SeaShell Training Blog

January 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm (Run) · Digg! this story.

I coined this phrase in 2006 when I was speaking at a conference in Italy. Technically I was ‘working’ ~ but in a lovely foreign land that I’d never been to before! I added a healthy dose of seeing the sights and experiencing new places on the planet. I love to ‘tour’ the places I go for work, and if it’s a new or especially curious place, I’ll arrive early or stay a few days to suss it out! It makes ‘business travel’ soooooo fun!!

This week I am practicing ‘occupational tourism’ on the Atlantic Ocean beaches of Mayport, Florida! (Hello from Florida!) I’ve never understood the allure of Florida ~ until today! I went for a run on the beach….and there was NO ONE in sight! (Okay, a few other locals out for a run or walk with their dog, but no tourists to speak of!) You see, it’s FREEEEEZING here this week! (Apparently Florida DOES get winter!) So the beach was all fogged in with a soupy mist, the air was crisp, and the waves were big. It almost looked like the best blustery days off the coast of southwest Washington or Oregon. Beautiful. And, it was sooooooo quiet. I only ran for 30 minutes, but then I took my shoes and socks off and just walked in the water. It was cold, but lovely!!! (I did see a few ladies in anorak jackets with the hoods pulled up. They looked at me in my running t-shirt & shorts- with my shoes in my hands, walking through the water- as if I had a few heads. Ha!)

I’ve only been to these beaches when it’s been summer and ’spring-break’……read: 10bazillion people cramming every inch on the sand and every cafe on the boardwalk. Ob-nox-ious.

But today, it was peaceful. And even with the fog and the mist and the ‘cold’, I finally understand what Florida has to offer.

Thanks, Florida! And thanks Tax Man for letting me write it off!