July 2015 In This Issue Rick and Debbie's View From the Beach Welcome to the summer 2015 issue of Beach Notes, a quarterly newsletter from Easy Street Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals. Summer is in full swing and while we enjoy hosting our summer guests, we must admit we look forward to late summer and fall when the humidity is less and so are the crowds. September through December is a great time to visit the Emerald Coast. You can still enjoy our lovely beaches and activities and take advantage of discounted rates on our homes. View From the Beach Spacious Homes Lost Dog Finds Safe Haven Events & Activities Get to Know Debbie and Rick Whether you are a family with young children, a couple looking for a romantic getaway, or a group looking for a comfortable retreat with enough space for the whole crowd, Easy Street has a variety of lovely homes to choose from. We have a number of pet friendly homes available and previous guests tell us that our homes are so clean they can't believe pets ever stayed there. In fact, if you book a new stay of seven days or more from September-December, 2015, with your family pet, we will automatically enroll you in our Easy Street Pet Perks program and you will immediately receive a discount on your pet fees! Be sure to mention that you are interested in Easy Street Pet Perks when you book your late summer or fall getaway. We love pets, but we always reserve some homes for guests with pet allergies, so be sure to ask about these if you require a pet-free home. To view all of our properties, visit our website: www.easystreetvacationrentals.com for availability and pricing. Choose a Spacious Home for a Group or A Cozy Cottage Just for the Two of You Fall is a great time to plan a golf vacation or a getaway with friends and family. We have homes to fit your needs and we're featuring three of our favorites in this issue of Beach Notes. One is new this year, one has undergone a complete remodel and the other is one of our most requested homes.
DreamScape Perfect for a larger group of friends or family, DreamScape, is a newly constructed home with 5 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths that will house 12+ guests. Four of the five bedrooms include King beds, so the home is ideal for multiple couples or families to share without compromising comfort. This luxury home with a flagstone entry will accommodate five vehicles in the extra-large driveway. The two-story, art deco style home with 10' ceilings downstairs and vaulted ceilings upstairs features a spacious great room with a 60" television. The gourmet kitchen is fully equipped with granite countertops, bar area and high-end stainless appliances including a gas stove. The large dining room comfortably seats eight to ten people. All of the bedrooms have flat screen televisions. There are two master suites with King beds, en suite baths and the upstairs master suite has a covered outside seating area. There are two bathrooms upstairs and two of the three additional bedrooms include King beds. The other guest room is the perfect spot for kids with two double lower/single upper bunk beds and video game equipment. The backyard features a large (15' X 30') heated (optional) pool, 10' covered patio with ceiling fans and a comfy seating area with an outdoor shower. This is a pet-friendly home and includes a nice area in the backyard for four legged family members. Ocean Breeze This lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bath home sleeps twelve and had a total makeover for 2015. One return guest was so impressed, she sent these comments, "When I arrived in Destin, I drove right past the house that I had previously spent a month in!! The house was nice before, but now it is simply beautiful. Very tastefully decorated with new floors and new furniture; the house manages to be both comfortable and elegant." The new paver driveway increased parking from three to six vehicles and the property features new landscaping, flooring, windows, lighting and furniture. The open floor plan contains a great room with a 50" flat screen television. The updated kitchen has new appliances, subway tile and granite countertops. The large breakfast bar seats three and the adjacent dining area features a new table with seating for eight. The first floor bedroom features a Queen bed and is perfect for guests who struggle with mobility or have trouble navigating stairs. Upstairs, the master suite includes a King bed, with en suite bath and a private balcony. There is also a Queen bedroom and a room for the kids with two sets of bunk beds complete with a video game console. All bedrooms are equipped with flat screen televisions. The new 6' fence that surrounds the backyard is great for pets and guests can relax in the huge (18' X 36') heated (optional) pool or shady covered patio. The outdoor shower is great for rinsing off after a day at the beach. Grand Palms Villa
This charming 3 bedroom, 3½- bath home is located in the private gated community of Destiny East. The open floor plan includes a tastefully decorated great room with large flat-screen television and a dining area that seats nine. Two huge slider doors bring the outdoors in and expand your living area to the screened-in covered patio and pool/hot tub with a gas grill and outdoor dining. The private pool and hot tub are heated FREE, a valuable extra not offered by many properties. A separate fenced-in pet area is perfect for your furry family member. The King bed master suite includes a separate entrance to the pool and hot tub for late night dips. Each bedroom has its own full bathroom and the master bath features a large jetted tub and double vanities. Grand Palms Villa can comfortably sleep 11 with another King bedroom and a bunk room with three twin beds and one full bed, plus a Queen sleeper couch. Drive the 6-person golf cart (included in a 7+ day stay) to the beach or resort facilities which feature an Olympic-sized pool, hot tub, weight room, movie theater, children's play area and tennis courts. Grand Palms Villa lets you enjoy the best of a private residence with all the amenities of a first-class resort. All of these properties are within walking distance to the beach, have full laundry facilities and are close to both grocery and retail shopping. Check our website at www.easystreetvacationrentals.com for full descriptions and amenities. Book