For anyone who asked for more details about our recent family getaway, here’s the full recap (you can browse our past road trip and vacation posts here). This summer we chose Destin, Florida for a week-long beach vacation. Since my family wasn’t planning a typical beach week and we were already in Atlanta for the Haven conference, joining the Bowers on the Florida panhandle felt like an easy yes.
Jeremy Bower handled the rental search (seriously, round of applause). Their family rents in the area often and they know the local market well, so they tend to keep a few places in mind. If you’re searching, we stayed near Miramar Beach and sites like VRBO are a good place to compare availability and read reviews. Our rental wasn’t directly on the sand, but it was a short walk to the beach — a smart way to save compared to beachfront rates — and it included a small pool. It was a perfect fit for our motley crew of four adults, three kids, and one chihuahua. Also, who doesn’t love bunk beds?
The outdoor space was a highlight. Charming arbors with climbing vines and a sheltered courtyard made the house feel private, even with a road and bike path nearby.
Just beyond that courtyard sat a small pool that quickly became our second home after the ocean. It wasn’t Olympic-sized, but it was perfect for a few kids, a handful of adults, and the occasional doll.
One silly afternoon even turned into an impromptu synchronized swimming session—proof that even simple pools can inspire big laughs. Clara especially loved it.
But the true star of the trip was the beach itself.
We’ve vacationed on Florida’s Gulf Coast before, but I don’t remember sand this white or water this clear. Beyond the beauty, the water was warm and calm — ideal for kids — and that made a big difference for Clara, who became far more comfortable in the ocean than she’s ever been.
With the sea so tranquil after the first couple of days, we decided to rent stand-up paddleboards from a beach vendor (La Dolce Vida had boards available). We rented two boards — one for each family — and after a little practice we felt confident enough to bring the kids along for short rides.
Paddleboarding was easier than expected, thanks to the calm water, but falling in was still part of the fun; everyone except Jeremy had at least one splash. We learned that kneeling or sitting made balancing easier when the kids were on board, and they seemed more comfortable being close to us. Katie even managed both kids at once for a few laps.
Most days, though, were about simple beach pleasures: splashing in the surf, building sandcastles, and enjoying long stretches of play. Around midday we’d feed the kids and then try to fit in another short activity before nap time — riding the bikes that came with the rental was often our go-to option.
Clara rode in her iBert with me, which is always a joy. A goofy bike-game we played was guessing the collar colors of dogs we saw on the path — simple, silly fun that made the rides entertaining.
And yes, the adorable couple pedaling together definitely earned the “cute” award for the trip.
Clara and Will had a blast together. It wasn’t all perfect—sharing is still a work in progress for two three-year-olds—but having another child around made the days sweeter and gave us parents an extra pair of hands (or at least a partner in distraction during a meltdown).
We did eat out a few times—what’s a vacation without at least a couple of restaurant meals? Based on recommendations from readers and the Bowers, we tried several local spots. My top pick was The Red Bar (photo didn’t turn out—too much red light), while Sherry loved the extra spicy shrimp at Stinky’s Fish Camp.
I also enjoyed a coconut shrimp lunch at Pompano Joe’s during a bike ride — beachfront dining with bright, beachy colors that made me wish more places could pull off that cheerful palette.
We’d heard about a rough weather spell in Destin the week before our arrival, so we were relieved to mostly get sunshine. Aside from a few evening thunderstorms and one overcast afternoon, the weather cooperated. That rainy afternoon turned into a chance to try outlet shopping and a go-kart outing — the big kids and dads loved the tracks, and somehow we missed out on the #7 car.
As always, the final day crept up fast. There were a few things we hadn’t tried yet—sea kayaking, thrift store hunting, and a proper family beach photo—but thanks to a late burst of energy we managed to squeeze them all into the last day. Sherry wrote about the thrifting part separately, and Katie did some impressive pro-style shooting for our beach photos (even when the sea got a bit choppy).
That final evening was nearly perfect — the kind that makes you not want to leave.
The next morning we packed up and headed back toward Atlanta for a quick stay with the Bowers before finishing the second half of our 14-hour drive home. Clara continues to be a road-trip champ — we’ve been doing long drives with her since she was a few weeks old. Our tips for long car rides with a three-year-old: bring plenty of books, a variety of toys, lots of snacks, and a few iPad games as a last resort. Around hour eleven we were all a little stir-crazy, but we made it home safe and sound.
Huge thanks again to the Bowers for inviting us and for making the trip so memorable. After twelve days away (including the conference), sleeping in our own beds felt great — and we were eager to jump back into projects (true story: we started demoing something the day we returned!).
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As a little Friday bonus, here are four fun projects, discussions, and questions happening on the Forums. We also announced this week’s giveaway winners, so you can click the forum links below to see more.
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| by Hello | by michelelouise | by DesertDomicile | by lovekismet |