[travel] Visit the Bahamas and Key West #27

27. Take a cruise to the Bahamas and Key West (and visit our honeymoon spots!)
January 4th-11th, 2015

This cruise itinerary has been a dream of mine for a while. First off, I have never been to the Bahamas. Secondly, it stopped at Key West: our honeymoon location! So when my family got together to book our annual cruise, this one was the choice. YAY!

My parents, Nate, and I woke up Sunday morning to drive to Galveston. We were aboard the Carnival Magic: a new-to-us ship! 

Immediately after the muster station drill, you BETCHA I got me a fun drink. It was pretty chilly outside since it was January, but we all sat on the top deck to watch the Cowboys game on the big screen. #gocowboys

On the 2nd and 6th nights of a 7-day cruise, there are formal nights. Doesn't Nate look dapper in his bowtie?

First sunny day: helllooooo Florida! We didn't get to port until 10am, so we had the morning to enjoy the top deck and sunshine. 

WaterWorks featured on the Carnival Magic

Hello, beautiful Key West! It was a party cloudy day but the humidity was definitely present!

We visited The Oldest House in Key West

After touring the house and walking down Duvall Street, we stopped to eat at Blue Heaven (which was a recommendation from a family friend).

 Nate had the Beef Tenderloin and Lobster Eggs Benedict. He, like our family friend, claims it to be one of, if not THE, best meal he's ever had.

I'm not a seafood person, so I opted for the "brunch-style" homemade banana bread (SO GOOD) and fruit bowl (Key West has some of the best pineapple ever).

We hit some of our honeymoon spots too, like this buoy behind us, which is The Southernmost Point in the USA. There was a huge line waiting to take pictures with it, and since we already have one from our honeymoon, we cheated and took this picture instead.

This is where we stayed for our honeymoon: Dewey House Bed & Breakfast. It was so quaint and quiet, classy yet simple. Totally our style!

Back aboard the ship: Carnival Magic has some great features and we would definitely travel aboard again! And we had such a blast traveling with my parents. Great memories!

Next stop: Freeport, Bahamas! Y'all. THIS WATER. I can't even. Unfortunately, as you can see by the menacing clouds behind us, it rained a bit this day. So we shopped some, strolled the beach, and then returned to the ship. I can't wait to (hopefully) visit again and enjoy the beach on a sunny day!

At the Freeport cruise port.

Next: Nassau, Bahamas! Yes, you can see the legendary Atlantis resort behind us. No, we did not visit for the day. A bit TOO costly for our pockets. But it would've been fun to visit! Maybe next time.

In Nassau, we opted for a local beach (Junkanoo): about a 15 minute walk in town from the cruise port. We like exploring the town life in the various countries we visit. This water/scenery did not disappoint either! Gorgeous. However, it was BEYOND windy this day... which in January calls for some cooler temperatures. I tried SO hard to lay out and work on a tan, but I got too chilly!

Nate sampled the local fare: Ginger Beer. He said it was pretty good (non-alcoholic).

And then back on the ship for the last two days! Mini golf and a ropes course were available on the top decks.

There you have it! Cruising is BY FAR our favorite way to travel. Your food, transportation, and activities are all planned. You can do AS MUCH or AS LITTLE as you want. It's so relaxing and stress-free! I would highly recommend a cruise vacation to anyone. Let me know if you have any cruising questions: this was my 8th cruise!

[love] Dave Matthew's Band Concert #17

 17. Attend a Dave Matthews concert with Nate (we went to two of his concerts before Nate and I were married but haven't been to one since).
Completed Friday, May 16th, 2014 at the Cynthia Woods Pavilion in The Woodlands, TX

For Valentine's Day, I "surprised" Nate with tickets to see his favorite band ever in concert.

Okay, okay... so I actually told him that's what I wanted his present to be, and that he needed to go online to select seats and buy them. Ha! I mean, we share a banking account. He would've seen the purchase anyways. AND I wanted to make sure he got the seats he wanted!

So immediately after school that Friday, we made the 2 hour drive to The Woodlands to see Dave. This tour was different in that he would be doing an acoustic set along with his regular show. We weren't sure what this meant... would he perform acoustic/full band songs mixed together, or do acoustic first and then full band?

We quickly found out.

The concert started at 7pm and we got there around 7:15pm... Sun was still out (this was at an outdoor arena), people were milling about getting drinks and snacks... We went to the restroom as soon as we got in. Once coming out, we were greeted by Nate's cousin and his girlfriend (we weren't sitting with them, but met up with them just for a moment) who were exclaiming, "He's on!!! Dave's already ON!" We were so confused but immediately found our seats so we could watch and listen.

Normally, Dave has an opening act and then he comes on around 8:30ish. Not this time: his acoustic set was the opener. As in, HE WAS HIS OWN OPENER. I'm sorry, but I think only a boss does that.

