I really really miss living by the beach. After I graduated college and got married, my Mr. and I moved to Sarasota for a year. It was glorious. I worked four long days and had three days off each week. I knew living in Sarasota was somewhat temporary so I took full advantage of that year and went to the beach every chance I got. We lived in a tiny (as in 400-square-foot tiny) blue house in downtown Sarasota. It. Was. Awesome. An adventure.
The beach relaxes me. Gives me clarity. Helps me think. I can hyperfocus. Read pages and pages of books and magazines. Walk up and down it for hours. It’s a pretty endless source of entertainment for me.
After my brother’s wedding, me and 17 members of my mom’s side of the family graced the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. After a jam-packed wedding weekend, it was perfect to just — do nothing. Be with family. I didn’t fully unplug because the wrath of that is more email than I can handle when I get home, so I did a little work here and there, but minimal.
I played in the ocean with my niece and nephew, drank some wine with the adults, and played Mexican Train Dominoes with my cousins. We rented a beach house (right on the beach) with a screened in porch and a open air deck. I didn’t leave it to go anywhere. Not the store, not out to eat. Nowhere. Just stayed in the beach house, and went to the beach.
Did I mention I miss living by the beach? I miss living by the beach. The waves are the most beautiful natural white noise. The water is beautiful and warm in the Gulf. The beaches are powdery. The breeze is constant…
My mom, her husband, and my nephew.
On the beach with my niece.
When you think the beach doesn’t get any better, the Blue Angels do a few practice runs every morning. Yes, it was that cool.
I brought my running shoes, but I wasn’t about to wear them in the sand, so I ran barefoot. That was, well, hard. Hard in general and hard on my feet. I only did that one morning.
My nephew is the type of kid that hates to be still. He’s full of energy and is always on the go, moving, climbing everything in sight, running — it’s exhausting just watching him! I was able to steal him away from my sister after she woke him up from a nap while he was still willing to be held by anyone besides his mom or dad. Literally, when she walked out onto the patio with him in her arms I was like “GIVE HIM TO ME.” I knew the opportunity to do this is getting slimmer and slimmer considering I don’t live near them, so I held him every chance I got. He’s almost 2!
While the kiddos were down for a nap I stole some quite time on the beach to reread The Great Gatsby. I wanted to read it again before I went to see the new movie. Good decision.
I’m not even 2 yet, but I sure am handsome…
This guy was strolling along the beach all week like he owned it.
I’ve never been on a beach vacation like this before. 18 family members, a huge house instead of a hotel, fixing all the meals instead of eating out (okay I didn’t actually fix any of the meals, but I did help clean up). It was busy with people, but still relaxing. I could handle another week on the beach with my husband just reading and drinking and maybe some hiking or yoga though… meanwhile my brother just arrived in Hawai’i for his honeymoon for 10 days. I’m trying not to think about it.
What’s your favorite beach vacation?
Love the babies on the beach! So sweet! Glad you had a great time!
THIS was my favorite beach vacation. Love all around me….my children, my grandchildren, my sister, my brother, my nieces & nephews, the in-laws and the out-laws…..and lots of happiness.
Girl, I TOTALLY hear you. I lived by the beach for three years in Australia and though I’m happy to be back in my hometown with family and friends, I could really use a beach around here! Running in a park or by the river just ain’t the same. Also, aren’t big family vacations just the best? Our family rented a house in the south of France a few years back and I still consider it my best vacation ever – doing nothing but eat, drink, sit in the sun, laugh, love. Love it!
adorable pictures and totally agree… we just got back from our honeymoon in mexico and I’m in nyc craving the beach. just found your blog & i’m in love 🙂
Thanks Missy!
Meg, my family plays Mexican Train all the time at our beach house! I’ve never run into anyone else that knows how to play, but I feel like I’ve taught pretty much all of my friends by now. Glad to know its a favorite of yours too!
SO. GORGEOUS. Just got back a few weeks ago, but looking at your pics made me want to go again ASAP. Thanks for sharing! Looks like you had an amazing time. xoxo!
thank you for sharing a glimpse into your special time..looked so very wonderful
xx
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I love the beach too. Water centers me, beach water that is. Growing up my family and our neighborhood friends always rented a beach house in Destin for 2 weeks. It was heaven. I miss those days:-)
Glad you had a great trip with your Fam!
I love the beach, too! I live in KC, but my husband and I took a trip a few years ago to Florida and considered moving there. It was just so nice to be near water. I totally hear you about running on the beach. I did that once, thinking it was going to be this great experience, only to get a mile and realize that my feet were bleeding! It was like running on sandpaper. Maybe the beach I was on wasn’t soft enough sand. Looks like a great trip!
I definitely relate to your post – love being near the ocean; nothing makes me feel more relaxed!
I don’t know if you have had a chance to take advantage of the beaches near DC, but a weekend in Bethany or Rehobeth can be all you need to feel relaxed and rejuvenated (Avoid Dewey or VA Beach if you’re not looking to party!). Even spending the day walking along the river at James River State Park in Virginia (1.5 hours out of the city) can be a great way to be near water while getting away from it all.
I found you while looking for things to do on our vacation to Alabama (family lives there). We always seem to end up at a couple of the amusement parks but after seeing this, we definitely have to look at the beach as well!