Beach vacations are supposed to be all about relaxation and fun, right? Instead of the usual articles on simple beach workouts that might cramp your vibe, I had planned to create a piece about that, complete with photos and videos. But things took an unexpected turn as soon as we arrived at the beach.
We chose Fort Desoto Beach near Tampa, FL, renowned as one of the best beaches in the country. Entry was a mere $5 per vehicle, which had us thinking we scored a great, inexpensive gem. Upon arrival, everything looked promising as we walked towards the beach. But as we rounded some trees and sand dunes, we faced an unexpected surprise—dogs everywhere! It wasn’t just a couple of pooches; there were over 30, all with their owners. Apparently, it was “bring your dog to the beach day,” and we missed that memo.
Despite the canine crowd, we set up our spot, determined to make the best of it. However, the sheer number of dogs was astounding. We decided to take a dip in the water to cool off, only to be serenaded by a man repeatedly calling his dog, Bruno, who was leisurely ignoring him. Bruno, an adorable, old dog, took a massive dump between the shore and us just as the tide rolled back in our direction, leaving me done with the water for the day.
We returned to our towels, where Bruno had left his mark—sandy paw prints and a delightful mix of beach water and fur smell. Bruno also marked his territory under a nearby couple’s umbrella. As much as I love dogs, my patience was wearing thin.
After such an ordeal—with toilet water splashes and wandering pups—I was in no mood for a workout. I couldn’t believe the number of dogs there and double-checked my location. As it turns out, we were indeed at Fort Desoto Beach, just on the dog beach side. It was our mistake, not Bruno’s and his furry friends’.
Realizing this, we quickly packed up and moved to the right side of the beach. This was the beautiful Fort Desoto Beach we had heard about—white sand, clear blue water, and gentle waves. The rest of the day was perfect, filled with picturesque sights and relaxing sounds, completely forgetting any workout plans.
The whole experience underscored that vacations sometimes don’t go as planned. It’s okay to skip the gym and recharge your mind and body instead. Just make sure to do a bit more research next time you travel. Otherwise, you might just find yourself in a similar situation hearing, “BRUUUNNNOOO…BRUUUNNNOOO!”
