One Summer Day In Caladesi

An unspoiled gem in Florida’s Emerald Coast, Caladesi takes you to a world where dream top beaches are made of.

Today, travel with me as we revisit a rare hidden paradise that will sure reawaken many Summer dreams and memories.

Our adventure begins with a ferry ride from Honeymoon Island State Park. No cash? No worries. Tickets are my Summer treat. Just hop aboard, we are ready to sail away.

From the mainland, notice how calm the emerald-green sea is. Now, just let your thoughts drift away. Go ahead, let go and allow yourself to immerse on all the island summertime surprises that awaits.

The captain excitedly announced, “Dolphins to your right!” Everyone rushed towards the right side of the boat, clapping and cheering.

One playful dolphin approach the ferry-boat. It made an impressive aerial jump. We all went wild!

As we entered a cove full of tall palm trees, the captain told everyone, “We’ve reached Caladesi Island. Welcome and have a great time. Just remember the departure times and be sure to be here when the last ferry leaves. For those who will miss it, don’t worry, the next ferry arrives tomorrow. FYI, if you want to survive the night, stay away from the wild animals and snakes.” Everyone laughed. Hmm, was it suppose to be a joke or a warning?

So many wooden trails. Which one leads to the beach? Great luck, the family next to us knows this island well. Let’s follow them.

Can you see the blue green waters ahead?

Before taking a dip, grab some beach chairs and an umbrella. It’ll be one hot day!

Now, that we’ve settled and applied our sunscreens, it’s island fun time. Yipee!

The water’s temperature is just right, warm and refreshing. Feel the soft powdery white sands beneath our feet. Incredible!

Did I forget to tell you about the sting rays that leaves around these waters? Don’t panic. Let me teach you the sting ray shuffle. It stirs the sand warning a sting ray to swim away. It works if we all do the shuffle right. Let’s try it, “Step, step, shuffle, shuffle. Step, step, shuffle, shuffle.” Great job! Now lets all go back swimming.

“Ah, this is what a moment of living the dream feels like. Lots of sunshine and beautiful beaches. No problems for a day. Just having a great sea day with family and friends .”

Whew! That was one amazing swim. Time to rest, relax and have our “Whatever I want to do” break. Find your quiet spot to meditate, reflect, pray, sleep, dream or read a book. How about fishing, sunbathing, beach combing, kayaking? In the mood for finding treasures and island relics? The list of island possibilities? Almost endless.

Who wants to help me build a sand castle fortress? We can make it the biggest one there is. Here take a shovel, time to start digging and building.

Okay, for those who wish to stay in the water and surf with their body boards, the waters of Caladesi is all yours for the taking.

Hungry? Have some of this sweet cantaloupe. I prepared them myself this morning.

Excuse me for a moment. My wife is calling me to sit next to her. I can’t resist her sunny smile. There are also sandwiches, bottled water and more fruits inside the picnic basket. Feel at home, enjoy and eat as much.

For the honeymooners and lovers in the house, Caladesi is the best place to create your very own romantic island moment. Reminisce, remember and celebrate each others love then, now and the many ever afters. It only takes one incredible day to remember why we wished to spend a forever. In your heart, you know what that means and how it feels like.

Almost time for the last ferry to leave. Before we go, let us ask ourselves, “What have I caught today?” Now, place everything you caught today in an imaginary bottle and seal it. Kiss the bottle for good luck and let it float on the water. When the time comes and we wish to go back to Caladesi and the many islands of our dreams, the tides that holds that bottle will find us. If not, then all we have to do is revisit and remember our most treasured memories.

“Last call, we are leaving. The next ferry comes back tomorrow. Time to say goodbye to Caladesi.”

We don’t need tons of Summer events to remind us what a great Summer feels like. All we need is one day. Just one perfect Summer day like the one we just had in Caladesi.

Till our next “Best of Summer” adventure…

Once again, “Summer is not a season. It is a feeling.” We don’t have to leave our room to find Summer. Summer becomes the places our mind will take us.

I wish to dedicate this post to my wife and son who are now having a Summer reunion with her wonderful family overseas. Several weeks from now, I will be joining them but for now, my “Best of Summer” memories with them will make things more bearable.

Thank you and have a blessed day.