Destin, FL

Destin, FL is located in Olkaloosa County and located on Florida's Emerald Coast.  It is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters.  The population of Destin is 12,000 with a median income of $53,000 and a median age of 42.  However, during tourist season the population of Destin jumps up to 40,000.  Destin was once a small fishing village but is now a popular tourist destination with over 80% of the Emerald Coast 4.5 million visitors each year visit Destin.  The city calls itself " the World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and claims to have the largest fishing vessel fleet in the State of Florida.  Destin has been inhabited since the 7th century with Native Americans living in the area.  In 1538 Spanish explorers came to Florida.  The East Pass in Destin has been in existence since at least 1693 when Don Francisco Tapia was commissioned to survey the Florida coast and drew the first known map of the East Pass and its shores.  Destin was named after Captain Leonard Destin, a New London, Connecticut fishing master who settled in the area in 1845.  The city is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay.  The peninsula was originally an island but hurricanes and sea level changes gradually connected the island to the mainland.  Destin does have some notable residents like Emeril Lagasse, Wayne Rogers, Brittney Spears, Danny Wueffel, Jerry Jones, Karl Rove, Mike Huckabee, and Sheryl Crow among others.  To me Destin is just a great town to visit to see beautiful waters, walk along a fun harbor, shop and eat. 
We decided to visit Destin yesterday to take a break from the sun and to eat at the Donut Hole, a great restaurant for breakfast and pastries.  It has become a tradition for us that when we visit Destin we stop at the Donut Hole first for breakfast.  With as good as the food and pastries are there is no reason to break this tradition.  We then headed over to the Harbor Walk Marina where you get the chance to see all of the fishing vessels in Destin, while they are in port.  It is amazing to see all the boats and you gotta love reading all the names of the boats.  Along the harbor is a huge Condo/Hotel and a lot of restaurants.  There is always something going on at the Harbor Walk Marina from sunrise to well after sunset.  If you get to this area of Florida Destin is a place to stop and visit.  You will not regret it.
On our way back from Destin we decided to see the movie, The Avengers.  Great movie, lots of fun and you don't have to know the comic book characters to enjoy it.  I highly recommend seeing this movie.
We grilled out at the Carter's campsite for dinner and just enjoyed the evening.  Once again great friends made the entire day another great one!  Vacation has been wonderful so far!