Family Vacation 2014, Part 3

Day 4-5: Clearwater Beach, Florida

I really wanted to go to a beach since we were going all the way to Florida. The only time I went to a "real" beach (other than in the UK...where it was cold and gray, and Lake Powell with freshwater and orange sand) was when Tyler and I went to FL 11 years earlier. We went for an "anniversary" trip (we went in August 2003). We went to Venice beach and stayed at his grandparents condo right on the beach. I was so excited to go swimming but there was a red tide (something to do with the moon) which made the water weird and red. Not like I had imagined. So I wanted to try it again.

I love sleeping in hotel beds. They are so comfy I never want to wake up. When we did the skies were gray and it looked windy outside. I was so worried the weather wouldn't treat us to a nice day but just before lunch it warmed up and clouds departed for the sun to come through.  Tyler scored us a "suite" upgrade in a Hyatt hotel. We reserved a 1-bedroom with our points but he was able to talk to the font desk and get us a 2-bedroom. It was sooo nice, as described in the previous post. It was probably at least 1500 sq ft.  We've been impressed with their hotels as we've stayed in them this year.

The breakfast was excellent in the hotel restaurant. We missed out on the buffet as that was only on weekends. Afterwards we went out to the balcony. The kids were obsessed with this fake owl. We think it was there to keep mice or seagulls away. It turned it's head with the wind or bobbled so it looked realistic.

Samuel, like his father at this age, likes to be on camera.

This was the first time the kids got to experience a "real" beach with saltwater. At first, they didn't like the force of the waves (it was quite wavy these 1.5 days, probably due to the time of year, I am guessing). Colin liked it. He did pretty well with not eating sand, cigarette buts and seashells. The kids liked to catch or jump the waves, once they got used to them. They also got used to mouthfuls of saltwater by learning to shut their mouth. Way different than Lake Powell water/beaches. But we had to watch them even more diligently than at a swimming pool or even Lake Powell. Although they can all swim the waves were so strong they could have swept them when I turned my head only for a second. Luckily, they stayed close, within eyesight of us on the beach and didn't go in past their heads because they were afraid of the strength of the water.

Hotel right on the beach.

View from our bedroom.

Vultuers, I mean seagulls. Trash birds. Ate right out of your hand...or purse...or towel. 

Buried alive. Clearwater had such beautiful white sand. 

The 2nd day of breakfast we ate outside. It was super breezy. But it was fun to dine near the palm trees and hear the ocean waves. However, for some reason, not really due to the wind, the kids kept spilling their drinks. Because it was an outdoor table they were those iron kinds with holes. So it kept spilling onto the tiled patio. It was kind of embarrassing and annoying, reminded me too much of home :) That's the challenge with staying at these nicer hotels. I don't always feel like we "fit in" even though a lot of times it was corporate guests. Still though....it was teaching us how to have better manners. 

Fruit & cheese platter, compliments of the room. Tyler went to the local grocery store and picked up frozen pizza for dinner. For lunch we walked a few blocks and picked up some mediocre Chinese food. We had enough for leftovers the next day. 

The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool, almost more than the beach because it wasn't salty or wavy. It never made sense to me why there were pools at hotels on a beach. But I see how it's favorable, more convenient and nicer in the cooler months. There was a hot tub too on the top level.  

I can't wait to go back!