now and enjoy our lower late summer and fall rates. Lost Dog Finds Safe Haven at Easy Street Even dogs recognize that the folks at Easy Street truly love pets. West Highland/Scottish terrier mix Hank was one lucky dog when he wandered into the yard of one of the Easy Street Vacation Rentals. After receiving a call from his housekeeper who found the dog, Rick Scali rescued Hank and drove around the Crystal Beach area for three hours looking for the owners. That evening, he took Hank home, fed him and walked him with his two Schnauzers, Baxter and Lacey. The three became fast friends. Rick and Debbie and their dogs even shared the foot of their bed with him that night. "He's an adorable little dog," Rick said. "I didn't want to take him to a shelter. I could tell a good family owned him." In fact, Hank's owner is none other than country singer Justin Moore who was vacationing in Destin when the dog ran away. After searching for the lost pup all day, Moore and his family had to leave since the singer had a concert that night in Georgia. Moore posted a message about Hank on Facebook and the next morning, Rick happened to see the post on a local page. Rick took a picture of the dog and posted "I found Hank" and left his phone number. Within 30 minutes, his phone started blowing up. A friend of Moore's confirmed that the dog was indeed Hank and picked him up. The singer personally called Rick to thank him and promised to take him to lunch the next time he is in town. "I only did exactly what I would want someone else to do for
my dogs," Rick added. Enjoy Golf, Shopping and Fabulous Fall Events The Emerald Coast is famous for our sugar beaches and bright green water, but there is a lot more to do in the area if you're looking for a break from the sand. Golfers can play a different firstclass course everyday. The shoppers in the family will love bargain hunting at the Silver Sands Outlet Mall and our outdoor premium shopping mall at Destin Commons, anchored by Belk's and H&M. It's a great time of the year to get a head start on holiday shopping and avoid the last minute crowds. Late summer and fall is also the time for local festivals and events. Here is just a sampling: Baytowne Wharf Art Walk, Sept. 4-6, 2015. The Village of Baytowne Wharf hosts a week end of world-class art and live music featuring artists from all over the southeast. Admission is free. Details: 850-267-8117 Labor Day Weekend Celebration, Sept 5-6, 2015. HarboWalk Village hosts a weekend of activities, free concert and fireworks (Sunday only). Admission is free. Details: 850-424-0600 Vettes at the Village, Sept. 26, 2015. Area corvette clubs bring their cars to the Village Events Plaza. Corvettes will be shined to the max as these automotive icons zoom into the Village streets. Be a part of the show by voting on your favorite style and model. Admission is free. Details: 850-267-8117 Destin Fishing Rodeo, Oct. 1-31, 2015. More than 30,000 anglers of all skill levels compete to win prizes valuing over $100,000. Prizes are awarded on a daily, weekly and overall basis. Event is free and open to anglers aboard a registered boat, so bring your fishing rods to the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" in Destin. Details: 850-837-6734 37th Annual Destin Seafood Festival, Oct. 2-4, 2015. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk hosts a great weekend of seafood, live music, arts & crafts and family fun. Stroll along the Harbor Boardwalk showcasing Destin's fishing fleet, harbor restaurants and bars and breathtaking sunsets. Admission is free. 8th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival, Oct. 16-17, 2015. Know as the "Best Beer Fest on the Emerald Coast," the popular festival features 40 on-site craft brewers, over 100 domestic and international beers, seminars, samplings and live music. Visit Sandestin.com/Beer for more information. 20th Annual Festival of the Arts, Oct. 24-25, 2015. The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation continues a year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary.one of the Southeast's premier festivals, the event showcases the original artwork of more than 100 juried artists from across the U.S. who will compete for $10,000 in cash award prizes. This year's festival will feature live music, art activities for kids, an art raffle, and more. A food bistro, wine bar & beer garden, as well as convenient parking and motor coach shuttle are also available. Details: 850-650-2226 or email infor@mattiekellyartsfoundation.org. Sandestin Wine Festival: Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights, Nov. 14, 2015. Stroll the streets of Baytowne Wharf lined with twinkling lights and greenery, as you sip a variety of champagnes and taste featured menu items from various Village restaurants. For tickets and details visit baytownesparklingwinefest.com or call 866-544-1029.
Tee Off for Toys, Dec. 12-13, 2015. Donate new, unwrapped toys or gift cards with a value of 415 or more and in exchange you can play Sandestin's golf courses for just the green and golf cart fee ($20). Sandestin will offer golf at all three of its public courses, Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club and The Links Golf Club. All toys and donations will be given to Harvest House's "Hope for Holidays" and Children in Crisis programs, both benefitting children and families in need this holiday season. Local residents, guests and visitors are welcome to participate. Tee times are available all day and can be made by calling 850-267-8155. Get to Know Debbie and Rick Debbie and Rick started Easy Street Vacation Rentals in 2003 because of the frustration they encountered trying to find pet friendly vacation accommodations. They traveled with their pets for years. But some of the places they stayed were less than clean, and it was obvious by the smell that the accommodations allowed pets. They vowed when they started their vacation rental business that all of their homes would be pet friendly, for all size pets, any number of pets and breeds, and of course all squeaky clean. Easy Street Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals 3675 Scenic Highway 98 Destin FL 32541 (877) 432-7978 (Toll Free) (850) 687-3695 (Direct Line) E-Mail: marketing@easystreet-rentals.com Website: www.easystreetvacationrentals.com Copyright 2009 Easy Street Vacation Rentals, LLC. All rights reserved.