For some reason this year, I got it in my head to go to Florida. Every summer my FB is bombarded with posts about trips to Florida and I've never been. Destin looked beautiful and not too far away and it's been a couple of years now since I've been to a beach, so I decided to make Florida my annual "thing I haven't tried before."
At first we talked about taking a trip with extended family and renting a condo on the beach so we could split expenses, but there weren't any openings until after school started, so the extended family backed out. That left just us, wanting to travel but not wanting to break the bank in the process, so we decided that rather than spend $800 on a condo for three nights, we'd spend $100 and camp and Henderson Beach State Park for three nights. The park is really nice, complete with bathrooms, showers, and a laundry. One thing we didn't plan on was the weather. It was unbearably hot sleeping outdoors the first night and we shivered in our tents the next. Also on the second night, our campsite was overrun with rats who chewed holes in a cooler, and a beach mat since they couldn't find any food. In spite of all that I would recommend Henderson as a very inexpensive way to bum around on the beach for a few days, which is all I really wanted.
I thought I'd share a few of my travel tips in this post, just a few things I've learned over the years to make my trips a little less stressful.
1. Free Up Some Space:
If you're the kind of person who likes to load up on souvenirs, pack clothing and toiletries that you don't mind throwing away at the end of your trip so you'll have room to tote back plenty of gifts for loved ones without having to buy an extra bag.
2. Photo Time!
If you're going to be doing some photos at your destination, plan a wardrobe that is relatively wrinkle resistant or wrinkle free. This red lace dress required no ironing and unrolled from my bag ready to wear on the beach.
3. Timing is Everything:
I like to do any outfit or family photos on the first morning or evening that I arrive at a place. The lighting is always better for outdoor photos at that time and that early in the trip I haven't yet been sunburned, had food poisoning, or been kept awake for several nights due to noise or uncomfortable beds. That first day, I look and feel my best. Plus, if it doesn't work out on that day, I'm not pressed for time and I can take more later.
4. Embrace the Vacation Hair-do:
You might never know it from these photos, but my hair was stick straight when we arrived the night before, but all that humidity put a kink in my hair plans and I decided to just go with it. After all, who doesn't love beachy waves? Where ever you go in the world, the weather will have an affect on your do, so plan accordingly for a style that is something loose and lovely.
5. Limit your Tech Time:
You're on vacation. Put the camera, phone, and laptops away and enjoy. So often people miss out on all the experiences, sites, and special moments, while trying to capture them on camera so they can be shared on social media. You don't need a few hundred thumbs up to make your trip meaningful. Another reason I like to do photos at the beginning of my trip is so that it's done and I put the camera away for the rest of the trip unless there's something truly worth capturing and then, it's just for us, not social media.
Shopping Info:
Hollow Out Fit & Flare Lace Cami Dress--$50 from: SheIn
