We are moving AGAIN on December 31st. The last few years I feel like I've been getting a degree in Change, and a minor in geography and demographic studies.
We'll be moving a short 3-hour trip, from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast of Florida. We'll see sunsets instead of sunrises.
There hasn't been a week that hasn't gone by in 2-years, and 3-months that we don't say out loud how much we love living in Florida.
It's the craziest thing. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd love living here; but I do. People used to say to me when Kevin moved here 13 years ago, "Oh, you'll move to Florida to be near him." I'd laugh it off. Florida seemed too touristy for my taste. Whenever I had visited Florida it was while standing in a long theme park line in the blazing heat of summertime (it wasn't the best impression of what Florida is all about).
Eventually, those brutal Chicago winters got to me. After Kevin moved to Florida, the rest of our kids all moved away too. We had no reason to remain in Illinois. Rich and I love the ocean, crave the warmth, so we chose Florida.
For 6-months we look past hot hot weather. During those hot hot months, we can always get out early in the morning for a walk or bike ride, or be outside later in the evening sitting on the patio or eating in an outdoor cafe listening to music. What's not to like? It beats hibernating inside under an electric blanket, in Chicago, for 5 months of my life each year (you know those months add up over time). And for 6-month's the weather is absolutely glorious. Florida is not for everyone. The humidity never bothers us because we get a nice breeze being so close to the ocean. Any place else inland and you will suffer a waterfall of sweat (especially if you brave any theme park in the summer months).
But moving to Florida hasn't been without it's difficulties or surprises. For starters: "We're not not in Kansas anymore (or the Midwest)". There are many different kinds of vibes down here.
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| Indian River |
The town we moved to, Vero Beach, was ultra conservative and Republican. There are wealthy islanders who live along the coast; many are snowbirds who come during winter months. In our town, most are seniors. The middle class families are vocal against the local government and school boards; they want change now and everyone is to blame. We don't have kids in school anymore, so we never identified with their struggle. There is also those in our town that are poor and uneducated, showing their intolerance and pride in confederate flags or 'don't tread on me' bumper stickers. Usually, within minutes, we know who we were talking to. I've learned to redirect conversations away from potential differences of opinion at the grocery store or the doggy park. We never really felt like we belonged here in Vero Beach. We're not rich or conservative. So after a few years, it was time to move to another coastal town (a larger one with more diversity and progressive ideas). Pinellas County (the Tampa Bay area) has a few million people. We're bound to find our tribe.
As usual, I've been packing for a month. The house is just a holding place for bins and boxes, and a place to sleep. I've stopped dusting or sweeping until moving day. We purged AGAIN. This is our 3rd move in 2 years. After the hurricane, I was able to let go of more things (including my grandmother's cedar chest--because Kevin didn't want it). I know we'll have one or two more moves in the future. Where we'll be living is only temporary. But hopefully, the town will feel like home for years to come.
The most positive upside to moving to the Gulf Coast is we know many old, dear friends from Chicago who live within an hour. I'm looking forward to getting reacquainted and making new memories.
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| Nik came to hang out with us a few times. |
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| Our Illinois neighbors Randy & MaryEllen Jones |
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| Lunch right on the Indian River w/the Jones |
I've come to appreciate many things about Vero Beach even though it didn't become our permanent home. There is lots of cultural events: art, music, and theater. Vero has the best doggy park. Buddha had a blast making friends on the small side or the big dog side of the park (he preferred the big dogs). He couldn't out run the greyhound dogs but he could outsmart them and make shortcuts when they all ran around. He always managed to find the only mud puddle at the park.
Vero Beach was a beautiful and calm place for us to transition our first few years in Florida. We were able to rest here while our minds and spirit were transitioning.
The best kept secret in Florida is Vero Beach. The beaches are amazing (except after a hurricane). The Atlantic is rough and wild. I always felt like I was standing on the edge of the world each time I put my feet in the water. This ocean is so vast and awe-inspiring. The clouds and colors are breathtaking. I've come to respect the tempestuous Atlantic waves; each day was different. Each day we adjusted to her mood.
I will miss searching for gifts from the Atlantic sea. My favorite pastime on the beach was searching for sea glass. I always thanked the ocean for the assorted colored gifts she offered to me. And I'll miss standing at her waters edge in worship and adoration of the east horizon, sunrises, or when the ocean would take a bow and smooth out under my feet. And lastly, I will miss seeing so many full-moon rises at night over the horizon.
We'll be back. The Gulf Coast is bustling with tourists too. There's more traffic. I imagine there will be times when I'll want to escape the diverse tribe I've longed to be a part of. Vero Beach will always be a special place to come visit--the idyllic beaches and the lovely people we met in our first Florida town.
While moving is a hassle, at least no matter where I go in Florida, I still get to be a flip flop girl. 😉
