| My family's first beach vacation was in 1997. We | | | | neosporin, and benadryl for allergic reactions. |
| went to Mexico Beach, a town in the Florida | | | | Important note: Beach vacations often mean |
| Panhandle. Even in our Dodge Caravan, known as | | | | bringing your kids' friends along. Be sure you have |
| "the mom-mobile," we pulled out of the driveway | | | | a signed medical authorization for each minor and |
| packed to the gills. Since that first trip, we have | | | | a copy of their insurance card! |
| headed on beach vacations more times than I can | | | | For the pets, most pet-friendly vacation rentals |
| count. Here are my tips learned in 10-plus years | | | | require your dog to have current flea treatment. |
| of packing for vacations in Cape San Blas, Florida, | | | | Also bring proof of rabies vaccinations. Find out |
| to help you avoid the hassles and be a smart | | | | where the nearest vet is and their contact |
| beach vacation packer! | | | | information. Don't wait to be dealing with a crisis |
| CLOTHING: Create a checklist of clothing to bring. | | | | and have no idea who to call. |
| Now reduce that by half, and that is what should | | | | RAINY DAY KIT: Ours is simple. We bring a |
| actually go in the suitcase! Seriously, depending on | | | | jigsaw puzzle. Find out if the unit has games, |
| the destination and your planned activities, a | | | | puzzles, cards, movies. If not, be sure to bring |
| Spartan approach is fine. Bathing suits, shorts, a | | | | items or make plans for when beach activities are |
| cover-up, jeans or slacks for cooler evenings | | | | unavailable due to weather. |
| t-shirts or summer blouses, a sundress for ladies | | | | SUN PRODUCTS: Go to your favorite discount |
| and aloha shirt for men, and you're good to go. | | | | store and stock up on suntan lotion (we like the |
| As for shoes, flip-flops, Tevas, boat shoes or | | | | spray kind, and you can never bring enough). |
| running shoes for the athletic types. Dress shoes | | | | Select waterproof and maximum SPF. Don't |
| are only worn by, well, tourists. Except for hotels, | | | | become a cliche. Growing up I have seen |
| most Florida beach vacation rentals provide a | | | | hundreds of visitors underestimate the Florida sun |
| washer and dryer, so plan to wash things out to | | | | and fry themselves on their first day at the |
| lighten the load if you're tight on space. | | | | beach. Don't ruin your vacation! Chap-stick is a |
| LINENS AND TOWELS: If your rental doesn't | | | | must too. Sunglasses for everybody, hats and/or |
| supply them, make everyone responsible for | | | | visors. Bring something for sunburn since |
| finding room in their suitcase for their share. If like | | | | somebody always gets too much sun. |
| me you have a teen-aged diva, make her fit | | | | GROCERIES AND OTHER SUPPLIES: If you have |
| extra bath towels for her hair in her suitcase. | | | | family members with allergies and special needs, |
| Leave super-plush towels behind. In the Florida | | | | definitely pack what they need. We have gone |
| humidity, they'll stay damp all week. Opt for | | | | both ways on things like toilet paper and paper |
| thinner towels and nothing you'll cry over if | | | | towels, but I find the little we save dragging these |
| stained with suntan lotion or left behind. In Cape | | | | items to the beach isn't worth it. We hit the Piggly |
| San Blas vacation rentals, beach towels are a less | | | | Wiggly in Port St. Joe the day we arrive or first |
| common amenity. Have each person be | | | | thing the next morning. Stopping in your unit first |
| responsible for theirs. One per person is plenty. | | | | to do inventory helps you make wiser purchases. |
| Hang them up each night or throw them in the | | | | At the Cape, town is 20 minutes away. You want |
| washer and dryer. | | | | to plan your shopping trips and not spend your |
| BEACH CHAIRS, TOYS, ETC.: Consult your rental | | | | whole vacation driving! Your rental agent and their |
| company, since what is guaranteed varies. Are | | | | website is a great resource. They should list |
| beach chairs provided? If so, how many? What | | | | suppliers for groceries, fresh seafood, etc. If this |
| about beach carts, floats, skim boards, boogie | | | | is your first trip, shop with the mindset of "less is |
| boards and kites? Many times you arrive at your | | | | more." We see so much food go to waste on |
| vacation rental and find everything you need | | | | check-out day from folks who overestimated |
| there, left behind by someone who didn't want to | | | | what they needed. Also, find out what is supplied |
| drag it home. If there is a beach store near your | | | | in your rental, whether a grill, a crock pot, blender |
| rental, weigh the savings of bringing from home | | | | or crab pot. When you're cooking for your family, |
| versus waiting until you arrive to make any | | | | you want to be sure the kitchen supplies available |
| purchases. Beach chairs take up a lot of room. | | | | work with your menu! |
| Don't take them unless you have to! With any | | | | BEFORE YOU GO: Review the checklist and be |
| items you do decide to take along, divide things | | | | sure you eyeballed everyone's suitcase. Moms are |
| up in as many suitcases as possible. | | | | the ones who realize your son has forgotten his |
| TOILETRIES, MEDICATION, FIRST AID AND PET | | | | retainer (or even his toothbrush) and your |
| SUPPLIES: Do a check-list of needed medications | | | | husband didn't pack a any underwear, but he has |
| and refill prescriptions well in advance so you have | | | | golf clubs and 14 fishing poles. |
| plenty of required drugs to pack for the trip. | | | | Once you leave home, if you forgot it, you |
| Many places provide "hotel amenities," but don't | | | | probably don't need it or you can buy it when you |
| count on those getting you through the week. | | | | get there. Remember, this is a beach vacation |
| Have everybody take a supply of personal | | | | and it's supposed to be fun and relaxing! You've |
| toiletries in their suitcase. | | | | planned, you've prepared, and now you deserve |
| Nobody wants to think about a jellyfish sting or | | | | to kick back, soak up the sun, read a good book |
| other injury, but they happen. Check with the | | | | and watch the dolphins and the pelicans from your |
| rental company and see if the home has a first | | | | deck. If you followed these simple rules, you'll |
| aid kit. If not provided or the company is unsure, | | | | actually have a book, your sunglasses, suntan |
| pack essentials -- pain reliever, something for | | | | lotion and your beach towel, too. Enjoy your |
| upset stomachs, hydrogen peroxide, band-aids, | | | | vacation at one of Florida's fabulous beaches! |