Day 32 Destin – Black Friday Shopping and Touring

It was very sunny and getting warmer as we checked into the marina at 8 am.  We were able to borrow the courtesy car for a trip into the city of Destin.  First stop, Captain Randy’s favorite Black Friday (or any day) store: West Marine.  We picked up the repair kit for the fresh water pump and other miscellaneous supplies.  Target was close by so we got more lights for the boat and a few additional things for our Christmas tree.  Later we stopped at Randy’s second favorite store – Home Depot.

 

Destin has a very nice boardwalk along the harbor and it is known as a fishing town.  In the early 1800s Captain Leonard Destin made the first lasting imprint on the “East Pass” (opening from the ICW to the Gulf) area.  He settled there in the 1840s, soon after the village of Destin was mapped.  Captain Destin established a large fishing industry that employed many, who made permanent homes here.  More settlers followed.  Destin became known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” partially due to its quick access to deep water in the Gulf.  Descendants of the Captain still live here today.  Today, the harbor has dozens of charter boats for fishing, cruising, and all sorts of water sports.  There are a few marinas for transients too.  Downtown Destin is very touristy with tee shirt shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, attractions for kids, etc.  A Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is opening soon. 

 

 

 

 

Back in the car, we drove further east on the Gulf and stopped at a water-side restaurant/bar, the Whale’s Tail.  We were trying to find Baytowne Marina which is actually on an inlet, not on the Gulf.  We have been using Google Maps and find that it often leads you to the wrong place.

 

 

 

Finally we found Baytowne, which is part of a huge resort complex, called the Sandestin.  It has numerous residences, a golf course, marina, tennis courts, bike rentals, and an entertainment area called the Wharf.  This is where our fellow boaters from yesterday were staying.

 

Finally we got back to Bluewater Marina, after more Google Map problems.  Bluewater is also part of a resort complex, but it is located on Wards Cove in Niceville, 15 miles or so from Destin and is much quieter.  I took some pictures of the marina, including 3 SUPers (Stand Up Paddle Boarders).  Randy worked on the fresh water pump, installing the new parts.  Unfortunately, it still did not work and we will have to order a new pump.

 

 

 

For dinner, we walked up to LJ Schooner’s, the marina restaurant, then called it a night.