Florida- Day 6

Last day in Florida, and we made the most we could out of it. Well, we at least hit up the beach one last time :o) We drove to the beach that we went to on the first day (second technical day in Florida, but first active day), the one right across from the base. There was a warning on the pier that said it was dangerous to swim there because there was a current, and rocks, and a drop off. Yeah, no wonder that beach is deserted. You really couldn't swim there. The waves crash big and hard right where the rocks are, but it's too shallow to just try to dive into them. So you just end up getting beat up by strong waves while stepping and bumping into big pointy rocks.

After a few (okay, maybe a little more than a few) minutes of getting knocked around I suggested that we drive a little ways away and see if another beach was a little more calm. So we got out and packed up and drove to a beach a couple minutes down the road. The signs were the same on this pier and the water looked pretty much the same, but when I tried to get past the rough waves, I was able to do it. Score! Alysha started off collecting sea shells and joined me in the water later. By now I was aware of her hydrophobia and so I tried to be very patient and helpful. I helped her time when to get past the waves, when they were at a lull, and I taught her how to just ride over the top of the smooth waves by just treading water. And I kept asking if she needed to go back in. I think she honestly had fun, but I know she was still honestly a little scared. But go Alysha, way to try it out :o)

After the beach we went back to her grandpa's to change and pack the last things up. Before we got to Florida Alysha told me how her grandpa always takes her to Checker's to get burgers even though it's not all that great of a place. I told her that we had to go check it out once before we left. That was the day we decided to go (because it was now or never). We had driven by a couple of Checker's restaurants on our way to other things and I told Alysha that I bet that it's just like Rally's. Well, once we got our food, I looked at the bag, and sure enough, the bag was a Checker's/Rally's bag- it had both names on it.

Okay, back up just a little bit. When we were at the beach we saw some clouds coming in. It didn't really phase me at first but then I thought. Storm clouds = storm = lightning. Ocean WATER + lightening = no bueno. It started raining right as we got back to Alysha's grandpa's house. By time we went to grab lunch, it was raining a little harder, but it wasn't too bad. As soon as we got back to her grandpa's house no more than 7 minutes later, it was down pouring. So much so that in the 10 seconds it took us to get from the car to the house, we were both DRENCHED and the food back was totalled, it fell apart when Alysha set it down on the table. I can't lie, I thought it was pretty awesome. I'd never experienced rain like that before. It was intense, but it was fun.

Alysha's grandpa was a little worried about the rain delaying our flight or something, but as we headed out, the rain slowed down and stopped, and our flight left on schedule. Eew... I could not fall asleep on the plane. I was so tired, and I would try to fall asleep- I'd lay down and close my eyes, put my ipod in, but nothin', I just couldn't do it. But what was even worse was that Alysha could fall asleep, without a problem. So not only was I jealous that I couldn't fall asleep, but I also had no one to talk to no the trip home. And I was so tired that reading or doing the mind games I had brought didn't sound too appealing (although I did end up reading and finished the book I had brought- I do not recommend anyone to read The Mysterious Benedict Society it's not good).

We landed in Salt Lake, wonderful Amanda came and picked us up and took her to her place, and I drove Alysha and I back to Provo. Thus ended our fun filled trip to Florida.