Beach Trip ~Day 7

Warning: ANOTHER PICTURE OVERLOAD and many deatails and drama

This was our last day. Long story short. We were going to head home this day, but my husband turned into a beach bum while we were at the beach and decided we should stay, which was fine by me, so we did ;)

We started our day by doing the boy thing and "crab hunting". This became a popular sport with my family while we were there.

Then we went to the beach. This day was one of the most scariest days of my life for many reasons. Two major things happened this day that I will NEVER forget. The first one happened on the beach. First we were swimming and noticed a knee deep sand bar out pretty far (probably 300 feet), with many kids and adults playing on it. Houston rode his boogie board and I swam to check it out. I got close enough to Tim and threw him the board so he could come too. He can swim, but there was about a 9 to 10 foot drop and he wanted the board for backup. As he was swimming, an Asian man started hollering "throw me your float!" He sounded very scared and had a young woman with him. He got Tim's board and swam her back to shore and then brought us the board back. He told us she couldn't swim good and was pulling him under trying to get to the sand bar.

A few minutes later, I noticed 3 young black boys (teens) swimming out to the sand bar too. One was swimming exceptionally well and the other two were behind him. They started going under water and coming up struggling to stay on top of the water. I kept watching to see if they were playing or really needing help. I heard the friend (the swimmer) yell "JUMP UP AND DOWN". They started screaming and I didn't see the younger boys head come back up. I immediately grabbed Houston's board off his wrist and swam to the struggling teen. ( I am a certified Lifeguard, but have not guarded in probably 6 years, but I knew not to get too close or he would pull me under as well.) As I was swimming, I began to swing the boogie board in the air to catch the lifeguards attention and I was screaming HELP at the top of my lungs. This was the busiest day on the beach so far, plus we were so far out, she didn't see me or hear me for a few seconds. Finally I looked up and she was coming. When I got to the boy, I pulled him up for air and told him to get on the board and kick his feet as I swam and pulled him to the sand bar. He was so freaked and choked, that he grabbed my waist with one hand and held on for dear life. He was kinda heavy and I knew I was weak from swimming to get him and pulling him to the bar, so I yelled for this man to help me pull him to the bar. (I think that man was my angel b/c my body was so weak at this point) The lifeguard came and rescued the other teen and asked me if I had him. I told her I was taking him to the sandbar, to come get him after she took the other kid. She dropped him off at the shore and immediately came back to get my boy. As I stood on the sandbar trying to calm him down, I felt so thankful for my Rescue, Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor courses that I took when I was younger. I was so happy to be there to help in that situation, but so scared at the same time. I was praising the Lord for giving me the strength I needed because we had been swimming around the ocean and jumping waves all morning. The lifeguard came back and told me how much she appreciated me, but I appreciated God for having my back!

My new theory is....."If ya can't swim, don't try to swim 300 feet to a sandbar"

I will post the rest of my interesting day after all my pics on the bottom. Two biggies back to back is too much for me.

Last day in Destin

This day was by far the most crowded. Every day we would set up right at the water, but this day, we were about 3 or 4 rows back~ Fridays= a crowded beach

The best place to eat by far. We went here for dinner. All the locals eat here and it is kinda a "hole in the wall" so we usually try to take advantage each year.

Shopping, food, entertainment...need I say more?

The boys even found their favorite game while we were there......CORNHOLE at HarborWalk

Houston thought every time I took a picture, he had to take one too. He is actually pretty good for a 5 year old.

Just one more time on the beach

This is what we did almost every night. Hang at the pool until we got kicked out at close with our Nashville friends. Houston and the gang!

Pics out of order, whoops~ Dewey Destin dinner

Too full to walk

Just having some fun

Ok, so here goes the closure to our day..........

We say our goodbyes to new and old friends with another night at the pool. We come in a little earlier because we planned to leave at 4 am. Tim had already packed the car, so we went to the condo, changed clothes and settled down for bed. I was on the computer around 10:35 pm and heard a hard knock 3 times on the door. Tim says just don't answer it as he walks to the bedroom to go to bed. (Houston was already asleep) I go and barely open the door because I am wearing a t-shirt and I see a young white man with a black woman. The young white man is carrying a gun on his side. Are you serious? I think. I am going to be killed! They tell me they are planning on buying the condo and were told we would be out by Friday. I confronted her and told her, we had permission to stay until Saturday and would be out at 4 am. She was just kinda suspicious how she questioned me about everything. My main concern was, why do they have a gun? Why are they knocking at 1030 at night? and what do they need? Luckily, Tim came to the rescue and thank God, they said, we will come back later. I was so scared, we deadbolted the door after I made Tim check the parking lot to see if they really left.

The scary thing is....... Tim had seen this suburban pull up while we were at the pool a few hours earlier. It was loaded own with bags and a large group of people piled out and were standing around the condo we were staying in. Tim didn't think much about it, but it did come to mind later. Another thing.....the condo has a keypad entry. All you have to do to enter is punch the 4 digit number and whaalaa, you are in. I checked my cameras, computers and purse and everything seemed to be still there. I guess I should be grateful that they didn't do anything to harm me or steal from me. Once again, the Lord was watching out for me.

I think that may have been a sign, that it was time to hit the road for Tennessee. I had enough on this day to last all week. We informed the owner of the condo and they said they have no clue why they were there unless they were trying to get a few free nights. Evidently they were from Colorado which was a 30 hour drive to Destin. We were counting our blessings and still have no clue what that was all about.