Our second year in a row vacationing in Watercolor Florida was another memory making trip with good friends. This year we took the whole family! Jayden flew in mid-week so as not too miss to much class or be gone too long with all her animals and business. This year we were unable to get a direct flight. Traveling with connecting flights makes for a long day of traveling and I am not a fan! We left our house at 7 in the morning and got in to the house in Florida at 9PM. It felt like a whole day wasted. From the airport, we stopped at a restaurant to eat. We sat outside on a patio over the water. It was so humid and quite warm even in the dark. It was good to get settled into the house. We had the same sleeping arrangements, we had the upstairs king bed, Jake had his own king bedroom, and Luke took the hallway. When Jayden arrived, she preferred the hallway too, sleeping across from Luke. We were all so happy to join up with our friends and they were excited for our arrival.
Our first full day in Florida, we couldn't wait to get out and enjoy the beach and pool. Angelia made everyone pancakes for breakfast first. This trip we rented an additional golf cart so that our families could all fit comfortable and we could go places on our own agenda. We headed to the big tiered pool along the beach. We could easily go from the beach to the pool back and forth and that we did. The beach was super crowded and we decided just to be in the water awhile, then go back to our comfy chairs poolside. We waded out into the water with boogey body boards and floaties. It was pretty wavy and we didn't see any jelly fish. On the way back form the beach, Luke was walking beside Abigail. She was chatting away to him and all of the sudden she pauses, looks to Luke and says,"Luke, you're beautiful." It was the cutest and sweetest. Luke was so embarrassed, but he smiled pretty big.
After a day in the sun, we were pretty wiped out and tired. We dressed up and headed to a restaurant to eat. It was a long wait and a late supper, but good company makes it enjoyable.
On our second full day, Monday Labor day, we went to the waterpark pool. The area had a small lazy river and a small slide. It was very hot and there was no shade. The lawn chairs were all out in the hot sun and the pool water was warm so it didn't cool you down. We spent a lot of time floating and relaxing, it was just hot. As with the current times, there is a shortage of help. There should have been around 6 lifeguards for the 3 pool areas, however they only had 2. The boys took advantage of that and were goofing in the pool floating in multiple tubes. In the evening, Angelia fixed a feast! She made a "shrimp steam", cooking vegetables, corn on the cob, shrimp, and sausage in a stew pot.
Dan and Angelia made reservations in advance for a restaurant they couldn't wait to take us to. We knew it was going to be a nice place and we all got dressed up. Unfortunately none of us took a photo that night. We took our golf carts to the restaurant and I could tell by the valet parking, the types of cars, and the attire of those arriving, this would be high end. When we had our menus, Jake turned to me and whispered, "Mom there isn't anything on this menu I can even order." I have always told the boys that they had to order something under $25 at restaurants. At this restaurant there was nothing under $36. I told him that we don't eat at places like that often and every once in awhile on vacation, you have to just forget about the price and just enjoy the moment. The fine dining was intended to be one where you enjoy the experience, so it was not to be rushed. I know the kids were so bored and it had to feel like forever to them. The took to using the extra crayons to draw on the paper tale covering. The boys ordered some kind of Tuna Steak that Jake loved and Luke wasn't so sure about. I am not a big fan of seafood, so I ordered a pasta dish with just a few shrimp on the side. I believe Mark had a Grouper fish. Mark put his light eating on a hold this trip and enjoyed all kinds of food and dessert. He loves crème brulee and he finished with that and the boys got some sorbert.
Wednesday we woke in the wee hours of the morning to loud rain. There were tropical storm warnings, so we didn't know what to expect. I was worried about Jayden traveling. The forecast was also off by several hours. We were expecting mid afternoon rain, but the rains came in the night. We had already made plans to head into Destin for the day because we had to pick Jayden up at the airport. Buhrs wanted to join us in Destin also. We went to a few shops, girls split up and went to a décor store and guys went to a paddle boat shop. Jayden seems to have trouble with flights and always ends up delayed. She was delayed around 3 hours, so her day was consumed by travel. It was great to see her walking toward us in the airport with a smile and wave. We all gave hugs and my heart is happy when the whole family can be together. We went straight to eat at a restaurant that was all open and along the beach. It was dark when we got there, on this vacation we have been eating around 8PM. It was nice to have some Jayden time. She was running on little sleep and requested the hallway bed across from Luke. She doesn't have college classes on Wednesday or Friday, so she would only be missing one day of class. However, Thursdays are her jammed pack day of class and she had a lot of keeping up to do with on her laptop.
Thursday the men and boys went to Pensacola to an Navy Air base. The museum has been closed to the public since the pandemic, but because we had a retired Navy veteran with us, they were able to get access and a near private tour. The drive was 2 hours each way, but they had a good time and had a neat experience. There timing was perfect and saw the Blue Angels practicing right above their heads. They put on quite a show, their own private viewing. They saw lots of planes in the museum and saw damage from previous hurricanes in the area. They had a good guys day out.
