Given the continuing rain in Beaufort and Savannah, I headed south to find sunshine. I hadn’t been to Daytona Beach for many years and sunshine and warm temperatures were in the forecast. I arrived after dark and the strip was lit up like Las Vegas. After being on a deserted beach for 10 days, the lights and activity were a harsh re-entry to civilization!

It was Super Bowl Sunday and the hotel bar/grill was filled with people cheering on their teams. Sitting in a booth with a very young waitress who called me “hun” and surrounded by groups of cheering fans, I felt very out of place. Besides, I ordered a salad when every other table was filled with the discarded bones from chicken wings and remnants of nachos. I retreated to my room to watch the rest of the game.

The next morning, I awoke to beautiful sunshine on the beach. A morning walk was in order, but the steps to the beach had been destroyed in the last hurricane. No worries, a few blocks away there was beach access. After having a beach to myself for the past week, Daytona Beach left something to be desired. Filled with tourists, beachside hotels and bars, I can see why it is a hot spot for spring break. For me, those days are long gone and the tranquility of quiet beaches surrounded by nature are now my preference. But, I have found sunshine!!