We got back this evening and we are all sunburnt full of sand and sore. The kids loved the beach. It was something to see when we came up on top of the bridge and the kids could see it. This was all 4 of thems first time ever seeing the ocean. It was so neat ds all he could do was clap the girls they just giggled. They couldn't get out of the van fast enough. Where we were at you just drove up on the beach and parked we were like 5ft from the ocean. We ended up staying an extra day it was to much fun. I don't think the kids expected the massive size of the ocean. They swam and swam they caught hermit crabs,shrimp and clams it was a blast. I do have to say we got sunburnt I bought 2 brands banana boat 50sp and another and we applied it every 30 min and we got burnt it was uva and uvb. Dh,2 of the girls and ds was sunburnt but they are so tan now but dd and I are still red as lobsters but we would go again in a heart beat. We are planning going next year but we are hoping to rent a home on the beach and try to get my parents to come.We stayed in Freeport texas and as we were leaving today it was kinda scary I have never been in a huricane but there was warnings from Freeport to Houston about I think Dolly that is fixing to hit land. My brother and his wife left today to go to galveston but they left after the lady from the Chamber of commerce in Galveston said she would advise them to wait to see what track the storm was going to take. Iam just glad we are home safe and sound. I will try and post pictures later.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 12:19 am:

I'm glad you had your fun, and got an extra day! I'm sorry about the sunburn. I think the farther south you go, the harsher the sun's rays are. Ugh.

Glad you got out of there, before Dolly hit.

By Tink on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 12:30 am:

What a fun vacation! This born-and-bread California girl can't imagine never seeing the ocean before. It must have seemed HUGE! Glad to hear everyone had fun and is safe.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 01:25 am:

I got to see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time, in Daytona Beach, when I was 19, but I was there with my family, around Christmas-time, not on a college spring break! LOL! Swimming in the ocean is cool, but the water was cold, in December!

Seeing endless water, was not new to me, since I great next to Lake Michigan! I've lived in Wisconsin for 48 years now and it still boggles my mind, that I can drive for hours north or south and not run out of Lake Michigan on the east side! From Chicago, Illinois, to the upper peninsula of Michigan, over to the Mackinac Bridge! It's something I think about, while driving up and down the east coast of WI.

Lake Superior is even more incomprehensible. We drove for hours on the highways around the north coast of WI and the North Shore above Duluth and didn't even come close to seeing how big Lake Superior is! When I look at a map and trace out where we went on last year's vacation, we barely touched the iceberg of Lake Superior's size.

The salty water was what was cool about the ocean to me, plus the bigger waves, too! I've only seen the Atlantic Ocean and just that one vacation. I've never seen the Pacific coast. No sea lions, no kelp, no sea urchins, no otters. and no Pacific Coast Highway! LOL! (or giant redwoods!)

By Kaye on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 09:22 am:

LOL dawn you have been so sheltered! Kind of funny, my children have seen and played on the pacific coast, the atlantic coast and the gulf coast all since march. We drove by the florida, alabama gulf coast, but didn't get out and play.

Marie glad you had a nice time. Sorry about the burns, you probably over did the sunscreen. Really you put it on, and let it soak in, in the shade somewhere, but then only reapply every couple of hours. Also if you burn easily heats and long sleeve shirts are the best answer!

On the hurricane. It is such a non issue here, almost funny actually. I guess since it is only going to be a cat 1, and isn't too close, no one has really worried. However we are getting some rain today from the outer bands.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 09:58 am:

Kaye, you would never guess that from watching the weather channel! It's ALL they are talking about! Sometimes they over-hype the bad weather, though.

By Tarable on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 10:07 am:

I am glad you had a great time.. I love going down there for a long weekend.

I just hope Dolly sends some rain my way.. we could use some cooling off... but if it is just a cat 1 it probably won't get this far.

By Conni on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 04:16 pm:

Glad you made it there and back home safely!! Good to hear you had such a great time! It made me smile to read about your childrens reaction to seeing the ocean for the first time. What great memories they will have!!