Vickie V. shares her memories of Florida Beaches, Adventures in the sand and her love of adventure with our winning Sand Story for the month of February. Read her story now and share your own with us today. 

I should have been born a mermaid. Seriously. My love of anything ocean is that profound. I’ve lived in coastal south Florida my entire life except for a ten-year stint on the west coast of Florida. The ocean has shaped my whole life in every way possible. And, everything I do is beach-centric. My home, decor, my wedding all beach. As a child and teen

Our family fished, treasure hunting, camped under the stars..snorkeled, swam, and surfed…boated in our cabin cruiser..and hunkered down with each hurricane. I spent every day of summer vacation at the beach drinking tab and eating buttered buns grilled hotdogs from the snack shack. My first drive as a newly licensed teen was to the beach, my first kiss too…my first beer. A portion of My high school graduation party was there too. I was proposed to in Jamaica during a sunset..way out on a jetty in the Caribbean ocean, my honeymoon was the romantic TweenWater Inn before the changes there, Captiva, Florida. My first dive was the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. And, where I learned to hunt Florida bugs. Delicious!

“Nothing like riding the rails with the wind howling..or taking a drink in the sea”

Volunteering and a TA at HBOI, outreach with beach cleanup and environmental issues are my life..especially the education of big Florida sugar and the devastating effects of coral bleaching and our fish habitat…including the entire ecosystem. I was on a Jboat sailing team for a period of time..all females except for the captain, Nothing like riding the rails with the wind howling..or taking a drink in the sea..lol.

Although I’ve been blessed to visit many beaches throughout the world..nothing compares to my beloved Florida beaches..they have a hold of my heart. I return again and again. I have visited every beach along the entire coast of Florida and have sand collected from many. Yes, the beach is my happy place, but so much more..it’s where I get centered, where I reflect and find rejuvenation..where I plan to be laid to rest.

Yet, I still have many golden sunsets to watch and chase before that day. And, more peeps to educate

– Vickie V. (Feb 2018 Sand Story Winner)

CLICK HERE to submit your own story.

Vickie V. shares her memories of Florida Beaches, Adventures in the sand and her love of adventure with our winning Sand Story for the month of February.
Vickie V. shares her memories of Florida Beaches, Adventures in the sand and her love of adventure with our winning Sand Story for the month of February.