Monday, July 31, 2017

The House Hunt in Destin Continues

Sunshine Cindy and I are continuing to look at houses in Destin. Friday we met up with our realtor Jerry and visited three houses. One thing we have learned is the pictures you see on-line are not always representative of what the house actually looks like. Two of the places we went to looked good in the pics but were dumps when we actually saw them. But the third place we went to was really nice and this is a strong candidate.


Before we can buy a new place we have to sell ours. We finally got the for sale sign up this weekend. We have to have custom made signs displayed in our neighborhood and Jerry’s printer was having a tough time getting it done. But it is now up and Jerry already got a call from someone who saw the sign. So that’s progress. If you know someone who wants to move to Destin have them check out our listing.
http://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/mainmenu.cgi?cmd=url+other/run_public_link.html&public_link_tech_id=1aoz9inpe4rj&s=15&id=1&san=47660&cid=1

It’s hard to believe but schools are already starting in some places this week with many more starting next week. That will definitely help our traffic situation. Last week was hit or miss going home. One day it was slow but the next day I was home almost at my normal time. You just never know.

A possible new condo was announced this past week. They are looking to build it on the north side of 98 by the Destin bridge. Of course all of the NIMBY types came out of the woodwork complaining about it. Personally I would rather not see another tower going up either but reading about people saying they have lived here for 7 years and are moving because they can’t stand the traffic cracks me up. 7 years ago, 17 years ago and even before that the traffic was bad in the summer. That’s just the way it has been and will be. We live on an island for crying out loud. And yes, move if you don’t like it because it’s not going to change.

This past week Sunshine Cindy and I went to Tailfins on Friday after we looked at those houses. It was a perfect day on the harbor. Wayne came and joined us too. We then went to Harry T’s and AJ’s before heading home. It was a fun evening.

Saturday we took Tiffany to AJ’s Oyster Shanty on the island. BT was playing. Wayne was there too as he lives just down the street. We had a fun time. BT always does a great show and keeps the audience engaged. After he finished we went to Tailfins for dinner. Right as we got there a rain shower cooled everything down for a while. Of course then it got hot and steamy. We enjoyed a good meal then headed home.

On Sunday Sunshine Cindy and I ran a few errands then decided we would stop at Landshark Pizza. We got there about 2 but found out they weren’t opening till 3. So we walked over to the Red Door saloon for a few beers before going back to Landshark. The Red Door was busy with their usual mix of bikers, tourist and fish heads. It is an unusual mix of customers to say the least. We watched as a biker guy hand feed a squirrel french fries. You never know what you will see there.

When we got to Landshark Brian and Glen were there. We talked to them for a few minutes that we grabbed a couple bar stools and ordered a pizza. We wanted a thin crust one and I have to say it was the best pizza we have ever got at Landshark. I’m not sure who was making the pizza’s but this was a perfect thin crust pizza. Bruce and his girlfriend came in and talked to us and then a couple that we have seen around town a lot sat next to us. I can’t remember their names but they are nice. We ended up talking to them till we were both ready to leave.

Before we left the house on Sunday I decided to trim some bushes in our back yard. I got quite a surprise with one of bushes I trimmed. After a couple whacks a swarm of wasps came flying out. I got away from them and didn’t get stung. But I did empty a can of wasp and hornet spay on the bush. I will get another one to empty on it soon before I go back to try to finish the trimming.

Have a great week. See ya next Monday!

Destin Steve

Monday, July 24, 2017

Dog Days of Summer in Destin

This is the time of the year where our days are all similar. Hot, humid, a chance of rain, tourist coming and going…It’s all pretty predicable. But that will start to change as schools will be getting ready to start back which will take a large chunk of the families out of our town.

Last week Sunshine Cindy and I had to go to Pensacola on Friday for her yearly checkup. All is good for another year I am happy to report. Friday afternoon we had a showing of our house. We had to load up Chaos and clear out for a while. We did get a good report that the folks really liked our place. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Here is the link to our listing if anyone knows of someone looking for a great place in Destin.
http://www.flexmls.com/share/zN1O/4248JadeLoopDestinFL32541

With Tiffany back in town for a few weeks, we took her out to Island Wings for lunch. Our server is someone Tiffany used to work with. That was cool. We enjoyed a good meal and some cold drinks.

Saturday Sunshine Cindy and I looked at a couple more houses with our realtor Jerry. We really like one place and took another off the list. It was in a preferred part of town but it had just too much wrong with it. After looking at the houses Sunshine Cindy and I stopped at Tailfins for some lunch and to discuss our house options. We have been stopping there on a regular basis and the help is recognizing us and greeting us. The harbor was really busy and Tailfins was also busy with some big groups eating.

