I got to enjoy plenty of days at the beach; in fact, of my 15 days there (not counting the travel days among my "there" days), 10 of them saw me spending at least 3 hours at the beach. Since my in-laws live in a coastal town and a drive out to the beach is about 8 minutes, going there often was completely convenient.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of sand between my toes!!
Aren't the blues of the ocean incredible?
A familiar sight in Florida is an alligator. This guy was lying on the bank of a roadside irrigation canal. Yes, I zoomed in on him a bit, but he was quite close to our car actually. Believe it or not, in my 20-something years, I was heavy into waterskiing (my husband barefooted, but I used a ski), and I thought nothing of jumping into the gator-infested lakes and rivers of central Florida. I look back now and wonder if I was insane, for I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am too chicken to do that anymore.
I'm not that great at photo-taking, but this seagull came out pretty well.
I have to admit that I have never gotten on board the "tans are unhealthy" page. While I used an SPF 30 for a couple days, it wasn't long before I graduated to this 0 SPF dark tanning oil. Talk about the smell of the tropics in a bottle!!!
Here I am sporting my post-Florida sun-kissed skin...as well as the longer, darker, mostly bang-less hairstyle I have recently adopted.
Much as I loved my vacation and would have enjoyed it lasting another two (or more!) weeks, I DID miss the classic movie part of my life while I was gone. Quite honestly, I was going into withdrawals for want of a great classic film, and now that I am home, I am ready to OD on them. Besides watching, though, I also quite missed writing my reviews and visiting all of you. So, now that I am settled back into the routine of life, I plan on catching up with all my dear blog friends and writing a daily film review.
Wishing you all a joyous day...and plenty of happy viewing!!!
Patti...you look gorgeous ~ sun kissed and relaxed :) xxxxx ~victoria~
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria, but I'm not so sun-kissed anymore...the tan is fading fast. But my "sunshine tank" got a re-charge, and that was what was most important. I can make it through whatever remaining days we have of cool weather!
Deleteyou do have the happy look of a beach girl! your photos are wonderful. so glad you had such a good time!!
ReplyDeletestill a one-fingered typist here.
best,
bonnie
Indeed, a happy beach girl. Sun, sand, and sea does so much for my spirit!!
DeleteHope you're on the mend, Bonnie, and that you will have full use of both hands before long.
Patti, I'm so glad that you had a wonderful time. You look fantastic with your awesome Florida tan. I love the blue skies and water of Florida, but.. you can keep the alligator. It has been awhile since I had my painted toes in the sand.. What a lucky girl you are.. I will go back and read more about your vacation.
ReplyDeleteEven though you don't have the beach where you live, Dawn, I know you enjoy having the warmth and sunshine. You and I are fellow warmth lovers!!
DeleteYou take a great photograph.
ReplyDeleteLooking at this selection I could almost feel the warmth of the Florida sun.
Thanks, Paul...I'm learning. My outdoor photos turned out pretty well, but my indoor ones are horribly blurry. I haven't yet learned the art of photography, especially when using a flash. But, hey, I HAVE learned to upload my photos from the camera to the computer and from there to my blog, etc. That is more than I knew how to do a month ago!! (My kids have always done it for me.) Old dogs really can learn new tricks!!
DeleteYou look so beautiful with your Florida tan and your longer hair Patti! The pictures are wonderful and gave me butterflies in my tummy to be heading there next month, I'll have to show these to Kyran when he gets home today.
ReplyDeleteWhen my dad and step mom were having their house built they rented a tiny condo that had a little river just out the front door, there was an alligator living in there...we would sit outside in the evenings and he would crawl out of the water but never came very close to us. If he had, I would've made a very quick beeline indoors!
Thanks, Victoria...my Florida tan is fading quickly...so sad!! But I am really liking my hair longer, especially since I bought that new flat iron.
DeleteI am not at all surprised to hear that there was an alligator in a river near your dad and step mom's condo. They seem to be in every body of water in the state. My in-laws have a small pond in their neighborhood, and there is a gator in there. It always freaks me out to see little dogs running along the edge of the pond...I've heard stories of dogs getting snatched by gators that way.
Oh- It makes me miss living in FL so much. I am so glad you were able to get away for an extended period of rest and relaxation. Now...get those movies cranked up! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI miss living in Florida too. Visits are great (I also went last May for 2 weeks), but I really miss it the other 50 weeks of the year.
DeletePatti, I have told you before: you are very brave, that alligator would have made run in the opposite direction!
ReplyDeleteThe sun looks good on you. I hope you can go back to Florida soon and enjoy the sun, the sand and the ocean.