If you've followed my posts here over the years, you know that I love the beach. I've just spent the past five months in Florida, and except for a few minutes on the sand in Key West, I haven't made it to the beach. So on our way north, we stopped at Fort Clinch State Park, on Amelia Island, just north of Jacksonville. We explored the remains of the Civil-War-era fort. If I was a historical romance author, I could have come up with many plot bunnies as I stood on the ramparts and gazed out at Cumberland Sound and the Amelia River and the Atlantic Ocean. Then, even though it was a cool, overcast day, we then hit the beaches!
There is much more to enjoy at Fort Clinch State Park. There are two small campgrounds, one on the Atlantic Ocean, the other along the Amelia River. There is a six mile hiking/bicycling trail I can't wait to come back and try. If you enjoy fishing, there is a long fishing pier and if you like bird watching, there's plenty of that available too.
And if you'd like a little taste of the beach and you can't get to Florida right now, you could check out my recent release, The Cottage Next Door, available now.
An overnight stay is nowhere near long enough to spend in the Florida Keys. We knew that. But we got a taste of the area and decided we definitely want to go back and spend some time there. Hubby called it a fact finding mission. We got a taste for Key West, had an amazing dinner, and did a little shopping. I even got a little walk on the beach - my favorite activity anywhere near the water.
We decided next time we would definitely stay in the middle of the action. Park our car and forget it. I'm a fan of walking everywhere if possible. There was a touristy atmosphere, but also a tropical vibe which I loved. We know where - and where not - to buy Key Lime Pie now. And next time I want to hit Hemingway's house (hey, I'm a writer) I'd love to just walk the streets, try more restaurants. Explore some of the other Keys: Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada. And I would spend a lot more time on the beach.
When I got back home I realize how few pictures I'd taken. But I'm happy to share some of the ones I have.
I can now say I've been at the southernmost spot in the US. (And no, I don't plan to ever hit the northermost!)
Sylvie started. Hunter’s disembodied voice sounded loud in the darkness. She couldn’t see a thing on the deck next door, but had to assume he was sitting in his usual deck chair. Had he heard her moan?
Her heartbeat slowed back down to normal. “No.” She held her breath, waiting for him to swear and stomp into the cottage for intruding on his want-to-be-alone time. Or make a sarcastic comment about what she’d been doing when she thought no one was there.
“This is my favorite time at the beach,” he said, surprising her with his deep, pleasant tone.
“Because you can’t see the hundreds of people around you?”
His soft chuckle surprised her even more. He was quiet for a moment, then said, “Partly. But there’s something about the ocean at night. Do you hear it? Right now, this isn’t the fun-loving shore where kids splash and make sandcastles. It’s more primitive.” He was silent for a moment, and Sylvie got caught up in the roar of the waves as they crashed onto the beach. The sound pulled at her, called to her.
“Think of the hundreds of thousands of years the ocean has been pounding the sand,” he went on. “Eating away at the land, reclaiming it. Taking it back into the bowels of the deep.”
Her body heated more, even with the cooling breeze. His voice rolled over her, as powerful as the tug of the waves. She’d known there had to be more to him than that angry, bitter man she’d seen so far.
“Ashes to ashes? Dust to dust? Ocean to ocean?” she asked softly.
The waves pummeled the shore for several long moments before he replied, “Something like that.”
As most of you know, Hubby and I have been in South Central Florida since the end of October to help out my parents after my dad had emergency surgery. My mom was overwhelmed with decisions and worry, and I'm glad we were able to come down and help. Bringing down our fifth-wheel RV, so we have our own space, made such a difference in helping my own stress levels. I'm thrilled to say that Dad is doing incredibly well (they call him a miracle at the rehab facility) and we are looking at getting him home soon.
This week one of my sisters is coming down to give Hubby and me a little break and we're taking a trip to the Keys! Chatting with Hubby's brother and his wife earlier this years, we'd all said we'd always wanted to visit and never had. So they are driving down from Georgia and tomorrow morning the four of us are driving down. I'm so excited! You all know I'm a beach person and I haven't seen a beach since we got here!
So here's my question to our readers - have you been to the Florida Keys? We're only staying overnight so...what should we NOT miss? Is Key West the best, or is another Key better? Any favorite places to eat? I'd love to know!
