I haven't written anything for OVER two weeks because we have been really sick with a respiratory flu.  I have never coughed so much (and so hard) in my life.  We still are coughing, but are SLOWLY getting better. 
Since we were feeling so rotten when we got to Destin, we did nothing for at least the first week except go to immediate care, go to Walgreens for meds, and go get a few groceries.  This past weekend, we felt good enough to get together with my brother and sister for a nice time here in Destin on Sat. (eating at McGuire's Irish Pub on St. Pat's day, walking around the Harbor Walk, riding along the gulf to our place here at Majestic Sun) and then on Sun. we went to a state park that had an old restored home  with beautiful trees (see pics) and drove to two quaint small towns on the gulf (Seaside, where we had a great lunch, and Rosmary's Beach, where they had a coffee shop - not Starbucks though).  This week, we have been to the beach several times, ate lunch at the Crab Trap right on the beach, gone to the mall a couple of times, ate lunch again at McGuire's, and today took a ride to a small town just east of here on the gulf (Santa Rosa) and had great oysters and shrimp for lunch at the Smiling Fish.  We walked to the beach there and watched the people.  For the last few days, there has been a ESE wind of 15+ mph, making for bigger waves on the gulf.  (see pics)  Red flags on the beach, so no one is supposed to get in the water - strong rip tides.
We leave tomorrow morning in order to get home by Sunday for Paige's birthday party.  One day early at this point doesn't mean a thing.  Wish we could snap our fingers and magically be home and unpacked! 

The view from our balcony.

The view of the little lake from the walkway to our door, opposite side of the villa.
You can just see the gulf in the far left middle.

Sunrise from our balcony.

We love the beach here - prettiest we ever see - with the fine white sand and emerald colored water that turns to purple, then dark blue. 

(Sun is setting, so sand is a little reddish.)

Sunset at the beach (clouds obscure the sun, but give good color).

This is west of us a little at the Crab Trap restaurant.  The wind is making 4 to 6 foot waves on the gulf, but some kite surfers were out.

Compare the kite surfer with the waves to get a better idea of how rough it was.  There's a second guy to the left.

  Also, note the beautiful water color and the white sand.

At Eden Garden state park east of Destin.  Lots of huge old live oaks.

My sister, Jean, me, my brother Tom, Tom's wife Pat.