Celebrating Memorial Day in Destin

We have had a busy and fun filled week in Destin as we got ready for Memorial Day. The town is packed with tourist enjoying the beaches and shops. The locals are complaining about the traffic. The restaurants are packed. But we are all thankful for our service members who sacrifice for us every day.

For the 20th consecutive year our friends Bobby and Darla hosted a big party at their house in honor of the Memorial Day weekend. Over 100 people enjoyed a crawfish and shrimp boil, music and good times. Bobby is a veteran with a son serving aboard an air craft carrier in the Navy. The party is good time to show our appreciation for the day.

Party at Bobby and Darla's

Sunshine Cindy and I got out and about the last several days. Thursday night we stopped at The Sandbar at Silver Shells. We had time for one drink before they were closing as some rain was moving in. We decided to head to Johnny O’Quigleys. We found a seat at the bar. Chad was taking of us. As we sat three folks came in. They were servers from Crab Island Cantina. They had been on a charter fishing boat all day. We ended up having some drinks with them. Then there was also a couple that sat a few stools down from us. The girl was the most high maintenance needy person I have ever seen. Even Chad said after they left that he has been in the service industry over 25 years and she was in the top 5 of most difficult customers he has ever had. The poor boyfriend was a wimp. She told him what he could drink and how much. But he did get to pay! LOL

Friday was Parrot Head meeting at KC’s Sandbar in Fort Walton Beach. Sunshine Cindy and I got there early so we could find a place to park as there was a concert at The Landing that night. We had a blast at KC’s. The weather was perfect. Jan and Kenny played some great tunes. The staff at KC’s took great care of all of us. A great way to spend an evening. When we left we stopped in at the American Legion. We hung out there for a while during karoke. The spirit of Capt. John lives on at the Legion!

We had to miss a party at Landshark Pizza on Sunday as we had plans to visit Sunshine Cindy’s parents. The party at Landshark Pizza was because Chris, Sue’s son, was being sent to another base. I know we missed a fun time there. We had a good time at the in-laws then we met up with Mark and Stephanie at Schooners at Bluewater Bay. The night was perfect as the sun went down and we got to spend some time with good friends.

Changes continue to happen in and around Destin. The old Howl at the Moon on the island is soon to reopen as Rockin Taco. This Mexican themed restaurant will  have our old friend John Perry running it as the GM. We last saw John at Helen Back in Niceville last summer. The Destin Commons also has a couple of new restaurants getting ready to open. They are up and coming chains that will have burgers and sandwiches.

LuLu’s is getting closer to opening. We see where Trop Rocker James (Sunny Jim) White will be performing at LuLu’s on July 14th and 15th. That is cool. I hope we will start to see more Trop Rockers perform there. LuLu’s is what Margaritaville should be!

Enjoy your Memorial Day Monday! See ya next Monday!!!

A Destin party weekend

This past weekend was special. Sunshine Cindy and I celebrated our first year anniversary. It’s hard to believe it has been an entire year already since we had that wonderful day on the harbor with our friends and family.

To celebrate I got us a condo (with a lot of help from Carlos at Crab Island Cantina) at the Emerald Grande in Harborwalk Village. This is where we stayed last year and I wanted us to be able to enjoy coming back to the scene of the crime. LOL  We got there Friday afternoon and got checked in. We had a balcony room overlooking the pool. It was nice. We enjoyed the view as we unpacked and then decided to head to McGuire’s for Happy Hour and some dinner.

We walked over to McGuire’s. Walking through the parking lot a car pulled up behind us and a lady hollered at us. It was our friend Robbie. We all talked in the parking lot for a while catching up. We have not seen Robbie in several months and it was great talking with her. Our drinks and food were good as usual at McGuire’s. We got there before the dinner rush but by the time we left there was a line waiting to get in. We headed to Crab Island Cantina where we met up with Mark, Stephanie and Julie. Carlos was there so we got to thank him in person for helping with the room. Mike was behind the bar and we all had a fun time.

With Robbie

The others left but Sunshine Cindy and I walked down to the Boathouse. We ran into Maynard there. Jason Clark was playing some good country tunes. A big crowd was there. We made a few more stops this evening. Harbor Shack was one stop. Then AJ’s where we ran into Mike and Terry. They told us Charlie with Crust Pizza opened a satellite shop at the entrance to AJ’s. We walked up there to hang out with him for a while. I ended up talking to some producer from L.A. who happened to be in town. Looks like Charlie has a good thing going with this location. From there we called it a night.

