Not a Beach Bum .....yet

      I am not a typical beach bum... I do not like to lay out and tan, I also do not surf and am not a proficient swimmer. I do not have a beach body. So, I guess I am not really a beach bum at all. 

     When I travel to my favorite beach. I do not take chairs or a blanket. I carry a bag with few items. Sunscreen, towels, cameras, snacks and water. Occasionally, we will also bring a bucket to make castles or collect shells.  I have tried lugging chairs, blankets, books, umbrellas... I just do not enjoy myself that way. I do not like to sit or lay there and feel my skin cooking. I love to walk around. I love to try to get the perfect pictures.  I love this particular beach.

    This one particular beach has never been crowded when I have been there. In fact, we practically have the beach to ourselves.  Yes, we do pay to travel on the road that leads to the beach. We pay $8.00 for the week.  For $25.00, we can use the road for a year.  I consider it a bargain. For $8.00, I get to see this beach, walk around, collect shells, play with my children take pictures without someone else's family in them. Oh... occasionally, the sounds of my children and the waves are interrupted by the Blue Angels practicing.  I believe Thursdays they go through their entire show, and they fly over my favorite beach several times. Is it a nuisance or a free show?  I love this beach.

      I am already looking for houses in the Florida Panhandle. I have not found the perfect house yet. The time isn't quite right. I know that my family is not ready to move to Florida just yet. I am willing to wait for the right house and the right time. In the meantime, I wonder if I will still love this beach as much if I can visit it more than twice each year. What if this is just my version of a mid-life crisis? 

     I really cannot spend too much time on the worry.  Right now this is a dream in progress. It is meant to be desired and savored. It is not meant to be picked apart by fear and worry.  It is meant to be breathtaking and spectacular.  It is meant to be a dream until it is able to become my reality. Someday, I will be able to go to this peaceful place year round.

    Oh, I hear you wondering if my beach will become noisy, overcrowded, polluted, or otherwise ruined before I can live my dream.  Well, it is not likely, since my favorite beach is protected. It is part of a bird nesting area and is well guarded.  It is a long 8 mile road and sometimes the speed limit is 5 mph.  I love this beach. Hopefully, there will be no change to the protected status of this beach.

     I leave you with this taste of my dream...