2014 Florida Vacation Day 2: Turtle Beach and Siesta Key Beach

Despite our long day of driving, we were all up at a good time and were ready to hit the beach!

We started off at Turtle Beach. I HATE that I didn't get more pictures. We originally thought we'd go back to that beach so I thought I'd get more pictures then, but we didn't so I didn't. Bummer.

We drove around and around trying to find a parking spot. Finally found a spot on the street. Had to wait for people to change into their suits. Had to wait for people to use the bathroom. Finally, we started walking down the boardwalk. Lush, beautiful vegetation to our left and right. Came over a small rise and....the ocean. The water was so blue! It was stunning. Easily the best part of the vacation. Breathtaking.



 

[caption id="attachment_1495" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Ben, Karen, and boys on Turtle Beach[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1496" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Tim's shadow[/caption]

 

The water was warm and the shells were plentiful on Turtle beach. We also appreciated the fact that it was not very populated. Just a very serene atmosphere. The boys had never played in the ocean before and they loved it!! It was awesome just watching them take it all in.

Siesta Key Beach had been recommended to us and the nearest public access was only about 15 min away so, after a bit, we decided to pack up and head that way.

Despite the close proximity to Turtle Beach, Siesta Key was so different! This was much more densely populated - more of a party atmosphere. The beach here was significantly wider and longer. The sand was a gorgeous dust-fine and brilliant white. It was soft, and yet would pack densely together. Not nearly as many shells, the water was cooler, and not nearly so blue.

Karen and I left the guys to build a sand castle while we walked along the shoreline. We walked and walked. There were so many people, umbrellas, just a riot of color.

[caption id="attachment_1497" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Siesta Key Beach[/caption]

After meeting back up with our guys, we all decided to get a bite to eat - our first sit-down meal of the vacation. We thought Captain Curt's Crab and Oyster sounded good so we headed there. The food was decent and it was close to the beach. We had just enough time to eat and then get back to SKB before sunset.

When we arrived, there was a huge drum circle, complete with dancers, that greeted us. We listened for a minute and then strolled off along the beach. The majority of the people had gone home, but some were ambling along, like us. The light was good for about 20 minutes so we got in a few pictures and found some neat shells.

[caption id="attachment_1498" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Karen and the boys[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1499" align="aligncenter" width="502"] My handsome guy.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1501" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Me, on the beach[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1502" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Sunset on a perfect day.[/caption]

Earlier in the day, before leaving for dinner, I'd mentioned to Karen that I'd always wanted to find a sand dollar. So what did I end up finding as we walked along in the dusk? A sand dollar! All in all, we ended up finding several of them! Such an amazing gift!

We stayed until as long as there was even a smidge of light and made it back to the car just in time.

Perfect way to kick off our vacation!