And next week I'll share pics!
In the meantime, if you're looking forward to the beach like I am, how about a beach romance?
Here are some photos I took on an evening stroll from our villa, through the resort, and to the beach one evening.
The small lakes that ran through the resort community at Myrtle Beach were very picturesque and so were the bridges and trees.
I love the shade of blue of the sky and watching the waves crest.
One of my favorite things is walking on the beach at dusk or at night. The crowds are gone and the air is cool and refreshing. The edge of the surf always feels great washing over my bare feet.
The pier was lit up nicely. I love the way the lights reflect off the water.
Thanks for checking out my pics!! :)
Vonda www.vondasinclair.com
Holidays spent with friends and family are sometimes filled with enough laughter to last a couple lifetimes, but when it comes to romance, summertime holds the record for many of my fondest memories.
The man who currently holds my heart a willing captive shared a blissful escape with me to Virginia Beach last summer. From the minute we pulled out of the driveway and set a course southward, we fully intended on making the most of our warm-weather getaway.
An early departure found us at our destination in time to behold a glorious sunrise. We embraced and kissed each other as the surf kissed the shoreline. What a perfect moment to take my breath away.
The sand tickled our toes as we headed toward the pier and early-morning fishermen. After engaging several of the line-casters in conversation, we returned to the SUV and gathered the beach-going gear. What better way to pass the time until our room was ready than stretching out on soft blankets or letting the waves carry us back to the shore?
Our bed and breakfast provided the ultimate in comfort and congeniality not to mention a fabulous spa tub. The garden welcomed us for some relaxing moments reading the local newspaper and visitor guides.
A stroll on the boardwalk found us greeted by Poseidon in all of his sculpted glory.
We sampled some of the finest seafood and Southern cuisine, but these fine dining experiences merely whetted our appetite for moonlit walks and giggling sessions spent in the Jacuzzi.
Time slipped away from us and the trip homeward loomed. We bid farewell to the place we'd chosen for our first vacation together and vowed to return. But I'll always remember that romantic retreat and remain thankful for the man I love more with each passing day.
Wishing you all many loving and happy moments,
Shawna Moore TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
Seagulls crying as they soar and swoop. Sand shifting beneath my tropical-print towel. Waves reaching the shoreline and leaving foamy kisses in their wake. Planes trailing banners advertising evening dinner specials and fun family adventures. Beside me there’s a pink patent leather tote filled with sunscreen, a few novels, a cotton tee shirt for cover up after a half hour—even though an umbrella hovers over me—lip gloss, a comb, a container for the shells we’d find, and bottled water. Soon I’d kick off my flip flops and head to the water for some body surfing.
Summers spent at the beach are among my fondest memories. From the days when Mom and Dad wheeled me along in my stroller, I’ve been a huge fan of time spent seaside. How we enjoyed traveling the boardwalk from one end to the other, whether on foot on or the jitney. As soon as we’d enter one of the shops, the plastic tang of decals being pressed into tee shirts greeted us. A sudden breeze would flirt with wind chimes fashioned from shells and dangling from the display rack or ceiling hook. The aroma of funnel cakes and French fries prepared in peanut oil wafted through the air as we made our way toward the inlet. No matter what the weather, laughs were always plentiful as we ate the vanilla or chocolate custard, swirled high in our waffle cones, before it melted and dripped onto our fingers and feet. Many times a sunny hot day won this battle, but we never cared because napkins were always plentiful.
What’s a visit to the shore without indulging in catches of the day? The tap of mallets as they split the claws of seasoned crabs. Steamed shrimp oozing a delicious broth filled with pepper and other spices. Cups of creamy chowder guaranteed to please the pickiest palates. Glass bowls heaped with crisp salad greens and decorated with golden croutons. Endless baskets of bread for dipping and sharing. Tall glasses of iced tea and lemon water to quench every beachcomber’s thirst.
After dining we’d emerge into the dusk and head for the amusements. Bulbs glowed on the skeletons of massive Ferris wheels. Roller coasters whooshed and clattered along their steel tracks and carried screaming riders on ultimate joyrides. Plastic ducks bobbed in shallow and narrow manmade ponds and wore prize numbers on their bottoms. Wheels of fortune spun. Carnival workers guessed the weights of passersby. Shooting galleries and tilted hoops taunted visitors to try their hands and win super-sized stuffed animals.
