Topsail Hill Preserve State Park near Destin Florida Feb.21-23, 2017

Celebrating our anniversary with Debbie, Len, Kay & Vaughn

Debbie Larson called us back in January & told us they were getting a condo across from Kay & Vaughn in February and asked if we'd still be in that area. We told her we were moving but could be back around there to visit with them. So we tried to book some campgrounds around the Destin area that were in our price range as some are over $100 a night there. We did manage to get into Topsail Hill Preserve State Park for 3 nights, which is just about 10 miles east of Destin. We had checked out the campground when we were staying at Crestview so knew it was very nice. Topsail Park has 1,640 acres with beautiful beaches, lakes, hiking trails, 29 cabins & 140 RV sites.

The Larsons & Bradleys called about meeting for dinner on the 22nd. So they helped us celebrate our anniversary and we met them at Pompano Joe's Seafood House which is right on the beach in Destin. It was beautiful weather so even sitting inside the windows were wide open and we were able to enjoy sunset at the beach. Of course with our group, lots of laughter is included! Us girls swore we'd not let Vaughn & Randy sit together again! LOL

Blue dot is us at Topsail Hill State Park

Our campsite

Beautiful view of pond near our camper

Since we elected not to give up our limited closet space for a washer/dryer install, we have to resort to doing laundry at campground or commercial laundry mats. (Sometimes after dealing with laundry mats Randy swears he'll go down to 4 shirts so we can install the combo in RV but hasn't happened yet. LOL) Joyce had remembered Topsail had a several machines so first thing was to catch up on it before we started our touring.

The mundane choir of laundry a bit easier with a large laundry in campground.

Kay had friends that had gone to Eden Gardens State Park and asked if we all wanted to go. So after meeting for breakfast at the Doughnut Hole (where Joyce "tried" the famous Tomato Gravy) the girls jumped in truck, guys in car and off we went. Eden Gardens in 163 acres with a mansion built in 1897 and lovely landscaped grounds. We enjoyed the splendor of human hands, God's nature and wonderful fellowship with friends.

Wesley Home

Gardens by house

Some of the camellias were still in bloom.

Live Oak called "The Wedding Tree" it's 500 years old.

Taking a break on dock & of course lots of laughter

Great Cormorant on an old pier post in lake.

Vaughn claiming he had better looking knees than Randy.

Len enjoying the rockers

 After our tour and the others headed back to the condos, we walked the mile down to the beach. The park has a tram that runs to beach and back but since off season it only ran every couple hours. We did choose to time our departure to take tram back up to the campground.

Beach at Topsail.
Randy braved the cooler water.

Ring-necked Ducks tucked-in for the evening, at the campground pond.

Since we couldn't reserve the weekend at Topsail we moved to Fort Pickens National Park Campground on Friday the 24th.