Sunday column: Vacation on my mind

Nick plays in the sand for as long as he can stand it.

Thanks Mom and Dad, for all the great family vacations at the beach!

In spite of all my attempts to control it, my mind has been wandering all week.
Before I can even realize, I’m picturing seagulls winging overhead, feeling hot sand burning my feet and tasting saltwater.
I guess my mind has been on vacation as my body works through the regular daily routine at work and at home.
The beach, to me, is the ultimate vacation. I have my parents to thank for this, because every summer when I was growing up, we took a vacation to the beach. Thinking about it now, as an adult, it was probably the most practical vacation option for our family. We’d pack up a couple of ice chests of food (vacation food was much better than the food we ate at home; it included treats like Lunchables and non-healthy snacks) and bring our beach toys, which served us faithfully year after year. All Mom and Dad had to pay for was gas to and from the beach, our hotel room and a few cheap souvenirs at the end of the trip.
See, the beach was what we did on vacation. We didn’t go to amusement parks or water parks or museums or shopping, we went to the beach — for hours upon end, every day. Thinking back, it’s pretty amazing that playing on the beach was enough to keep all six of us occupied and happy for the entirety of our vacation the decade or so we did this.
The occasional jelly fish sting or sand in the eye was really the only complaint I can remember coming up in all those years.
Sometimes we did mix it up in the summer, with a trip to Disney World here, a week in Hot Springs, Ark., there. But, I think we all agreed that the beach was the best.
That’s why, even once our family vacations dissipated as my siblings and I went off to college and got jobs, every chance I got I’d head for the beach.
Although Pensacola, Fla., was my family’s beach of choice, I’m really not particular when it comes to getting a chance to bake in the sun and watch the tide roll in. Give me Gulf Shores, Ala., South Padre Island, Texas, heck, even Grand Isle and I’m happy.
So when I was planning my wedding last summer, it was a given to me that the honeymoon destination would be the beach. Luckily, my husband agreed (good thing, because I’d already made reservations).
Thoughts of the sand, the waves and the seafood dinners consoled me when my husband dragged me from our wedding reception. I was having so much fun being surrounded by the people I love, I didn’t want our wedding to end. But I knew the next day we’d be beach-bound, so I went willingly as he steered me out the door of the reception hall.
The next morning we woke up early and got on the road. Several hours and one car mishap later (I told you, I have have The Curse of the Vehicle Breakdown), we had arrived. For the last hour of our drive, I had my window rolled down so I could smell the salty, fishy perfume that lingers along the coast.
We checked into the hotel, admired the view from our balcony and headed down to the beach. It was windy, warm and wonderful; I knew the next five days would be pure bliss.
My plans for our vacation included walking along the beach, reading on the beach, getting out in the waves and eating seafood for dinner every night. Although I didn’t run them by him, I thought my husband had similar plans. What else would one do at the beach?
As it turns out, the beach doesn’t actually agree with my husband too well. He’s got this sensitive skin that makes the sun, salt and sand, which I adore, become quite painful after about 30 minutes. So, hours spent languishing on a beach towel at water’s edge wasn’t his idea of heaven.
Like any newlywed couple, we compromised. After all, our honeymoon was meant to be enjoyed by both of us. We relaxed in the shade of our balcony while still being able to take in the full ocean view. We took walks on the beach at sunset, when the sun wasn’t as intense. One thing we did not have to compromise on, however, was the seafood. That was an indulgence we both took full advantage of.
In the short amount of time that I’ve been married, I’ve learned something nearly every day. On our honeymoon, I learned my first lesson — the next time we take a vacation, I need to let my husband actively participate in the planning process.