Its rare for us "in landers" to pull our feet out of plowed fields and head for the salt and sand of the beach but we always manage to make a short 2 day family trip to welcome the water warming and the spring weather.
This year has been a busy one for everybody so while some made it for both days, about half of us were only able to make the second day.
I of course, forgot my camera so I didn't take many pictures. Using my cell phone I did grab a few. Actually the cell phone did a pretty good job.
A tradition associated with going to the beach is a trip to a restaurant called "Bubba Gumps"
For those who have never been, "Bubba Gump Shrimp Co." is a theme restaurant centered around the movie "Forrest Gump"
Getting there is no easy feat as there is no public parking allowed on the beach side of the famous A1A highway. You have to park and cross in a clear "tube" over the highway.
The tube is bright and colorful and banners overhead advertise all the good eats that await you beach side. Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, Tiki bars, photo shops - you name it. If you don't know where you want to go they have plenty of suggestions overhead!
looking out of the "tube in each direction, the beach is lined with huge hotels...
"Bubba Gumps" entrance is located right as you exit the tube,how fortuitous is that?
One interesting feature are the tags on each table that signal waiters to stop at your table
The tables are decorated with tin buckets containing goodies such as ketchup, hot sauce and my personal favorite, malt vinegar.
So good on shrimp
and check this out!
Bubba’s After the Storm “Bucket of Boat Trash”
Flash fried Shrimp, Fish with Cajun Spices,
and steamed Canadian Lobster Claw.
Served with Fries.
(picture from their website)
Believe it or not it was my tiny little daughter in law that ordered this (and ate it ALL!)
The main attraction however was the gorgeous beach.
There is a beautiful pavilion as you access the beach. Last year there was a wedding going on here
While I wandered and took pictures and soaked up sun, the little ones hit the water and never came out until they were forced to!
Promises of a visit to Cold Stone for ice cream did the trick but just barely
and so the day ended, with tans on their noses and sand in their pants it was time to head away from sand and water and back to fields and pasture.
Next year definitely two days....
