Wikipedia’s definition.. “The Cradle of Naval Aviation”, Pensacola Naval Air Station is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits.
My mother’s heart definition.. the place my youngest son, a US Marine, was for water survival training.
Knowing the distance between him and us was a mere 6 hour drive, I made it my mission to get there.. and arrange for our immediate family and his girlfriend to join us. White sand beaches and time with him was calling my name. Memorial Day weekend was perfect! Who knows where he will be stationed next? Who knows how long before we are all together? Only a military family understands maybe. Reservations made, transportation set.. “we’re coming buddy!” was the promise.
Equipped with a list of ideas from Trip Advisor and advice from other military moms in the area, we drove. My husband works nights, so as he slept I drove (really fast..) and remember being so happy to see the Florida line. By Friday evening, our family of five, plus one special young lady, had all arrived at different times. All together in the parking lot of the base hotel. Hugs all around and plans for some awesome fun and memory making. Saturday morning we started with breakfast together at I-Hop, then we headed to the beach. Soaking up a little sun, walking on the white sand, dipping into the Gulf waters… mostly just enjoying being together for a few hours, taking pictures. It was so good for us.. good for our Marine. Together, with family and familiar, for just a long weekend matters. 
A late afternoon trip to McGuires Irish Pub for dinner before heading to meet Captain Kirk with Condor Sailing. A no-leaning sailboat cruise to watch the sunset… and be together. A cruise that holds six, which was exactly our number. An evening that was perfect in so many ways. Beautiful water and adventurous laughter, as one after another we made our way around the boat — out to ‘ride the bull’ or stand with the Titanic pose. A highlight for everyone was watching the sunset on the ocean, then witness playful dolphins on our return to the dock. 
Sunday morning we returned to I-Hop for breakfast, visited the Naval Air Museum, and took in a baseball game. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a minor league team, played the Jackson Generals.
Baseball, hotdogs, and sunshine at a ball field right by the water. What a view! And knowing how much the men in our family love baseball… what a great afternoon.
After breakfast on Monday, Memorial Day, our oldest son and his wife said goodbye and began the drive home. The four of us stayed on a little taking a morning trip to the Pensacola Lighthouse on base, and wandering thru the shopping mall. Waiting until the last possible minute to say our ‘see you laters’… thankful for the time together making memories. Driving him back to his barracks, I noticed these in the backseat. ‘Boots in the house’ is a military term for when someone is home. This is my ‘boots in the backseat’ photo. 
As we drove away headed home, it was obvious our hearts were full. A dose of family, a beautiful weekend in many ways.
Til next time buddy.
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