Ode to Summer

School seems to start earlier and earlier every year. This year they had to audacity to start today, which is August 10th.  It makes no sense to me, because it is definitely still summer here, with the temperatures reaching 100 plus degrees every day.  No one should have to go back to school when it is still this hot out!

When I was growing up, we got out in May and went back after Labor Day.  Summer really felt like summer, not just some extended break.  If I thought my kids were going to be smarter for having their summer cut short, perhaps I could get on board, but judging from a lot of the kids I’ve met since I’ve become a mom, my generation definitely isn’t dumber for not having gone to school less days a year.

At least we had a good summer this year and a spectacular vacation.  To be honest, most of the times we go out of town, I am ready to come home at least two days before the vacation is over.  Not this time.  The house we rented was amazing and right on South Ponte Vedra Beach.

Beach House

The beach was public, but felt private and was clean and not crowded at all.  We were able to eat on the deck every day and the ocean views from inside the house were amazing.  At night, I would go out on the third floor balcony just to look at the stars because you could see so many of them.  In the mornings, I enjoyed coffee on the deck, while the sun rose over the Atlantic Ocean.

Morning Coffee

By 11:00, it was time to enjoy mimosas on the deck.

Mimosa on the Deck

I loved waking up and being able to walk on the beach first thing in the morning. I really miss those walks since we’ve been back home.

 

S. Ponte Vedra Beach

You can click the link below to watch a short video.

Beach video 1

The girls did a lot of body surfing, some boogie boarding and a lot of digging in the sand.

boogie boarding video

 

Wave Jumping
Girls on Beach
Girls on Beach
Girls on Beach
Girls on Beach

Another great thing about where we stayed is that we were just minutes away from St. Augustine, which is a charming city, rich in history and definitely worth a visit.

St. Augustine
St. Augustine cemetery
Lion Bridge
Magnolia Avenue
Flaggler College
St. Augustine Lighthouse Museum
After a day of shopping on St. George Street
St. Augustine Bay

If only I could have fit him in my suitcase!

Antique Store Cat

I will end with a couple of sunrise photos.  They were stunning and this was definitely the best vacation we’ve had in a long time.  I still find myself wishing that we were still there.  It’s definitely now one of my favorite places in Florida and I want to, not only go back to Ponte Vedra, but also stay in that same beach house!

Sunrise
Sunrise

This was the sunrise on our last day.

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