Sunday I headed to Crab Island Cantina to listen to BT. Sunshine Cindy decided she wanted to stay home and relax. It was probably a good call. I could not get a parking place in the garage and the surface lots were packed with many cars driving around waiting for someone to leave. I ended up in the lot pass Landshark Pizza and walked to the Cantina from there.

It was hot and humid and by the time I got there I was sweating pretty good. The cold beer tasted real good. I talked to BT during his break and headed back towards my car. My plan was to stop at the outside bar at Tailfins for a beer then go to Landshark for some lunch.

At the outside bar at Tailfins there was no bartender. I waited about 5 minutes. I know the bartender has to run around a lot but I decided to go to the Boathouse for a beer. Dougie was there as well as a couple other locals. I cooled down with a cold beer then headed up the hill to Landshark.

Paige was working the bar and Jason was taking care of the tables. People came and went as they had a steady stream of folks. One family came in and the guy looked at the million different Green Bay Packers stuff on the walls and asked if it was a Packer bar. You couldn’t put anything pass this guy. lol  I had some wings and they were cooked to perfection. It felt good to be in the air conditioning too.

We drove by the old Friday’s this weekend and were surprised to see the building was torn down. I heard they are going to put a new and bigger Friday’s there plus a Panera Bread and an auto parts store.

The Destin Log is also reporting the long awaited work on Norriego Point is finally going to get started with most of the work to be done before next Summer.

This Friday the Parrot Heads have a phlocking at the American Legion was we work to raise money for our local charities. it will be a fun time like always. See ya next Monday!

Destin Steve

Monday, July 17, 2017

Summer in Destin


What is Summer like in Destin you ask? It is a lot of things but never boring!

Don’t try to leave Destin on Saturday morning or come to Destin Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s the changeover day where one week’s worth of tourist leave and another week’s worth come in. Stay away from Mid-Bay bridge at all cost on Saturdays!

In Summer in Destin you have to plan your trips. Don’t try to go to a restaurant between 6 and 9 pm. You will be waiting. Plan to stay off of Hwy. 98 in the afternoons and for heaven sake don’t try to take Commons Drive as it is a parking lot. Plan things right and you can fly up and down 98…like at 5 or 6 am!

The Destin charter fishing fleet is going strong in the Summer. Trips leave early in the morning with some captains making two trips a day. If you want some free entertainment go to the docks in the afternoon as the boats come back and watch as the deck hands filet up the catch. You see some impressive fish on the docks.

The Summer weather in Destin is pretty predictable. We have temps in the upper 80’s to low 90’s with humidity that you can cut with a knife. Each day there is a 50 or 60% chance of rain with it usually hitting about late afternoon.

Which bring us to another Summer activity in Destin. When it rains, all the tourist leave the beach and hit the road to the Commons and the Outlet Mall. That immediately causes a nightmare traffic problem. If I was king I would mandate all tourist have to return to their condo if it’s raining and wait it out. If you want to walk someplace go ahead but leave the car behind! LOL

Summer in Destin means going to the beach or Crab Island. Yes, we have seaweed, jelly fish, sharks and many other yucky things that can hurt you in our water. So be careful but you can still have fun. Don’t forget the sunscreen as you can burn quickly.

If you want to adventure out on the water you can rent a jet ski or pontoon boat. Many tourist do just that. Or you can go parasailing, play a round of golf or just do nothing on the beach. You can head to the harbor or The Boardwalk on the island for fireworks. Free concerts are hosted at many locations. In Destin in the Summer you can do it all or nothing at all.

Come down and enjoy all Destin has to offer in the Summer. All we ask is don’t leave your common sense at home, don’t trash our beach and relax because you are on vacation!

Sunshine Cindy and I had a quiet week. We did go to Landshark Pizza for the Parrot Head meeting on Friday. Saturday we did a little house searching then had lunch at Tailfins. Other than that we were bums!

Not much going on this week for us. See ya next Monday!

Destin Steve

Monday, July 10, 2017

House for sale in Destin

If you have wanted to own a piece of Destin, now is your chance. Sunshine Cindy and I are listing our house for sale as we look to move to a place that we can let Chaos run around better. Our house will be on the MLS any day now. It is in a great part of town with a nice lake view. Message me if you want more info.

