Enjoy the weather, enjoy the beach, enjoy a wonderful dinner, Awesome!

Where are we today ?

Henderson Beach state Park Destin Florida

      What a wonderful sleep we had last night. Low overnight temp was 70 f outside. Windows open, fantastic fan on low, and the surf from the gulf lulling us to sleep, so relaxing. Up early and refreshed raring to go.

       Walkabouts for a bit then off in search of some 5 amp fuses for our levelling jacks and a new on/off switch. The switch is getting finicky and we blow the fuse on occasion. Not sure why, I have been checking this out for years and sometimes it is fine for 6-8 months and sometimes will blow two fuses in a week. But they are doing their job. as long as I have them on hand no problem. 

awesome park here

        After a light lunch we took a nice walk to the beach. Along a wheel chair accessible trail about 1/2 mile.

even the boardwalk over the dunes was nice

a few groups of people relaxing and surf fishing

         They call this the Emerald Coast, just one look at the water and you understand why.

we walked quite a ways along the waters edge,
 Suzie even dipped her toes in, too cold she says.
I would have but need shoes on to keep my back pan in check.

the fine sand here is like icing sugar

         We went back home grabbed our beach stuff and down to the day use beach, washrooms close by there and very quiet.

our beach umbrella set up for a bit of shade

there was people down the beach in swimming,
must be much younger

this is the life, relax on beach , in the shade,
 listen to the surf and seagulls,
 enjoying each others company and a good book.

         We were good here for about 90 minutes, then cloud cover came in and temps cooled down a bit.

         Returned from the beach early as it was cooling down rather quickly  and we had a major downpour about 3:30pm. Checking out the area and chatting for a while, Suzie had craving to go to the Bonefish Grill.  Her very favorite place to go for seafood. Our first one was in Myrtle Beach, (thank to our friends John and Angelo) quite a few years ago, next one La Fayette LA, then Abita Springs LA. Now when this one is just around the corner we could not resist. We went there and had a very good meal, not disappointed at all.

hot fresh bread for dipping

          Suzie's favorite appetizer Mussel's Josephine so very tasty and done just right, (we shared).

        Then for her entre a caesar salad, wood grilled shrimp, sea scallops and spaghetti squash. Oh so good.

        My choice was a Spicy Tuna bowl (below) and it was absolutely amazing, lots of wonderful aromas and flavours all complementing each other.

this sure did the trick and was a wonderful treat for us,

celebrating just because we felt like it

        Sure enjoyed this wonderful day here on the Emerald coast, great company, great weather  and tasty food. Yep we are enjoying this lifestyle.
        Glad ya'll dropped by for a visit and hope your day was wonderful too.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle. 

 Check out the interactive map below to see where we have been this Winter.

A fun day with family at the beach in Grand Bend Ontario

Where are we today ?

Plattsville Ontario

        We have a nice day trip planned for today about a 90 minute drive to the Pinery Provincial Park in Grand Bend Ontario. Wiki calls this a small provincial park only 6,330 acres (1,275 campsites) on the the eastern shores of Lake Huron. (Ontario's West Coast) with 21 miles of roads inside the park too. I have camped here for many years from the early 1970's and love the park, but with the daily camping rates over $40.00 a night with no hookups we don't camp there much any more. No long term rates either. Wonderful private campsites, hiking trails, biking trails, picnic areas, canoe rentals on the river and about 12  parking areas close to the beach, beautiful sand dunes, it is a very popular place. The campground is very hard to get into in the summer months too, mostly completely booked months in advance.

entrance into the pinery

nice roads to the camping areas.

      We left here shortly after 9 am arriving about 10:40am  The day use pass is now $16.00 per vehicle but we got the senior discount only $13.00, still pretty pricey just to visit.

      But we knew this and are visiting with daughter number one, her husband and three of our grands tent camping here for 4 days.

       The weather forecast for today was thunderstorms but we never believe those weather guessers anyway. Turns out we had a few minor sprinkles then the sun came out and we had an awesome day.

they had tarps set up just in case

      After a quick bite to eat we headed to the beach, over the dunes and play in the sand.

perfect day not too sunny

gotta get all covered in sand

playing in the waves

 We had our chairs but did not go in the water, need to be above 90f for us to go in, but I found a piece of driftwood that quickly became a drunken sailor holding a mug of spirits. Its been a while since I sat on the beach and whittled away on a piece of drift wood, maybe I should get my wood carving out again, it was fun. At least thats what I see in the piece of wood.

