Pretty much everything I need. Yet I still have a full suitcase.
Well, I finally have everything unpacked and put away from our Arizona trip, all the laundry done and neatly folded up, and my suitcases tucked into the closet.
Good thing because now it’s time to pack again.
I have been invited on a press trip to Navarre Beach, Florida and don’t think I have ever had two trips quite this close together before.
Wait.
Uh. Yeah. There was that time I went to Hawaii twice within three weeks last year. That was really a wonderful and completely overwhelming experience. We had already planned a press trip with Brendan Vacations to Hawaii when Classic Vacations came along and offered me a fam trip and I just couldn’t pass it up. I had never been to Hawaii before and here I was going twice. Crazy.
But you better believe I went on both trips. However, it was a little surreal to be in Waikiki three weeks later with my husband and saying “Oh, yeah! Let’s eat here – it was really good the last time I was here. Three weeks ago.”
So even though we are still shaking the Arizona sand from our shoes, we are ready to fill them up with the white sand of Navarre Beach. I’m just going to be honest and say that anytime I am offered the opportunity to head to the beach, I am there. Because a beach vacation is truly my first love. Especially this particular area of Florida from Pensacola all the way down to Destin – the sparkling white sand and gorgeous, Caribbean-like water are truly my favorite. My grandmother lived in Pensacola all my life and we spent plenty of summer vacations on Santa Rosa Island so this is like going home for me. My dad was in the Marine Corps and we moved around a whole lot so Pensacola is the only place I can go back to from my childhood that I remember and I have really fond memories of the area.
Me with my daughter in Pensacola in 1982. It's amazing how I haven't changed at all. Except for a couple of pounds. Stop laughing.
Navarre Beach is only a few minutes drive from Pensacola Beach along the Gulf Islands national seashore and the view along the way is pretty spectacular. We have actually stayed in a beach house in Navarre before and it’s very convenient to restaurants and shopping. This time we are staying at the Summerwind Resort which is right on the beach and looks fabulous. We have a full itinerary, thanks to the MDi media group and I can’t wait to taste Mexican food at the Cactus Flower Cafe, fresh broiled shrimp at Juana’s Pagoda, and dinner at Stinky’s which does not seem to have a web page but seriously? With a name like that, they have to be good.
Navarre Beach
We are also going to visit the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, and the Gulf Breeze Zoo, where I am probably going to be very sorry I don’t have my six-year old grandson along. I visited the zoo when it was first open and they had the lions in a temporary enclosure which was basically, as I recall it, behind a chain link fence. Surely there was more to it than that, but that’s what I remember. And the fact that as we were walking away one of the lions roared and I had a surge of adrenaline and my brain was saying “runrunrunrunrun”. I’m sure they have the lions behind something other than a chain link fence by now. If not, I can run pretty damn fast. Actually, I just have to run faster than the slowest person in our group. OK, you’ve heard it before. You know it’s still funny.
We will also be checking out the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, which, according the website, is the gulf’s longest fishing pier and they have weddings and catch sharks there. Hopefully not at the same time. Because that would not make the wedding guests very happy. Or the bride.
But what has me equally terrified and excited is the fact that we will be going to Adventure Unlimited and will have a chance to zipline. Let me just say that I am the world’s biggest coward and am petrified of heights but this looks so cool. And it doesn’t look that high in the picture. What do you think? Ziplining or canoeing down the quiet, peaceful river? I’ll let you know what works out.
It really sounds like a great trip and I can’t wait to get some of that white sand in my shoes. I’ll keep you updated on the whole ziplining deal. But what I can guarantee is that there will be lots of lying on sugar white sand enjoying the ocean view and eating freshly caught seafood.
Because that’s what a beach vacation is all about.
Here’s a video to get you as excited about this beach trip as I am. As if that was possible.
Full disclosure: This press trip is provided by the MDi Media Group and various providers but as always, I will share my honest opinion about any travel experiences I have.
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