Dale E Peterson Vacations - Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast

2010-08-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

DON'T MISS THE SANDESTIN MUSIC FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND!!

Sandestin Music Festival: August 13-14, 2010 Steve Cropper, Jeffrey Steele, Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton and More to Perform the weekend of August 13-14, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will be the place to be for music lovers of all ages when the first ever Sandestin Music Festival hits multiple stages throughout the resort.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

The Sandestin Music Festival kicks off Friday, August 13 at 6 p.m. in The Village of Baytowne Wharf. The schedule includes:

6pm at Hammerhead's Bar and Grille: Marty Dodson, a songwriter for country stars Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington and more, performs with rising country star Kree Harrison.

8pm at Rum Runners: James Slater, the Grammy-nominated, bilingual singer/songwriter and pianist, takes the stage with Grammy winner and Broadway performer Lari White.

10pm to midnight at Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack: the party really heats up as two of Nashville's top country songwriters Danny Myrick and Jeffrey Steele join blues icon Delbert McClinton. Myrick penned hit singles "International Harvester" by Craig Morgan, "Loud" by Big and Rich (the theme song for CMT's “Gone Country” show), and recent multi-week chart-topper, "She's Country" by Jason Aldean. McClinton has been writing hits since his career took off in the 60s. Three-time BMI Songwriter of the Year Jeffrey Steele's mega-hits include a string of chart-toppers for Rascal Flatts, including "Every Day," "My Wish," "Me and the Gang," and the groundbreaking "What Hurts The Most,” as well as Tim McGraw's "The Cowboy in Me," Faith Hill's "When the Lights Go Down," Trace Adkins' "Chrome," LeAnn Rimes' "Big Deal," and Montgomery Gentry's "Speed," "Hell Yeah" and "My Town."

Saturday, August 14 from 7-10 p.m. the Village Events Plaza in The Village of Baytowne Wharf will showcase the weekend's main headline acts:

Steve Cropper: A guitarist, A&R man, engineer, producer, songwriting partner of Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd and a dozen others, and founding member of both Booker T. and the MG's and The Mar-Keys, Cropper was literally involved in every record issued by Stax Records from the fall of 1961 through year end 1970. His is the co-writer of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Knock on Wood" and "In the Midnight Hour."

Delbert McClinton: A blues icon and legendary songwriter, his Grammy-winning duet with Bonnie Raitt, "Good Man, Good Woman," and #1 composition "Two More Bottles of Wine,” recorded by Emmylou Harris, merely skim the surface his deep catalogue, while as a performer, he has only improved since first turning heads in the 60s.

Lee Roy Parnell: An ace guitarist as well as a distinctive singer and hit songwriter, Lee Roy Parnell offers music that runs a diverse gamut: blue-eyed soul, Delta blues, roadhouse rock, Southern boogie, Texas swing, and gospel come together in his songs to defy conventional classification. In addition to being a music publisher, Parnell is currently producing and writing with influential songwriters and recording artists nationwide.

2010-08-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the Clean Coast Music & Arts Festival

August 22nd, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Harborwalk Village, Destin, FL

12 Hours of LIVE MUSIC, plus Kid's Crafts & MORE!!!

Destin Beaches - 6/25/10 NO OIL & Beachgoers are swimming!

2010-06-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/depvacations#p/a/u/0/Lr0TTNi4cgU

Don't miss the Doobie Brothers "Rock the Beach" Sunday, June 27th, 2010!!

2010-06-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Check out this article on the oil spill...

2010-06-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

This gives a great prespective from the visitor's standpoint...and a little insight into the impact this tragic event has had on both tourists and the tourism industry:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/11/AR2010061103902.html

Manatees in Crystal Beach, Destin

2010-05-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

An uncommon site in Destin, a group of manatees swimming the waters off Crystal Beach in Destin on May 20. They generally head northerly to look for quieter areas with more sea grass and less boats. Quite a sight!

Fw: GREAT news to share!

