The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
at Harborwalk Marina and on a dolphin cruise
66 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, Florida 32541
April 30, 2016

Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida, located on Florida's Emerald Coast. Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters. Originating as a small fishing village, it is now a popular tourist destination. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, over 80 percent of the Emerald Coast's 4.5 million visitors each year visit Destin. The city styles itself "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and claims to have the largest fishing vessel fleet in the state of Florida.

The city is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. The peninsula was originally a barrier island. Hurricanes and sea level changes gradually connected it to the mainland. In the 1940s it technically became an island again with the completion of the Choctawhatchee-West Bay Canal

The two RV Gypsies came to this area for a leisurely walk on the Boardwalk. They found that it was a very busy tourist attraction area with shops, restaurants and boat rides.

Below: The two RV Gypsies decided to take a tour boat ride on the Sea Blaster to see dolphins.

The boat was about 15 minutes late leaving the dock because there were still people in line buying tickets.

The two RV Gypsies sat in the bow of the boat and took some pictures while waiting for the boat to take off. The peninsula in front of them had beautiful white sand that comes from the Appalachian Mountains and is made of finely ground quartz crystal giving the appearance of sugar. Residue flows down the Apalachicola River and is deposited into the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the currents, the sand drifts west along the Gulf Coast and settles from east of Panama City to the Alabama coast.

Below: Many boats passed by, plus a jet ski with a man and his dog, plus the Pirate Boat.

Below: Finally, the Sea Blaster was full of passengers and started its journey. Karen Duquette photographed a floating food stand that was closed at the time.

Below: The entrance to the bay area got a little bit rough, and a few times, splashes of water came onto the boat and got the two RV Gypsies just a bit wet. The waves were breaking high over the nearby jetty.

Below: The Captain said that he could NOT take the boat into the Bay because it was too rough. Notice the man standing on the jetty in the photo below.

Below: The Mid-Bay Bridge is a 141-span, 3.6-mile, two-lane toll bridge in Okaloosa County in the Florida Panhandle. It connects U.S. Highway 98 in Destin to State Road 20 in Niceville. The bridge generally runs north-south. The approaches to the bridge carry the State Road 293 designation while the bridge itself carries the TOLL 293 shield.

The bridge crosses Choctawhatchee Bay, part of the Intracoastal Waterway. It was constructed in 1992-93, when the Florida Department of Transportation recognized the growing need for a more direct route between the Destin beaches and the mainland for tourists and to assist hurricane evacuation from population centers and resorts on the Gulf of Mexico.

There is one toll plaza at the north end of the bridge. As of October 1, 2015, the one way toll for a standard 2-axle vehicle was $4.00. (always subject to a price change). Tolls may be paid with cash or with the SunPass electronic toll system.

Below: Passing by Emerald Grand - a 4-star hotel

Below: Several boats passed by, including the Pirate Boat. (Note: The two RV Gypsies took a Pirate Ship cruise in Clearwater, Florida last year. Those photos can be seen by using the TOC button at the bottom of most pages and choosing the letter P.

Below: A small sail boat full of people plus another Sea Blaster boat, bigger and fancier than the one that the two RV Gypsies were on.

Below: The Captain let Karen Duquette drive the boat for a bit.

Below: The two RV Gypsies on the Sea Blaster dolphin excursion. Beer, wine, soda and water were complimentary, but there were no snacks available. Karen Duquette's cup was never empty.

Below: Karen Duquette made lots of new friends on the boat. It was PARTY TIME!!!!

Below: Karen Duquette said, "Let the party begin"

Below: The crew constantly refilled the wine glasses.

Karen Duquette always knows how to party.

Below: So much fun with new friends.

Below: Selfie time!

Below: There were many dolphins all around. At first, Lee Duquette was using the small camera and did not zoom in on them. Karen Duquette was busy partying with new friends (as shown above) so Lee had to get Karen's camera to get better dolphin photos.