         Couple of hours here then the sun came out so we headed back over the dunes to their campsite, some nice shade.

      We chatted for a while the the grands grilled some hot dogs over an open fire.

yummy

      Us adults enjoyed a light snack and beverage then we headed back home about 4:30 where does the time go? They still had things to do, fishing, swimming, bbq supper etc. Besides we wanted to stop at Hayter's Turkey retail store and check out all the turkey products there. Well we picked up a whole mess of turkey products, keilbossa, turkey burgers, kabobs, and boneless turkey thighs, we will be good for a while and all very reasonable prices too and gluten free as well.

      Now the back roads home. Arrived here at 6 pm.

        I fired up the Weber q and made a salad to go with two turkey kabobs while Suzie let the dogs out for a run.

a few minutes on the Q and so tasty and tender

interesting clouds last night too

       There ya go an amazing day full of thunderstorms (that never happened) with barely a sprinkle and lotsa sunshine. A fun day with the family in the campground and on the beach, sure is a wonderful life that we are so lucky to be able to enjoy.

        Glad you could drop by again and join us at the beach.

Posted by George, a.k.a. "The Weber "Q" Man of Blogland" according to Rick Doyle. 

 Check out the map below to see where we have been this Summer.

View Summer 2014 in a larger map

Off to the beach, for a nice drive

Where are we today ?

Wilderness rv Parks

        This morning is overcast and foggy but supposed to be nicer for the rest of the day. So we have a plan to take our new friends Rolf and Johanna down hwy 59  thru Robertsdale to the Gulf Shores and check out the beach. Well we drove along chatting and taking in the sights until we found the beach. Kinda hard to miss, just head south on 59 and if you don't stop you get stuck in the sand or in the ocean. About and hour's drive from our resort.

here it is just follow the footsteps in the sand

        Always amazes me how soft and fine  the beach is here, almost like fine white sugar. A perfect beach day but we are nor prepared for the beach, just sightseeing in the car. It would have been a perfect beach day too.

a huge ship not  far off shore

        Now have to take the obligatory Beach shots to  prove that we were here.

Suzie, Rolf and Johanna, the thorn between two Roses

this little guy was on a mission

        Hanging out for a while here then back in the car checking out more scenery. So many of these wonderful looking home right on the water for rent, miles and miles of them. Many have 5 to 8 bedrooms, would be a beautiful vacation destination.

Love the colors

then we found Rolfs Retreat,  and he didn't even know.

        Drove along the beach area for a while then up towards Orange beach.

miles of white sandy beaches

        Now its close to 1 pm and we are getting hungry so the plan was to head out to Lamberts Cafe along the canal road to once again experience the fun and fill our tummies at the same time. They have never been here and thought they would enjoy the atmosphere.

        We were barely seated when we each caught hot roll, and were offered some apple butter and sorghum molasses to spread on them.

apple butter or sorghum for your rolls ?

        Then another pass around deep fried ocra to nibble on before our drinks arrive.

the ocra is yummy

        We now have our 34 ounce soft drinks and ready to order.

        Our meals soon arrived and looking so tasty.

for me a mess frog legs, fries , baked beans and cornbread

for Suzie fried chicken, corn and beets

for Rolf bbq'd pork chop, beets, peaches and turnip greens

        Johanna had the catfish, and the we all enjoyed the pass arounds that arrive hot at various times to our table. As much as we want of these too. Fried potatoes and onions, macaroni and tomatoes, black eyed peas, the even had boiled cabbage today too.

need to go ? follow the signs on the floor

a few nice bikes in the parking lot

        Now some people tow a motorcycle behind their car, this guys does the opposite with a cute little trailer.

mural on the north side of the building

         Now totally stuffed we packed our doggie bags and waddled our the door heading back home arriving about 3:30 in time for a happy hour.
        They let peanut out for  a walk and he came right over and gave us a verbal reprimand for leaving him at home, talking and woofs to Johanna very vocal he was, so funny.

        Thats it for another fun day and tour about the area, to the beach and then a bite to eat on the way home. Our friends are leaving in the morning heading further west, eventually meeting up with Jim and Sharon again in Texas then heading to Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Safe travels guys.

        Thanks for stopping in again for a peak, keep the shiny side up!

Check out the map below to see where we have been this winter

View Winter 2012-1013 in a larger map