We visited the 30a area on the Florida Gulf Coast for the first time last year in February, and we’ve basically been counting the days until we could get back there. It’s such a pretty place, and just seems so different than the east coast beach that I’m used to vacationing. The water is so blue and so clear and the sand so clean and white…it’s a small piece of paradise. We booked a condo just outside of Rosemary Beach, and even though the weather wasn’t the best for being out on the beach (especially for Aveline), it was still so nice to get away and spend as much time relaxing as our two little ones would let us.
We were able to get out on the beach all together on the first two days, where I promptly managed to get a sunburn. Ben and I tag-teamed on those days during nap time, and that two hours alone on the beach with a book and the sunshine were such a treat. We had rain for one day and then the other two days were too cold and windy for Aveline to be out, so that was the extent of my sunning for this trip.
On the days we couldn’t get to the beach, we would go out for breakfast and then come back to the condo so Avy could nap. Ben and Ayla would either go out for a bike ride then, or we would sit in the condo and read books or “play” games or with play dough. We had a beach front rental, so even if we couldn’t be out on the beach, we could at least sit inside and see it! Most days, we would go back out in the afternoons for a bike ride or a walk and get some smoothies and coffees, and find a park or playground. Rosemary Beach has a small little public playground tucked away a few blocks from the town center, but we often ended up at The Fonville Press in Alys Beach to play at their outdoor play area. Coffee and food and a play area…such a great idea, right? It was so cute to watch Ayla interact with the other kids and shyly trying to make friends with a few of them.
It was so nice to get away on a vacation, but Aveline was having a rough sleep week and Ayla was a little emotional and grumpy too, so it wasn’t quite the blissful time of rest and relaxation that you have in mind for a vacation. 😉 But I had to remind myself so many times that the point of this time away was to be together and make memories and connection, and it didn’t have to look like I wanted it to. So we just took it slow and did what we could and tried not to let grumpy, fussy babies ruin our coffee and breakfasts and outings. I’m just grateful we got the time away, even though I came home and felt like I needed a vacation to recover from our vacation. 😉
A few local favorites/recommends, if you ever visit the area:
Fonville Press, Alys Beach // a great spot for coffee, smoothies and food, plus a fun little play area for the kids
Amavida Coffee & Tea, Rosemary Beach // coffee and smoothies (the four-berry is delicious)
Black Bear Bread Company, Grayton Beach // a great spot for breakfast with house-made sourdough bread and pastries
Chiringo, Grayton Beach // fun spot for dinner…get the awesome sauce with french fries