The beach is this way!Summer is finally here, we will see you at the beach! We've put together helpful tips to have the perfect beach day when staying at Dolphin Shores Beach Condo, or visiting any beach! Gulf of Mexico BeachIf you are hanging with friends, family or taking some alone time for yourself, a beach day is always a priceless time we all need. Here at Dolphin Shores, just West from Tampa, you'll find Gulf of Mexico is just a short walk from the condo (so forget your worries about struggling to find parking!). This little piece of serenity is a quiet place to relax; perfect for enjoying the sound of calm waves and the warmth of soft sand. ...You found the perfect beach to visit, now what to pack?Packing the Essentials: Composing the perfect beach bag can be overwhelming. It seems like you always wish you had something you didn't bring, right? I'm here to share what I keep in my designated beach tote. It includes tools such as: sunscreen, wet wipes, sunglasses, anti-bacterial soap and ointment (accidents happen, even at the beach!), extra towels, and a handful of reusable trash bags. Eco-friendly trash bags are not only good for collecting garbage to help keep our beaches clean... Trash bags can be used for an extra barrier to protect your electronics, holding wet towels and swim suits to prevent damaging your other belongings, and a place to collect shells and beach tokens. The Gulf has warmer water compared to the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, creating a better atmosphere to wade in or snorkel. We use a wagon to carry our beach gear: snorkel gear, umbrellas, beach chairs, and sand toys -- this makes it easy to bring all you need without the hassle of placing more weight on your back. ...Keep energized by bringing nourishmentPacking Lunch: Simple is best. Sandwiches are easiest to pack for a beach side picnic. Snacks such as fruit and chips are great additions to meals. If cook-outs are more your style, make sure there is a grill available, and grab all the necessary supplies to do so. Last but not least, don't forget water! Local snack shops will charge and arm and a leg even for water, so make sure to bring plenty! Staying hydrated is the most important thing. Wrapping your cold bottles in beach towels can help confine condensation if you don't have space in your cooler. ...Remember, you're there to have fun!Relax: I know it can be frustrating when you forget to bring that "one" important thing to the beach - but the main point is to have fun! Don't lose site of the fact that you're there to kick back, relax, and enjoy your day at the beach. Gather up your beach gear and head to Indian Shores, Florida!
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The common phrase: "You don't know what you don't know" perfectly sums up why it is important to travel. Life is so much more than just your little corner - it's time to open your mind and go travel! Creating new connections.The more we travel, the better we communicate. No matter where we travel, there will always be a diverse pool of personalities to engage with. The more we connect with diverse people, the more we become culturally and socially aware. What better way to travel then to put our feet in someone else's shoes? By meeting people around the world, we have the opportunity to view other people's perspectives -- not just those from our own community. In most cases, it's the people we meet that makes the experience - not just the location. Making the most out of things.If there is anything that travel teaches us, it's how to be resourceful. Traveling tests how quick we are on our feet. Between learning the transit systems to get around, positioning yourself to be safe, and prioritizing a schedule to optimize traveling experiences.. travel helps us make the most out of things! Practice being adaptable, with a mission to bring out the best in every moment. "Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." Learning for Yourself.There is only so much we can learn from a textbook. When you are stuck in your daily comfort zone, it's easy to just "go through the motions". New experiences stimulates your mind, motivating you to be more creative and enabling problem solving skills. Putting yourself into the reality of different cultures develops a sense of becoming politically, culturally and socially correct. Simply: the best way you can learn is by doing. Discovering Your Passions.When exploring new places, we leave our daily comfort zones allowing us to engage with people from places with different backgrounds. This can help develop a stronger sense of your own self... answering questions that might have different answers if you usually spent most of your free time sleeping in till noon and binge watching TV. Questions such as: What gets you excited about life? What does your joy look like? Is being upset over (something) really worth my energy? Traveling helps clear your mind and center your self in order to truly appreciate the quality of life. Question for travelers! New travelers: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Frequent travelers: What has been your favorite place to travel? Ciao for now,
Kay-Tee We are living in a world now where everything is fast-pace, where over-working is becoming the new normal, and it's nearly impossible to "unplug". It can be a struggle to just sit back and relax once in awhile. But recent studies have shown that taking time to vacation is beneficial to your health and happiness. (yes, you read that right!) Where every day is vacation, Dolphin Splashes Beach Condo is the perfect getaway to de-stress and unwind. Not only is vacation good for your health, but it helps increase your productivity levels. Whenever you are on vacation, you give your body and mind the chance to click the "refresh" button. Keep in mind, it's not enough to just leave the office - you need to switch your work mode to "off" completely. Resist checking your work emails or thinking about all the annoyances that come with your job. This allows you to come back from vacation feeling energized and well-rested, ready to conquer the world. P.S. Don't forget to take pictures! Documenting your trip creates the opportunity to look back on the fun memories that take you back to your "happy place" when you are in the routine of life's responsibilities. Being mindful of the state of your mind, body and soul is in can make you an overall happier person, and a more productive employee. So next time you see your boss, be sure to let them know you need a vacation! :) Your Friend,
Kay-Tee
We recently attempted to fly on an American Airlines Eagle, which is a small regional flight. A couple of snow storms and acts of kindness later, I had plenty of time to consider what I wish we had packed in our personal item bags rather than carry-on or checked luggage.
Protein & Fruit
This is a tradition of ours to keep our moods in check and sugar levels at bay. We also meet a lot of friendly people when we hand out beef sticks during long delays on the runway. Pistachios, cheese, whole fruit, and beef jerky are common snacks in our go-bag. Last but not least, stock up on water. You can never have enough H20.
Necessities
2. Bring one light change of clothes and toiletries. You just never know where your flight will get stranded when a snow storms tramples the country.
Entertainment or DistractionsBattery Power!
While we spent a total of 5.5 hours (2 attempts) on the runway, in a plane that didn’t have outlets in the seats, we were so thankful for the kindness of our neighbors. (And so this blog was inspired...) On the first attempt to depart, our chargers were in the carry-on, which was stowed below the plane as the overheads weren’t large enough on the plane. And the extra battery pack was in the checked bag. Luckily, a friendly passenger shared their cord so I could charge phones from my laptop. Next time, I’m bringing battery packs and cords.
Smiles & Patience
The act of traveling is often a game of rolling with the punches, with the reward being at your final-destination. If you’re currently traveling and need an idea of how to spread kindness, here are some that I observed even while travelers were exhausted; who can blame them when initial boarding to final wheels-up time was 7.5 hours.
• Someone helped me lift my carry-on from the valet-cart while my hands were full. Simple but it mattered.
• The flight attendants made friendly conversation with guests. Polite and calm, which kept an even-keeled mood on the plane. It mattered. • Someone (my hubby!) handed out snacks and talked about how they were locally-made from our area. “Hungry” and “waiting” should never be in the same sentence when confined in an airplane. • As I mentioned before, a guest shared charging device. If you hear someone could use something, that you have, and it doesn’t cost you anything (or much) to share; why not? We’re all on the same journey. • Allergies are the worst when you’re trapped on a plane. Another passenger recently gave me a travel pack of soft Kleenex. Wow that made a big difference in my life. • Again, the flight crew elevated spirits by handing out snacks time and time again. Fun fact I learned: American Airlines now trains their employees to find opportunities to “elevate the customer experience”. Good thing because a single bag of pretzels wouldn’t have held us over that long. Thank God for Hummus. What do you suggest?
You can never be over-prepared. What are your carry-on must-haves? Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, travel bugs. We are all on this journey through life together.
Your friend, Kay-Tee Olds
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