My family has been enjoying the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, my parents, brothers and I went frequently. I remember playing in the waves, catching crabs and even my dad laying on his back and burying his belly in the sand so he would look thin! Seafood dinners out and cooking fresh seafood were always part of the vacation.
As an adult and with children of my own now, my husband and I have been taking our family to the Gulf Coast for more than 20 years and have had the same great fun. Watching my children in the sand and surf for the first times are memories I cherish and a sight I will never forget. Callie didn’t like the feel of the sand at first and Duncan, like everything else, just wanted to eat it. Some of the same restaurants I went to as a child, we have taken our own children to. The Back Porch in Destin was a tiny A-frame house that had the best chicken sandwiches on the beach, but if you wanted ketchup, you had to pay an extra nickel a package. With our children we have enjoyed swimming with dolphins and shopping at every Alvin’s Island along the strip. And of course, a trip to the Gulf would not be complete without endless shopping at the outlet mall! We have parasailed, cruised on jet skis, gone deep sea fishing and enjoyed many sunsets while grilling our catch of the day. Some summers the jelly fish were so horrible we could hardly get in the water. Two summers in particular, we weathered hurricanes in the stairway of our condo and still were bound and determined to get back next year.
The Gulf has provided so many precious memories for my family. After making reservations to return this year, the thought has never crossed my mind to cancel our trip. Our favorite beach has given us so much joy in the past that is would be a shame to break our tradition and it’s our turn to give back and support it now. In fact, we leave in three days for a week of sun and sand and I can’t wait. Although the oil tragedy in our Gulf is just that, a horrible tragic mistake, it’s going to take more than a few spots of oil on the beach to keep us away. You know the saying:
“A bad day at the beach is better than...” well, come to think of it, I don’t think there is such a thing as a bad day at the beach with friends and family. If a little seaweed or oil spots get in your way, there are tons of restaurants and entertainment for all and of course, an Alvin’s Island on every corner. I wish you and your family a great summer, a very Happy Fourth of July and come Saturday, warm wishes from the beach I love so much!
