::: Callaway

Tyndall, FL

Not too much to talk about here if you aren't referring to the beautiful Tyndall AFB. This past weekend Ben and I were driving around and he looked at me and asked, "Hey, wanna see something?" Not sure what else there is to see in Callaway I responded, "Sure!" We ended up checking in on the Fiddlers first. Yes, they are back after a short winter! They are digging their holes leaving big balls of sand on the surface.

We even found big hermit crabs

Now to the new part of Callaway I haven't seen yet...

A farm of GOATS!


TONS of goats!

This little guy had an itch!

I love Ben and I's adventures, but this one wins for the most unique! We might just keep track of the fiddlers...unless we have some bread and want to go feed the goats?

:: Happy Mardi Gras

There are just too many pictures to share from my parents visit to see me the weekend before Mardi Gras. Luckily, they were here during the Mardi Paws parade in Baytowne Wharf. This parade was definitely something I could come back to one day. On Sunday, they had a puppy parade, and on Monday they had parade filled with locals/owners/visitors and even a band!There was such variety of pups, you just need to see the photos below for yourself!

Large Poodles all dazzled up!

Ride 'em Cowboy!

Some little pups got a ride, and some shuffled their way through the parade!

Fluff Ball! My favorites are below:

Great Mastiff, yes please!

Ben and i got some beads!

My mom and dad having a wonderful time on their vacation!

Over all it was such a great weekend with my parents! They (Ben and I bumped in on their vacation too) stayed at the Westwinds in Sandestin. It was such a great condo. Spacious, great views, and you never heard the other units! I don't think I could ever not have a great time with my parent at the beach! Beach days and great dinners - ah, when is that summer trip this year?!

::: Baytowne Wharf

Baytowne Wharf is definitely the place to be for a party. Right now they are already prepared for Mardi Gras! On March 6th they are having a puppy parade and on March 8th they will be having a village parade @ 5 pm. I celebrated New Years Eve here, and the village knows how to throw a good party. Below you can see some iPhone images I snapped real quickly around the wharf.

:: Front Entrance ::

:: Ice Skating Rink ::
The ice skating rink was open from the end of fall and closed during January. It was always crowded! Here you can see how it is still melting, but we should be having some warm days to melt it a little faster :)

::next to Rum Runners ::

:: Gelato!! ::
YES! Finally, a gelato shop right in Baytowne Wharf! This used to be home the pizza restaurant (now located right across the sidewalk) and seems to be a perfect fit. I am not so sure how that seating is going to hold up once the crowds get here, but it sure looks like a fun spot! I plan to go get some gelato very soon.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Now please excuse me while I go enjoy my BBQ dinner complete with cheesy biscuits :)

::: Distance

The majority of my family lives in northern Alabama. That is 6 hours away from me! I can only handle the distance as much as they can. It's easy with phone and email communication, but when someone is sick or hurt? Geez, it just about kills me to be far away from all of them. Recently my grandmom fell and was put in the hospital. Instead of sending her a card, I figured I would make her a special card that shows her something other than the hospital room (and show her where her granddaughter is!). Ben agreed to be my photographer, and help me out with my card idea shown below! We decided to go to Tyndall Air Force base where Ben is currently stationed.

"Hi Grandmom!"

We ended the photos along the long boardwalk that leads to the beach from the base. It is such a beautiful area with lush wildlife, and is private to the military so it is very peaceful with no tourists.

One thing I know about Grandmothers: They love to hear from their grandchildren :).

My grandmother loved the cards so much, I think I need to send her more pictures more often!

::: Missing the coast?

Maybe you should just come see the sunsets for yourself? :)

The beach is BEAUTIFUL in January. Same variations of blues in the water, same beautiful and colorful sunset.

Pictures were taken on the beach next to The Hilton Sandestin. While capturing the sunset, I got to see some progress with the new renovations and additions they are making to the new boardwalk. If you haven't heard, a fire took out the beachside restaurant & boardwalks. We often went to eat here on hot summer days for lunch!

* The entire brown area on the ground behind the sand is where the structure once stood. The walls of the Hilton were burned, and the lower room levels had to be renovated and remodeled.
New boardwalks under construction!

I started my day with inspiring scripture {see below}, and ended my day with a vibrant sunset. Just another beautiful day on the emerald coast.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

::: CRAB INVASION!

You heard it! Tyndall, FL has been invaded by herds of crab! Just kidding these, cute little guys just call this bay home :) I would like to introduce you to the Fiddler Crab. They are about 1.5-2" wide, and the males can be seen with a large front claw as large as their body. They travel in groups to protect each other and court. They also help our wetlands through mineralization of the marshes and continuing ecological growth.
But don't get too close...they might become attached. Ben had to tell this crab he wanted his shoe back! Fiddler crabs aren't the only crabs along this shore. We have also seen little white crabs, and blue crabs on the Tyndall Air Force beach.

::: Let's Talk French

Red Bar...
Louis Louis...
Have you been there yet?

It is QUITE the experience. My brother, Mark, and I decided to go there on a Friday night...mid October. We weren't even thinking about it being a weekend or prime dinner time. Let me just say, EVERYONE and anyone was there! Luckily our wait was only 20 minutes. Red Bar is packed back in Grayton Beach (Remember the map I made in the first post? Check it out if you're not familiar with 30A). Basically you drive ALL the way down county rd 238 S until you reach the sand. Once you hit the sand take a left and you will see Red Bar on the right.

The interior is so fun. It's not your normal restaurant, and you definitely wonder how they pass fire code. There are dimly lit chandeliers, living room furniture for waiting, and lots and lots of candles. It's a dark restaurant, mainly lit by candles but don't worry about bringing reading glasses or key chain flashlights (I'll get to the key chain flashlights story in another post). They read the menus to you off of a chalk board. There are about 6 items on the menu, and you can either hold onto the chalk board at your table and think, or just tell them right then what you would like.

Mark and I each got the Panne Chicken. It is amazing!
{topped with lemon caper butter, served with Mashed Potatoes and a House Salad}
There is so much food. Either plan ahead to go to the restaurant hungry or prepare to leave with a to-go box!

Louis Louis has a similar menu with some of the same food items. I would recommend going to both to sample the different atmospheres. I plan on going back to both to try out the desserts :)

Mark's not going to like this, but this post needed some pictures! Here are some recent pics of me and my brother...
Fall 2009:

May 2010:

October 2010:

enjoying the beach during Mark's visit October 2010!Please pardon my crazy hair, it was the only good pic of Mark looking at the camera and smiling.

Check out Red Bar's Website: http://www.theredbar.com/