Category Archives: Attractions

The Boardwalk – Ft. Walton Beach, FL

It’s been a busy couple of weeks so I have quite a bit to catch up on. First things first – food while we were in Florida!

While in Fort Walton Beach, our hotel was situated right next to The Boardwalk. Now the Boardwalk is ideal when staying on Okaloosa Island on the Gulf coast of Florida. Ideal for businesses and for the convience of tourists. It has everything from restaurants, souvenir shops and some places to check out for night life all under the tiki roofs!

The first night we were there we ate at The Crab Trap. This place is sports bar meets beach hut. Full of oysters, crab and shrimp. I’m not a fan of oysters but the boys seemed to enjoy them quite a bit (by boys I mean grown men). Sy and I basically got the same meal except Sy’s came with some grilled shrimp. The meal was good however I wouldn’t say it was extraordinary. The grilled shrimp had a teryiaki sauce glazed on top. The crab cakes were filled with spice and seasonings and a slightly crispy coating. My only complaint was the waitstaff could have been a little more attentive to the needs of our entire party. We were with a large group, many males, some who liked to flirt with the waitresses. Needless to say, some of the ladies in our party felt slightly ignored. However the food seemed to fit the bill when it came to the price/portion/quality.

The second night happened to be the night of the rehearsal dinner. Again, we walked next door to The Boardwalk and ate at Floyd’s Shrimp House. Now, this is important. I’m going to say with absolute certainty that I had the best shrimp that I have ever eaten at Floyds. Typically, (at least for myself) I wouldn’t think I would find anything “out of this world” at a tourist destination. All I can say is Coco Loco Shrimp is where it’s at. Take a note, you’ll want to try it. The Coco Loco Shrimp is large coconut crusted shrimp which is served with a tropical sweet and sour sauce. Holy moly it was delicious. The coconut crust was just right and crispy with a sweet coconut tang and it felt like it wanted to melt in your mouth. The sweet and spicy sauce tasted like your typical sweet and sour but with a little extra pineapple (maybe) kick that worked just right with the sweetness of the coconut. I took a bite and had to stop a conversation – it was that good. Followed by the person I was speaking with asking to try a bit and he felt the same way, followed by a third person. We all agreed. Delicious. Sy also had the same meal – same reaction. Now if only I could replicate the recipe.

Floyd’s Shrimp House is a little on the more expensive end of the spectrum – around $20 per plate. If you go for the Coco Loco Shrimp – I’m going to tell you right now – it’s worth it.

In additon to the restaurants there are also gift shops and nightlife venues at The Boardwalk. I typically avoid gift shops so I can’t provide any feedback on those but we did check out some nightlife. After we ate at The Crab Trap, we went over to The Swamp. Per their website, they seem to have some bigger artists come thru their doors. The night we happened to be there they just had a local band and somewhat local crowd. One side of the venue was open and facing the ocean so you catch that cool Gulf Coast breeze.

The other venue was called Howl at the Moon, which is a piano bar. If you’ve never been to a piano bar, it’s entertaining. The one that I have been to in Fort Worth consists of two pianos and musicians who take requests, sing songs, get the crowd going and is an all around good time. Since we had dinner next door, our recipts would cover our cover charge. Pretty good deal (considering it would be $10 without it). We almost went in the first night we were there but ended up going to The Swamp. (We actually said we would go back the next night but never did.) I still think we should have that first night. A friend of ours considers himself to be a “ladies man” and it just happened to be Senior Citizen’s night. It could’ve worked out for him!

Overall, The Boardwalk is a good centralized hut for Okaloosa Island. In addition to the businesses, there’s a pier, volleyball nets and I’m sure you would find something for everyone. Plus – there’s the Coco Loco Shrimp that, if you are in the area, you must try out!

Duck Commander

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So as many of you know, we attended a wedding in Fort Walton Beach, Florida this past weekend. This meant a 10-12 hour drive, one way, depending on how many times we stopped. Driving thru five states with good people is pretty fun but more on all that goodness later. I’m about to tell you about greatness.

Now, Sy and I have become hooked on this show called Duck Dynasty. It is greatness. It’s based on these hillbillies in Louisiana that became millionaires by inventing duck calls. Regardless, they are funny, wise and completely personable and I can’t get enough. If you haven’t seen the show, take a moment to stop reading this post and go ahead and set your DVR to record every upcoming episode. Go ahead. Every episode. Yes I’m serious. Good? Alright!

So our trip began bright and early Thursday morning. I was first to drive out of the metroplex (YAY! Out of the metroplex we go!) and headed east! A couple pee breaks (thanks Ray!) and we finally hit our first gas fill up, randomly taking an exit in Monroe, LA. Here I was, at this little ole gas station (not even realizing what town I was in) and looking across the street seeing this sign that says “Bayou Pawn”. Wonder what they had in there is really all that was going thru my head. I got booted from driving and as soon as we got back onto the road, I grabbed Sy’s cool phone with the Internet and started Diana’s rambling.

“I wonder where Duck Commander is.”

“On the way back we have to stop at Duck Commander!”

“It’s a weekday, I wonder if Uncle Si is at Duck Commander.”

“Ah hell, we should’ve tried to find it on our way thru Monroe!”

“We ARE stopping on the way back!” Period.

Sunday rolls around. I have been driving from Fort Walton Beach and we’re rolling into Monroe. Florence, the navigation on Sy’s phone, tells me to exit. I exit. Take a left. I take a left. I go over the highway overpass and stop at the light. What do I see in front of me… Bayou Pawn. !&%@(!

I’m not even kidding you, I took the first right past Bayou Pawn and Duck Commander is sitting right there on the left. Thursday, I was across the street from this place and I didn’t even know it and with my luck Uncle Si and the rest of the gang was in Duck Commander and I was with my city folk across the street. How does this happen?! Next time, I’m going to be prepared! We’re planning ahead!

My Sy standing next to Uncle Si and the crew! “Hey” “Hey”

Phil!

City boy. Country girl. Duck Commander love!

We just spent the last three days on a white sandy beach on the Florida coast, at a wedding at that and this is the only picture we got together all weekend. Ah well! It’s Duck Commander!

The ducks are still on the roof but it looks like Willie got a new door to his office!

To the folks at Duck Commander, you are fantastic! I’ve even convinced a guy at work to grow out his beard (or maybe he’s convinced me he will do it). We’re coming back thru in September… how about you just happen to be around one Saturday morning? Please?!Now the real question – let’s be realistic here, we weren’t the only ones that stopped to take a picture so I’m figuring there’s some traffic to check out the building. Are any of the guys actually there during the week?

Sunflower Fields

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There is something about traveling that I love and that’s the unexpected.

Obviously, you are aiming at some kind of destination when you are driving somewhere but there is no telling what you will run into along the way. Sometimes, you are pleasantly surprised and other times, well, we just don’t need to discuss those. On our way to Ennis, we drove by a huge sunflower field. Well, two of them actually. On our way back home, we took an alternate route and as luck would have it, we drove by even more. So beautiful!