Travel Bug Tuesday {3.08.11}

It has been nearly a month since I went on my trip to West Palm Beach, Florida. Hard to believe that time moves so fast! It’s as if we were never there. Except we were. And it was fabulous!

My sister Kelli and I decided to fly down together. It had been about one and a half years since I had flown. I hate flying. It scares the crap out of me. But I don’t let it stop me from going places. I never will. There are too many amazing locales I want to see to let fear hold me back. We landed in Ft. Lauderdale as the flights were much cheaper than landing in West Palm Beach. And it’s only about 45 minutes from my sister’s home so they picked us up. It was so awesome to turn the corner and see my sister and her husband standing there with Grayson in his car seat! Such a wonderful moment for us all.

As I mentioned before this wasn’t really a sight-seeing trip. My younger sister Cindi just had a baby and so our main focus for the trip was to meet Grayson. We did a lot of staring at him. He was still in that newborn sleepy stage (which I barely remember now). I loved getting the chance to hold him and rock him to sleep in his nursery.

It was so fun seeing all the brand new tiny clothes hanging in his closet and folded neatly into the drawers. Some of which Landon and Brigham wore. It is so special to see my little nephew wearing a few of my babies’ clothes. Brings back the memories, I tell you.

It was overcast and a bit rainy during our stay but when the clouds were nice enough to let the sun peek through we ventured out to the beautiful beach for a look-see.

We went to Benny’s on the Beach for lunch one day. Food was good. View was great! I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re ever in the area. They only serve breakfast and lunch but were voted best breakfast restaurant with an ocean view in the Palm Beach Post!

My sisters and I (minus the fourth sister, Jennifer – missed you!) up on the rooftop of Benny’s! We got asked if we were triplets that day and now that I look at the photo I can see why. Also? That bird is not actually on my head. It just appears that way.

I was fairly unprepared for a beach vacation in February. Note to self – get pedicure before wearing sandals on vacation! But still a cute photo.

Next up, my sister took us to the historic Episcopal church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. It is right smack in the middle of what I like to call “fancyland.” Otherwise known as Palm Beach where all the huge oceanfront mansions are. It had beautiful gardens that are open to the public.

I noticed a flyer for yoga and meditation that takes place right above. Wouldn’t that be the perfect place to meditate? It makes me want to find an outdoor yoga class in my city!

Although my husband and babies were at home and I missed them terribly this trip was good for my soul. I stayed up late talking with my sisters. There was a lot of laughter. A lot of reconnecting. A lot of getting to know Grayson.

In short, it reminded me about the good in travel. It opens a pair of weary eyes to the undiscovered. It allows you to get away from the hubbub of life. To slow down. To enjoy and appreciate this beautiful world. I know you don’t have to travel to do all of that. But it helps. It helps a lot. I look forward to traveling more this year and discovering the fun of family travel as our boys get older.

On our last day we went back to the beach for one last look. We didn’t swim for obvious reasons (see below)

But feeling the salty wind in my hair while staring at one of God’s greatest creations seemed to be enough.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Louis Armstrong

Want more info on vacationing here? Please visit the visitors center of the Palm Beaches.