Every trip to the beach brings new experiences and new discoveries to add to the list:
Must bring items:
1. A muffin pan. Martha White muffin mixes are and easy breakfast treat. I also discovered from FB, a other muffin pan treat. Line the muffin cups with ham slices, add cheese, then a whole egg, salt and pepper. Bake 400 degrees, for 15 minutes.
2. A dash mini waffle iron. Waffle mix that you just add milk or water, and your babies have a waffle breakfast treat! The dash mini makes them the size of an Eggo waffle!
3.Quisinart ice cream maker. Put the mixer bowl in the freezer. Mix up the 4 ingredients and 20 minutes you have a frozen treat. Make it the day before and it's good and firm. No ice or salt needed!
4. Homemade cookies. Bag all the dry ingredients in ziploc bags. Sugars together, flours, salt, and baking soda together. Mix in wet ingredients at the beach, and bake for a homemade treat! I also bring parchment paper and a simple cookie scoop.
5.Hand mixer. I made my chocolate chip cookies by hand, since the condo didn't have a mixer.
6.Margarita machine. (Repeat item) Best discovery ever! Mix them up overnight, store in ziploc bags. Use the frozen bags as ice for your beach lunch. Pour into a steel 30 oz tumbler, add a smoothee straw, and you have a frozen adult beverage that lasts for hours!
7. Beach wagon, with wide wheels. Must have for all you bring! The heavier the load, the more you end up dragging instead of pulling.
8. Beach chairs and umbrella. A three day rental at Sandestin is $100, or $150 if you aren't a card carrying guest. We go to the beach so often, we bring our own. Best umbrella ever is the Cool Cabana. You can find it at www.cool-cabana.com.
9. Beach. The beach at Sandestin is usually way over crowded, and the chair rental guys takeover the prime spaces, pushing tent and canopy users way back from the water. Down here, Henderson State Park is between Destin and Sandestin and only $6 a car load. It's never been busy when we go, and you can set up any type of shade at the waters edge. Worth it if you are going to make it a full day.
10. Bluetooth speaker. Hook up your favorite Pandora channel without having to use earbuds. The sound usually doesn't disturb your neighbors.
11. External battery charger. This will keep your phone battery fully charged, a long with any other USB devices.
12. Rainy day entertainment. We were here seven days and it rained six of them. We managed to get some beach time every day, but with several "pack it up quick " moments.
13. Go early. Best time for restaurant dining is EARLY! We target 5-5:30 to miss the long wait times for a table. Sometimes when it's just two of us, we will eat at the bar!
14. Bacon. Cook it at home till "floppy". Place on paper towels. Once cool, put into ziploc bags and freeze. At the beach, microwave slices for one minute, and you have crispy bacon without the mess of frying!
15. Plastic tubs. We store all our kitchen supplies in small plastic tubs. Paper goods, washing pods, seasonings, etc... we restock pack at home, saving on trips to the store for those "local marked up pricing "!
Wow! 15 items for the Beaching 101 list! Some old ones, but more new! We have another trip in August, to Hilton Head. Maybe there will be some new items from the Atlantic coast!
Retired in 2012. I'm trying to out run old age and boredom. So far, I'm winning the race!
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Vaca Foodie Stops
When traveling an Vaca, one must always stay alert for a new foodie stop. You might see a billboard, a Facebook foodie post, or as my momma says "it looked good from the outside"! We were ending our trip over the bay bridge to Destin, and spotted Lulu's, next to the boat warehouse that's covered in a mural of whales. We have been to the one in Gulf Shores, but haven't tried this one, so why not!
LULU's
The parking up close is limited, so expect to drop off your riders, then go park, with a nice walk back. The building is open air, with huge garage doors up and lots of fans spinning. We noticed from the bridge that there was a sea plane in the water. The pilot will walk by your table and drop off a card, to remind you during your stay that he is available.
We were not sure what we wanted to order until I saw a seafood basket for two on the menu. It has fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws, along with hush puppies and fries. Granted, it was all fried, but it was oh so good!
Can you imagine getting a call from your daughter, "Mom! I met this guy at the beach! And, we love each other! Don't tell Dad, I want to surprise him with a visit on Father's day!
He must have really shook me up. We got down the road, when I suddenly remembered I had left my credit card on the table. A quick thinking spousal unit made a phone call, and we detoured back to pick it up. Whew! Is this a sign that I'm getting old???? One of many!
CULVERS
Along Hwy 98, before you get to the "Premium Outlet Stores" was a new place called Culvers. They are a fast food joint, but they also serve custard desserts. We have been through the drive-thu at several other locations, but have never gone in. We were waiting for out room to get ready, so why not.
