In the middle of EMERALD BLAZE release, Gordon told me, “I booked a vacation.”
I just sort of turned around and looked at him. COVID is going on, we are on a crushing deadline, we’d have to board seven animals…
He said, “It’s a house on Santa Rosa beach. It has its own private access to the ocean. We drive 12 hours. We don’t stop unless we have too refuel or use the bathroom. We will have all of our food delivered. I promise to not go into a single restaurant while we are there. We can take the girls. We haven’t taken a vacation in years. We are going.”
And we went.
Santa Rosa is in Florida’s panhandle. The sand is white; the water is crystal clear. There are sandbars running along the coast, changing the sea from turquoise to jade green.
We would go swimming early in the morning and after 5:00 pm, when the beach emptied as everyone left for dinner. In between, we sat on the porch and looked at the ocean.
We didn’t socialize. We wore masks with filters. And I think we were the only ones who did. I have to tell you, the restaurants were full. We were driving in and saw tons of people through the windows. Nobody wore a mask. Seriously. People walked outside like the pandemic wasn’t happening. So we hid inside the house and went to the beach.
It probably wasn’t the wisest choice of action, but I didn’t realize how close we both were to the breaking point until on day 4 I finally exhaled.
The six of us are now quarantining for the next 2 weeks. I’ll let you know how it goes.
So glad you could relax and enjoy being with your family,
Take care ~~
❤️
I’m very glad that you took some time to depressurize. It looked lovely….
Best photo I’ve seen of Ilona in a long time. I’m glad you exhaled, finally. The photos are stunning, the beach is gorgeous, and your eyes are bright and shining and happy. Yes, you have to quarantine, but you’ve been doing that since March, anyway, struggling to avoid this pandemic. We all have. Gordon, you fixed a lot with that vacation. SO good to hear you held to the social distancing the entire time! I’ve been kind of worried with no posts, but I’m glad you just stopped and rested and enjoyed yourselves.
Soul Food is what my dad called what you and your family did ???? at some point we have to feed our souls in order for us to survive day in and day out. I pray and hope that you and the family are well and that you don’t have any germs , But I am really glad to hear that you all got out and about and especially at the beach. I have to tell you being stuck in the deserts of Arizona sucks and I’m terribly jealous that you got to go enjoy it at the beach but in the best way possible. Thank you for sharing your pictures????
You are smart and beautiful and talented. Happy you got away to de-stress. Florida people….wear you %$*# masks! Unbelievable.
This bloody virus would be a fraction as deadly without all the stupid people. I live in SC, and we’re stupid people wall-to-wall.
Glad you have a great vaycay.
Your vacation sounds heavenly. So glad you took a break.
I came back today just to bask in the tranquil scenery. I’ll probably be basking a lot . . .
You deserve to enjoy this beautiful world with the people who matter most to you. You were as safe as you could be in the environment you were in. You are doing a responsible follow up and I hope you are relaxed.
That is awesome! Way to go! I’m so glad you got that you finally got a real relaxing break 🙂
So beautiful. Gordon RULES! Thanks for being SAFE and sharing you holiday pics!! (It makes me so emotional reading that people are not in masks.)
Sometimes you just have to stop and breathe. Good for all of you going with your masks!! People are strange! 200,000 dead in the US alone but for them it’s over. Sheesh! Anyhoo…it looks lovely and relaxing and I’m so glad you all went! Thank you for sharing.
This is awesome that you guys got the time with your family to relax, and you were conscientious about keeping safe during COVID times. We shouldn’t put our lives on hold completely and indefinitely, and glad that you guys have adjusted to find your new normal :).
So wonderful that you were able to destress with your family next to a beautiful beach!
Wishing you well from my corner of the world in NZ
Glad you took the time for a vacation! Envious of your trip to the beach.
Sometimes you have to take a risk. Unfortunately, this time is all about how much risk we choose. It sounds like you did fabulous in minimizing your risk while still taking some much needed R&R. The pictures are gorgeous!
Thank you for the update. It’s wonderful you all had a good time.
