My mother and stepfather began spending the winter months in Destin, Florida, the same year that I graduated from the Iliff School of Theology. So we began to go to Florida after Christmas. Our son took his first steps in Destin. On several trips we left after church, and I drove all night so we could arrive at dawn. Other times, we left in the wee hours of the morn (3 a.m.) and drove on Christmas Day and reached Montgomery around dawn. Our van had a bed in the back and the kids would sleep nearly all the way until we stopped for breakfast at Hardees at Florala. Michael inherited the holiday routine taking Amy and Maddy to his favorite spots. We take care of the dog.

I have lost count of the number of times we have gotten our feet wet in the winter surf. Nine years ago, we took my mother's ashes there per her request. This photo is from Navarre, with its pier stretching into the right edge. Surprisingly, this image was taken with my iPhone just after the rain stopped.

We all have holiday traditions. I miss Sunday School parties, caroling, Bad Santa gift exchanges, serving Christmas Eve communion, decorating sugar cookies, and probably a dozen others. For a view like this, I might even drive through the night. Nah, I'm retired. I've got time to travel sensibly.