Category: beach

Dreaming of a Vacation in Puerto Rico

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puerto Rico, The All-Star Island. All opinions are 100% mine.

dreaming of Puerto Rico

We love to travel with our family, and when winter weather hits my travel dreams turn to warm water and sandy beaches. I’ve long dreamed of a vacation in Puerto Rico and we’re hoping to make it happen soon. Why is Puerto Rico so high on my travel life list? It is easily accessible from the U.S., family friendly, and has something for everyone. Read on to find out why I’m dreaming of the crystal waters and sand in my toes right now. Live your own 5-star vacation story in Puerto Rico.

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Visiting the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, Florida #FamilyTravel

visiting gulfarium florida

The last week of our Southern Road Trip was spent in one of my favorite places, the Florida Panhandle. I grew up vacationing on the sugar white sands of the Miracle Strip and visiting the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. I had the opportunity to visit the Gulfarium again with my own children this summer and can’t wait to share our adventure with you. Read more about our beach vacation tips for families here, our beach week meal plan here, and activities for the kids at the beach here.

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Frugal Family Travel Tips: How to Take a BIG Trip on a Little Budget

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We recently returned from a 26 day road trip through the southeastern United States. We visited 11 states, drove over 3000 miles, and had an amazing time. We live on a tight budget on my husband’s teacher salary (plus the part time income from this blog and my part time job with Young Life). We live debt free and don’t use credit cards at all (thanks to Dave Ramsey‘s Total Money Makeover). So, how did we take such a big trip on a little budget? We got creative, kept it simple, and made a plan we could stick to. Read on to find out tips for taking big trips when your income is small.

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Family Travel: Our Best Beach Tips + 15 Great Resources for Family Beach Vacation Planning #BareFeetontheBeach

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Welcome to #BareFeetontheBeach week here at Bare Feet on the Dashboard. Our family has traveled to the Florida panhandle for a family beach vacation almost every year since I was a toddler. After more than three decades of beaching it, we have it down to a science. Today I’m sharing our best beach tips for your family beach vacation. A family beach vacation can be pure magic if you take the time to plan ahead and be prepared. Read on to find out how we do it and get ready for a great beach trip.

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A Fresh Seafood Meal Plan for Your Family Beach Vacation #BareFeetontheBeach

freshseafoodmealplan

After 30+ years of beach trips, our family knows what we love and we stick to it. We try maybe one new recipe each trip, but we love to make our favorites year after year. I’ve put together our traditional beach meal plan for you to use to gather ideas for your own family beach vacation. One of the best ways to save money while traveling is to cook rather than dine out. This meal plan will help you save money without missing out on the fresh seafood flavors that make beach trips so amazing. Be sure to pin this post so you can find it later for your family beach vacation.

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20 of the Best Beach Activities for Kids and Families #BareFeetontheBeach

beachactivitiesfamilies

Welcome to the #BareFeetontheBeach series here on Bare Feet on the Dashboard. We’ve been taking family beach vacations for over 30 years (since I was a toddler) and are now taking the third generation on beach trips. I’ve compiled a list of 20 of the best beach activities for kids and families for your vacation or staycation this year (some are perfect to do at home). Read more below and don’t forget to pin this post to find it later.

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Cloth Diaper Hacks: Use {Almost} Any Cloth Diaper as a Swim Diaper

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Summer is in full swing and we are basically living in the pool. Our Pearl Girl is a total water baby and wants to kick and splash just like her big brother. We have a few specific cloth swim diapers for her to use, but I want to let you in on a little secret I learned with the Bear. Almost ANY cloth diaper can work as a swim diaper. It’s true! We have used Bummis, Bumgenius, and Softbums shells as swim diapers and they all work perfectly.

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Heartbroken for the Ocean, Again: The Galveston Bay Oil Spill and How You Can Help

Ellie and me on our recent trip to Galveston Island
Ellie and me on our recent trip to Galveston Island

I’m sure you’ve heard by now about the collision of a ship and barge in Galveston Bay that resulted in a tragic oil spill. I wrote this post after the last major oil spill in the gulf, and here we are again. I am heartbroken, as I’m sure many of you are. I am a life long lover of the beach and I wept as I watched the news of oil spreading in to the Gulf of Mexico, threatening migratory birds at the height of their season, killing countless animals, and destroying the beautiful shores of our Texas beaches. The careers of fishermen and the tourist industries of the gulf towns are at risk, and the environmental effects will be felt for decades.

I hate it, yet we continue to drive gas guzzling SUVs and support this nation’s dependence on the very substance causing the tragedy. I cannot go and help today, but if you live in the bay area you can. Anyone can donate to the relief effort. Volunteer, donate, or report oil sightings here with the Galveston Bay Foundation. I hope that something can be learned from an environmental disaster of this magnitude and our collective national mindset will begin to move away from our oil addiction.

Family Travel: Our Family Beach Trip

I am a beach girl at heart, and love it all the more when my family is with me.  This year we were blessed to join my parents and siblings in Navarre Beach, Florida for an amazing week.  It was crazy and fun and so sweet to be with everyone.  Look at these two.  Aren’t they the cutest?!  My sister and I had babies 6 weeks apart, so this was the first time we got to meet the newbies.  There was a lot of baby snuggling happening in that beach house, let me tell you.  

 We attempted to get a photo of all five grandbabies, but it proved above our pay grade.  Luke was NOT having it.  At all.  Note to self: next time have the baby entertainers stand directly behind me so the kids are not looking to the side.

 Then it was time for everybody’s {least} favorite part of the whole week, the group photo.  I always end up organizing it because I’m the oldest child and it’s just what I do.  My mom bought matching outfits for the kids and the rest of us wore any shade of blue, brown, or white.

 We traded photo shoots with our neighbors because I forgot my tripod.  This was WAY easier than running back and forth after setting the timer.  I need a remote.

 We all survived and had a blast.  We are pretty low key when we go to the beach, and spend most of our time just enjoying the sand and water rather than tourist activities.  We eat fresh seafood we cook ourselves every night and do a lot of laughing and playing.  Best week ever.

 This one is my favorite because we are all laughing.  Caroline’s face (in the middle) is the best.

Do you have a favorite beach? Where?