BACK FROM RESTIN’ IN DESTIN

Returned yesterday evening from a much-needed and eagerly awaited week at the beach. As is our usual practice, we rented a house with the F’bergs and T’baums. In a departure from our usual practice, we vacationed sans kids. The sole exception was a one-day visit from the T’baums daughter, son-in-law, and new baby grandson.


Our home away from home in Sandestin.

This year, the weather was about as good as it gets in Destin. Except for searing heat on the day of our arrival, we had (mostly) sunny skies and reasonable temperatures. Golf was, for once, a pleasure instead of a sweat-soaked torture. And the beach was magnificent, with warm, clear water and manageable surf.

Destin is a favorite beach spot for folks living in the greater Atlanta area. Formerly lumped with Fort Walton Beach and Grayton Beach under the “Redneck Riviera” aegis, it’s developing a more upscale reputation and has a personality all its own. This year, we stayed at the Sandestin resort, east of Destin proper, thus allowing us to avoid most of the hassle of dealing with the evening traffic.

Golf. Massage, steam, and sauna. Beach. Pool. Moonlight cruise on a sailboat. Many excellent meals at good restaurants (Marlin Café, Cuvée Beach, Blue Point Fish Club, et al.) The obligatory visit to the Silver Sands Outlet Mall. The traditional lunch at Pompano Joe’s. Adult beverages. Time to read (killed four books!). Hangin’ with the White Hat Posse. And minimal contact with the Internet and the world at large.

Aaaahhhhh.