Scenes From Florida, Part III: Beach Edition

One of the things I'll remember most about our Florida trip is our day at the beach. It was a gorgeous beach--a private beach for the members of the community that Nolan's Mimi and Papa belong to. The sand was white, the water warm...probably what most Gulf Coast beaches look like in Florida, but unlike any I've encountered on California's Pacific coast. There were shells all over the place, shells the little girl in me couldn't help but sift through and gather to take with me. Of course, Nolan couldn't have cared less about them--boys *sigh*! Consequently, now that I've brought them back home, I'm not quite sure what to do with them...too pretty to throw away, and they're the best kind of souvenir (free!), but I'm not sure I've got enough design sensibility to show them off in the appropriate way. Anyhoo...

Pictures, you say? WELL WHADDYA KNOW, I HAVE A FEW RIGHT HERE!


This beach was on an island and required a short boat ride to get there. Score! Check that one off of Nolan's life to-do list (what, isn't "boat ride to private beach" on everyone's to-do list?)


I also became enamored with the clouds in Florida while I was there. Because the clouds? So fluffy! So perfect! And yes! They do taste just like cotton candy!


Mimi and Papa in their natural habitat--a boat. (GO OBAMA! WOO!)


There were beach chairs and umbrellas there for our use. Livin' large....also, CLOUDS! I LUV U!!!


Nolan and Brian on the pathway back to the boat. A good time was had by all. Also, did I mention the clouds? OMG I LOVES U MARRY ME!!!!


HCW, Uncle C, and Papa look yonder on the boat ride home. Sidenote: We saw dolphins swimming in our wake on the way there! It was very cool--dolphins are so cute and cuddly...well, maybe more slimy than cuddly. But, seriously, who doesn't love dolphins? I don't think anyone. (GO OBAMA! WOO!)


One more shot of the lovely beach for good measure. I think that's Papa strolling out there in the white t-shirt, with Uncle C and HCW playing in the water just beyond him. The waves (the few that rolled in) were very small, so everyone, including Nolan, was able to swim with the fishies. Word has it that the fish there like to snack on moles on your back--oh yes, you read that right--but that's a story for Uncle C to tell *shudder*


Papa, looking dapper at the bow of the boat. HE'S THE KING OF THE WO....alright, I won't go there. Admit it, though, everyone thinks it at the front of any boat. Don't try to deny it. (nom nom nom CLOUDS) (GO OBAMA! WOOOO!)

And last, but not least, a video. At one point, Nolan was rolling around on the shore like he was Tyra at a Sports Illustrated cover shoot. But of course, as soon as we grabbed the camera, he stopped. Anyway, here's the resulting (boring) video:



It was a perfect end to a lovely trip. I hope we'll be able to visit again, and often, so that Nolan can have happy memories of spending time with his family there. THANK YOU MIMI AND PAPA!!