Foto Friday . . . vacation part V, That's a Wrap

"No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell."

- Jewish Proverb

Yes, yes it does.

If you have followed our vacation travels, you know that it rained most of the way there,

(we drove), it rained a lot when we got there, we were restricted by double red flags on the beach for many days, and I had a little trouble with frustration from expectations. But the sun eventually came out, and the

double red flags lifted, and I got over my frustrations.

We enjoyed the turquoise blue surf and white sand beaches, some beautiful gardens with ancient (600 yr old) oak trees and a turn of the century mansion, and even traveled to see the Florida State Capitol and Old City Cemetery in Tallahassee.

On our last day, and a vacation to Destin wouldn't be complete without it, we ventured over to have lunch at Fudpucker's and then to the Wharf at sunset. And we packed all of this fun into just five days, which is why...

"No man needs a vacation so much as the person who just had one."

- Elbert Hubbard

{ Shoot.Edit.Submit }

This was our last view of the beach . . .

. . . . before heading out on our last day. We had gotten up early and gone to the Eden Garden State Park, here, and after walking around in the heat we needed a reprieve and some food. So, it was off to Fudpucker's for some food and fun.

And well, the best part about Fudpucker's is Gator Beach....yep almost one hundred of them! They sell special bait food that you can feed them, and you can have your picture taken holding one. Oh, you know I waited my turn to hold one . . . what an amazing creature! A prehistoric creature, virtually unchanged for the last 150 million years. I wasn't so much interested in having my picture taken as I was just getting my hands on one. I mean, how often does one get to hold and really look at an animal like this. Oh my, how soft . . . I did mention amazing didn't I? 

{ Summer Daze - Project Alicia }

After spending a few relaxing hours over at gator beach and a little lunch we ventured over to the Wharf to check out the chartered boats coming back into dock and their catches of the day. The docks were bustling with people just getting back from a day of fishing and waiting for their captain to clean and fillet their catch.

And check out "This Sale" on the gas pump, OUCH!

They weren't the only ones waiting . . . 

And then out of the blue, a rainbow just appeared!

{ Photograph life - water }

And then the evening came to a close . . . for Photo Art Friday our theme

is light. I chose this silhouette I took at sunset and used French Kiss texture Ancient Urban, Pixel Dust Photo Art texture Orange Foam Overlay, and Kim Klassen texture Be Still. I went back and forth feeling like it needed one more thing, another element, but every time I added something it didn't feel right.  

And finally for Flower Art Friday, a Gerbera Daisy with French Kiss Rosy Script and Kim Klassen Peony.

The background on this image started out black....

Oh, almost forgot, I did stop someone and ask them to take our picture...sad but I can't remember when we were all in the same picture together. We were pretty much all melted by the end of the day!!

"If we would only give, just once, the same amount of reflection to what we want to get

out of life that we give the question of what to do with two weeks' vacation, we

would be startled at our false standards and the aimless procession of our busy days."

- Dorothy Canfeild Fisher

I think we should live each day like a vacation day, relaxed (after of course you dump the expectations),

ready to explore what is right in front of us, and willing to share the story of it. And the best thing . . . there is no packing required in that!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for letting me share with you!!

Love, Kim

XO

** P.S. - stop on over at my collaborative blog today, Focusing On Life, where we are sharing ** 

some fun facts about ourselves only you have to guess who they go to - AND there is a prize for the most guesses!!