With the stresses of spring classes and working two jobs as well, my friend Lorraine and I decided that we both needed to de-stress and clear our minds. Living in South Florida, we are lucky to have such a beautiful option as going horseback riding on the beach. Beautiful is the only word I can use to describe it. 

Lorraine and I are both very lucky. We are pursing our dream jobs by going to school full time, supporting ourselves with full time jobs, and have amazing boyfriends and families who love us very much. We also get to live in South Florida. Although we were both born here, every day we learn to appreciate it even more.

It was a Sunday morning when we made the drive up the coast to the beach where we would be riding. We talked along the way about our relationships with our boyfriends, how annoying professors can be, and caught up on each other's lives. That is what best friends are for, advice, support, and great conversation. Occasionally belting out the song on the radio, we smiled at each other; because that is what we have done on our drives since the 10th grade. Lorraine has always loved horses. She aspires to be a veterinarian and specialize in equine medicine. I could tell how excited she was.

We arrived at the beach and saw the horses in a grassy area on the other side of a wooden fence. We got out of the car, grabbed our cameras, and headed over to the group. Lorraine in her riding boots, me in my Converse. Ok so I'm not an experienced rider or anything. I have ridden on trails several times before, and even took a lesson or two when I was in middle school. But I was excited. 

We met with our guide for the morning. I got to ride Wrangler, the guide's personal horse. After begin assigned our rides, we hopped on and went out to the sand. It was a perfect spring day. The breeze from the beach put a slight chill in the air. We had just had a cold snap here in South Florida and the morning brought temperatures in the 50s (yes that is cold for a Florida spring!) The family from Canada that came along with us even wore jackets. The beach was beautiful, more secluded than the beaches by my house, only a few beachgoers lay on the soft sand. 

We started going down the beach, occasionally dipping into the water. It was hard not to smile while trotting through the ocean and getting splashed. Lorraine talked to the guide about her horses, while I chatted with the Canadian family. They had come down for a week to go to Disney World, and the daughter told me of her private horse riding lessons. Disappointed by the sudden cold snap, this was the first day that they were at the beach. Unfortunately, their flight was to leave the next day. 

Venturing up into the woods by the each we followed a small nature trail before emerging back on the beach. On the way back we trotted for quite a while. I kept thinking "My thighs are going to hurt tomorrow!" (and they did). Just staring out at sea, watching the parasailors,  hearing the waves crash, and trying to find a cloud in the sky, I realized... I don't belong anywhere but South Florida.