Towards the end of my previous trip to Oregon and Washington, I was so exhausted from the amount of activities that I had packed into 11 days that I couldn’t wait for my beach vacation. I was looking forward to an easy week at the beach, and while the beach was still easy and relaxing, it was also exhausting. Well, not in the “I’m so tired and my body aches” kind of way. But in the fun kind of way! (And this is where I can’t figure out why my friends have zero sympathy for me lately.) The beach was close enough to see from the balcony of the house, but goodness that sand is deep to walk through. And when you have to go up and over that tiny little dune, it makes for a good workout through the sand. Walking through the thick sand was challenging enough, but with arms full of chairs, towels, and other beach necessities for the day, we couldn’t wait to cool off in the water. And there was also the task of having to put on sunscreen on every inch of my freckled skin so that I wouldn’t look like a lobster at the end of the day…..gosh that’s hard work. And don’t forget having to remove the sand from everywhere, including yourself, when the day is over! So exhausting! I think you are starting to figure out why my friends don’t feel sorry for me!
It really was a fun and relaxing week spent with family. I loved that we weren’t on a schedule, and could go at our own pace. Especially being able to sleep in each morning, and not having to be in a hurry to get anywhere. Except for the day that we drove to Pensacola to watch the Navy Blue Angels training session. Now that’s an event that will make your heart race as you watch the planes come within 18 inches of each other! A couple of days we had to wait for thunderstorms to pass through in the morning, before we could go out. But I didn’t mind, since I liked to chill at the house for a little bit after waking up anyway.
I’ve been to many beaches on my trips, but most of those were just walking along the beach long enough to stick my feet in the water and head out to the next destination on that trip. There was only one other time that I actually had a beach vacation and spent the day at the beach, swimming and playing in the water. So to spend a whole week at the beach this time was new to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect. We had fun riding boogie boards, and laughing at each other getting knocked down by the waves. Diving for sand dollars. Wave jumping, which I think I need to add to my resume because it actually takes talent to jump at just the right moment so that you don’t get a face full of water, or knocked down completely. There was also some sunbathing going on, but for me it was a lot of shade-bathing because I was afraid of turning out well-done. Some people love the sun, but the shade has always been my happy place. Throw in a light breeze, and I’m good to go! Which is why the evenings by the pool were right up my alley.
