Destin Ft. Walton Adventure

Okay, stop number 3 went by quickly but it's a great place too! Meatball and his family headed a little more north to Fort. Walton/Destin Florida. We stayed at the Destin West Rv Resort which was puppy friendly, clean and lots of fun. It was on the bay side but we walked across the street to the beach. Unfortunately there was not a dog beach around here for our puppy to swim but Meatball walked around with us whenever he could. If you ever get a chance to go to this area it is beautiful and The Harborwalk is a fun area for eating, shopping, and catching a boat ride or fishing charter. There is lots to do in this area also one of the things my daughter always enjoys is the Gulfarium where you can see and touch sea life and watch dolphin shows and it's right on the beach.

back view of the Harborwalk area, sorry didn't get pics of inside Harborwalk ! But I learned they ARE dog friendly after someone told me on the phone they were not.

This RV resort was great! It  is owned by the same company that owns the Ramada Destin Hotel so we got to use all their amenities also, like their awesome pool with swim up bar and waterfall! 

Can you spot the little Meatball? I know you were looking at our new Yeti cooler right?!

Smores on the beach?!
Yes Please! No chocolate for meatball though…

Feeding the fish!
Meatball's keeping a safe distance just in case they try to get him to go swimming again! 

Found a great chew stick

Our first time seeing fireworks on the beach! Such a pretty view and Meatball wasn't too scared of the booms! 

Panama City Beach Adventure

After Cape San Blas we headed north to the Panama Beach area for a few days then traveled to the Destin/Fort. Walton area. We stayed at Emerald Coast RV Beach Resort in Panama City, Florida--stop number two on our Florida road trip. This was one of our favorite places to park the RV. It was very beautiful, clean, friendly and comfortable. They were pet friendly and even had a dog wash area. Our only complaint is that it wasn't near the water, well the beach was one mile away. We usually like to walk or trolley on vacation but it wasn't walker friendly. But it was well worth the drive! Panama Beach has white sand and blue teal water! 

Meatball in his boston terrier pose

We were definitely the smallest one everywhere we went. Some of these motor homes were massive and as comfortable as a house inside. Hmmm.. ..we may be one of those old couples that retires to Florida! 

There is lots to do in Panama City though. We went go-carting, shopping,ate ice cream, did some swimming and more swimming. We even took time to go to Ripley's Believe It or Not to see some creepiness. Right off the beach is a huge shopping and restaurant area called Pier Park. Meatball made some friends at the dog beach and tried his 2nd attempt at swimming in the ocean but still decided sand digging and rolling is much better.

My hubby with the wax figure of the guiness record tallest man in the world. He was 8ft 11.1 in. tall and died in 1940.  (and if you know my hubby it's kinda funny!)

Then more beach time… he would stand in it as long as the waves were not moving towards him. (he's really smiling and excited inside…hehehe)

Shopping at Pier Park right by the beach was fun. Well--someone got tired so I tied a large shirt around me and plopped him in it, he was in heaven! I loved seeing the look on people's faces when they realized-- nope that's not a baby but a big eared puppy in that sling! 

Enjoying some ice cream, gotta keep cool ya know!

After a long day at the beach it was time for a bath in the dog wash at the RV resort. He was a good boy even though he wanted to jump right out of there. He smelled like baby shampoo for at least a little while until his next adventure! He is one spoiled puppy! 

"Okay, okay, I'm clean get me outta here!"

Cape San Blas Adventure

Yes, of course I'm going to take my puppy on vacation then blog about it! 

Meatball headed south on the gulf side of Florida to Cape San Blas. It's part of a peninsula that separates St. Joseph bay from the Gulf of Mexico. (I won't mention how long it took to get there from Kansas City but …thanks to the hubby for getting us there.) It's quiet, secluded, beautiful and best of all the beach is dog friendly-Woohoo! Meatball had his first experience with the ocean, sand and sea creatures. He wasn't so sure about the water but loved to roll around in the sand. We stayed at Indian Pass RV Resort and parked it right in the white sand! We had a private area with a beautiful view of the water. 

Can you spot the Meatball? He did really well in the camper  and stayed right by us the whole time.  I was surprised how well he adjusted to a different routine and life on the road!

This was our campsite before unpacking, the picture doesn't  due it justice... Just to the left behind the trees is the beach! Park in the sand and go!(the only thing is we found out at night the mosquito's came to the beach but that's what bug spray and bonfires are for!)

Meatball loved exploring the sand for treasures but he wasn't so sure about getting in the water.

our beautiful view, great sunsets here

"Hey guys?! Is it dinner time yet?" By the end of the trip he had learned how to get in and out of the camper on his own. He'll do anything for food of course! 

Spot the boston?

Can you spot the boston? I love seeing these pics on social media! It's so funny how I just happen to catch him in hiding. He's really part rabbit, piglet and puppy. Meatball loves to burrow and cuddle and it just makes me laugh.

Of course, sister protects him and writes a note to let everyone know not to sit down! love it!

Our big baby wrapped in sister's blanket!

Watkins-Mill State Park

Next adventure was Watkins-Mill State Park with Meatball's grandparents.The park is celebrating their 100 years! 

Watkins Mill State Park is 100 acres of natural beauty located in Lawson, Missouri. It has been around since the mid 19th century so it is a preserved and protected historic site. The Watkins family provided lumber and livestock over 150 years ago. Did you know this is the only three story textile mill with original 19th century machinery in North America? The park has daily tours of the mill, the Watkins family house, the school created in 1856 and the church in 1871. The lake was created in 1960 in the center of the park. This park is great for fishing,hiking,camping, picnicking and has a paved bike trail that is popular. It provides showers,restrooms,laundry room,dump stations, and has 96 campsites,74 with electric hookups. We found that some sites were better than others and tricky to get in and out of so definitely check out which is best for you. Watkins mill also has summer events such as outdoor movie night in their amphitheater. Visit this National Historic Landmark to keep your family busy. 

Meatball did a great job walking the paved trail as he is better at walking on the leash now and was curious about everything. The weather was great and the views were beautiful. 

Meatball checking out the outdoor theatre

had to take  a break, he's almost 5 months now and his little legs get tired

Our campsite

Meatball getting cozy by the fire!

His favorite part is stretching out inside the RV…spoiled pup!