Saturday was a windy day. We got out about noon and hit Harry T’s for brunch. Then we stopped at Sunglass World where I bought Sunshine Cindy some cool Costa shades. Even Sunshine Cindy needs to keep the sun out of her eyes. From there our stops were Red Door Saloon, Boathouse, Harbor Shack, Crust Pizza, AJ’s and back to the Boathouse. We ran into friends every step of the way. Wayne joined us for most of the stops. We ran into Mike and Cindy on our way to AJ’s so we all stopped there. Julie joined us at the Boathouse as Rusty was playing. Then Renee and finally Kenny came by. When Rusty was finished so was I. Time to call it a night.

Mike, Cindy, Sunshine Cindy and myself

Sunday Sunshine Cindy and I had dinner at Brotula’s. This is the new place where Fisherman’s Wharf used to be. We had a great dinner. They do seafood and they do it right. They also did a great job remodeling the place. It is now open and airy.

The place on the harbor where Tipsy Turtle used to be is getting close to opening. Johnny O’Quigley is putting in a huge facility here. But down on the boardwalk where the Turtle was is another small bar. It’s a little larger than the Turtle. We actually talked to Johnny as he was there working on the place. He told us it’s going to be a locals spot with cheap beer and appetizers. Very similar to the Turtle just a little bigger. We told Johnny we can’t wait for it to open. He said it’s planned for June 8th. I assume he also meant the big facility will open then too. If so, they have a long way to go to be ready.

Julie and Mark at Crab Island Cantina

A few weeks ago I related how Sunshine Cindy and I were part of a TV pilot that was being shot in Destin by Fred McFarlin from Atlanta. Well, the trailer for Barstools and Beach Chairs is close to being released. I have seen a preview of it and I can honestly say it is outstanding. Fred is a natural in front of the camera and the guys behind the camera are true pros. And it does not hurt that Sunshine Cindy and I have small parts in it too! lol  As I hear more about if they can sell the pilot I will pass along that info.

Last week I noticed for-sale signs on the land that was supposed to become some type of Dolly Parton dinner theater. There was even a for-sale sign up in front of a bank that was permitted to be torn down. Now the Destin Log is reporting the company that had purchased the land is selling it. So it looks like no Dolly in Destin.

This is our last few days of relative quiet in Destin before the summer tourist season begins this weekend. This season has all the makings of a busy time all along the Emerald Coast. I better get ready to sit in traffic each night now. Ugh…

Have a great Memorial Holiday weekend and remember to honor our service members and the vets. They are the reason we can celebrate.

We love our Destin beaches

Some days are better than others and Sunshine Cindy and I had a couple of great days in Destin last weekend. It started out on Friday. We decided to go to the Back Porch seafood restaurant for Happy Hour. They have good drink prices and they were advertising a good price for boiled shrimp. The building was remodeled this past winter and it is now open and bright. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the shrimp and a couple cold beers.

When we left we decided to try and find a beach bar that is part of the Silver Shells condo complex. We walked along a grass path and found the bar. It was a tiki hut kind of place with a big deck. It sat just steps off the beach. As we walked up we recognized the bartender. Shannon used to be a manager at Sago. It was like old home week as talked about the demise of Sago. Everyone misses that place.

It was a perfect day to be sitting at the edge of the beach watching the tourist come and go while seeing the Emerald Green water. Sunshine Cindy talked to some tourist from Minnesota who had to go back the next day. That’s the good thing about living here…we don’t have to leave!

That evening there was a Parrot Head meeting at Fuds in Destin. We made it there and had a good time. JB was playing music for the group and did his usual good job. As everyone left we stayed back and talked to JB and Tami. He was relaxing before tearing down his equipment. Then a manager from Fuds told him a group of about 50 people were coming in to be on the stage to get their picture taken with some alligators. Sure enough, a few minutes later here comes a large group from toddlers to grandparents. They had a fun time holding the gators and JB even got them singing a little. We didn’t see this coming! LOL

On Saturday Sunshine Cindy and I decided we wanted to spend some more time at the beach at a beach bar. We started out at the Surf Hut in Miramar Beach. The place has a nice Polynesian feel to it. We had a beer then headed to the Crab Trap. They have an outside beach bar that we sat at. It was so nice and relaxing. A lot of different people came and went in the bar. There was a group of 5 hot young ladies from Panama having a great time. Some old Georgia redneck kept buying them shots of Tequila. It was funny watching all this.

