The Balzer 5: destin vacation {our non-beach activities}

We definitely spent the majority of our time on the beach. But Destin has so many other fun things to do and see also. So we wanted to get some of that in.

A village called Baytowne Wharf was on the grounds of our resort. It was such a quaint little area with tons of restaurants, boutique shops, candy and ice cream shops, a carousel, playground, ropes course, and lots of other stuff.

When we first arrived, we spotted a wedding in the courtyard. Dave was not interested at all, but Taylor and I wanted so badly to stop and watch some. I promised him we'd only stop long enough to see the bride walk out. (excuse the distracting people that are in the way)

The reception was set up in the most beautiful outdoor area with live music - I could only imagine what the price tag was.

We choose a restaurant on the water again. And while we waited to be seated, we strolled along the dock.

For weeks before our trip, all Dave could talk about was the seafood he couldn't wait to eat. He was determined he'd be eating some sort of seafood every single night. Taylor had no idea what we were really talking about when we said "seafood". When we explained, she was determined she would be eating NONE of it. But we got her to try crab legs, lobster, and several other kinds of fish (she already likes shrimp) At the time she said she liked them. But she denies it now.

There is a story to this dinner, and I'm thinking it may be worthy of a post all of it's own.

Another neat area was Harborwalk Village. It's right on the water and it's where all the boating stuff comes in and out - as far as parasailing, chartered boats, sunset tours, snorkeling tours, dolphin cruises. One fishing boat had just come in with this catch.

I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but the nails are going through the eyes of the fish to hang there.

Chartering a fishing boat is one thing that Dave wants to do so badly! He wanted to on our honeymoon in Cabo - but SO expensive. And he wanted to again this time - but same problem. I think he needs a few friends to do this with him. Not 2 kids and a wife who may throw up over the side. Someday.

We took a dolphin cruise, that started out being a seagull cruise. We got to feed the birds popcorn. You could throw the popcorn in the water and the birds would swoop down to get it, you could throw it in the air, and sometimes they'd catch it, or you could just hold it in your hand and they'd come and take it right out of your hands.