Week of October 12th

The trip started with several good omens – we fit all of our luggage in the trunk, we all agreed we had a good supply of snacks for the journey and we had a Division series game on radio, internet and phone to look forward to towards the end of the trip.

We had 1 important task to complete on our way to Destin, get a hold of Tennessee and Alabama snow globes. This was a real annoyance for one of us (my husband) since normally the only stops allowed on this trip are for gas. Drive by meals and bathroom breaks are the norm. But if you select the bigger truck stop type gas stations you can usually find the little snowy treasures. Note to snow globe hunters: Cracker Barrels don’t have the tacky little state snow globes that we love so well.

We got lucky, having a week in Destin in October doesn’t always equate to good weather. But, like I said, we got lucky and had typical northern Florida weather. Clouds in the morning, clearing around noon and gorgeous until sundown.

So the 4 of us “celebrated” Florida in typical lazy vacationer style. Lounging on the balconies (we had 2) for coffee and breakfast. Schlepping towels, chairs, umbrellas, books, sunscreen and alcohol to the beach or pool for the rest of the day, until the wind or darkness motivated us to think about dinner plans.

The majority of dinners included grilling local fresh fish, triggerfish or amber jack. Since we were too lazy to locate a native drink (orange juice doesn’t count) we were forced to chase down our grilled delicacies with beverages from California, Sweden, Mexico and our beloved St. Louis.

Sun, water, fish and alcohol…. Throw in a visit to the Back Porch, an obligatory visit to “Wings” (which it’s not called anymore but this author refuses to make some changes) and a rather unlucky jellyfish sting and you have a “Celebration” Florida style.

Color in the “Sunshine State” in the bottom right-hand corner of the map. One down 51 to go.

Although we tried, during our trip, to come up with the project guidelines, we seemed to constantly get distracted with something. Guidelines to follow…someday.

We did, however, decide that the next week’s state would be selected by drawing a state name out of hat (actually a pear bag from Winn Dixie). So sometime during our 12 hour journey home from Florida, the bag was raised and the name selected……(drum roll please.)

And the winner is….WASHINGTON….move your game piece all the way across the country to the Northwest.