Hey, I lasted 2 posts, right?

But this one needs more than one picture. I am going to try to keep it to one story, and put photos as needed.

When we go to Destin, it seems that one of the priorities is to get some good food. For me, that means getting something decent that doesn’t smell like the sea, while everyone else gets Seafood. Hey, you’re on the coast, take advantage of it.

Destin did not have a good culinary representation for us this week. One of the establishments (which will not be named to prevent Google from giving advertisements) appeared to have exactly one fryer, used for both fish sticks and chicken (Chicken tenders, Macaroni and Cheese, and Cheese Sandwitches seem to be the kids ONLY dietary requirements), as well as a distinct lack of any type of Oven. A temporary setback, I’m sure, but not reassuring when you order and are then informed on what you can’t have.

I can’t say that any of the food (besides William’s Chicken tenders of the sea) was bad. But neither will I say it was really good.

Except.

We were mislead into going to McGuires. Fourth hand information said they had an internal playground. This was only partially false. There is no dedicated playground at the Destin Facility, but the entire establishment is a playground of sorts. It’s a Irish pub, located just off the bridge into Destin. First impressions on walking in are of the VAST amounts of dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and walls. They brew their own beer here, and the brewmasters are quite eager to converse with the patrons. Fermentation vats occupy prime real estate in the bar. Moose heads (Does Ireland have that large of a population of Moose?) are all over the place. Irish bar decorations and fixtures are everywhere.

They have a set of carnival mirrors. They have a Lobster tank. These two ‘attractions’ held significant sway over the children.

Being a pub, and a pub that brews their own beer, obviously one must drink.

We went twice. The first time, under false pretenses of a playground, was for an early Lunch. We had one of the nicest servers, and the food was excellent. They have a sampler of the beer that is brewed. I can’t say I found one that I didn’t like. Some I liked more than others. The Imperial Stout (not advertised, due to it’s HIGH alcohol content) was great, with chocolate and raspberry blended into the mix. It’s not on the sampler. The brewmasters advised it, after a conversation on how they do things there. It’s very good, very heavy, and very alcoholic. I didn’t make it past the sample.

The kids didn’t stay seated for more than a few minutes. Mary was enthused by the lobsters, complete with rubber bands. As has been her pattern for the last 4 years, she locked onto that and wouldn’t let go. The only thing that would pull her away was the funny mirrors outside of the bathrooms (which are reversed.. Pay CLOSE attention to the sign on the door).

We returned Sunday night, for the full dinner, after having been denied Saturday night due to the Destin Seafood Festival. No one was able to park anywhere near the place due to the crowds. Our goals, besides a good meal, were to make our mark on Destin. I got the Meal. A good steak (not Flemings good, but close). The other two adults decided they’d just make due with large Irish Wakes (about 6 ounces of 151 and other rum and orange juice), and $.18 worth of bean soup. They made their choice, I made mine. I got a very good meal.

Anyways, ON to the MARKING!

Last year, and the year before, we wrote the kids names on the walls and playground of Fudpuckers.

This year, we forgot to bring the sharpies purchased specifically for the task. Plus, the playground was closed.

Remember all of the dollar bills? Every one of them has a name on it, and for your contribution, you become an honorary irishman (or so says the marketing material… I wouldn’t try to get a passport).

Mary Vic took this quite seriously. You see her custom donation. Her story (as transcribed by Jeffie) is on the back of the bill, unfortunately, not likely to be seen.

William responded in kind. He doesn’t have much of a clue as to what is going on, but if his sister is doing it, so is he!

That’s Yogurt about his mouth. That’s not sold in McGuires… far too healthy, but we’ve taken to carrying food for the kids… It’s often impossible to determine what either of them are going to eat.

Remember the mirrors? That’s where the dollars are going. Stapler (BIG, provided by the pub) in hand, kids towing us there. Yes, it’s outside of the Bathrooms. No, that is NOT the men’s room. Mary Vic took great delight in setting wandering strangers correct on the correct room for each gender.

William establishes his claim to this mirror. His vocabulary is beginning to improve, but his grammar isn’t quite there. It seems that every sentence MUST start with NO!

And the Final product:

It should be just high enough to prevent random ripping… We’ll see if it’s there next year. I assure you, WE’LL be going back.

I haven’t done much linking from here. I have no problem doing so for McGuires Irish pub.