per·i·pa·tet·ic
ˌperēpəˈtedik/
adjective
  1. 1.
    traveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods.
    "the peripatetic nature of military life"
    synonyms:nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant,migratory, unsettled
    "I could never get used to her peripatetic lifestyle"
  2. 2.
    Aristotelian.
noun
  1. 1.
    a person who travels from place to place.
  2. 2.
    an Aristotelian philosopher.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Occupy Destin(ation)--A Christmas Visit to the Redneck Riviera

Peanut, the Christmas tree occupier

Peanut occupied the space beneath the Christmas tree where the presents usually go. Her food and water bowls were full, the litter box was clean and ready for use, so what did she care that the presents were loaded into the car instead of piled up on the tree skirt? She didn't so much as wave a paw as we shut and locked the front door behind us.


Instead of the usual gathering at one of our homes, this year for Christmas we decided to occupy Destin, also known as the World's Luckiest Fishing Village. This being the off season, hotel rooms were cheap. We stayed at a fairly new, very nice one not far from Harbor Walk, and the cost was only $59 a night (plus tax). You don't have to wait for your ship to come in to enjoy a weekend stay here in winter.


There were plenty of things to see and do to keep a busy boy occupied and still for a few minutes.


Grandson would gladly have lent a hand in this catch but perhaps not so eager to help with the cleaning of the fish. He thinks he's already old enough to go on a deep sea fishing trip. Maybe next year.


We were fortunate to have a warm, sunny day for Christmas Eve. Grandson's other grandma had come for a week-long visit and said this was the first really nice day they'd had all week.


One of Grandson's favorite places to go in Destin or in Spanish Fort, Alabama is Bass Pro Shop. His daddy has been to the original, flagship store in Springfield, Missouri. He was just as fascinated by the fish swimming around the huge tank there, even though they were bass and catfish instead of redfish and jack cravelle.


While Grandson went down for a much-needed nap in his parents' room and his other grandma prepared a wonderful Peruvian meal for us, Daughter, SAM, and I took a walk on the beach. You can find snowmen even here in Florida, though they tend to sag a bit. Sand doesn't pack as well as the stuff the real ones are made of.

Sometimes they decide to get a suntan on the beach. This one was sans bathing attire. I guess he doesn't know this ain't the French Riviera. It's the Redneck Riviera, buddy, and they don't allow that kind of thing here. Count your blessings...

22 comments:

  1. My daughter's grey tiger spent the season under the Christmas tree, too. Cats are just so funny. I just loved you sand snowman. Very clever. Glad you had such a good time!

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  2. Sounds like a change of traditions did you well this Christmas! I love the sand sculptures!

    We've no snow here in the usually frozen North. Lately we've been in the 40s and had rain. We did have one day of snow though - long before Christmas.

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  3. No offense meant, but that Snowman-Sandman made me laugh.

    I couldn't help thinking that he looked like he had been made from a pile of Bumble Monster poop!

    You know the Bumble Monster, right? From the old TV special "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"?

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  4. Karen, there must be something in that tree that the cat is lacking. She prefers the water in the tree stand to the stuff in her bowl. I wish we could take credit for the snowmen. The people who constructed the upright one were sitting right next to it, and we exchanged picture taking with them. We don't know who made the one that's supine.

    Yeah, it felt a little weird at first, CissB, not being home, but I think I could get used to it. No dishes to wash!

    No offense taken, Mr. Stephen, as the snowman was not our creation. I believe you're right, and I do remember some sort of bumbling monster on that classic show. Good call.

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  5. Hi W2W,

    Very glad to see that u had fantastic memorable Christmas trip to Dustin..thanks for sharing your family pics also with us..

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  6. A late Merry Christmas - that sand snowman made me laugh. It's below freezing in Maine.

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  7. What a perfect Christmas trip!!!

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  8. What a lovely way to spend Christmas. I am putting Destin on my visit list!

    Wishing you and your family a very happy and joyfilled New Year...with many more wonderful trips!

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  9. Hi W2W .. great pictures and I bet your grandson had the most marvellous of times .. fishes to see, fishermen to chat too, sand and sea .. then that Peruvian meal - yummy .. I'd be over .. delicious - sounds a fun time

    Happy New Year .. cheers Hilary

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  10. Nice sand sculptures, a lovely Christmas trip.
    We wish you all a Happy New Year.

