Good To Go

We arrived in Santa Rosa Beach, Fl, early yesterday evening to begin our annual end of summer week long vacation at the beach.  We're staying in Old Florida Village, as we have in years past.  This time, we're staying in "Good to Go" a house near the back of the development but still just a walk away from the swimming pool.

Last night, unwinding, I stayed up a little too late watching the beginning of the final season of "Sons of Anarchy" and reading (and drinking a "Tiny Bomb" or two - a pilsner craft brewed at Wiseacre in Memphis).  The boys had no pity and woke up about 6 a.m.  Once they woke up, we were up.  I went for a 4 mile punishment trail run while Jude and the boys went to the beach.  When I finished my run, the boys had breakfast then we went to the pool.

This afternoon, Joe and I drove over to Seaside.  While he napped in the City Elite next to be at the Great Southern Cafe, I sat at the bar and had a drink.  I rolled him over to Amavida for a cup of coffee (me) and sippy cup of mile (Joe) after he woke up.  He and I met Jude and J.P. at the beach for some late afternoon ocean time.

Then, we ate dinner (Local Catch) and drove down to Blue Mountain Beach Creamery to see our friend, Jed.  We were astonished to see the line for ice cream stretched out into the street.  We walked around the pick-up window and motioned for Jed.  His eyes lit up when he saw us (and especially J.P.).  One of the great things about coming to the same place for vacation every year is getting to know some of the locals.  Jed hooked us up with free ice cream, which was a really nice thing for him to do.  We felt like V.I.P's.

On day 1 of our vacation this year, I already can see we've turned a corner with the boys.  J.P. and Joe love the beach and the ocean.  Unlike last year and years past (when J.P. was much younger), there's was no fussing today about getting in the ocean.  To the contrary, Joe couldn't wait to play in the waves.  J.P. was all over the place - catching fish with a net, body surfing and riding a boogie board.  It's cool, as for the first time at the beach, he's a little self-sufficient.  We watch him, but we don't have to be right beside him in the ocean all the time.  Granted,  he's staying near at the shore at our direction, but still it's progress.

For perhaps the first time, today on the beach I could see the future a little bit.  One day, not too terribly far away, the boys will be off on their own playing with friends when we're at the beach.  Jude and I will just sit in our beach chair and smile, remembering trips like this (and those in the past) when all the boys wanted to do was hang out with us.

Sigh.