Day 1 ::: DESTIN, FL

Mike and I haven't been on a "real" vacation since our honeymoon cruise in 2008. Last year we bought a house and we were so excited (and broke) that we didn't want to leave! :D We were due for a week away and Destin would be the place! Growing up so close to Destin, we went there often and we always had a blast! We asked our friends, Mike & Megan, if they would like to join in on the fun in the sun....(and of course, they did!) We made reservations for a 7 night stay at TOPS'L Beach Resort in a ...... wait for it ..... PENTHOUSE! Hahaha! It was BEAUTIFUL!

We got up EARLY saturday morning to hit the road....there were a couple of "pit stops" planned along the way......and a couple not....the first one being HOW IN THE WORLD we were going to get all of our stuff in the vehicle. I just laughed at the puzzled look on Mike's face. After much loading and unloading.....and loading and unloading.....and loading....we got everything in except the case of water. Megan and I were like puzzle pieces in the back seat! But, regardless of how we looked, it wasn't all that bad of a ride. There was no way we had forgotten anything because we packed EVERYTHING!

....oh and the second bump in the road, we got pulled over. It seemed like we sat FOREVER waiting on this (not so nice word) to run our tag and do what he had to do. We didn't get a ticket, PRAISE JESUS! So, we were off again, but not so fast. :D

When we reached Tallahasee, we swung by Doak Campbell Stadium. Mike (Blicher) wanted to see the "infamous" Bobby Bowden statue. Like the tourists we are, we bailed out of the car with our cameras to capture the moment! LUNCH TIME! I haven't seen my Momma in quite some time, so we met her for lunch at Kacey's Home Cooking Buffet. It was pretty yummy and it was really good to see my Momma!

Next stop....Chautauqua Vineyard and Winery. It is located just north of DeFuniak Springs (really close to Destin). It was planted in 1979 and is owned by a couple in Alabama. Megan and I decided on a bottle of Wild Honeyflower....it is white grape wine flavored with honey.

We finally arrived at our destination, checked in, and unloaded our (houses)....only for the fire alarm to go off, hahaha! They were evacuating all 11 floors of the resort. ALL WE COULD DO WAS ROLL OUR EYES AND LAUGH! It didn't take TOO long to clear. We unpacked and then headed to publix to get groceries for the week....then back to the penthouse to get changed and ready for dinner. There is a little "area" called Baytowne Village right across the street....7 feet away according to mapquest. :D FUN, FUN place! Everything from restaurants, candy stores, boutiques, live music, piano and karaoke bars.....we ate at Poppy's Seafood Factory. It was delish!

You can check out our PENTHOUSE here! http://ambientvp.net/PLATINUM_PENTHOUSE_1110_SUMMIT/index.htm