Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Destin boat parade




















It has been a busy week, but little that could be called exciting. It started out with some fun. One of the fellow teachers at our daughter’s school also operates a couple of charter sailing boats. We were invited to go along to take part in the Destin boat parade and decorating competition. Since the weather promised to be good, we jumped at the chance. Last May we went on one of their boats for a sunset wine cruise had a great time.

We arrived early so we look at some of the decorations on the boats while there was enough light to see how they had decorated. We knew that pictures taken during the event, in the dark, were definitely going to be tricky. Clearly some of the boats had gone all out for the competition and others just enough to justify being in the parade.

It was a great night on the water and we had a great time. Our major plan for the completion was for the invited guests to form a caroling group that was going to WOW the judges as we motored by. It was a lot of fun, but apparently the judges did not feel that our singing was more impressive than some of the over the top decorations on other vessels. Among the competition was the oldest schooner in the United States, the Governor Stone, all decorated in white rope lights.

After the parade, we headed out in the inlet entrance area and hovered around waiting for the fireworks display. We could not have had a better location for the fireworks. We were literally on top of the barge that was launching the rockets. If it were my sailboat, I would have been sweating hot residue landing in my sails. We had to look straight up for some of the explosions.

The rest of the week was spend playing with our granddaughter, who we are pretty sure is only days away from walking, and carrying out our study of lifestyle change in the form of looking at houses we might like to live in. This is always been a stress factor in our many moves over the years, but now includes changing a lifestyle we still enjoy and dealing with the wild housing market that exists in this area and indeed, around the country. At this early stage, nothing has been decided.

19 comments:

Nan said...

The judges must have had no appreciation for talent!

Kenny And Angela's Adventure said...

You did have a good and fun week..

Sweet Meanderings said...

It looks like you had a really good time. We've watched fireworks sitting on a sailboat in San Diego Bay many times and there's nothing else like it!
Candy

Travels with Emma said...

Victoria looks a little apprehensive of Santa, but at least she isn't crying. (I hope I got her name right)

It's a bittersweet decision to come off of the road, isn't it?

Gail Houle said...

Looks like a great time was had by all.
It must be difficult making the decision to come off the road if you still enjoy the lifestyle. Good luck on your decision.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

So, an old crooner was beaten out by an old schooner! ;c)

JerryC said...

Looks like a great event. Fantastic pics.

meowmomma said...

I love that picture!!! Well, all of them actually...

Don't you just love how babies curl their toes!!

Erin said...

Looks like a really fun evening was had by all. We were aboard a cruise ship in San Diego waiting for sailaway on a two-week cruise and got a front row seat to their annual boat parade from the balcony of our cabin .... so much fun.

Laura said...

You must have a pretty steady hand to get such great night shots. Love those lighted boats!

Janna and Mike said...

Love the photo of Victoria and Santa!

Jeff said...

Love boat parades-ours come up the next 2 weeks.

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

Love the header pic. She is a doll!!!
What a cool parade and great way to watch fireworks. Glad you had an awesome time!

Lady Dyna Ryder said...

What a fun time!

Kevin Read said...

Love the light decorating jobs on the boats. They look beautiful. How lucky you were to be able join in on the fun.

Love the picture of Victoria with Santa. She looks like she is having no problem sitting on his knee. Our daughter took Cameron (our grandson who is 8 months) to visit Santa and he was fine until she put him on Santa's lap the apparently he cried like you would not believe (her words!). Maybe she will have better luck the next time round.

Kevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

John and Carol said...

There is so accounting for taste. I'd have voted for you! It sure looked like a fun time. Thanks for sharing.

Elaine said...

love your header picture..what a darling child...looks like you had a great week...good luck with your decision making...

Joe and Nancy Conrad said...

Oh, that looks like so much fun, it's foggy and rainy here in San Antonio but at least it's not cold, 60 degrees here

Sherry said...

What an opportunity. I would have snatched it up too. Looks like you had great fun even if your caroling wasn't properly appreciated.

You and your camera did a GREAT job of the pictures.