Beach Countdown...One Day until Liftoff

In honor of our impending (one day to go!) trip to the beach (we rented a house and are going with two other families), I thought I'd do a "Random Wednesday/Because I Missed Tuesday Goes to the Beach" sort of post with some fun "beachy" questions.

Join in the fun by answering the questions in my comments section, or posting them on your blog and letting us know about it.

Question #1:
What's the first beach you ever saw?

I was 12 and we went to Port Aransas, on the upper tip of Padre Island, in Texas. (I had lived most of my childhood in northwest Arkansas, so we were a good 12 hours or more from the beach. We lived one summer in Austin, Texas, and made the trip down to Port Aransas.) I'll never forget how the imensity and awesomeness of the ocean struck me; and it still strikes me the same way.

#2:
What's the last beach you've been to?

Last summer, we went to Ocean City, Maryland, in conjunction with Delaney's softball team being in the 11-and-under World Series. Despite playing a lot of ball, we did get to hang out in Ocean City quite a bit. It was a fun town,but the ocean was freezing that week and I didn't even get into the water. (But, going to Assateague Island and seeing the wild ponies on the beach totally negated the disappointment from the cold ocean!) So...I'm looking forward to diving in, battling the waves, and swimming in the surf this time around.

#3:
What's the furthest beach you've ever been to?

I think that would be Aruba, since it's just a hop, skip, and jump away from Venezueala. (I've also been to Acapulco, Mexico, which is pretty far down South as well!) Gary and I went to Aruba on our honeymoon and had the most wonderful time! I've been to plenty of beaches in my life and am always struck by how different they are. Aruba, by far, had the most beautiful water; the Caribbean is an amazing shade of blue!

#4:
What's your favorite activity at the beach?

I love so much about the beach...lying on the beach reading, jumping and riding in the waves, walking on beach at night, lying out and getting some rays...and then everything outside the beach like eating seafood, lazing around the hotel/house, playing putt-putt golf, and just enjoying the "attitude" of a beach town.

#5:
What's your favorite beach food and/or drink?

Mmmm....let me count the ways! I absolutely love seafood, so I love to use the beach as an opportunity to eat as much as possible. I love any sort of shrimp, and also crab legs, and then there's nothing much better than a good bowl of gumbo. And I love pina coladas and other assorted fruity, "boat" drinks (although sometimes just a good ole glass of cold, sweet, iced tea hits the spot with all that good food!).

#6:
Do you have beach plans this Summer?

Why yes, I do! We are heading out to Gulf Shores early in the morning. Gulf Shores is one of my favorite beaches; it's very low-key, has some great food, has absolutely beautiful white sandy beaches..pretty much perfect! We are staying at a beach house with several friends, so we should have a really great time. (We will also be spending a week in Panama City Beach in July, when Delaney's team plays in the World Series again. So, we get to go to the beach twice this Summer!)

#7:
(Not really a question, but...) Post a few favorite beach pictures.

I went through and found some random beach pictures from years past. You can see how they evolve chronologically (look at that one of Sydney as a baby, lying on the beach!).










I can't wait to make more memories, and get more fantastic photos, this year at the Beach. And I promise... I'll think of all of you as I sit on the beach and listen to the surf and enjoy the sun!

See ya in six days (unless I make it online sooner with vacation updates, which could seriously happen!).