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  11. Sounds like a fun time. Nothing beats the beach and fishing to while away a few hours. Sandcastles rule!!

    I'm intrigued by the ray in your header, ours have long tails, that are barbed at the tip, yet that one doesn't appear to have one - has it been removed somehow or is that just how it is?

    Have a lovely New Year. Sue

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  12. Happy New Year, everyone!

    You're welcome, Tomz. Family is what it's all about for me, especially during the holidays.

    Sarah, I'm glad the snowman was a warm, bright spot in your day.

    Hi, Julie! The Christmas stay in Destin was definitely a change of pace for us.

    Hello, Ann! If you can believe those BP commercials on TV, the Gulf Coast has just had a record year for tourists in 2011. They're hoping for even more in 2012. Better get your reservations in soon:)

    Ms. Hilary, it was a wonderful weekend. I hope next year's celebration won't seem lame compared to it. Thanks for your good wishes!

    Well, thank you, Mr. Anthony. It's been a while since I visited you. I'll have to remedy that situation very soon. Thanks for stopping by.

    Thanks, Sue! Sand sculptures are fun to find on the beach. You know, I still don't know what kind of ray that is. My original post about it is here: http://learningtoheal-walk2write.blogspot.com/2009/11/oysters-to-pearls-why-are-those-sands.html

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  13. from the cat with an attitude to the cool snowmen... I enjoyed reading this post. Happy New Year

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  14. I'm not sure what it is about Christmas trees, but it's been a popular spot for our cat to take naps, too. Widget, Daughter's cat, prefers to make a game of seeing how many Christmas ornaments he can knock off each day:)

    Looks like a lovely way--and place--to spend Christmas. Loved your plump snow/sandman--at least he won't melt!

    Wishing you a very Happy New Year, W2W!

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  15. Spanish Fort--ye-yay! Although I LURV Destin. We always vacationed there when I was growing up, and it is so beautiful. Glad you had a wonderful holiday! Here's to a fantastic new year~ ((hugs))

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  16. The best thing is one gets to learn a lot about fish and fish life.
    Like the pics of the grandson.

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  17. Thanks, Wayne. Glad you liked it.

    Rose, Peanut may look like there's no get-up-and-go left in her, but she finds those dangling ornaments irresistible too. You just never know when she might strike. When we took the tree down on Monday and packed all the goodies away, she looked kinda sad:(

    Thanks, Leigh! I knew you would really appreciate the place. I hope your holiday was a good one. Sorry it's taking me a while to get around for a visit. With the new year comes new chores.

    Haddock, the grandson loves anything to do with fish and the sea. I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to be a boat captain when he grows up. Or maybe the next Jacques Cousteau.

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  18. Glad you had such a pleasant family Christmas, W2W. Both your photos and clever prose are delightful to browse--thanks for sharing them. From an earlier post, I also look forward to checking on a Jane Austen title I hadn't heard about before. Loved catching up with you a bit.

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  19. Dear Walk2Write,
    I wish you a Happy New Year! Your holidays sound lovely - and the idea of the sand-snowmen is great!
    Best wishes Britta

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  20. Love the pics Ms. I!

    (I'm watching The Victory Garden as I type; one of the chefs is makin eggplant, looks yummy!)

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  21. Looks like lots of fun! And a note of thanks for your words of concern for Mrs. T. The meeting with the Mayo oncologist went very well today. No chemo needed. A pill to depress estrogen. All smiles here now. :)

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  22. Mary, I hope you like the "new" Jane Austen piece. It was new to me anyway. Incredible genius, that girl! Thanks for stopping by.

    Hi, Britta. You will have to visit Florida one of these years and celebrate the holidays with us, Gulf Coast style.

    TC, if the eggplant is smothered in some kind of delicious sauce it's good to eat. Otherwise it's rather tasteless. Next growing season, I'd like to try a recipe for eggplant lasagna that one of my fellow massage students prepared for the class. Now that was yummy!

    TB, you're quite welcome. I'm so happy for you and Mrs. T and hope for continued good reports.

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