Lisa's Santa Sun & Shorts Christmas Day 10 - A day at the beach

Lisash

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Me: Ate so many nachos last night may start talking Mexican
DH: Has belly so big looks like he swallowed a Mexican
DD: Looking forward to seeing some ‘surfer dudes’
DS: Looking forward to the day I can leave him at home when we go away

Saturday 23rd December - Cocoa Beach (eventually)

Ever since our very first trip to Florida it has been DH’s wish to get out of Orlando for a while and see the coast. As we are on an extended stay this seems the ideal opportunity.

His original idea was a couple of nights in Miami but after getting lost in Florida more times than I can tell the troops & I just flat refused. I don’t know whether it is a man thing or just my DH’s stubborn side but he flat refuses to buy a map or god forbid ask directions preferring to rely on his ‘keen sense of direction’ and the face he ‘never has problems at home’ but as I have pointed out to him many times his car at home has built in Sat Nav which kind of helps

Anyway we eventually agree on Daytona Beach & then a trip to the raceway. The weather after last nights storm is decidedly grey and drizzly and not expected to get any better so we will the car with coats etc.

We arrive in Daytona Beach in about an hour after a quiet drive with no ‘diversions’ only to find it deserted. We’d built up a picture of a beautiful beach front with boardwalks etc but were bitterly disappointed to find it nothing like that at all. We drove along a strip of low grade tacky motels (my favourite was The Magic Carpet Motel and no I’m not kidding it really was called that) many of which were in the process of being demolished or refurbished & DD spotted a shop selling ‘exotic tobacco?’ There were loads of very questionable people hanging around prompting me to check the doors of the car were locked several times & police cars with sirens going passed us a good few times (and we weren’t there long) We thought perhaps we were in the wrong part of town but saw Bubba Gump etc so can only presume it’s better in ‘high season’ We decided to move on to somewhere ‘safer’

As DH had such a bee in his bonnet about going to the beach I suggested we drove to Cocoa Beach instead. About two hours later we arrive! I won’t go into detail about the drive there but as it’s very nearly Christmas let’s just say it involved 4 drives up the same road! three major arguments! two vomiting sessions from DS & a near diabetic coma from me (my fault for trusting DH when he said we would easily find somewhere to eat so not packing snacks)

Anyway, Cocoa Beach was much more what we expected. The weather had got much better as we drove over and it was warming up rapidly. We found a small parking place near the beach and just to the back of Ron Jons filled the meter with quarters and headed off to explore.

Our first stop had to be Ron Jons (after all it’s legendary) It’s absolutely huge! We spent ages in there checking out the merchandise. As the weather had taken a turn for the better we were woefully overdressed so we invested in some t-shirts for us all and shorts for DD. DH & I also got some Crocs. As we had spent over $100 we got 20% off so quite a bargain really (well that’s what I kept telling DH)

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(a rare pic of me looking very British with my rolled up trousers)

We headed back towards the beach and had a nice leisurely stroll & quick paddle towards the pier watching the surfers and soaking up the sun. We stopped off at the pier for drinks & snacks and did a little people watching. DD was particularly impressed with the beach volleyballers

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(DD at the pier)

We then walked back along the beach collecting shells and packed up the car for our journey back. We stopped off at a small Mall a couple of miles up the road for a late Subway lunch then settled in for a pleasant drive back. You will be glad to hear we didn’t get lost once on the drive home!

After a quick shower and change at the hotel it was dinner at Uno Chicago Grill where DH & I had chicken stir fry, DD had enchiladas & DS pizza then a quick Publix stop to stock up on our Christmas goodies and bed
 
Men! They always think they know best. We like Cocoa Beach and during the summer we spend our time just in the sea. Usually come out frazzled though.
 
We always get lost too

Now I just keep my month shut, then he can't blame too:lmao: and DS 16 sits in the front
we like the other coast better , St Petes beach . but it is a longer drive
 

Glad you got there in the end. Looks like it was worthwhile :goodvibes
 
Lovely photos again.

Glad it all worked out:)
 
Lovely to see a photo of you, Lisa :goodvibes Glad that you had a nice time at Cocoa beach after Daytona was so dodgy.

ArielJasmine princess:
 
Its always good to try something different each trip

Susan
 















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