Sun, Shells, Songs, and a Sand Crane Conversation — Week 5 at Splash RV Resort

November 2025: Week five at Splash RV Resort in Milton was basically our greatest hits album: beach day bliss, bikes into town, pool time no matter what the clouds think, and a weekend full of pizza, karaoke, and live music. If you like sunsets, frisbees, and mildly questionable conversations with wildlife… welcome.

Don’s Birthday at Opal Beach

We kicked off the week celebrating Don’s birthday the only way that feels right: toes in the sand at Opal Beach (part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola). Don and Janet, along with DeeDee and Jim, joined us for a beach day that delivered exactly what it promised—sun, breezes, and that kind of peace only salt air can provide.

We went full beachcomber mode, collecting shells like we were curating a tiny seaside museum.

Lunch was as fancy as it gets: sandwiches in the sand. Five-star ambiance, zero dress code.

The water was stunning—clear, shimmering, postcard-worthy… and absolutely too cold for swimming. Pretty? Yes. Inviting? No.

The sky gave us a show too, with a paraglider floating by and fighter jets roaring overhead like a surprise air show. Only in Florida.

Darren even busted out some athleticism, catching a frisbee like he was auditioning for a beach movie montage.

Then there was the unforgettable moment when Darren had a full-on conversation with a sand crane. No idea who started it. No idea who won. But I do know the bird seemed… intrigued.

We wrapped it all up with a sunset on the drive home that made us collectively go quiet—the kind of sky that feels like a reward.

Pool Days (Weather Optional)

Our rule is simple: if the temperature is right, we’re in the pool—no matter what the sky looks like. Sunshine, clouds, dramatic “is it going to rain?” vibes… we hang anyway. Splash RV’s pool has become our unofficial headquarters. 

Bikes, Milton, and Seasonal Whiplash

One of our favorite routines is biking into Milton. This week’s ride took us through Whiting Park, a sweet little riverside park along the Blackwater River—perfect for a breather and people-watching. 

Milton is currently in that awkward seasonal transition where leftover Halloween decorations are fading right into Christmas displays. Skeletons next to reindeer. Spooky meets jolly. 

And then—because Florida is Florida—we stumbled upon a Poseidon wood carving carved directly from a tree. Random? Yes. Awesome? Also yes.

Weekend Vibes: Pizza, Karaoke & Live Music

One of the highlights of our weekend was pedaling into town to meet DeeDee & Jim and Janet & Don for lunch at Boomerang Pizza Kitchen in Milton. This is one of those local spots that just feels fun the moment you arrive. You actually walk through a quirky little gift shop to get to the seating area—equal parts random and charming—before settling in for classic, New York–style pizza and a menu full of crowd-pleasers. It’s casual, friendly, and exactly the kind of place you want to refuel after a bike ride: good food, good company, and just enough character to make it memorable.

We finally sold Darren’s black Lectric XP 2.0 e-bike! It’s bittersweet saying goodbye to a trusty travel companion, but hey, one less thing to shuffle around. AND it’s nice to be down to just two e-bikes to lug on our journeys!

Warm-weather karaoke followed, which is exactly as entertaining as it sounds. Let’s just say enthusiasm was high and pitch was… optional.

And the weekend's cherry on top? Live music from Hane McLeaish, an incredibly talented singer/songwriter. We first heard him when we were at Splash back in January, and I’ve been a fan of his on Instagram ever since. Seeing him again felt like one of those full-circle travel moments—familiar, inspiring, and just plain good for the soul. 

Hane McLeaish Spotify

Week five was equal parts celebration, chill time, and those wonderfully random moments that make this traveling life so special. Beaches, bikes, birds with opinions, and music under the stars—honestly, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Cheers!

-Chasing 78° 🎉🌞🌴🏊 🚴‍♀️🎶🏖️ #Chasing78 #RVLife #SplashRV #MiltonFlorida #OpalBeach #BeachDay #BikeLife #PoolDays #LiveMusic #KaraokeNights #TravelBlog #Sunsets #FloridaLiving #Chasing78Life