2010-05-21T13:54:00.001-07:00

Our Coast is clear and we are open for business! Check out the link below for more information:

http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/f0cb87b0-9d5e-4756-93a7-9f5be0121274/News/Beaches-in-Florida-Panhandle-Open

It's time to book your beach vacation!

2010-05-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

GOOD NEWS...we have not experienced any affects on our beaches or shores as a result of the recent oil spill!

The Deep Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico was very unfortunate and our hearts go out to those who have been affected. In light of what has happened, we consider ourselves very lucky here in Northwest Florida!

The sun is shining and our beautiful waters and beaches are still as pristine as ever…the only oil on our beach is suntan oil! Now is a great time to make your summer plans on Florida's beautiful Emerald Coast with Dale E Peterson Vacations. So call us today for great deals & special rates!

For your piece of mind we have waived our normal cancellation policy. If you book your reservation with us now for this summer, we will let you cancel up to 48 hours prior to arrival with NO CHARGE if our shores and/or waters are closed due to the oil spill. That's right, for a limited time, you can book your reservation with us and cancel for no charge if our shores and/or waters are closed due to the oil spill.

Check out the live beach cams we recently added to our website & see for yourself how our guests are enjoying their beach vacations here in Destin, FL!

To stay updated on the situation in the gulf we recommend you go to the following website: http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=-1&msgid=0&act=11111&c=157238&destination=http%3A%2F2Fwww.dep.state.fl.us2Fdeepwaterhorizon

Call us today 800-787-6206

or visit our website
www.destinresorts.com
Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast

2010-05-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Halloween Fun For All Ages

2009-10-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

My kids and I got in the Halloween spirit this past weekend by visiting the Spook House at Sunsations next door to Fudpucker's in Destin. This was the non-scary version of the Jaycee's Haunted House. There were treats, crafts and delicious apples from Off The Vine organic produce. Although the youngest had been convinced by her old sisters that it was going to be scary, I think the eyes say it all, she was pleasantly surprised and had a blast. For more information about the Jaycee's Haunted House, and times for the scarier version, visit their site.

Another Haunted House for a great cause is the Annual Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Haunted House in Fort Walton Beach at the Uptown Station. Both are taking victims until October 31, 2009.

For more information about the wonderful things ECWR does check them out here. From their site:

The ECWR is a not-for-profit organization made up of a caring staff and dedicated volunteers. Its headquarters and refuge are currently located in the heart of Destin, Florida. Over the past 13 years, the ECWR has cared for thousands of animals in need of help – from stranded dolphins to injured eagles to orphaned foxes. The ECWR is mainly supported through the generous donations of local residents and businesses.

If you are looking for something more inspirational and less ghoulish, the contemporary Christian band Mercy Me will be performing at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on October 30, 2009. The band starts at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the conference center.

And lastly, if you are working on carving the perfect pumpkin check out these great tips on getting the longest life span out of your masterpiece. Who knew rubbing them down in petroleum jelly would preserve them? Don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend! An extra hour of Halloween mayhem is to be had.

Destin Festival of the Arts

2009-10-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

When: October 24th and 25th, 2009
Where: Henderson Beach State Park in Destin
Donation: $3 for adults, children under 12 free

The 14th annual Destin Festival of the Arts is this weekend. One of Northwest Florida's premier art shows, the festival will showcase over 100 juried artists from around the US who will compete for $8,200 in cash prizes. A range of mediums will be represented including watercolor, photography, oil, acrylic, pastel, pottery, sculpture, clay, collage, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media and digital art. Children can express their artistic side with hands-on art activities at Artshop. There will be strolling performers, a bistro food court, continuous entertainment and festival merchandise.

All of this with beautiful sugar white sands as a backdrop! See you there.

Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival & Rootin Tootin Rodeo Roundup

2009-10-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! For lovers of mullets (both kinds) the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival is this weekend. With the humble mullet at the center of this event and art, crafts and entertainment all around, it is sure to be a fantastic festival. Musical guests Chuck Wicks, Blake Shelton and Billy Ray Cyrus will be performing. There is also a Billy Ray and Miley look-a-like contest (and a few rumors that Ms. Miley will be there, I guess we'll have to see.) The event is the 16, 17, and 18th. For more information visit the Mullet Festival site. (I'm a fan of the CamaroMullet).

