Florida, Part 1

I've returned from the land of the v. elderly and am relieved to again be living in a world of iPhone literacy and agile limbs.  Don't get me wrong, I had a stupendous time lounging in the Florida humidity with my mother, but the idea of spending one more night in an RV park was a little too overwhelming for my city sensibilities.  Not that I dislike M & D's RV- which is a strange combination of a Barbie Dream House and a Transformer, complete with wood cabinetry and pull-out sinks- but let's just say that coming home to a proper shower was one of the best parts of the trip. Here are the other highlights:

1. Spending time with the woman who birthed me.  Love you, Mom!  
2. Ocean kayaking.  My mom and I were surprised by how difficult it was to point the kayak in a straight line and paddle through the water, but we learned upon evacuating the kayak that we had been paddling it backwards the entire time.  I guess if you position the rudders in the back of the kayak it's a lot easier to navigate.  As consolation, my sore shoulders made me feel as though I actually got some exercise doing it incorrectly. 
3. Whether we were on the beach, in a restaurant, or just chilling in our RV, I was comforted in knowing that I was the youngest and most attractive person within a 45-mile radius.  Who doesn't like being the prettiest girl in the RV park? 
4. I read all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.  Suzanne Collins totally pulled me in with Katniss and Peeta's story, but I was v. tempted to take a red pen and slash through all the unnecessary dialogue, overused language, and repetition the entire time I was reading.  There's a reason it only took me two days to read those books, and it isn't just because I'm a fast reader... 
5. Florida sunsets.  There's nothing lovelier than sitting on a beach and watching the sun go down with someone you love next to you to enjoy it with.  Am I right? 

Winter Beaches

One of my favorite things about Boston is its proximity to the ocean.  One of the greatest tragedies of Boston is that it doesn't do nearly enough with its ocean-front real estate.  They're getting it right in the Seaport district- with the way the new restaurants have large, sliding glass windows that open onto the boardwalk overlooking the ocean.  But in Boston proper, they've done a poor job of utilizing the stretch of ocean that would make a beautiful back-drop to small cafes and restaurants (granted, if restaurants were to open right on the water in the city, they would undoubtedly be large chains or sports bars and I don't think we need another Sel de la Terre or Jerry Remy's, if you know what I mean).

When it comes to New England beaches, I much prefer them in the colder months rather than the summer.  I love the smooth sand, stretching like a secret along the hungry water.  I like the cold wind whipping through my hair and the stillness.  I love taking the ferry to the Vineyard in the off-season, drinking in pubs with the locals who caught the seafood on the table early that morning, and watching the sun set over the water while snuggled tight in a blanket. 

I don't know if I'll make it out to the ocean again before I leave for the UK- my weekends for the next month are already pretty booked- but I'd like to.  I'd really really like to.