My Favorite Water Vacations

Well, its that time of year again:  Time for fun in the sun, balmy breezes and  (Ouch!) wet sand in your bathing suit!  The ever-popular beach vacation just cannot be beat,  imho.  Of course, I may be biased about this after having grown up frolicking in the azure waters of the world's most beautiful beaches.  The ones along the gulf coast of Northwest Florida.  You know, that amazing place

"where thousands live like millions wish they could"?

Okay,  I will concede  that there are uniquely beautiful vistas along the westernmost portion of the United States and the Atlantic Coast has its plusses as well.  To be honest, I am drawn to bodies of water almost indiscriminately.  Rivers, creeks, bayous, bays,...something about the wet stuff has exhilirated, inspired or calmed me since the days of my youth.

As a child I dreamed of seeing the world...the world's beaches, that is.  I swam in the bays and bayous of Northwest Florida, dipped my feet in the chilly autumnal Atlantic Ocean near Georgia's Jekyll Island, cruised to Mississippi's Ship Island, and spent days exploring Pensacola Beach. 

I've compared the shore materials of Treasure Island in south Florida with the sandy white beaches of the Florida panhandle.  Thanks to that mandatory marine biology class in high school, I even know how it got there. However, knowledge is not what makes these places stand out in my mind after more than forty years; it's the memories associated with these places that makes them so special. 

Whether it was a simple camp out near the lake or an elaborate beach house reunion, what was your favorite water vacation and why?