Mixed feelings today as we head home tomorrow. Since this is our last beach trip for 2014, I figured it was time to let ya know about some of the secrets and hints for a fun time at the beach.
If you just got married and you are on your honeymoon, you don't need any help. You probably won't ever leave your room!
If you have a 1-2 year old, bring grand parents along. They make great babysitters that give you free time to enjoy the beach.
Beach chair and umbrella setups run around $40 per day. Invest in a set of good beach chairs and an umbrella that run about $100. You have already saved money and you should get 1-3 years use out of them.
If your beach front is a bit overcrowded, consider moving to a State park. Admission is about $6 for up to eight people in Florida. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch, and plenty of cool drinks. With your own umbrella and chairs you will have a great time on a sparsely populated stretch of beach.
My cooler of choice is a soft sided one. Sometimes I bring two. Bring along some Capri Sun's and freeze them as a great substitute for ice. Margaritas made the mofght before and frozen in quart ziploc bags are my favorite ice substitute. This beats hauling/dragging a big cooler around, or worse that heavy Yeti!
Use Gladware or Ziploc storage boxes for transporting sandwiches. They stay dry and keep their shape better.
We stay in units that have washers and dryers in the units. You go home with clean clothes. Its such a relief to walk in the door at home knowing the laundry is already done.
When eating out, go early. Much shorter wait if you go between 5&6. If you have a large party, break it into parties of 4-6 and you will get seated faster, and you avoid that 18% add on for a mandatory tip. I'm a pretty good tipper unless the service sucks.
If you are leaving real early in the morning, grab the luggage cart the night before. No scrambling around the next morning looking for it!
If you have a Netflix account, don't forget to bring your latest movies along or a patch cable for the online ones. Saves you a trip to Redbox and the DVDs at the complex are usually dated.
Check with the complex before you start you trip too see if the have a grill area, and whether its gas or charcoal. This helps you decide about cooking and eating in a night or two.
Its been a great season of beaching for the spousal unit and yours truly. We are already working on plans for next year, probably the Sandestin and Panama City beaches. Would love to have some company !
1 comment:
You shouldn't try to drink those ziparitas and type on your blog at the same time Bill!! Looks like you had a great time, see you at The Grove soon!!
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