We were never those people that did Spring Break. We always worked and the girls stayed with my mom and did fun things around her house. Until last year. Now that Josh is helping out with the high-school baseball team, he gets to travel for their spring tournament and the girls and I get to tag along. We missed all of the games last year, but I decided to take the RV down for the entire week this year and I am so glad that I did. In an effort not to blow all of our vacation days three months into the year, Josh and I took turns working and hanging out with the girls and it was the perfect combination. The only downside to our stay was that Josh stayed with the team for most of the week and we didn’t get to see him nearly as much as we would like. But it was still crazy fun. Because, beach.
Now let’s talk about where we went.
Luxury RV: We stayed here instead of the State Park this time and there were some pros and cons to that decision. The park is much nicer, HUGE comparatively, has a crazy good swimming pool and that’s where our people are. The upside was being within walking distance to many of our favorite restaurants and shops and we could see the beach from our “front porch”. We did LOTS of walking the first few days (it was too cold for the beach at the beginning of the week so we ate a lot instead) and our location made that much easier.
Shrimp Basket: We almost always enjoy our first meal here. It’s pretty much a no brainer. In the seven days I spent at the beach, I ate there four times. I had the chicken finger basket with new potatoes. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I always get ridiculed for not loving seafood, but ya’ll, their chicken fingers are legit. Our first visit we sat outside and even with the sun beaming, it was only 54 degrees.
Scoops: Our favorite little ice cream shop on the planet. Also, we ate there four times. The first day we had ice cream for dinner and everyone was so excited. It was the first real “sweet treat” for me in almost two weeks, so it was very much enjoyed. Sophie always gets a chocolate scoop, Josh always gets a chocolate shake, Ella & I always get mint chocolate chip on a waffle cone and my parents always get butter pecan. We are serious creatures of habit. On one of our visits, Sophie broke out into song and dance in front of the wall-sized mirror and gave all of the patrons quite a show.
Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion: Best beach ever. The first day I took the girls to the beach, they didn’t even speak to me the entire four hours we were there. I sat under my umbrella and worked (and read) and they played in the sand and ocean like it was 80 degrees outside. Wait, it was, and we got cooked that day! They did manage to make a new friend and the three of them attempted to tunnel to China while I tried to find Jon Snow. Anybody?
Sweet Daddy’s Condo: As much as my girls love the concept of camping, they are enamored with all things “hotel”. They were thrilled to visit daddy and the baseball boys, so we spent quite a bit of time there. Josh and I shared the dining room table and sat laptop to laptop, while the girls entertained Hudson and swam in the baby pool.
The Wharf: Finding a place that 60 people can all eat for dinner is a challenge. We had beach food several times, but we reserved a room at Baumhower’s at the Wharf for the second night. We were right on the water and the kids loved watching the boats while we ate. Afterwards, Sophie begged us for a ride on the ferris wheel, so we walked past all of the shops and got in line. I was surprised to find it only $6 per person and we loaded up. Ella was TERRIFIED and practically squealed the entire time. Sophie loved it, but that didn’t keep her from screaming “We’re all gonna die!” almost the entire ride. Hey, neighbors, you’re welcome!
Mojo’s Chicken and Seafood: I’m guessing this is a chain restaurant, but I had never eaten there. The girls and I were looking for a quick (and relatively inexpensive) lunch option one day and Ella and I were really craving tex-mex. We lucked up with a grilled quesadilla on the appetizer menu and sat out on the porch while we ate. It’s right in front of the GS Zoo, so the birds will gladly serenade you while you eat!
Dollar General: Yes, I went there. They built a crazy big DG right on the beach since the last time I was there. It was practically right next door to our camper, so mom and I decided to take a little adventure. What we weren’t prepared for were the NUMEROUS teenage girls wearing next to nothing (hello, hiney cheeks) in the absolutely freezing afternoon. We were shivering in sweats and they were sporting thongs while waiting in line to buy magazines. I can’t even compute.
Gulf State Park Pool & Splash Pad: Thank goodness that the rest of our people were at the state park. We loaded up on Friday morning and crashed their party. My girls love the pool and the splash pad is always a big hit. The best part, though? The ice cream window. Ella was double-fisting a drumstick and an ice cream sandwich for snack that day!
Bahama Bob’s: Yet another of our favorite local eats. They advertise the best burger on the beach and they aren’t kidding (even though I get the grilled chicken sandwich). We enjoyed it for lunch on our second day because we finally got to catch up with our daddy! The kids played in the sand while Josh and I finished our meal and it was just perfectly sunny and windy at the same time.
Indoor swimming pool: Again with the condo. One night after dinner, we took our bathing suits back to daddy’s room and made a bee-line for the indoor pool. It was heating and the girls took turns torturing their daddy while I sat in the hot tub. Best part? It was way too hot for them and I practically had it all to myself.
Outlet Mall: Because who doesn’t like to torture themselves at an outdoor mall with two children? Ella desperately needed Easter shoes, so we braved the mall with both girls after dinner one night. Sophie cried practically the entire time, I didn’t find a single thing for me, Josh got a super cute sailboat print top and I found Ella two pairs of spring shoes for church. Score.
The Hangout: Arguably the “okay-ist” food on the beach (it’s not terrible, but not nearly as good as the check would indicate), it’s still one of our favorite places to go. There are fun tiki-hut bars in the sand, bouncy trampolines and sand mountains to climb on, gift shops, live music and ping pong tables. Doesn’t that sound fun? My girls favorite part is when the DJ calls for table dancing — Sophie was not at all intimidated and she showed us her very best moves at every opportunity.
<
Now we’re back at work and school and wishing we could brave that terrible traffic for a few more days of fun in the sun. Thankfully, we stored the RV at the beach and we’ll be back in just 9 short weeks for our annual summer vacation!
