Florida, Dallas, and the Gift of Simple Rhythms

Summer Vacation 2025

We did things a little differently this year.

We’ve been making the joke that last year was Paris and Amalfi, and this year, it’s Florida and Dallas.

All kidding aside, I was really looking forward to our small, simple vacation this year. We planned on spending a long weekend in Seaside (30 A, FL area) and spend the 4th od July weekend at our favorite Dallas staycation—the Texan Gaylord Resort. (Technically, not a staycation, it’s a 4 hour drive from Houston, but still feels local enough.)

Seaside, FL

We started our drive to 30A at around 2am. We probably each got 2 hours of sleep as we both had full work days, and didn’t start packing until 10pm. Derek drank a lot of 5 Hour Energy drinks, and me, well, I slept a large part of the way, as much as I tried not to. The drive South East was beautiful. We drive through so many bayous, rivers, swamps and deep green trees lined our entire drive. It felt very Nicholas Sparks.

By the time we got to 30A, we were hot and hungry and we bee-lined it to Bud & Alley’s. We each got pizza, and walked around Seaside. It was as beautiful as you’ve seen in pictures.

After our first meal and stroll through Seaside, we settled into a slower rhythm. Our Airbnb was about 25 minutes away from the main beaches, and while it wasn’t the most convenient for popping in and out of town, it did help us ease into a quieter pace. I kept thinking how it might be worth it next time to stay closer, maybe even somewhere biking distance to the water. Parking was... well, as you might expect in July— scarce and stressful.