We walked up to the counter, and just stared. There were so many choices! The cashier remarked, "take your time, we are used to it." We were there for the custard. The chain originated from Wisconsin, and they also have fried cheese curds, which we love. The custard reminds me of Bops, back in Mississippi.
They have an endless amount of toppings for you to try.
LULU's
The parking up close is limited, so expect to drop off your riders, then go park, with a nice walk back. The building is open air, with huge garage doors up and lots of fans spinning. We noticed from the bridge that there was a sea plane in the water. The pilot will walk by your table and drop off a card, to remind you during your stay that he is available.
We were not sure what we wanted to order until I saw a seafood basket for two on the menu. It has fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab claws, along with hush puppies and fries. Granted, it was all fried, but it was oh so good!
I noticed one of the waiters working one of the other tables looked like he wasn't from around these parts. The only thang missing was a kilt and a sword!
He must have really shook me up. We got down the road, when I suddenly remembered I had left my credit card on the table. A quick thinking spousal unit made a phone call, and we detoured back to pick it up. Whew! Is this a sign that I'm getting old???? One of many!
CULVERS
Along Hwy 98, before you get to the "Premium Outlet Stores" was a new place called Culvers. They are a fast food joint, but they also serve custard desserts. We have been through the drive-thu at several other locations, but have never gone in. We were waiting for out room to get ready, so why not.
We walked up to the counter, and just stared. There were so many choices! The cashier remarked, "take your time, we are used to it." We were there for the custard. The chain originated from Wisconsin, and they also have fried cheese curds, which we love. The custard reminds me of Bops, back in Mississippi.
They have an endless amount of toppings for you to try.
WINN DIXIE
With our early arrival, we were able to check in an hour early and unpack. Our kids were still in transit, so we decided to go ahead with the first grocery run. Siri said WinnDixie was the closest (Publix and Walmart a short ride further). Winn Dixie was an absolute mad house! It was like bumper cars with the shopping carts! The cereal row was a wasteland, nothing but a few boxes left on the self! The deli meat section was like pit row of a NASCAR race, everybody pulling up to the doors with their carts, emptying the shelves before the guy behind them could blink. On the end of aisles, and down thew rows, there were abandoned carts, half filled. Is this the Zombie Apocalypse?????
We survived the checkout line, with everything on our list. I can just imagine what the first night restaurant scene would be! Shrimp boil condo style for us!
Stay tuned. more to come.....
Rituals of the First Day of Vaca
Every summer brings with it the rites of passage to the holy grail, the white sugary sands of the Florida Panhandle. You would think, as many times as I have made this trip to Beach Mecca, it would be same old thing. But no.....!
PACK IT UP
The spousal unit left for a conference down south several days early. That left me with the responsibility (as always) of packing the car, securing the house, and saying good bye to Otis, our resident travel dog. Otis knows when its travel time. He sees the suitcase, and hops right on in. He then starts his all loving dog routine, like you can't not take me, the sweet lovable travel dog!
I get up early, and load the remaining items into the car. Otis is watching....All done, I'm like, whoops, where are the car keys??? I tear the house apart looking for them. I've now retraced my steps at least 15 times. Well crap, on to the car. I can't just switch cars, the rack on the back is secured with a lock, and the key is with the others. I checked all the usual suspect spots where I might have laid them. No keys. I pull everything out and give each box the eagle eye. No keys. Otis has not left the house, with the door wide open.
I am now sweating, a;most in a panic, and haven't left the driveway. One more time into the house. I've formed a mental check list, and gone through it countless times. There's Otis, calmly sitting in the middle of our bed. Ok, one last desperate thought. I brush Otis aside and I begin pulling back the covers. As I'm doing so, I swear I heard Otis snicker. The covers are pulled back, and in the middle of the bed, are the KEYS!!!!! One of these days Otis, one of these days!
MOBILE BOUND
Our usual route to the Florida Panhandle takes us through Hattiesburg to Hwy 98, and then we turn on Hwy 63, at Lucedale, to I-10. We miss all the stop and go 98 traffic through North Mobile. This adds a few minutes, but its four lane all the way and only a few traffic lights, some of which are usually green light. If traffic is heavy on I-10, then we opt for the Bay Bridge route over Mobile Bay.
I had to make a Costco stop, and it is co convenient, being off the first exit of I-65. The spousal unit sent me the shopping list, via pictures of the items by text message! Ain't technology great!
