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πŸ§‚The Salty Details: 10 Things I Always Do Before Any Trip (That Save Me Stress Later)

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No matter if it’s a quick weekend getaway or a longer vacation, We've learned that a little preparation before leaving home can make the whole trip smoother. We've created a simple routine to follow before every trip, and it saves a lot of last-minute stress. Here are the 10 things to do before any trip. *This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. 1. Double Check All Reservations A few days before leaving, we confirm hotel bookings, flights, rental cars, and any tours or activities we’ve planned. It only takes a few minutes and gives us peace of mind. We also screenshot confirmation numbers just in case Wi-Fi or cell service is spotty later.  2. Check the Weather One Last Time We usually check the forecast when we first start packing, but always look again 24 to 48 hours before leaving. That final weather check helps us adjust outfits, shoes, jackets, umbrellas, or beach gear if needed. A compact tr...

πŸ§‚The Salty Details: Shellpoint Beach, Florida - Girls' Road Trip Edition

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    Quick Snapshot πŸ“ Location:  Shellpoint Beach 🏨 Stayed at: Day Trip 🍽️ Ate at: The Salty Donkey πŸ’΅ Price Range: $$ 🌴 Overall Rating: 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 🌊 The Salty Experience Shell Point Beach isn’t your typical Florida destination. There are no crowds pulling your attention in a hundred directions. Just water. Sky. And space to breathe.  It felt like a reset. And honestly… that was everything. Pro tip: Don’t forget water shoes—the shells can be a little rough underfoot πŸ‘£ 🍽️ Gimme Some Grub  πŸ¦ž The Salty Donkey Thatched roof. Waterfront views. Tiki bar vibes. The kind of place where you can sit back, feel the breeze, watch the boats roll in… and not be in a hurry to leave. πŸ’΅ $20–$30 per person 🦞 Seafood (lunch + dinner) πŸͺ‘ Indoor/outdoor seating (Waterfront + tiki bar on the marina) πŸ”— https://www.facebook.com/p/the-salty-donkey-61560872530331/ πŸ‘‰ Dockside dining done right 🌊 ✨ The Salty Takeaway Sometimes you don’t need a packed itinerary or a lon...

πŸ§‚The Salty Details: St. Augustine, Florida Christmas Edition - 32nd Annual Night of Lights! πŸŽ„⛵

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November 15, 2025 - January 11, 2026 Hold onto your sun hats—St. Augustine’s 32nd Annual Night of Lights is not your average holiday display! Imagine wandering through nearly 20 blocks aglow with over 3 million twinkling white lights. You’ll hunt for a secret red bulb like a holiday P.I. and belt out Christmas karaoke under a towering tree from Sugar Mountain, NC. Whether you’re a crowd-loving beachgoer or a quiet holiday explorer, this event is pure magic from start to finish! A Christmas Tradition Awaits You'll want to make this a Christmas tradition: Epic Light Hunt: There’s one sneaky red bulb hidden among millions—can you find it before anyone else? Step Challenge: With over 7,200 steps logged, you’ll earn your holiday treats! Historic Vibes: Stroll cobblestone streets, ride horse-drawn carriages, and cross the iconic Bridge of Lions (those marble lions are Michelangelo-approved) in the Nation's Oldest City. Waterfront Wonderland: Boats and ships in the bay sparkle wit...

πŸ§‚The Salty Details: Saint Simons Island, Georgia

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 πŸ️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️ "Saint Simons Island: A Journey Through Nature and Flavor" Saint Simons Island, affectionately known as the “Isle of Whales,” is a playground where endangered Right Whales swim gracefully by, and tree spirits grin from hidden carvings. As I wander through historic gardens and beneath majestic oaks, I discover presidential rocks and soak in the legacy of hymn composers and poets. This sunny spot, with its superstar cast of athletes and mouthwatering eats featured by Guy Fieri , is perfect for photo ops, golf rounds, and culinary adventures. Every visit to Saint Simons is a chance for fun and unforgettable memories! Gimme Some Grub 🦞 I must say, this was probably the tastiest vacation I have ever had! We did not have one bad meal, including those chain restaurants we dropped into for a cheap breakfast. Each bite was a celebration, a moment to savor. Certified Burgers and Beverages: Burgers So Good They Should Come with a Degree For just $10-$20 per person, yo...

πŸ§‚The Salty Details: Mexico Beach

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  Quick Snapshot πŸ“ Location: Mexico Beach 🏨 Stayed at: El Governor Beachfront Resort 🍽️ Ate at: Port St. Joe (20 min away) πŸ’΅ Price Range: $$ 🌴 Overall Rating: 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 🌊 The Experience Ah… Mexico Beach. Tucked along the Florida panhandle, this spot is the definition of peaceful—white sand, emerald water, and none of the overwhelming crowds you’ll find in bigger beach towns. Before Hurricane Michael , we had only visited twice. Since then, our trips have been fewer—but each one has meant a little more. It’s the kind of place you don’t rush. You come here to slow down… breathe… and just be. We’re still getting to know this area, but it’s already becoming one of those places we keep coming back to—and we are excited to keep sharing more as we go. 🍽️ Gimme Some Grub  πŸ¦ž When we visit Mexico Beach, we usually head about 20 minutes over to Port St. Joe for food.  ⚠️ Pro tip: Watch the time change! πŸ¦€ Get Wrecked (In the Tastiest Way Possible)  ...

πŸ§‚The Salty Details: Wakulla Springs, Florida

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🌴 Quick Snapshot πŸ“ Location:  Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park 🏨 Stayed at: Day trip (Lodge available ~$158/night) 🍽️ Ate at: Hutton’s Seafood & More (Crawfordville) πŸ’΅ Price Range: $–$$ 🌴 Overall Rating: 🌴🌴🌴  🌊 The Experience Our Wakulla Springs adventure? A mix of excitement… and just a touch of chaos. πŸ˜… Last weekend, Steven and I headed out on a little road trip with visions of a sandy “beach” and a relaxing day in the sun. Reality check: we arrived to a narrow, grassy riverbank instead (note to self—holiday weekends can be tricky). We had plans to hop on a boat tour… but only one boat was running and it was already booked before we even got there. Then came the plot twist—Steven had a reaction to something in the water, grass, or possibly a mystery creature. 🫠 So, we packed it up and called it a day in under an hour. Not exactly what we planned—but definitely memorable. πŸŽ₯ Sermon-by-the-Minute Moment Even though this trip did not go as...

πŸ§‚The Salty Details: Amelia Island, Florida

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  🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 Nearly every summer for almost seven or eight years, we escape to Amelia Island. It never loses its small-town charm and always feels like home! Gimme Some Grub 🦞 Get Excited for Tasty's Fresh Burgers Just $10-20 per person, cheaper than a therapy session and way more fun! Burgers, hotdogs, shakes, and all the pairings. Indoor/outdoor seating Located in the historic downtown Fernandina Beach https://www.tastysfreshburgersandfries.com/#locations Welcome to Slider's Seaside Grille $20-30 per person—because even your wallet deserves a little workout! Seafood Indoor/outdoor seating—Only oceanfront tiki bar on the island https://www.slidersseaside.com/ Greetings from Beach Diner! — FAVORITE breakfast spot! $10-20 bucks per head—unless you've mastered the art of charming your way to freebies! Breakfast and lunch https://beachdiner.com/location/fernandina-beach/ Experience the Excitement at Down Under Restaurant! Just $20-30 per person—cheaper than a fancy coffee h...