In all my years spent on this earth, I will never forget the salt in the wind and the seagulls in the distance right when the sun rises. Each day seemed to be hotter than the last, but the sea breeze and the cotton candy skies at dusk were always worth it. Growing up in Florida was one of the biggest blessings I could have ever asked for in terms of being close to nature. The land is ever changing wherever you may go in Florida; from the beautiful beaches of Bradenton to the think forests in Melbourne.
“If i had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life” -Rachel Carson, A Sense of Wonder
As a child, my family always encouraged my cousins and I to explore our outside surroundings. One memory that I will never forget was a trip down to the keys in late August. Despite the temperature being in the upper 90’s for the entire trip, my mother knew how to make the most of our long beach walk by staying and dancing in the rain. There is nothing quite like outrunning a rain storm right behind you and thinking that you single-handedly outsmarted nature when you’re only 8 years old.
One of the most memorable parts of growing up in Florida for a lot of kids were the countless hours spent at the beach. Unlike those who were staying on holiday, the beaches were a perfect weekend past time for any Floridian family. I can recall every Sunday morning, my mother and I would get a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel and a peach Snapple and lay on the beach for hours. Each day was filled with bird watching, sandcastle making, and waiting for the sea turtles eggs to hatch. To this day, I still have the same child-like excitement going out to the beach with my mom to relive these memories.
No matter the weather or the time of year, the nature and wildlife of Florida will always continue to amaze me. Swimming in the crystal clear waters in Ginnie Springs and the warm, salty waves of the Gulf of Mexico will continue to entice visitors and locals for generations to come. The best advice that I can give to the residence of Florida is to get out into the world and create these memories with yourself and your future children. From any age or way of life, everyone can appreciate the beauty of the area.
Reagen's Walk Into Nature 