I got myself up early and went on a bike ride in the area. It is a maze of houses and streets and easy to get mixed around. I knew the main streets I needed to find so I wasn't worried. I meandered all over and found a rock trail through the trees and over a long bridge overlooking lily pads. It was such an enjoyable peaceful ride. God's beauty and creation all around me and quiet to just pray and give thanks. I am so fortunate to be able to go on trips like this and enjoy the magnificent things all around that some people never get to see. These trips are so refreshing and help me to appreciate the many blessings. Back to the house the girls had a spa day planned. We took the golf carts where Angelia had made reservations for us to get massages. This was Jayden's second one ever. Of course I enjoyed every minute. I think it has been over a year since I have had a massage. Abigail got fairy shimmer ribbons put in her hair. We did some light shopping then headed to the house for light lunch from the fridge. Both our families bought more than enough groceries to always have food on hand. Jayden and I hit the pool and stayed in the sun for the rest of the afternoon.
Everyone had a different routine waking up in the mornings. One morning Mark was playing a board game with Abigail while drinking his coffee when I came down. She is as competitive as he is and they were playing a pretty serious game. She is pretty grown up for he little 5 year old age. She is outspoken and full of information.
Friday I wanted to show the family the bike path I found. Mark and the three kids jumped on a bike and we rode around and over the bridge.
Mid-morning our families met at the boathouse where we rented the largest paddleboat, one that all 9 of us could fit on at once. We knew this would be interesting, entertaining, and challenging. Getting on the board was the first obstacle. Each one of us had to slowly walk on, balance, and scoot to the front. Mark and I almost tipped it holding on to each other. There was less than a foot between each person and we could so easily tip if just one person so much as leaned wrong. There were lots of laughs and near tips, but we managed to paddle out and back without falling. Abigail wanted no part in our craziness, so Angelia and Abigail followed along in a canoe. I wish we had photos of our paddleboard, but we were all on board and no cameras. I decided to take a photo from Google that closely relates to our group to give an idea. It was fun and hard work. We all had to coordinate paddling so we didn't hit each others paddles or lose balance. Jayden and Samantha thought sitting was easier for them. We got of at a sand dune to walk around before getting back on to head back. We soon realized paddling into the current was much harder and it took a lot to make much forward progress. It was a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. Back at the boathouse everyone had to have a famous popsicle bar. These are not your ordinary popsicle, they are homemade with real fruit and super delicious, and maybe a little overpriced. Another one of those fun memories!
In the evening, our families went different ways for dinner. We went to a restaurant and sat out on the patio. Since our first night of smores got mixed up, Buhr's made sure it was rescheduled for this night. This time we had chairs, fire, and personal attendant with smores. The area was all set up before we arrived. We had music and smore sticks to roast marshmallows. IT was quiet and peaceful. The boys and Abigail chased more crabs. As we sat around the fire, Jayden asked Dan for some advice on dating and relationships. Dan is a great guy to ask. He has been in the Navy, been married, divorced, and remarried, and even ordained as a minister to marry a family friend. He has talked with so many people in his connection group and gives Godly advice. He had some great things to say, lots of wisdom and points people to God in all things. Dan and Angelia are great people who love the Lord and are genuine, caring, fun friends. We are so blessed to call them friends. When it was time to leave, knowing it was our very last night, Jayden and Abigail went to the edge of the water in the dark and drew a heart in the sand and told the ocean goodbye.
Saturday we were up early preparing for our travels home. I took one quick morning bike ride around the little neighborhood soaking in the last of our little slice of paradise. I was dreading the flight home, not long after I booked the flight weeks ago, I realized we were flying on 9/11. Not only where we flying on 9/11, we were flying right in to Washington DC. I couldn't help but feel anxious and sad. I was sad more than anything as thoughts filled my head. My thoughts would wander to how those poor souls perished that day boarded a flight just like we were unaware of what the future held. So much happened that day and the fact that we were flying right into DC made my stomach knot. My mind wants to take me there to what they were doing, feeling, and thinking. I tried to keep my mind busy with a downloaded movie and a book. Before we got on our plane from Florida to DC, there was a small toddler throwing a fit for his parent. I laughed and told Jake that kid will be sitting by him. Turns out I was right and I had a feeling that little guy would be a problem. All 4 flights to and from Florida, we never all 4 got to sit together, it was two and two. On this flight Mark and Jake sat together and unfortunate for them, the toddler was in front of them. 20 minutes into the flight he was crying and screaming. It wasn't just a little upset child, this kid was screeching, kicking, and crazy loud. It was bad, so bad. The whole entire plane heard this child and he was not happy. There was no consoling him and it went on and on for well over an hour. I kept thinking the kid would just be overcome with exhaustion and collapse. I felt bad for Mark and Jake too. I had my earbuds in listening to music and I could still hear the shrieks. Finally after many talks from the flight attendant, the mom took him and walked him up and down the aisle and he fell right asleep. Flying into DC was eerie, we flew right over the pentagon. I did not like that at all. I was glad when we were safe in Iow and driving home. The photo of our drive home from the airport sums up how we all felt. It was another wonderful family vacation with lots of good times and good memories. We are so blessed.
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