Vacation Like You Mean It: Time for Shopping

Vacation Like You Mean It 

Time for Shopping

 

This tree had long been a landmark.  When the magnolia died
wood carvers turned it to a work of art.

By John W. Vander Velden

 

When we travel we always pencil in a bit of time for shopping.  Jackie loves it, so I’m pleased to tag along.  Now we had no intention of filling the Malibu with “good” deals or anything like that.  Rather we try to find some small thing that represents “this trip”.  Last year when we were on Jeykel Island we found a small pewter sea turtle.  So on this day we were looking for something appropriate, as well as a couple of tee-shirts.  We drove the tourist area of Fort Walton Beach.  There didn’t seem to be anything that fit our personality.  I mean just how many tattoo parlors would we visit.  Tattoos seem to a big thing there and when you see the locals you can believe it.  There was also a sign for permanent makeup, whatever that is.  This not saying that Fort Walton Beach doesn’t have its draw, it does, but for us, not on those few blocks a short drive from our hotel.

Along the wharfs was this wonderful shop 

So we returned to Destin Harbor Walk Village.  Our first stop was at what might be described a dockside general store…sorta’.  We had checked the place out on Wednesday.  They do a business serving fisherman, baits, equipment, and suggestions.  But they had so much more, snacks, bottled sodas, some basic food stuff, clothing, and touristy nik-nacks etc.  An interesting place that opened before the rest of the village.  Seems logical…fishermen start early.  There we found this trip’s special thing, a small glass dolphin. 

We wandered around the village again, finding a couple of “Life is Good” tees and slipped out just before lunch.  A few miles down the highway was an outlet mall…a big outlet mall.  We had our lunch there and then walked…and walked…and spent very little money.  There is a difference between shopping and buying.  But in a kitchen supply store Jackie was infatuated with a mortar and pestle…a really big mortar and pestle.  It must have weighed ten pounds.  You could probably grind up a quart of walnuts, shell and all, if you had a mind to.  Jackie collects the things, and we did have the room to haul it back up north…but she didn’t have any idea what she would do with it.  We’re not big into pulverized walnuts.  And she couldn’t think of how she had the space to display it.  It was rather pretty…as mortar and pestles go, all cold stone polished and smooth.  So though it drew her…repeatedly…and I would love to have indulged her…but it remained in Florida.

We strolled around some interesting shops. Jackie found a Vera Bradley handbag that she liked, but mostly we walked about on a warm spring day beneath the sun and a crystal blue sky.  Traffic was heavy going back…again.  There are only three highways that link the Destin area with the rest of the world, so when people want to come in or go out…well, let’s just say be patient.

Later we went to Outback for supper but saved just enough time to walk the beach at the evening’s birthing. 

You can tell we don’t stand still while we are on vacation.  No one would describe those days as restful…and that’s OK.  We had just over four days to spend in Florida and want to see and do…It’s our nature.  But Saturday was our last day, and it capped off a wonderful visit to the Emerald Coast. 

Next week….The road home…