My favorite way to make a lasting beach memory was riding the carousel. Someone held my container of buttery sweet caramel popcorn meant for sharing. A white stallion rose and settled to the tunes from days past as they piped (I always chose a white horse). We’d tote our winnings, saltwater taffy, and fudge back to the hotel. Amazing how much colder the lobby and room air felt as it hit my sunburned nose or the part in my hair.
But a day at the beach is not done before I’ve said goodnight to the waves. Walks along the shore are the most romantic. Water tickling my bare toes as a special guy whispered in my ear and wrapped his arm around my waist. And what a treasured passionate moment as he scooped me up, spun me around and splashed ankle-deep in the surf. Dinner cruisers passed in the distance but we hardly noticed them. The sun had set on another day but not so with true love. Love and spirits are always on the rise when one is oceanside.
Wishing you all many happy reading moments,
Shawna Moore TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN – EC Exotika TORMENTED – Ellora’s Cave (Recommended Read-Alternative Read, Dark Angel Reviews) ROUGHRIDER – EC Exotika TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN – EC Exotika Shawna’s Myspace Helle’s Myspace
Summer in our house means only one thing: our annual Florida vacation! I touched on this trip a little during our travel week here at Fierce Romance. It’s the one thing that my entire family looks forward to.
This will be the fifth year we’ve spent in the same house, on the same beach. And the trip is taken the old fashioned way—by car (or in our case, SUV). Yep, we drive from Chicago to the Florida panhandle, but not straight through. A night spent in Birmingham, AL refreshes us enough to continue on the next day.
Then, after a day and a half on the road, we arrive at our own little slice of paradise. Seven days of fun, sun and time spent with great friends makes for a memorable summer vacation. And it’s one we never tire of. Every one of us is sad when we have to leave, and the countdown for the next year begins the second we pull out of our vacation home’s driveway.
Here’s a few more family pics of our Florida fun!
The view from our porch.
My good friend, me (no short comments, please :), and I'm not really sure what my expression is all about, LOL!), and my middle daughter. Cheers!
As I parted the den curtains this morning, a sunny day greeted me. Not simply any sunny day, but a perfect day to celebrate my dad. To celebrate and cherish all the times he’s been there for me over the years, how much love he and my beloved mother hold for me and I for them, and how he's never let me down. While enjoying breakfast, I let my mind wander back to many of the wonderful times we spent together as a family. The first time Dad let go of my big-girl’s bike, I pedaled down the street on my own and didn’t fall down. The day I graduated from high school, looked up into the audience assembled on the stadium bleachers and returned the smile he sent my way. There are so many fond memories from times spent with my parents, but my favorite memory surrounding my father is from a family vacation. Each summer Mom, Dad and I enjoyed visiting the shore for our warm-weather getaway. The year from which my favorite memory is culled, I was probably seven or eight. We found our place on the sand, spread out the beach towels and set down the cooler. The three of us then headed down to the water. Mom held my right hand, Dad held my left. Once we found a spot where the waves were coming in more gently, Mom and Dad provided my support as I laughed and let those waves break and splash against my legs. Afterward we returned to our beach towels and Dad located my beach bucket and shovel. For quite some time, lots of applications of sunscreen and Mom putting on my tee shirt, we toiled and fashioned an awesome sand castle. Only when Dad took a short break and brought back some delicious roast beef sandwiches and boardwalk fries cooked in peanut oil did we pause in our architectural pursuit. Eventually the sand structure lay complete and we took several photographs to preserve the memory. Dad and I ventured down to the shoreline, filled the bucket with water several times, and put the finishing touch on our summertime masterpiece.
Before today is done, I plan on finding those family photo albums and the pictures that captured our glorious sandcastle. I’ll remove one photo and place it near my writing computer as inspiration. Great things and much happiness come from the simplest pleasures in life. I was blessed with having terrific parents, and those times and memories are more precious and priceless with each passing day.
How about you, readers? What is your fondest memory this Father’s Day?