It's also time for the Rootin Tootin Rodeo Roundup. I'll be attending again this year. For $10 per child, little anglers (with their parents) will get to fish from the Okaloosa Island Pier. This includes a rod to keep, bait, t-shirt and lunch! The Round-up starts at 9 am on Saturday, October 17th.

October is full of festivals and events for the whole family on the Emerald Coast!

31st Annual Destin Seafood Festival

2009-10-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

This weekend at the Harborwalk Village the 31st annual Destin Seafood Festival is in full swing.

As the traditional kick off of the Destin Fishing Rodeo there is great food and entertainment including Joan Jett, Survivor (I'm working to achieve expert level for 'Eye of the Tiger' on Guitar Hero ), Black Eyed Blonde and much more! Bring the family for the best of Destin. Visit the festival site for more information.

There Is Always Time For Fishing

2009-09-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

In July we received some great shots from Captain Mark of thestriperguide.com from one of his fishing trips to the area while staying at the Island Princess. From Mark:

I come to the Island Princess approximately 3 times a year usually June and July, my customers love the fishing. The Island Princess is a great place to stay.

As you can see we went after snapper most of the time. We caught Kings, short groupers, shark, Porgies and a few others. The snapper fishing was the best I have seen in a long time.

Thanks to Mark for sharing these pictures. Dale E Peterson Vacations offers a fishing trip per day with most rentals. The Destin Fishing Rodeo is just around the corner and runs the entire month of October. There are divisions for every angler. Make some great memories this fall! If you are in the Atlanta area, give Mike a call for striper fishing on Lake Lanier and Carters.

Florida's Gulfarium

2009-08-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

The history of the Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach.

Whale Sharks in Grayton Beach

2009-08-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

On August 10, 2009 whale sharks showed up offshore of Grayton Beach. A dear friend had a chance to swim with them. Check out the video.

Five Whale Sharks appeared just offshore from Grayton Beach, Florida in the first week of August in 2009. They remained in the local waters for two days. Many of the people chartering the Grayton Beach fishing boats and one group of divers photographed and swam with the whales during the two-day event. A Whale Shark is not a whale (mammal) but is a gentle, non-dangerous, filter-feeding shark that is the largest living fish species.

James Griffith, a local firefighter/diver in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida captured the beautiful underwater video.The large school of bigger fish swimming with the whale shark are cobia.

Glass Bottom Boat Trip and the Billy Bowlegs Festival

2009-06-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

To kick off the summer season, the employees of the Dale E Peterson Companies headed out on the Boogie's Glass Bottom Boat with their families. The trip was a 2 hour sunset cruise and included dolphin sightings, seagull feedings, and some hands on learning about the local wildlife. Everyone had a great time. For more information about Boogie's and all of their water activities visit www.boogieswatersports.com.

This past weekend was also the 54th annual Billy Bowlegs festival. Pirate Captain Billy Bowlegs and his krewe captured the city with music, food, fireworks, parades and most of all fun for the whole family!

Concerts in the Park

2009-05-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

An eight-week concert series entertains music fans with the sounds of jazz, R&B, Motown, classic and modern rock, beach music to the latest chart busters. Bring your favorite picnic and lawn chair. For more information visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org

May 7 – Jones and Company
May 14 – déjà vu
May 21 – Ed Williams Quintet
May 28 – Reed Waddle
June 4 – Emerald Gold
June 11 – Mr. Big
June 18 – Clark & Company
June 25 - David Seering

HarborWalk Kids Fest & Early Summer Savings

2009-04-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we decided to have an ambition morning and headed to the Morgan Sports Center for the Destin Easter Egg Hunt followed by the HarborWalk Kids Fest. The Egg Hunt was on the sports fields and divided by age group. It was a great turnout and it didn't take long for all the kids to make sure no eggs were left behind.

