Weekday mornings at the beach

I get to decide how I spend my days. That still surprises me sometimes.

Some days that means work. Other days it means a long brunch, or a walk, or nothing much at all. And some days it means driving to the beach on a weekday morning when the parking is easy and there a very few people there.

We have some of the best beaches in the country here on the Gulf Coast. Coquina is one of my favorite picks. As a tourist I was drawn to the big names like Siesta Key. As a local I prefer the easy parking, the room to spread out, and the quieter feel.

It took a long time to build a life that works this way. Most days I don’t think about it. But when I’m standing on an empty beach on a weekday morning, I notice and I’m incredibly grateful.