Sarah on Vacation

           This week in class, we have talked a lot about water.  As I mentioned in my blog post from last week, water has always been a huge part of my life.  Living near Lake Michigan my whole life has been absolutely incredible and I am grateful to call West Michigan my home.  However, while the big lake offers a refreshing place to swim in the summer, it also brings something else: lake effect snow in the winter.  Now, don’t get me wrong—I love living in a place that allows me to experience all four seasons.  I really do enjoy the snow, but I don’t like how it lasts from November to April every year.  Usually in February or March, the weather starts causing my patience to wear thin.  I get tired of bundling up in four layers just to go out and get the mail.  I get annoyed at the fact that the driveway must be shoveled at least once a day if I don’t want my car to get stuck.  The anxiety of having to drive on icy roads every day gets exhausting.  This is why spring break is such a blessing; it means that I get to go to warm, sunny Florida with my family.

            The west coast of Florida is one of my favorite places in the world.  Ever since I was a little girl, it has been a favorite vacation destination for my family and me.  Since my brother Sam and I have started going to college, though, it has been very difficult to find time to take a week-long vacation as a family.  Everyone has different schedules and responsibilities.  This past spring, however, Sam and I lucked out—for the first time in four years, both of our colleges had the same spring break schedule!  As soon as we discovered that, we immediately made plans to go to Florida for a week with my mom and her boyfriend.  For months, I anxiously awaited the day where I would get to hop on a plane and fly south to warm weather.  I was so excited to go back to the place where my family had vacationed so many times before! 

From front to back: my mom Chris, my brother Sam, and mom's boyfriend John.  Enjoying Florida!

The first thing I always notice whenever I step off the plane in Florida is how the air smells different.  In Michigan, during the winter, the air is completely unscented—the freezing temperatures and lack of anything growing makes the air dry and dull.  After months of experiencing that, Florida always smells like heaven.  The air smells like salt water and vegetation, and it actually has moisture in it.  In addition, my eyes are always shocked to see so much greenery.  The sight of palm trees and flowers and green grass always overwhelms me with happiness.  Even being able to hear insects and birds makes my heart flutter, after so many months of snow-packed silence.  It’s amazing—it’s almost like you forget that things can actually be alive!

            My favorite part of my vacations to Florida is getting to swim in the Gulf of Mexico.  Swimming in Lake Michigan is great too, but it is a completely different experience swimming in salt water.  I love the smell of the salt on my skin, mixed with sand and sunscreen.  I love getting to observe the different types of wildlife, from hermit crabs to pelicans to dolphins.  It always seems like I am in a completely different world.  I always feel like it rejuvenates my soul, after being in the cold for so long.

Embracing the sun

The Gulf of Mexico

            My brother transferred to Grand Valley this year, which means for the second year in a row, we will have the same spring break week.  As you may have guessed, we are already planning our trip!