After the sun went down we left and went to Landshark pizza for some dinner. I didn’t want to watch the hockey game thinking I might be a jinx but it was on AND there were two Montreal fans there watching the game. These two whined as much as the fans in Montreal do. They complained about every little thing….he tripped him, he interfered, he hit him in the face….whaaaaaaa…..They must teach this form of whining to all fans up there. I thought Ben should have had that last goal. It looked like a normal shot that he once again just missed. Geeze….And yes, I am whining about that! LOL

Sunday we spent Mothers Day with Sunshine Cindy’s parents. We had a good time sitting on the patio and down on the dock by the water. The weather the last week has been perfect and Sunday was no exception. I wish it would stay this way all year.

On the way to visit with her parents we drove by where the new Lulu’s is being built in Destin. This is going to be a great place very similar to the Lulu’s in Gulf Shores, AL. The building looks like it is coming along as I heard they are shooting for a late June opening. They have a big parking lot and a small bridge over a little pond to get to the building from the lot. It will be a fun place.

I also heard about a new place that is going into the old Capt. Dave’s building on the harbor. This is a big brick building that has not had much happening there since hurricane Ivan forced Capt. Dave’s out. This is going to be a restaurant and from what I can see a club too. That part of the harbor needs some more places as everyone is concentrated on the west end for the most part.

Have a great week everyone. See ya next Monday!

Strange week in Destin

This past week saw a roller coaster of emotions in the town. It started last Sunday with the guy who was sweep away by the current on Crab Island. They finally found his body on Friday. At least now the family will have some closure.

On Thursday we had a family friends Mom pass away. She was having some surgery and ended up having a heart attack. That was sudden and a big shock. Finally on Friday our good friend Capt. John passed away. Capt. John was always there to help anyone in need. He loved to have a good time and lived his life to the max. Capt. John was like a cat with nine lives. He cheated death many times and always came back stronger. He will be truly missed in Destin. Sail on my friend…

But with the sadness we also had a crazy busy week. Thursday evening Sunshine Cindy and I stopped in at Hogs Breath. Cam was working the bar and Chris Hays was playing. The weather was perfect as we listened to the music and watch the cars go by on Hwy 98. A co-worker of mine, Charley stopped in and joined us for a while. It was good talking to him.

This past weekend was Thunder Beach in Panama City. This is a biker rally. Destin gets a lot of the riders pass though with many stopping in at some of our local watering holes like Hogs Breath. Thursday night there was already some bikers stopping in. It’s cool seeing all the bikes.

On Friday I got a message from a friend from Atlanta that he was in Panama City for the rally and wanted to stop in Destin and have a beer with us. We agreed to meet Jim at The Boathouse about 2 pm. It was good seeing our friend. While there we had Brian from Landshark Pizza stop in and join us. Then David did the same. We also saw Mindy, Charley, Paige, Bree…just a typical time at the Boathouse.

When Jim headed back to PCB Sunshine Cindy and I walked down to Harry T’s. Brian said he was going to be there. We sat downstairs to have a snack during happy hour. Red was working the bar and Michele had just got off and came and give us a big hug and hello. There were a bunch of tourist from the Boston area at the bar having a great time that we talked to. We then grabbed a beer and went upstairs to join Brian. Glen was with him as they enjoyed some good Kentucky Bourbon. Dan came over and he and Sunshine Cindy talked for a while. We had a good time but had to move on to the American Legion.

One of Capt. John’s favorite places was the American Legion. A good group of us went to the Legion to honor Capt. John and tell some stories about him. We could feel his presence.

Saturday was our first Crab Island Mambo beach cleanup of the season. We team up with the ECPHC four times a year to help keep Beachwalk #2 on Okaloosa Island clean. It was a picture perfect weather day. We had a nice turnout and had a big party afterwards. The reason we need to do a cleanup is because of a-holes like the couple that was sitting on the beach who left about 8 or 9 empty beer cans in the sand when they left. One of our group saw it after this couple was far down the walkway but I know they heard her calling them losers among a few other things. Why do people leave their trash like that???

There was a big car show on the island on Saturday. When we left the traffic was backed up across the island to Destin. Glad we were going the other way. Sunshine Cindy and I stopped in at Landshark Pizza on the way home from the beach. We were not dressed for a nice night out on the town so wings and beer worked for us. A decent crowd was there. Haley took care of us and we enjoyed our wings!

Sunday was a slow relaxing day for us. I ran out in the afternoon doing some errands and stopped in at Hogs Breath but that was it. I was home in time to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game. They kicked butt and are now up by two games. It’s exciting but nerve wracking at the same time.

We hope all our friends will join us in Put in Bay, Ohio this June for Phlocking of the Phaithful. Registration will be open for a couple more weeks so time is getting short. We hope to see you on the island this June! Click here for all the details: http://www.crabislandmambo.com/Crab-Island-Mambo-presents-Phlocking-of-the-Phaithful.html

Have a great week. See ya next Monday!