We headed to the HarborWalk and got some awesome tattoos, painted a dead fish (excuse me, it's ACTUALLY called Gyotaku, check it out here), made kites, joined a dance train, did sidewalk paintings and listened to kid karaoke. Hat tip to the young lady who sang Journey, you may be my new hero. Before heading home we watched the charter boats come in with their catch. It was a nice day with the kids followed by a relaxing Easter Sunday.

If you are looking for an early summer stay, Dale E Peterson Vacations is offering 20% off of new reservations departing before May 22, 2009. There are many more festivals lined up for the rest of Spring & Summer throughout the coast including wine festivals, concerts in the park and movie nights.

Give Big Destin Music Festival

2009-03-31T14:42:00.001-07:00

The Give Big Destin Music Festival is being held on Saturday, April 4th. All ticket proceeds benefit Friends of the World Food Program. Performers include The Wailers, Dread Clampitt, Reed Waddle, Donny Sundal and Gileah Taylor. This event will be at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.givebigdestinflorida.com.

Destin Cobia Tournament

2009-03-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

The 13th annual Destin Cobia Tournament has begun. The tournament will run until April 30, 2009. Up to $35,000 worth of cash and prizes were awarded last year. For more information visit www.destincobiatournament.com

Ways To Save On Your Vacation

2009-02-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

As we have all heard, these are tough economic times (I have to admit that phrase is starting to get to me). For some this may mean an interruption in vacation plans or a change in destination. However, sometimes the best thing to do is to get away, refresh and reconnect with your most important investment, your family. Here are some of the methods our guests have utilized to save money and still have a great vacation.

1. Come as a group and split the cost. Consider renting a beach home or larger condominium unit with room for several couples and children. Bring the grandparents or vacation with good friends. Sharing the expense makes this option very affordable and sharing vacation fun with your favorite people is always a blast. Some great properties to consider:

The Inn at Crystal Beach

This property is a family favorite. Choose between two, three, four, five and six bedroom units.

The six bedroom penthouse units sit on the top three floors of the complex. There is plenty of room for the whole family and the four and five bedroom units are lock-outs so you have access to two kitchens. The property is in the heart of the quaint Crystal Beach neighborhood of Destin.

Magnolia Cottage

This is a wonderful four bedroom and four and a half bath tri-level cottage directly across the street from the beach with a private pool. Magnolia Cottage can accommodate up to sixteen people and is just a short stroll to the beach and a quick drive to attractions, restaurants and shopping.

2. Travel in the 'shoulder' seasons. If you have the flexibility to move your dates from the traditional summer vacation, check out the rates for the Spring, Late Summer and Fall time frame. You will see significant discounts for these seasons. In addition, we have created a lower Spring rate for 2009.

3. Look for properties that offer our Family Fun Package. If you want to save on some of your activities and consolidate your vacation planning consider reserving a unit that offers the Family Fun Package. The package includes waterpark tickets (in season), deep-sea fishing, golf, and movie rentals.

4. Have fun at the resort. The most popular properties are those that offer entertainment for the whole family. Resorts like Destin West Beach and Resort and Waterscape are perfect choices because they offer several pools, a lazy river and on-site activities.

Destin West Beach and Bay Resort

5. Enlist our reservation specialists to assist you. Just a phone call away (800-336-9669) or click away by live chat are our reservation specialists. They are available to find out what accommodations fit your budget and your needs. I know that the Internet makes shopping and comparing much easier but many times I have spoken with guests that are starting to feel overwhelmed by the options and have been searching online for awhile. This is where we can step in. We've seen the properties and we know the activities because we enjoy them too. Just let us know what you are looking for and we will help narrow down the options.

6. Sign up for our email newsletter. Get special offers, updates on events, and featured properties. Signing up is easy. I mean really easy. Just subscribe on our main site, www.destinresorts.com by adding your email address in the left hand side.

7. Save 10% now. Ready to book a stay now? You can save 10% off any new March reservation today. Just mention this post when you call, 800-336-9669. We appreciate all of our guests and can't wait to see you at the beach this year. Today the high was 71 degrees, I was tempted to ditch the desk and head to the beach myself.

