West Coast Life (of Florida)

There is something special about Florida’s geography that is almost surreal.

Growing up here, I didn’t think about it much, but very realistically, you can wake up here in Melbourne, take a relaxing morning stroll along the beach and watch the sunrise, go to class and have a decent lunch. Then, you can get in the car and travel a little over two hours west to a completely different world. The West Coast Life.

I had the luxury of somewhat living a double-life, in that I grew up on the east coast, in Jacksonville, but my entire extended family lived on the west coast, in Citrus County (my parents just moved there). Any way you put it, water was a vital part of my life, and some of the most beautiful water systems I know are right here in our backyard. This example from a few weekends ago, in Kings Bay in Crystal River, Florida (yes that’s the manatee town)!

I took these pictures in what is known as golden hour, as the memories from my childhood in this area hold a special place in my heart. If you’re ever bored on a weekend in Florida, mosey on over to the west coast. I was also sort of spoiled in that we kinda lived it up when we went out on the water because partly owned a floating fortress out in the bay. This house on the water essentially serves as our staging grounds for an epic weekend. Looking back, I can say that I had a great, endless summer childhood, even from a Floridian’s standpoint!