It’s vacation season. And like many of you, Shelley and I are off to enjoy a week with kids and grandkids at the beach. We would be just as happy to have that rendezvous on the Potomac River, where we spend many days in the summer with family. Yet, we’ve fallen in love with Rosemary Beach in the Seacrest community on the Gulf Coast of Florida, situated along 30A between Destin to the west and Panama City to the East.
It’s idyllic. It’s also pricey, but worth the cost. We’ll be in a large rental with lots of space to spread out and relax on multistory balconies, porches, and an outdoor area to do cookouts. Our grandkids are 11, 11, 9, 7, and 5 years old. They are—as we like to say—the “dessert of life.” Gammy has plans for game nights each evening. We’ll see how that works. Sometimes the sweetness of these little guys fades as the evening grows long and fatigue sets in. But it’s a fun thought.
Board games surpass the electronic distractions of the “gaming” sort. Imagine that. Kids playing cards, dominoes, and games that require using their hands to advance toward success as opposed to thumbs to dart electronically here and there. Yes, we’re 75 and a bit old-style, preferring to use our eyes and hands to deal cards or manipulate small tokens in the physical realm. (I use my thumbs in conjunction with the remaining fingers to grasp a cold beverage.)
The beach at Seacrest is just spectacular. White sand, warm, clear water that often reveals small fish and an occasional jellyfish to avoid. The waves vary based on the wind, but they are ideal for riding the surf. On a normal day, the adults will take turns taking the kids there. However, the pool alternative is very enticing.
In the center of Seacrest is a huge pool complex that offers a lot of space for adults and kids alike. Every hour, there’s a 15-minute timeout for swimmers, soakers, loungers, and those who enjoy the water without little ones splashing about. The pool is my favorite spot to read, play with the grands, and enjoy an adult beverage. No glassware, and better to take your own lunch made at home than shelling out for it at the poolside snack bar.
There are also many very nice shops in and near the community. Yes, both cheap and expensive stuff. Ice cream parlors are a favorite of our grands after dinner. All of this is within walking distance, so as the sun sets, a walk to secure ice cream in the cool of the evening is a special treat.
Each of the homes comes with bikes for residents to use. So, touring the community the old-fashioned way is fun. I like to take an early morning jaunt before the heat arrives. Others do as well. But frequently people out for a ride pass me. The days of running are for others now. That’s what three hip surgeries will do for you.
The downside is that we can’t take our Yellow Lab, Woody. He’s boarding with his trainer this week. He’ll be fine palling around with his dog friends. But we will miss him. So will the grands; they love him to pieces. And of course, I will do some writing each day to preserve my sanity. I have a book ready for a publisher but need to tie up a few edits before I send off the revised draft.
We’ll spend most evenings cooking for ourselves. The house has a wonderful outdoor grill arrangement, and the dads will put their BBQ skills to work while others put together the healthy part of the meal. In the morning, we’ll make pancakes. Always a favorite. And there is also the nearby doughnut shop that serves up fresh ones at 6:00 AM. Yep, it’s an early adventure, but few things are more fun than seeing the wide eyes of grandkids when the doughnuts arrive. While these delights wreck our diets, they are quite happy-making.
We’ll be taking I-95 south and then, after entering Florida, I-10 westward. It’s long, but with occasional stops (Buc-ee’s is our favorite), it’s fun, nonetheless. If you have not had a Buc-ee’s experience, you really need to. Their brisket sandwiches and candied pecans, well, they’re the best. Yep, very southern also.
I recall the first time my parents took us to Florida circa 1956. We stayed near St. Augustine and had loads of fun. But I was a kid then. Seventy years later, being a grandaddy is a lot more fun, even if I’m a lot slower. To be certain, the memories that vacations like this can deliver will last long after we are gone. And for that reason, they are very special.
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