Winter Wonderland

2009-02-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

It's not snow. Looks the same, but definitely better. Today, it is absolutely beautiful on the beach. The Gulf of Mexico is as flat as glass and there are no clouds in sight. There are plenty of 'Snowbirds' and seagulls enjoying this perfect day, and I saw a few families playing on the beach as well.

Spring break is just around the corner. If you are ready to warm up, check out our properties, we've lifted our 7-night stay requirement. Our Spring Break dates of March 28-April 17, 2009 now have a 4-night minimum.

And one more thing about our snow white beaches, for the history and movie buffs. In the opening frames of Dr. Strangelove (1964) there are aerial shots of the snowy coast of Russia. It is actually Holiday Isle in Destin. Check out Scott Jackson's images for comparison.

Southern Living Readers' Choice Award Winner...

2009-01-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

...for best beach, for the 14th year in a row, is Destin, Florida! The readers choice award reflects the opinions of those that have been to our area. We are proud to see Destin voted number one again.

West of Destin, in Navarre Beach, while taking photographs of a unit at Summerwind Resort recently, I found where guests had been spending time during their stay finding shells on the beach. The shells were personalized and left in a basket on the living room table. A very unique guest book, in my opinion.

Get HisTOURical!

2008-10-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

As someone born in this area, I've grown up appreciating not just the beauty of the natural surroundings here, but the rich and multi-cultural history as well. Earlier this year I had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a historical tour of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Niceville, Valparaiso and surrounding areas. This event and the video presented below were put together by the Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. The tour included a stop at the Destin Harbor and Harborwalk Village, the Destin History & Fishing Museum, the Air Force Armament Museum, Heritage Park & Cultural Center, Magnolia Grill, the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida and more!

Get HisTOURical in Okaloosa County from Shawna Osborn on Vimeo
Below are a few of the photos from the day. One of my favorite moments of the tour was looking over the memorabilia upstairs at the Magnolia Grill. It's an amazing collection and the restaurant is a beautiful highlight of Fort Walton Beach history.

Camp Walton School House

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Magnolia Grill

Native American Dance Demonstration

Destin Rodeo Rootin' Tootin' Rodeo Round Up

2008-10-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

During the entire month of October anglers of all ages participate in the Destin Fishing Rodeo. This event celebrates it's 60th year in 2008. This month long event has several divisions including junior, teen, ladies and senior divisions. In addition to charter boat fishing out of the Destin Harbor, anglers can participate in the Pier, Bridge, Jetty, and Surf Division. Weigh-in is open everyday from 10 am to 7 pm and prizes are given daily and at the end of the tournament. This year we decided to take our girls to the Rootin' Tootin' Rodeo-Up at the Okaloosa Island Pier. This event has a fee of $10 and included a rod n' reel to keep, bait, lunch and of course a great experience for the kids. This was the girls' first time on the pier and they were enjoying watching the dolphins circle through the schools of fish. There were approximately 150 children plus their parents and the junior anglers were pulling up bluefish, flounder, remoras, and ladyfish. The Gulf of Mexico is home to well over 200 types of sports fish, many of which are delicious and some are also a fantastic fight. Next time you are in town take a kid fishing, Dale E Peterson Vacations offers a Family Fun Package that includes a deep sea fishing trip. For more information about the Destin Fishing Rodeo, check out their official website.

Welcome To Our Little Piece of Paradise!

2008-10-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

This blog is the beginning of something beautiful for those unfamiliar with the gorgeous beaches of Northwest Florida and a friendly reminder for past visitors of the splendor of this unique area.
Our company, Dale E Peterson Vacations is managed and operated by people who thoroughly enjoy and adore our habitat, our community, and our visitors. We wanted to introduce our view of this area, what we call "Fun In Our Backyard" and also keep Emerald Coast enthusiasts up to date on activities, available rentals, and news. We will be highlighting some of the best known and unknown treasures along the coast.