Werner Florida Vacation: Part 2
This summer, we decided to head back to the Clearwater Florida area again, opting to fly instead of drive. The decision to fly certainly cut down on travel time, but it came with its own set of challenges. For Axy and Ainsley, who had never flown before, the entire process was a new adventure. Navigating the airport, handling baggage, passing through TSA checkpoints, and finding our gate were all experiences filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Once we landed, we encountered our next adventure: the rental car. Amy has always been adamantly opposed to the idea of driving a minivan and I’ll admit, I was on board with the SUV over minivan decision. However, I figured there was no better time to get a taste of “van life” than during a vacation. The kids were thrilled with the extra space provided by the captain’s chairs, the abundance of USB charging ports and the built-in sunshades on the windows.
For me, driving a new car equipped with Apple CarPlay and a suspension that had only 8,500 miles on it was a refreshing change from our three cars at home, all of which have well over 100,000 miles on them. We won’t be buying a minivan for our next vehicle but for a young, growing family, I totally get it!
One of the biggest draws to come back to the same area again this summer was Honeymoon Island State Park, where we spent several gorgeous days soaking in the beauty of the soft, white sand beaches and the warm, clear, calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
We took a day to visit downtown Clearwater again and had to make sure to return to Frenchy’s, a favorite spot of ours, to indulge in their famous Grouper sandwich and Grouper nuggets. On our way back to the house from Clearwater, we encountered one of the most intense rain and lightning storms I’ve ever experienced up close. It’s easy to see why the local hockey team is aptly named the Tampa Bay Lightning!
Our vacation wasn’t all about adventure, though. We enjoyed moments of tranquility as well. We spotted an alligator floating by on the lake near our rental, lounged by the pool, and indulged in far too much good food. Overall, it was a fantastic week that allowed us to reset and recharge before getting back into the daily grind.
As I get older, it seems like summer passes by faster and faster each year. This year is no exception, especially with the kids heading back to school a full week earlier on August 22nd. With summer drawing to a close, the Werner household is preparing to transition into our favorite season. If you’ve ever seen my work-from-home background or know Amy, you’re well aware of our love for Fall and the Halloween spooky season. So, while we say goodbye to summer, we’re more than ready to welcome the crisp air and the cozy vibes of Fall.
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