It was such a good show! The sounds, the lights, the atmosphere. Wow. We would (and will) definitely see him again!

[travel] Anniversary Roadtrip to Destin #12

12. Go to Destin, FL: I feel like everyone has been there, so I want to see what the fuss is all about :)
Completed June 10th-13th, 2013

For our anniversary each year, which is June 13th, we like to plan a vacation to celebrate just the two of us. This year, we contemplated another cruise, possibly New Orleans, Boston, or Destin, FL. We normally take a flight, unless it is a cruise obviously, but this year we were itching to take a road trip. And I am so happy to say that it was a great time and we can't wait to do it again! Our destination was DESTIN, FLORIDA!

Our trip took us from Texas to Baton Rouge to Destin, then we headed back west to New Orleans and the finally back to Texas. It was an easy drive, straight on IH-10, with a few turns along the way. We did it in two days but could have easily done it in one. I will post about Destin today and save New Orleans for another day.

I was SO excited that Destin was included in our trip because that was one of my 30 before 30 goals! Have you ever been to Destin before? It is GORGEOUS. Who knew the USA had gorgeous beaches like that on the mainland (of course, I'm not counting Hawaii). The water was crystal clear, the sand was so super soft... I could've stayed in Destin for a month. But enough talking. Let's get to the pictures! Seriously, it's a picture overload.

Our resort: Sandestin

Our balcony overlooking the bay:

The Village of Baytowne Wharf: cute shops, restaurants, and family fun on our resort property (I HIGHLY recommend this resort complex if you have children!)

If yogurt is an option, we always get some!

The first restaurant we ate at: Graffiti and the Funky Blues Shack. Delicious!

Amazing dipping oil with garlic and red pepper flakes. Mmm.

Caesar salads with prosciutto. So good!

Nate's dish: Buffalo Meatloaf wrapped in Bacon

My dish: Angel Hair and Olive Oil Pasta with Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes. Goodness.

Our resort had four golf courses. Beautiful at sunset!

We played mini golf twice on this trip: you may think we are five years old, but it is our idea of a good time!

My new happy place: the beach at the Sandestin resort! GORGEOUS water, clearrrrr like a swimming pool, and the most amazing sand. Super soft to the touch. I'm picky about getting in the ocean/ocean water and won't get in unless I can see to the bottom. This beach was just right for me!

I made this picture XL so you could see how soft the sand was... can you tell?! It was fabulous!

Our hotel on the resort property: LeCiel

We had lunch at a brick oven pizzeria called Fat Clemenza's. The BEST pizza I have ever had in my life and our favorite meal during our time in Destin. I took pictures with my phone, so they are not on here, but it was SO good. Anyways, we had a "treat" daily: this place had delicious frozen custard! I had cookie dough in mine. Mmm!

Mini golf night two: we had just eaten at this amazing restaurant called McGuire's who had the BEST burgers! I took pictures with my phone... but just take my word on it. Delicious!

I got a hole in one! Nate got like three or four hole in ones, but I was proud to at least get one!

 

Another day at the beach!

Look at that clear water... gorgeous!

For the afternoon, we traveled to Seaside, which the absolute, most adorable and picturesque town I have ever visited. Beautiful, classic homes. Such friendly people: a very bike and animal-friendly area as well!

They have food trucks which have the most amazing food. We ate at Barefoot BBQ and it was the best BBQ we have had (I've been saying that a lot, haven't I? But it's so true!)

 

 

My dish: pulled pork sliders. They have four homemade sauces and their own dry rub for their meats. So tasty!

Nate had a BBQ brisket sandwich with their macaroni and cheese and beans. That macaroni with their dry rub sprinkled on it was so good!

This record store was awesome: had great finds in it!

 

We love visiting independently owned bookstores on our vacations. Nate is a book NUT and I just like the old-timey feel of it.

Very dog friendly! Hitches, ice cream, and a drinking station are all available for your pooch! We left Chloe and Oliver with their grandparents (my parents) during the week, but I know they would have enjoyed their stay!

 

Our last morning, before we headed out of town, we ate at this place called the Donut Hole. YUM. They have regular breakfast food items besides donuts, but I definitely had a donut while we were here!

Hitting the road: peace out, Destin!

If you have never been to Destin, I highly recommend it! Beautiful beaches, amazing restaurants, lots to do (mini golf, outlet shopping, movie theatres, mini golf/race tracks/crazy rides), a fabulous family-friendly atmosphere. It was clean, well taken care of, and I couldn't say enough good things about it! We already can't wait to go back again.

So: have you been to Destin? I am glad I put it on my 30 before 30! Another item marked off the list, yay! Happy Tuesday!

"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you." Psalm 139: 16-18