I’m so thrilled you all had a vacation and you did it so smartly! Santa Rosa is a very pretty beach and I love your photos! Yeah Yeah Yeah! I hope everyone is staying healthy and relaxed. Cheers!
What a beautiful looking place. When we didn’t hear from you for a week I was hoping that meant you were taking break. I really hope it recharged your batteries sufficiently.
I am so glad you did this! I had a feeling you were taking a break and I am so glad to hear that you took some time for yourself and your family. Thanks for taking the proper precautions, I see so many people ignoring them as well and I worry for all the others whom they put at risk. Love your vacation pics!
I’m just happy that the baby is okay!!! After I read the book, I was horrified at the thought that this tiny little newborn was being kidnapped, and I’m SO happy to read this and find it isn’t so!
I wish the rest of people were so responsible.
My family just got back from our yearly trip to Santa Rosa Beach on Saturday. We all needed the change of scenery. We were surprised by how many people didn’t wear masks in public when we drove through town. Like you were stayed at the condo enjoying the view and swimming during the quieter times. The water was so calm it really refreshed us all. And as usual we overpacked a little on food. I’m so glad you got to experience out favorite vacation spot. Thankfully it had so many fewer people than the usual insanity over the holiday. We all look forward to the post season exodus but our vacation schedules the last few years mean it has to start during the holiday.
Sometimes in the middle of all that is happening is the best time to take a break….and breathe. Good for Gordon to just book it and drag you all along. Life happens when we are too focused on what we have to get done because deadlines.
Now I have to get back to writing and figure out how to use inkscape.
I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida-where everyone else is coming to GET AWAY! Believe me we are not the only ones who are nuts during covid. I see them every day. Its like “Hey, I’m not at home! Lets infect the populace and leave!” Yikes! If we get desperate we go to our lake house and sit on the swing by the water and zone out with a pina colada! Private lake near Silver Springs with nobody but us usually! YAY!
Oh I mean’t to post in defense of Gulf Coasters. Everyone in Alabama and Mississippi and Georgia heads to the Gulf Coast beaches, its the TOURISTS but not just them, not wearing masks. But mostly right? right…..
Keep safe in the storm.
Thanks for sharing the pics. I’m glad that you got away from it all, for a little while. 🙂
My hubby has to step in to get me to unplug from the craziness, too. That’s why we keep them around, I guess – that and the whole pickle jar-opening thing. 😉
Take care.
That is great that you got to take a break!!! 🙂 Like you, I DON’T understand the no masks and eating in restaurants thing. I will go occasionally with mask on to pick up food I ordered, but I won’t eat in one. The air is recirculated by the AC, it doesn’t stay 6 feet away…sigh. But I also have had two family members get COVID, one recovered and one passed away.
Glad you could exhale!
Funny how people feel so safe at the beach. I do too. But I wear my mask indoors by golly. Not safe indoors.
Do glad you guys could unwind a bit! Lovely place!
Glad to hear you were able to take that breath. It’s always nice to reach that point. Props to Gordon for knowing what needed to be done. I hope you had tons of fun and the pictures are lovely!
Whoohoo! Go Gordon! Sooooo glad y’all took some much needed time off. I just read the shutting off social media post. Good for you. Rest, write, live. We adore y’all and want you to be happy, not stressed. So know we’ll be here to read your books when they are released. You get to live your lives as YOU see fit.
My family did the same thing. We’ve been taking isolation seriously since March, by August we were facing psychological issues.
We booked a beach house for a week, avoiding the locals, and restaurants.
We were still isolating, but with ocean views and beautiful weather.
It was a mental health requirement, we all felt much more like ourselves,and recharged. Just in time for virtual school.
You look so happy! Wonderful! We needed a getaway and got a lake house, and besides smelling like, well urine, the view was amazing and I totally understand feeling like you can take a breathe and exhale. We left once for A few groceries we forgot to pack. I cooked beautiful delicious meals and baked goods on our short, late summer vacation. You should plan another trip, you deserve it!!
Good for you that youe have a vacation