Hey Steem Fam! I hope everyone is starting out the week well so far. I very much enjoyed my weekend at the beach with some gal pals to recharge the mind and body. I hadn't taken any time off really all year, so it was well past time to load up the car for a quick road trip. Besides being so long since I had taken a vacation at all, it had also been quite some time since doing so with close friends. There really is something special about taking time out of our busy schedules to enjoy each other's company for longer than just one evening at a time. So good for the soul!
I actually got very few pictures of all of us since part of my personal plan for the weekend was to reach for my phone as little as possible. Luckily one of the other ladies snapped some nice shots, though it may take her some time to send them all over. I did capture some nice shots of the beach here and there when I just couldn't help myself. However, the weather was not the most cooperative for our getaway. This was probably the least amount of beach time I've ever spent when going to the BEACH. As they say, you can't control the weather. I still got a good enough feel for Navarre Beach to know that I would very much enjoy another trip. Florida has plenty of lovely beaches with all different experiences to offer. This one seemed nice and quiet, which suits me just fine!
After about 5 hours in the car, we reached our Airbnb. I've been seeing my pals @dandays and @puravidaville enjoy their stays using the site all across the world, but this was my first time booking. We were all so impressed with the little condo where we stayed. I already left a nice review for the hosts sharing how awesome it was to have a clean, well-stocked home away from home for the weekend. All we had to do was walk across the street to get to the lovely beach. Nothing beats sticking your toes in the sand for the first time, even with strong winds and grey clouds.
I think @tattoodjay will like the pier that was only half a mile down the beach as he always shares his amazing local pier pictures. It was nice to stretch out our legs after all that car time, as well as get the lay of the land. No one was in the water since they had a double red flag due to rip tide conditions. The weather was a bit cool for my swimming pleasure anyway.
The underside of the pier made for some cool photos, but then we also walked around to get on top and stroll down the length.
Upon returning from our walk, we cracked open some beverages, put on comfy clothes and proceeded to laugh and enjoy the evening. At some point the other three ladies decided that despite the copious amounts of snacks that we brought, they had a hankering for pizza. I can't recall the entire exchange as my friend called to place the order, but the gentleman on the phone was thoroughly entertained. Somehow it ended up in him suggesting the 18.5-inch pizza, along with lots of giggles on our end. What's a girls trip without the fun, right? 😂 I was in the shower when the pie was delivered, so I missed that part of the exchange....
Saturday started out with more of the same weather as Friday evening, though we did sit out on the beach for a short while before retiring inside as the rains finally came in. We once again entertained ourselves with mimosas and utter garbage television until the storms passed us by. Games might have been nice, but I can't say the rare chance to totally veg out wasn't nice, too.
Luckily the weather took a turn in the right direction when we walked down to dinner! The restaurant had a nice little back patio to enjoy our meal and catch the sunset as the clouds finally cleared out just enough. I was really happy to find they had not only a vegan burger option, but also chickpea tacos. The day before the small restaurant we went to also had the most delicious vegan burrito I've ever had. Thank goodness for options to keep my belly full since this running gal can't live on snacks alone!
Speaking of...Sunday morning heralded our last few hours of vacation, but two of us got up with the sun to enjoy a four-mile run in the wee hours of the morning. It was cool and crisp, rare for most Florida mornings I've ever experienced! I was definitely happy to get the exercise before our return trip in the car. There was not only a sidewalk along the length of the road, but also a wide bike lane which offered a safe and enjoyable place to exercise.
Of course we left the day the heavens opened up for the most beautiful sights! A few of us would have loved to stay for a little longer on the beach in the sunshine, but one is a mama with a sweet little daughter at home that she was itching to return to. We did take one more walk down the pier to smell the salty air and catch a few rays on our skin to take with us.
The hours went by way too fast, but the memories will linger for a good bit longer! With our busy lives and family, work and other obligations it might be quite some time before we get another trip like this. I feel very lucky that we got the time that we did, even if there were some bumps in the road just making it happen. Fingers crossed I don't have to wait another year before the next trip...
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