Me too.  Aside of the one week I am on vacation, I obsess about it for the remaining 51.  For me being anywhere but the beach doesn't qualify.  I don't care how nice that mountain resort is or how clean the air is, my batteries will only recognize the beach as their place to recharge.  I think it started as a child when we lived in NY and my parents would take us camping all along the East Coast.  I never quite got that out of my system.  Of course, back then we camped at the beach, no resorts or rentals.  But I have the most fantastic and magical memories of that time.  In places like Hammonasset we would spend sun up to sun down in it.  My mom in her bikini and oversized sunglasses would have her book underneath the umbrella that my dad heroically installed for her to last the full day no matter the breeze.  When sundown was eminent, we would head over to the fishmonger where we would pick mussels or steamers from big tubs and a lobster for my mom all of which were going to be absolutely bathed in a bowl of melted butter.  That is just how she rolled.  We would finish the night off by roasting marshmallows, playing card games all the while, the record player would vascilate between Rod Stewart, Wings, and Marty Robins.  Often times we would travel with friends or cousins and I tell you those were some of the best times of my life. 


For the past many years (minus one) we have vacationed in Florida.  Traditionally I have been a Carribean girl.  I thought I could never return to murky waters and rough sand of our home land after experiencing clear water and sugary coastline indigenous to the West Indies Islands.  That was until I found a little slice of Heaven in Northwest Florida.  It has water so clear you can see your toes digging in sand as schools of tiny fish swim over them.  Sand so soft you'll walk for hours combing the seawalls for shells to add to your collection.  All that and you can drink the water.  With the ridiculousness of the airlines and their fees, passport issues, issues with illness, etc... we agreed that our new place was Florida and we haven't looked back. 

One of the main reasons we love our vacations so much and are always in complete anticipation of them is a family-owned company called 360Blue.  They have consistently worked with us to provide the utmost experience.  Jeremy Sprenkle, one of the owners is fantastic with making sure we are delighted and overwhelmed at the location.  One of the big factors with 360Blue is that you can take that issue of wondering about the photos on a website matching up with the actual place.  In our case, the photos don't do the place justice.  Every property is well thought out and you know that it will have the best of the best from appliances, to design to decor.   The prices are right on and they have properties for every budget.  They did an amazing job of rehabbing an old an Florida Motel into Seagrove Villas Motel while maintaining so much of the uniqueness of the area and taking you back to summer days of Beach Blanket Bingo.  I have always been incredibly intrigued with this property in particular for obvious reasons.   Some of their other properties are beach front and some are more secluded.  They are spread all over from Destin to Rosemary Beach.  One thing I know is, they are all awesome!  Just browse through a few, you'll start to get a feel for their style and taste.  Then check out their reviews and prices.  I am amazed at what value you get when comparing their properties to those of Rosemary Beach and Seaside websites. 

So now when you are figuring out what to do during your snow day tomorrow, check out 360Blue and let's start collectively mind-over-matter willing that warm weather to come back. 

Now most importantly when you do make those vacation plans, check with us.  If we have enough folks there, let us know.  We just may be headed to Florida this year on a photo week.  I can see it now, D&D's at sundown on the beach!