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Where do you take your grandchildren
when they come to visit?
 After you’ve
spent the first day in and around the pool, everyone has matching prune fingertips and
every towel in the house is wet. What’s next? Of course the first evening is spent in
the customary ritual of the family barbecue and catching up on the latest news of all the
aunts, cousins, and former neighbors. As you awake next morning to the chatter and
laughter of the younger members of your brood, the brain slowly realizes – you have
to find some interesting activities to amuse these bundles of energy. After breakfast, you
sip your morning cup of coffee and maybe take a couple of aspirin for the muscle aches
caused by too much pool time. You definitely have to find activities that will interest
your grandchildren without testing your stamina.
The major tourist attractions in Orlando are great, but not every
time your family visits. Venice is a multi-faceted town. Its unique charm and beauty are
the reason so many of us have settled here. Let me share with you some of the things that
my own grandchildren either have enjoyed doing or are planning to do on subsequent visits.
One of their favorites is, of course, the beach. The best times
are early morning or in the evening. Temperatures are most comfortable and the risk of
sunburn is reduced. No matter what time you choose - sunscreen is a must, especially for
those not used to our climate. We truly enjoy early visits and a walk along the shoreline
delights the senses with the smell of the salt and the balmy breeze from the Gulf. For the
more active members of the family, the beach is a great place to jog in an idyllic
setting. As the kids begin their search for colorful or odd shaped shells it is nice to
relax in a lounge chair and listen to the soothing rhythm of the surf.
 Who has the Florida snow shovel? No trip to the Venice
beaches would be complete without searching for sharks teeth.
Of course all grandpas have to demonstrate the best technique for scooping, shaking and
sifting, using the famed Florida snow shovel (demonstrated at left by Marilyn McAffee of
Venice). This is an art that develops after hours at the edge of the surf. The best thing
is - you can practice again in the evening when you bring the family to perform that time
honored tradition of watching the sun go down.
No words can possibly describe the feeling
of satisfaction one receives as that last fraction of an orange sun slips quietly over the
distant horizon.  Other activities they can
enjoy at the beach are volleyball, Frisbees, jumping the waves (which are gentle enough
for all the family), burying each other in the sand, sand castles, you’ve probably
heard of making snow angels – well, sand works too. Floating on rafts is relaxing and
also a good way to keep near the kids with little physical effort. If you want to really
amaze them, get snorkel gear (very inexpensive) and let them discover some of the marine
life that is all around them. With their curiosity aroused, a trip to the library for
books about fish and other aquatic critters is an easy next step. I’ll list some of
the other area activities with just a little information on each.
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