How To Have The Most Terrific And Fun Vacation On Florida’s West Coast Beaches
Posted: Tuesday, August 24, 2010
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
You may think this is really strange but I grew up in an area just about 8 miles to the nearest beach and yet, our family always vacationed at the beach. When I was a girl, we always stayed at the nearby beaches for at least a week during the summer.
When I close my eyes, I can still see one of the cottages that we rented. It had a huge front porch with a great view. I would be on that porch with my little red transistor radio blasting out "The Wayward Wind" by Gogi Grant.
In those days, the cottages were not air-conditioned, which was a good thing because at night you could hear the waves crashing, which was an awesome comforting sound.
Days consisted of riding the waves and getting a tan, eating and just plain relaxing. Usually the hottest part of the day we went to Howard Johnson's for an ice cream. Then we would come home and play board games before going to the beach for our late afternoon swim.
Then, when I grew up and had my own family, the tradition continued. We would go to a nearby beach for our vacation. It is a wonderful place for little children (I had 4 daughters in 6 years, so we always had a little one). The little girls always made mud pies and built sand castles. We taught them how to ride the waves and when they were old enough, we would buy rafts for them. Cottages were gradually torn down and were being replaced by beautiful condos or hotels. We would usually stay in a condo that also had a swimming pool.
As the years went by and my daughters grew up, we continued the tradition. Each family would rent their own condo and what a great place to enjoy your grandchildren. Most of the time we did our own cooking, although there are many wonderful restaurants at the beach. Did I mention that food tastes better at the beach? Even a tuna sandwich tastes like a gourmet dinner when you are surrounded by crashing waves and sunsets.
Usually, we would go for a week that included the 4th of July. There is nothing more beautiful and moving as seeing fireworks on the beach. One year when I was doing the planning, I sent our this poetic invitation to my daughters, their husbands and children:
4th Of July Vision
I was just thinking how nice it would be
To go to a place where the sun meets the sea.
A place where we can wade along the water's edge
And feel our troubles drift away like the time that slowly ebbs.
A Shangri-la of sunsets shells and sand
Where the breezeway view is so awesomely grand.
A place where we can celebrate the 4th of July with a blast
Moving into the future with memories from the past.
Swimming, play, lounging by the pool,
Eating pizza and trying to stay cool.
Then, after dark, listening to the waves crash as they hit the beach,
While eating ice cream and thinking this is the ultimate peace.
The last couple of years, we have not been able to go to the beach with our children, but I am fully planning on it next 4th of July. So, my sweet daughters if you are reading this, know that we have missed vacationing with you and plan to resume next year.
The West Coast Florida beaches that I recommend would be Treasure Island, Madiera Beach and Indian Rocks Beach.
Remember the Florida Beach for your vacation:
Just think how nice it would be
To go to a place where the sun meets the sea. 
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More commentsLove this article, and the pictures....and the food DOES taste better at the beach!
Excellent. I always dreamed of my family doing something like this.... and you should definitely not let this tradition go...Thanks, Barbara. I will hold on to the family tradition!
What a wonderful reminder of how great life is when we keep it simple. Thank you for sharing this story Fran. Sue
I love being by the water, beach or lake. I think that is the greatest place to vacation and having family around just makes it a vacation made in heaven as your story so amply shows. Send your daughters notices every week to make sure they make the date for the next vacation. Wonderful heartfelt story Fran.
Ahhh, the pleasure of sharing time with children and grandchildren. I love the beach, but only saw it on rare occasions until moving to Florida about 10 years ago. I always feel like I am on vacation just living in this beautiful state. Can't wait to visit the beaches you recommended in your article. Want to go with me?
Fran, What a lovely story. Those days that you spend with your family like that is so special and remembered forever by each participant. It made me lonesome for my girls and our "Girls Only Week-end" every year. We go to Chicago to shop in November. I'm from Michigan and there hunting deer is very big with the men in our family. The season is from Nov 1 - 15. We close schools on opening day in our area because attendance is low and it is not safe for children to wait at the bus stop. So while the men are away we women get together and begin serious Christmas shopping on Michigan Ave. We have sooo much fun too. We shop 'til we drop, eat every meal out, drink wine and relax in the pool at the hotel before bed. It has made us close and we wouldn't miss it for the world! It is no Florida Beach but for us, it's the BEST. Loved your poems, too
Hi Fran you will get to the beach come next 4th of July even if I have to pay for the vacation myselfYour friendKacy
GREAT article as usual!! We too have MANY memories etched somewhere in the back of our memory banks of family vacations on the "water" as Dad would call it!! Thanks for giving me a reason to shake the dust off, it's unfortunate that so many of us get caught up in everyday life that we don't take a moment (or a few weeks) to enjoy the beauty surrounding us!! I see some sandy footprints in our family's future!!
What a great family tradition...one that hopefully will continue with each generation.
Delightful article Fran. Sorry it's taken me so long to read it. Your descriptions of your time on the beach sounds like my version of heaven. :)
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