Which do we like best? Both the lakeshore and the seashore have their benefits. Our family would say either way we like being close to the water. During the last week I got a chance to enjoy both. At General Assembly in Chicago we took a walk along the shore of Lake Michigan. And just this week our family spent a day at the beaches of the Gulf Coast here in Florida. Summer days are great!
Just over a week ago on a Friday night some of us traveled to downtown Chicago for a night of pizza and fellowship. A friend and fellow elder from Dallas used to live in the city and knew the spots. So we piled into the car to fight the traffic and get ourselves down hear the lake just north of downtown. From miles out you can already see the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower and other skyscrapers.
After pizza at Bacino’s (highly recommended if you are ever in Chicago) we went for a walk. I confess I was not really well prepared. I only had my dress shoes and did know it would be a 4-5 miles trek. Good exercise never hurts though. It was dark and we made our way past the Lincoln Park Zoo and its attendant smells. Our near the water we came upon a wonderful public soccer pitch and some folks playing a game of roller hockey. The water was calm and the beach dark. But lots of people were out and about on this warm summer night. It was great to be by the lakeshore and the clear waters, though our feet were happy once we got back to the car and rode home.
Fast forward one week and our family is on Anna Maria Island, one of our favorite spots on the Gulf of Mexico south of Tampa. It is only a 25 minute drive from our home if the traffic is good. We enjoyed breakfast at the Cafe on the Beach. All-u-can eat pancakes and OJ gave us the fuel we needed for a day in the water. The kids had pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse. After breakfast we unloaded the van and headed out onto the sand. The crowds were still pretty light so we were able to pick a nice spot near the water. And in the kids went with their borrowed Boogie boards.
The sun is strong and sunscreen is a must. Some friendly neighbors lent us their sun umbrella for a little extra shade. Heather enjoyed sitting and relaxing while I helped the kids catch some waves. It was not as rough as the last time were there with Oma and Opa but you just had to be patient for and watch for the waves.
Plus a little push from Papa didn’t hurt. We watched behind for the “perfect” wave and then gave a little push. Up the beach they went. Ethan, Emma and Elijah each caught at least a couple good waves each. We ate our picnic lunch and by 1:30PM or so were ready to get out of the sun. So on the way home we went bowling. The kids are part of the Kids Bowl Free program so we try and get there once a week. They are getting a hang of the game and sometimes get near 100. Not bad! Lots of fun!
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