We survived the 4th of July Independence Day celebration. It started on Monday evening as we sat on our back porch and watched the fireworks show from the Destin Commons. Chaos loved the fireworks. She sat and stared at them and was not bothered by them at all.

Tuesday afternoon we went to Boshamps for lunch. We sat at the big outside bar. The food was great. The atmosphere at the bar was very subdued. It might have been due to the heat but there was a nice breeze blowing. It was not the kind of bar where you just strike up a conversation with folks around you. Maybe it was just the time we were there. But the Grouper sandwich we had was one of the best we have ever had.

We then stopped at Tailfins at our usual spot in front of the downstairs bar. It is always breezy and a great people watching spot. The owner Johnny came by and chatted with us for a while. They do a good job taking care of the locals and the service is always good. Plus it is easy to park in front of the place and walk down to the bar. My knee is slowly improving but this still helps me being so close. As it was getting later in the afternoon we decided to head home before all the people coming to the harbor for the fireworks show got there.

The rest of the week was back to work and starting to get the house in order to show it. On Saturday we went to look at a couple of houses. One was okay but reeked of cigarette smoke. You don’t realize how bad a house can smell until you enter into one that allows smoking inside. The second house was very nice. It had a big pool and a big yard for Chaos. This one has potential.

After looking at the houses we stopped at Tailfins again for lunch. We talked about the houses, had some good food and cold beverages. Johnny saw us and came by again to say hi. He told us Friday night Ruben Studdard from American Idol fame sat in for an hour with the band they had playing. He said it was awesome and he was so good. You never know who you might see in Destin.

Sunday we went to the airport to pick up Tiffany. She is spending a few weeks with us. Sunshine Cindy and I had a beer at the airport as we waited for Tiffany to arrive. Two beers cost us $14.84. That is ridiculous. After we got Tiffany we stopped at Landshark Pizza for lunch. I had 3 beers for $6.75 there. Note to self, don’t get beer at the airport anymore!

I know everyone likes to talk about the traffic in Destin in the summer but it has really not been as bad this summer as past years. My theory is tourist who stay in San Destin or Okaloosa Island are staying in those areas to party and play. Whatever it is, I hope I didn’t jinx it.

Sunshine Cindy and I send strong healing vibes and prayers to our friends Kenny and Mike. They are both fighting serious health issues. Get well soon guys!

This Friday night is the monthly Parrot Head meeting at Landshark Pizza. It is hippie night. Come out and Party with a Purpose with the Parrot Heads.

See ya next Monday with a full Destin recap!

Destin Steve

Monday, July 3, 2017

Happy Fourth of July

This week is the busiest week of the year in Destin. Just about every room is rented and people are everywhere with their big vacation smiles.

I’m still limping around. I had an MRI last week and it reviled a partially torn ACL. I got a cortisone shot and just need to give it time to heal. It can take up to a few months so I will be moving slowly in the meantime.

Last week Sunshine Cindy and I headed to Biloxi for an overnight stay at Hard Rock Casino. Our Parrot Head friends were taking a bus trip over but we decided to spend the night. And I’m glad we did. When we checked in we were informed we were upgraded to a suite. This room was sweet. It had a bath and a half. Three TV’s. An awesome walk in shower/tub. It was amazing. I don’t know why we were upgraded but we didn’t complain. Alas we didn’t win any money but we had a blast. We stopped at the Hard Rock CafĂ© a couple times. We played many different games and just had a fun time.

While we were there on Wednesday I noticed a warming on my phone. Biloxi was under a tornado warning. We would never know from inside the casino. On Thursday morning a monsoon was coming down. It let up before we left but started up right after we were gone with the road in front of the casino flooded for a while. We got out of town just in time.

Friday morning we stopped in at Asiago Skillet for breakfast. We love this place. The food is excellent and they have good prices. Saturday I tweaked my knee. We had to miss Dottie and Steve’s yearly 4th of July party. We hated to miss it but I needed to rest the leg. Sunday I was a little better and we made a trip to the harbor and finally to Hooters. We had a fun time at Hooters sitting at the bar. The bartenders were fun keeping everyone entertained.

To close out the weekend we spent Sunday evening at our neighborhood pool with the Sue’s. The water is like bath water but it was still relaxing.

The traffic is going to be bad for the next few weeks. We hope we don’t get any rain because when it does all the tourist come off the beach, get in their cars and drive to the outlet mall or the Commons. We just have to have some patience and know that it won’t last for much longer. The joy of living in a tourist town.

We hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th holiday. See ya next Monday!

Destin Steve