Okay I’m not really moving to Florida, but I want to. I mean I really really want to. We just returned from a family vacation to Indian Rocks Beach, Florida and I easily could have stayed forever! But the government frowns on these sorts of things apparently so I did come back but not without a bit of kicking and screaming involved 🙂
For 36 years of my life I grew up in a small northern town on the coast of British Columbia right beside the ocean. I love the ocean. Then I moved to Alberta where the only bodies of water I could admire came in the form of lakes or rivers. Not quite as grand as an ocean that never ends that is for sure. So why does this girl, who let me remind you hates to travel with a passion, not just go back to visit the Pacific ocean she grew up with instead of traveling for an entire day with high levels of stress and anxiety to an ocean far far away?
Four reasons.
Four very simple reasons that make travel headaches and customs maneuvering totally worth it.
1. Warm ocean water (who knew this was even possible?)
2. White fine powdery sand that isn’t hot to the touch (amazing!)
3. Palm trees (Canada has very few palm trees)
4. Heat (oh glorious hot hot heat and yes I really do love it!)
The northern BC coast has none of those things. Northern Alberta doesn’t so much either. So every once and awhile I just need to get out of the north for awhile, travel for 12 plus hours on two or three different airplanes, to eventually arrive at my happy place.
The minute I walked over this bridge below and caught my first glimpse of the ocean I could feel my shoulders relax and all tension disappear. So soothing to my soul it is.
The 3 bedroom house we rented (once again through VRBO.com) was awesome and perfect for the hot sunny days with a private pool in the backyard and just a short walk to the ocean. If you are looking for a great place to stay for a family holiday, I can’t recommend this place more highly (not sponsored by the way, I literally spent at least 40 hours sourcing homes out). This place was really bright and fun and my daughter thought it was so funny that the colors matched my blog ha!
Aren’t the framed retro bathing suits on the back wall awesome?
Master bedroom
Backyard
I don’t have any food pictures to share with you this time around except for all the delicious new foods I found at the local grocery store. The reason renting a house was so important to us was because we were traveling with my food allergic son (14) and needed access to a kitchen. To keep things safe for him, we ate every meal in which I won’t lie was really hard for me. One of my very favorite things to do on vacation (besides hit up every single gift shop) is to try the local restaurants and eat foods I might not normally get to otherwise. However my son didn’t have a single food reaction while on vacation (praise God!!) so it was definitely worth it to us PLUS this is the first vacation where I actually lost weight so that was a sweet added bonus to not indulging in restaurant food!!
Finally I just have to share with you who I got to meet while we were there. One of my awesome contributors, Rachel from Useful Beautiful Home, just moved to Tampa and stopped in one day with her daughter for a visit and a swim. I was so excited to finally meet her in person. She is delightful y’all and her daughter is just too sweet. Rachel and I could have talked for hours!
So sadly I guess I won’t be moving to Florida anytime soon but that won’t stop me from dreaming up ways to make it happen. Anyone want to hire me as their very own personal organizer? I promise I wouldn’t be any trouble and I’d keep your house running smoothly at all times. In return I only ask that occasionally you let me out to take a peek at the ocean and walk barefoot along the shore with the warm sun on my face. Okay? Do we have a deal?
Related posts:
Facts and Fascinations About My Trip to Hawaii
Facts and Fascinations About My Trip to Florida
Facts and Fascinations About My Trip to New York
Beth says
I live in Riverview, which is about 45 minutes from Indian Rocks Beach. I am so glad you were able to enjoy all the things I love about the wonderful west coast of Florida. Even after living here all my life, our annual family vacation is still spent at the beach, and most weekends are spent at the beach or on the boat. I have always said that salt water therapy is the best kind of therapy! Coming home from the beach last weekend, my husband and I were commenting on how lucky we are to live here and enjoy the Gulf of Mexico all year round!
Laura says
Oh Beth how wonderful that you get to enjoy that gloriousness all year round. It really is magical 🙂
Rae says
Canada does have palm trees. 🙂 I’ve seen some on the Lower Mainland around Vancouver and there are tons on Vancouver Island. In Tofino, you get white sand beaches AND palm trees even! 😉
Laura says
Thanks for reminding me Rae 🙂 I lived way up north in BC so we didn’t get to see them but I did live in Nanaimo for two years and remember visiting beautiful Tofino a few times.
eden says
As a young single adult, I lived just a mile from IRB. I’ve gone back for visits every chance I could. Just like you, as soon as I see the water, tension flees. Even in rush hour on the Howard Franklin Bridge, the water would relax me immediately. My aunt us getting ready to move just south of there and I can’t wait! My girls are already planning annual trips to visit the… no I wasn’t going to say beach I really was going to say Aunt Mary 🙂
Laura says
lol…oh wow how awesome would it be to have someone to visit there. It really is amazing!!
Kim @ Homesteader's Heart says
For a split second I got all excited. I thought we were going to be neighbors. LOL! I’m glad you enjoyed it here. I love Florida too and I’m from Maine originally. But Florida is where my heart is now. That house is amazing. Loved all the bright fun colors. They did a great job decorating it.
Have a lovely day.
Kim
Laura says
I wish I was moving there Kim! How awesome is it that you get to enjoy it everyday. So beautiful!
Judy says
Hi Laura! How fortunate to meet Rachel there IRL! You two are my internet heroes, I recently told my hubby that you and Rachel would be proud if you could see how your influence has helped me create the home and laundry room of my dreams! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
oooh beach. how I long for it!
Angela says
I live in Northwest Florida on the Gulf – most beautiful green water and sugar white sands… love Florida’s beaches. 🙂
And aren’t beach houses fun???? Where else could you decorate with such vibrant, sassy colors???
Yvonne says
I love Indian Rocks Beach! We did the old home rental deal way back when I was a teen. My family and I stayed 10 days. I’m glad the home you rented was cheery and bright (ours was…well , neither back in the 70’s). Still I loved walking just 1 house length to the beach and only 1 block to the grocery store. I still have sea shells, coral, and sand dollars from that trip. I’d love to go back some day and enjoy that glorious warm Gulf water again
Susanne says
Am I allowed to admit that I am having vacation envy? I so want to go to a nice beach like that! I’m glad you had a wonderful time with your family!
Marcia Francois says
I’m with you on stress leaving with just the sight of the ocean 🙂 As you saw on my IG, we’ve just spent 5 glorious days in Ballito for my birthday!
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
That beach house looks amazing! So glad you enjoyed your trip!
Becky L says
I laughed when I saw this post. Same day I was at Subway getting lunch. I met a family from Canada, I thought of you, but no it wasn’t you. Sigh! I’m glad you had a good trip. I love the coast as well, even tho OR is cooler than FL. You could come on down here and help with my office space…..i am fretting….just throw out all this mess…..won’t miss….one more day today. I have high hopes and it just is sorta coming together. Sigh! Take care! Oh yes, then we could go to the beach together..I’ll even drive! Enjoy your day!