Several friends Facebooked me about these new Vodka infused ice pops. I'm looking, and looking. This sweet young thang interrupts me and asked if she could help me. I tell her about the ice pops. Wouldn't you know it, "Oh, I'm sorry, this is my first day, I'm not sure, but maybe they're in the liquor store next door.! She wasn't very helpful, but she sure was purdy! Next door, I wait my tum, that's what you do in Costco (unlike Sam's). I ask the cashier about the ice pops. He gives me that look.... He then begins to recite the preamble to the constitution, They are only available out west, in three states.....I think he has said this 100 times today already!
Since it is right at noon, on a Friday, and traffic is calm, I go the tunnel route. No problems. Once I exit the tunnel, and get to daylight, all I see are cars, trucks, and 18 wheelers, as far as the eye can see! Fortunately, they were all pointed in the other direction! I picked up the spousal unit at the Grand, at Point Clear, and then we were off!
FLORIDA LINE
You can tell when you get to Florida on I-10, as they have these nice welcome signs at the State line. Some travelers stop and take pictures. Me, I like the jets mounted in the air at the first rest stop. We take the Crestwell exit to the toll bridge at Niceville. We invested in a Florida Sunpass years ago and it has been well worth it. As you approach the bridge, stay left, and avoid the pay line with all those other cars lined up, waiting their turn! You know you are near when at the other end of the bridge you can spot the boat storage warehouse with the whale murals! The beach is near!!!!
PACK IT UP
The spousal unit left for a conference down south several days early. That left me with the responsibility (as always) of packing the car, securing the house, and saying good bye to Otis, our resident travel dog. Otis knows when its travel time. He sees the suitcase, and hops right on in. He then starts his all loving dog routine, like you can't not take me, the sweet lovable travel dog!
I get up early, and load the remaining items into the car. Otis is watching....All done, I'm like, whoops, where are the car keys??? I tear the house apart looking for them. I've now retraced my steps at least 15 times. Well crap, on to the car. I can't just switch cars, the rack on the back is secured with a lock, and the key is with the others. I checked all the usual suspect spots where I might have laid them. No keys. I pull everything out and give each box the eagle eye. No keys. Otis has not left the house, with the door wide open.
I am now sweating, a;most in a panic, and haven't left the driveway. One more time into the house. I've formed a mental check list, and gone through it countless times. There's Otis, calmly sitting in the middle of our bed. Ok, one last desperate thought. I brush Otis aside and I begin pulling back the covers. As I'm doing so, I swear I heard Otis snicker. The covers are pulled back, and in the middle of the bed, are the KEYS!!!!! One of these days Otis, one of these days!
MOBILE BOUND
Our usual route to the Florida Panhandle takes us through Hattiesburg to Hwy 98, and then we turn on Hwy 63, at Lucedale, to I-10. We miss all the stop and go 98 traffic through North Mobile. This adds a few minutes, but its four lane all the way and only a few traffic lights, some of which are usually green light. If traffic is heavy on I-10, then we opt for the Bay Bridge route over Mobile Bay.
I had to make a Costco stop, and it is co convenient, being off the first exit of I-65. The spousal unit sent me the shopping list, via pictures of the items by text message! Ain't technology great!
Several friends Facebooked me about these new Vodka infused ice pops. I'm looking, and looking. This sweet young thang interrupts me and asked if she could help me. I tell her about the ice pops. Wouldn't you know it, "Oh, I'm sorry, this is my first day, I'm not sure, but maybe they're in the liquor store next door.! She wasn't very helpful, but she sure was purdy! Next door, I wait my tum, that's what you do in Costco (unlike Sam's). I ask the cashier about the ice pops. He gives me that look.... He then begins to recite the preamble to the constitution, They are only available out west, in three states.....I think he has said this 100 times today already!
 |
| Mission accomplished! |
Since it is right at noon, on a Friday, and traffic is calm, I go the tunnel route. No problems. Once I exit the tunnel, and get to daylight, all I see are cars, trucks, and 18 wheelers, as far as the eye can see! Fortunately, they were all pointed in the other direction! I picked up the spousal unit at the Grand, at Point Clear, and then we were off!
FLORIDA LINE
You can tell when you get to Florida on I-10, as they have these nice welcome signs at the State line. Some travelers stop and take pictures. Me, I like the jets mounted in the air at the first rest stop. We take the Crestwell exit to the toll bridge at Niceville. We invested in a Florida Sunpass years ago and it has been well worth it. As you approach the bridge, stay left, and avoid the pay line with all those other cars lined up, waiting their turn! You know you are near when at the other end of the bridge you can spot the boat storage warehouse with the whale murals! The beach is near!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)