One of the great perks of living in Nashville is that it’s only a seven-hour drive from Santa Rosa Beach. Mr. Handsome and I got engaged on St. Pete Beach (near St. Petersburg), and during our first year of marriage, we spent a few days in the Fort Myers area with friends (their relatives had a condo, so it was free). But until last year, we didn’t know about the beautiful beaches of the Florida Panhandle. It’s no wonder why it’s the top vacation destination among Nashvillians.
We weren’t planning on taking a trip in September, but when our Sunday school class planned a weekend getaway in Santa Rosa Beach, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Ten young couples rented two beach condos, and the cost per couple ended up being surprisingly low–about as much as you would pay to stay at a roadside hotel for three nights. We were expecting an older beach house several miles from the shore, and we were thrilled about it. But when we arrived and found this, we were blown away.
We spent most of the time chilling on the beach. Vacation season was coming to an end, so the crowds weren’t too bad.
To save money, we made most of our meals at our condos (eggs and cereal for breakfast, sandwiches and hot dogs for lunch, and fresh fish for dinner), but we did eat out at a local Italian/seafood joint. When we arrived, we were stunned to find out that the owner was none other than Food Network’s Chef Emeril Lagasse. After being featured in Food Network Magazine earlier this year, my ears always perk up when I hear about it. Chef Emeril lives nearby the restaurant and regularly stops by to cook for guests—sadly we didn’t go on one of those nights.
The only other activity we did while in Santa Rosa Beach was a deep sea fishing excursion with several of our friends. We ended up catching enough fish to feed our group of 20 two times over.
The waves were big that day, and I was almost certain that my pregnant self would be sick the entire time, so I came prepared with my ginger cookies, peppermint tea, and pressure bands. Everyone but me and the other pregnant lady took Dramamine, and by the end of the trip, everyone but me was feeling queasy. The constant rocking about drove me bonkers, but it was better than being sick.
On the way back to shore, we hit a huge storm, and I was terrified. But on the bright side, I think I was too busy mentally preparing myself for a disaster to get seasick. What really concerned me was that the life jackets were not easily accessible. When I asked the captain where they were, he pointed to a cabinet and said he would get them if necessary.
A short while later, as the waves grew and the sky became darker, one of the other women and I asked if he would grab the life jackets, just for peace of mind. It ended up taking him three minutes to open the cabinet. Thankfully, we made it to shore safely and didn’t need the life jackets, but it was still a wild ride. And now we have a story to tell. I tried to snap some photos and videos of the storm, but it was too dark inside the boat, and going out on deck would have been dangerous. I guess you’ll just have to take our word for it.
Thanks for sharing life episodes! You look so happy beside Mr Handsome on the balcony with the really beautiful view! Yours is a happy ever after story!
Thank you! We enjoy sharing our lives on the blog.
Ellie
Those pressure bands are miraculous. I won’t go out on a boat in the ocean without them. The worst I’ve ever felt in my life was getting seasick on a ferry boat in Hawaii. If I could have made it to the edge of the deck, I probably would have thrown myself off the boat to end my misery, and this is not hyperbole. My next time on a boat was for deep sea fishing in FL, just like you, and I was terrified of feeling that bad again. Those bands made all the difference.
I agree, Amanda. They are great. And during my pregnancy, they have saved me from getting sick MANY times. Where in Florida did you go deep sea fishing?
Ellie
Would you mind sharing the name of the pressure band?
Of course. The one I use is the PSI Accupressure Band. It looks similar to a sports watch band, and I find adjusting to be much easier than the velcro ones.
Ellie
Ellie, what a joy to read your descriptive account of your trip! I recall trips to Hawaii while pregnant, a boat, sea sick, snorkeling with more buoyancy than I have ever known! What memories you shared and spurred on. That white sand is nothing I have known here in California and our go to place- Hawaii…that is beautiful. Best to you at this ever so precious stage in life you are sharing with your husband!
Hawaii would be far to travel while pregnant, but I’m sure it was well worth it! Thank you for your well wishes. How many children do you have?
Ellie
Ellie: Have you ever heard of North Redington Beach Florida ?
I haven’t. What part of Florida is it in?
Ellie
It’s right near St.Petersburg. It’s north of St.Pete Beach.
That’s a beautiful area!
Is there an Instagram associated with this blog?
I don’t have an Instagram, but signing up for one is on my list of things to do. Thanks for the reminder!
Ellie
Ellie, I think you should frame the picture of you and Mr Handsome on the balcony and give it as a gift to him ( so he can put it up in his work place). It is a great picture in so many ways. On one of his shoulders the world converges, land, sea, sky and there you are on the other – the world completed! And you two look patriotic in your tops! Plus you are both beaming and you are evidently expecting! This picture sums things up if anybody is ‘interested’!
That’s a great idea!
There’s more there, paradise, and Ellie is the light on the shadfowy side of Mr H.
The pool and ocean could represent baptism. Facing the sunhine, represents our eternal God in Heaven. Ellie’s right hand is around her husband but his is stretched forward as the strong right arm depended on. Etc. It is a good picture!
I’d love to visit Florida one day, the beaches look lovely! Glad you had a nice time apart from the storm while at sea. 🙂
You outta come to visit Pensacola. I’ve lived here my whole life and nothing gets better than the Beautiful white sandy beaches!!! 🙂 It’s about an hour away from the Santa Rosa Beaches 😀
Hope all is well with your pregnancy! 😀
Emma
I’ve heard great things about Pensacola. Would love to visit! My pregnancy is going well, but I’m ready to meet our little boy. 🙂
Ellie