From Disney's Vero Beach resort

Vero Beach holds a very special place in my heart. My grandparents lived here later in years and visiting my Grammie was always a time of great joy, comfort, and renewal for me. We relaxed, we talked, we basked in the sun, we visited the town, the beach, the manatees. Going back then was a bit of a mixed event. There is always sadness when a loved one is gone, and yet there is joy in revisiting the places that bring the memories to life.

We didn't do exactly the same things in Vero that we did when my grandparents were there, but we did similar things. Although we didn't stop, we did drive through the little town. And though we didn't stop to walk along the beach in Vero, we did walk along the beach back at our resort, collecting shells, looking for crabs, and counting birds. We didn't find any manatees at the power plant where we used to stop at least once a day to view them, but we did go to the manatee education center in Fort Pierce and saw them (wild ones, too) drinking fresh water from a drain. And we had a great seafood dinner at the Lobster Shanty (where Jon had his first taste of seafood ten years ago). One thing completely new was the afternoon spent at the resort pool, swimming and sliding to the tunes the DJ was spinning. Thankfully he left before we did.

We had a bright beautiful sun right up until evening, and unseasonably warm weather to make the outdoor play more fun. The wind was even calm right up until the clouds blew in around dinner time, which is when we were done with the water play anyhow. It was a beautiful last day—almost as though we planned it that way—and today we drove north up the coast and then west to the airport, boarded a plane, and landed back at home where a light dusting of snow awaited us. Perfection. Final thoughts on a Disney vacation to follow.

Manatee Education Center

Manatees in the wild

Back at the resort

Comments

[Chelita]

I miss the beach! I grew up in Pensacola and everytime I see the seashore I cry a little inside.

I love the manatee education center. I have never been, but I think another online friend lives around there and has been because the photos look a bit familiar.