As with anyone bitten by the travel bug, my husband and I have a ridiculously long list of places we hope to will eventually visit. Every time we check off a destination, we add at least three more. Somehow though, we often manage to overlook the beauty in places nearest to us.
I was recently commissioned by GO ESCAPE travel magazine to photograph Playalinda Beach in Titusville, Florida for the cover and feature as one of America’s “Secret Beaches.” When I received a copy of the magazine (after I gawked at the cover), I immediately started flipping through the pages and saying to my husband things like, “Oooh, what about kayaking with belugas? Add Manitoba to our list!” and “Do we know anyone in Utah?? Look at this photo!” There were so many great travel pieces with loads of information, travel tips, first-person travel stories and stunning imagery. Our ‘list’ grew even more..
Then I had this realization: Travel editors chose our county to highlight as a cover-worthy destination. The “secluded sun spot” featured is less than an hour from our house and I hadn’t been there in a year. Shame on me. Why drive 45 minutes, when I can drive 10 minutes to the beach? Brevard County residents are spoiled by so many great beaches.
But there’s something special about the Canaveral National Seashore with its pristine dunes, remarkably blue ocean and lack of condos, hotels and general commercialism. Its protected landscape is peaceful and beautiful. I’m glad travel editors decided to share our ‘secret’ beach with their readers. And I am thankful for the reminder as well.
GO ESCAPE hits newsstands June 15.
Order your copy here: GO ESCAPE Summer 2012
Reblogged this on vows and knots.