We’re back in Illinois … where the weather is every bit as pleasant as it was in Florida (but even so, there’s no comparison … there’s no beach here in Illinois – obviously). And while I’m glad to be back home again, in my nest, surrounded by my things, and near the people I love, part of my heart is still back there on the beach.
We had a wonderful time. We left right after the Ts’ soccer games and made it about 6 hours down the road. We had a short enough drive on day 2 that we had several hours of daylight in St. Augustine Beach. As soon as we got checked in, we made a bee line for the beach.
There’s just something about being where sand and water meet … I can literally feel the lifting of burdens and the calming of my spirit in a way that nowhere else can.
We spent the morning of day 3 seeing the sites in historic St. Augustine.
We drove further south the afternoon of day 3 until we reached our final destination. Of course, as soon as we unpacked the car, we headed to the beach. It was just as beautiful as I remembered it. The water is just so clear and so blue.
We had planned to spend day 4 at the beach, but we got caught in a couple of showers and decided that perhaps that day would be the best day to head to Everglades National Park … and it couldn’t have been a better day there. We saw more alligators than we could possibly count. We saw a multitude of different kinds of birds. And we saw not one but TWO manatees! I almost shouted for joy (every spring when we go to Florida, I always hope to be able to see a manatee … but until this spring, I never had).
Day 5 was our day to see the Cardinals play. We got our seats early were in the 4th row from the field … made for a lot of good “photo ops”. I won’t bore you all with pictures of all the players, but I just have to show you one … so how about a picture of the Cardinals’ closer warming up to come into the game.
Days 6 and 7 were spent relaxing at the beach … that may not sound as exciting as days 4 and 5, but they were the highlights of the trip … just love soaking up the sun, feeling the sand between my toes and the waves crashing around my ankles.
Day 8 came before I knew it … and it was time to head north. Here, at the conclusion of day 9, we’re back home. And it’s true … there’s no place like home.
Welcome home! Sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful time! I love the beach too. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Oh the trip sounds wonderful! There's no place like the beach in my book too. We live in Cali so of course we can head to the beach whenever we'd like, and yet it is still my favorite place to go and stay. We rented a beach house FREQUENTLY when the kids were growing up and truthfully some of the best memories EVER were made there. Glad you had a good time...but your right, there's no place like home. Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. Sounds like you had a full and relaxing time. I'm so glad for you. The way you feel about the beach is the way I feel about the woods, by a lake. Just let all the cares of life go. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful time! I'll bet it's great to be home though!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a WONDERFUL time!!! I didnt know manateees came that close! I learned something! :)
ReplyDeleteNow, back to life, huh?
I am so glad you had nice weather and an even nicer time! Really two manatees? That is awesome, I have always wanted to see one.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are great.
It is always so nice to get home though. Welcome back! I was thinking about you last night before bed and I wondered if you had got back yet.
Hi Kathy, Loved seeing the sights of your trip-oh the beauty of St. Augustine. As you described what the ocean does for you, it reminded me that this is how my hubby feels when he is at the ocean(which is why we go to the islands every two years). I also fell in love with the Everglades when we were there-so beautiful and I never thought they would be. Glad you're back home though.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Noreen
Oh, I think you need an IPhone too! :o)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great trip to me and I do love Florida and have been many, many times but not in a couple of years. Need to do something about that.
We're headed to Charleston, SC on the 13th and are so excited. We've never been and hear it is the best time to go. We shall see.
Guess you've been busy getting settled back in. There really is no place like home!
Sounds heavenly! We're headed to the beach next month and I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! You trip sounds divine. I could use a day or two on the beach right about now :) We have visited St. Augustine a couple of times, and I enjoyed our visits there.
ReplyDeletehello! popping in from the A-Z challenge. Beautiful blog! My son and daughter-in-law live in St. Augustine. It IS a cool city! I have an aunt in Henry, IL. Are you familiar with that small town? Beautiful quilt block. I was on a quilting frenzy about 5 years ago. It just takes so much time, and I have too many interruptions, but I love them! So nice to find you!
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