Just a Couple of Pickles: Paradise on the Gulf Coast

September is another busy month much like our May...gone every weekend after the big Carolina wedding through mid-October. Labor Day weekend on the Gulf, wedding weekend in Louisville, wedding weekend in Atlanta, revisit the 2-day Honeymoon in Nashville for our 1-year, hanging with the Bohanons in Paducah, Nashville with my Aunt and Uncle, 10-year High School reunion in Brandenburg, and counting the days to visit our companions (the Montoyas) in Howdy-Doo Texas! In the midst, Andrew is also squeezing in another office visit in Nashville as well as (possibly and hopefully) another Titans game! Memphis is a GREAT central location for traveling, exploring, and attend BIG events…especially sporting events!

Last weekend was not so good for me…all summer I have been looking forward to my college roommate’s wedding, Erika and Matthew. We drove 6 hours and managed to accidentally miss her wedding and reception!! I have never felt so terrible about an irresponsible mistake (thought it was at 6p but was at 1p). It really ruined my weekend and I apologize to my family and friends if I wasn’t myself. Needless to say, it carried over to the Monday blues. I will be back up to visit her, take her out to eat, and give her another wedding gift. The feeling is much like being responsible for losing a championship game! Like you want to turn the clocks back and change one little play to win the game.

On a lighter note…Andrew and I returned to paradise on the Gulf Coast again this past Labor Day Holiday. It’s truly like a remote, paradise island and I recently discovered it’s Santa Rosa Island after I thought it was Navarre Beach all these years (Navarre is at the very end of the island)! It’s shortly past Pensacola Beach, FL and the last building before the secluded beach is Portofino Resort – then you hit a road traveling through white sand dunes with blue-green waters on both sides. The best of the year to go…is the end of the summer where the water is literally, crystal clear. However, storms stirring in the Gulf can often bring groups of jelly fish and other aggravating sea creatures. We always see something swimming by. One summer, I happened to step on sting ray that was buried on the ocean floor and didn’t know until it swam away while I was still on his back!! Another summer, we saw a 4-foot shark swim right past us and this time we saw playful dolphins doing some summersaults, 2 sea turtles, baby swordfish, jellyfish, and baby sharks that just wouldn’t stop nibbling at my legs – UGH!! Clear water is beautiful but seeing too much can also hinder us jumping in freely. I’m the type of person that prefers NOT knowing.

We may not have time or the money to explore paradise outside the U.S. just yet. In the meantime, we have found tranquility that is close enough to escape for long weekends, all within driving distance – The Dills!

There are many other areas around Santa Rosa Island that have the beautiful paradise, picturesque - Pensacola, Destin, and Ft. Walton .

Here a sea turtle coming up for air.

And the baby sharks nibbling at my legs...making me feel so uncomfortable especially not knowing where their mother is!

A little wind trouble...

After a while...Andrew gave up and proceeded on with eating his apple.

A storm heading in made the colors so beautiful!

Practicing defense ;-)

Bullseye shooter...

Sexy hubby...just trying to protect me ;-)

We tore up this target (or should I say...they tore up the target)!

On our way back out on Hwy 59...we always stop at Burris Farmer's Market to stock up on some fresh, delicious, and..."new" produce...

We bought a coconut since it was so cheap and wanted to try it out even though we didn't know what to do with it. We tried a knife, hammer/nail, and electric drill just to drain the juice. Finally, I said...let's literally crack it open!