.

It turns out that everything in the store isn't $5. However, we did pick up three $5 tee-shirts for friends.

While we were in the store, it started storming, again. We think maybe they set off the fireworks early because of the weather.

Day 6 - HarborWalk Air Show

We hadn't walked too when we noticed the air show start above us.

Day 6 - Harry T's

We had a little bit of difficulty finding Harry T's. We knew it was in HarborWalk Village, but we weren't sure where. We finally decided to park in the parking garage (free parking) and walk around to find it.

Meredith spotted it, first.

We knew to request outside seating. The Wrights had requested inside seating after they had problems with Emily overheating at The Back Porch, but it turned out that their inside wasn't air-conditioned.

We were seated immediately at two picnic tables that they shoved together in the back. It was a great location - we were right beside the harbor and could watch boats come in and out.











It was very breezy, so heat wasn't a problem at all. The only thing I found slightly annoying about our table was that it was on the dock, so a lot of people walked by. We were also right by the fish food dispenser, and we had some kids buy fish food and stop by our table to feed the fish.

The menu was huge, and I was confused on what to order. I finally settled on a buffalo chicken sandwich.













It didn't take long for our food to arrive. There was a bit of inconsistancy among our entrees. Helen and I ordered the same thing, and only Helen's came with a pickle. Mom didn't get a pickle, either.



The buffalo chicken sandwich was good. It was kinda spicy and very messy, though, so I didn't eat much of it. There was too much meat for the bun, and I ended up just eating the chicken. Rachel had the same problem with her tuna sandwich. It fell apart on her.



It was still light out when we were finished. It was nowhere near the time the fireworks would go off. So, we decided to wander around Harbour Walk for a while.

Day 6 - Beach

Ahh... same as always. Woke up early, ate breakfast, and went to the beach.

Today, our chair had been moved down. We were also fortunate enough to be sitting by a large group of drunk adults that enjoyed invading our space. One lady spilled beer on my dad while trying to make friendly (drunk) conversation.

We went up for lunch, heated up lean pockets and goofed off, then went back to the beach until...



Helen and I decided to go ahead and take two chairs and our bags to the condo so that we wouldn't have as much to carry when the rain actually came.





We got back to the beach and it hadn't rained, yet. We thought maybe the clouds would pass over without any rain.







Maybe, not...





We decided it was time to pack it up.



And, boy, we made it just in time...




















This thing FLEW!






The aftermath









In the meantime, we didn't let the storm affect our dinner plans. Tonight was sundress night at Harry T's (the Wrights had recommended we do this on Friday because they have fireworks).