It was to be the holiday of a lifetime, reunited as a family following my husband’s “unexpected” tour of duty in Iraq, we had planned a two-week vacation to Florida. Emily was devoted to Mickey Mouse and it had been her plea that had prompted me to book the holiday to keep our spirits up in those long terrifying months. We booked a stay in Orlando near Old Kissemmee and a week in Cocoa Beach so we could visit Cape Canaveral and venture as far as Daytona Beach and the Harley Davidson shop.
It was everything it had promised to be and more, we had breakfast with Donald Duck, watched the Disney Parade, saw Snow White, melted in the heat, saw real raccoons, bought trinkets in the old town of Kissemmee. We set off in the early hours of Friday 13th August to try to outrun Hurricane Charley and hoped to nestle in the safety of Cocoa Beach. Hurricane Charley had other ideas though and the hotel bravely hosted a hurricane party and we survived a little bit wet and flooded but mostly intact. Cocoa Beach Daytona and Orlando were all hit fairly badly but it didn’t spoil our holiday. There was a little eating place called Coconuts on the Beach and they served the best Nachos I have ever tasted and I always declare that if I ever win big in the lottery that my first treat will be a return visit to Cocoa Beach to bask in the heat and dine at Coconuts again, I believe it is still there.
Cocoa beach summer
Nacho-time at Coconuts
Hurricane hits hard.
©Alison Jean Hankinson
Tonight at d’Verse we were asked to write about a memorable vacation and this was one of my favourites.
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Hues of Hankinson 
Wow! Now that was a primo vacation! I love nachos. Nachos in Florida and other parts south of the Mason Dixon are the best in the world. Love the spiciness. And you all got to have breakfast with Donald Duck! Hey, if you want to see real live raccoons, come visit me. The woods are rife with them.
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Love the photos and thanks for taking me along to Cocoa Beach! 🙂
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I do think that vacation in the sun are best when you are with kids… I was in Florida a couple of years ago, and we liked Key West the best I think…
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Goodness me, Alison, you do get around! I’m so glad you all had a wonderful time together after your husband’s return from Iraq. Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach and the Harley Davidson shop, as well as Disney!
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Emily made me do it…..XXXX
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🙂 xxx
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That hurricane party should keep the memories fresh for a long time.
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Good for you to keep the holiday spirit and fun going ~ That hurricane though would make this memorable, plus the nachos in the beach ~ Enjoyed this one Alison ~
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The intrusion by the hurricane will keep this vacation vivid in your mind.
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The very best of times can be a memorable restaurant on vacation. Even if it’s not 4 star, or fancy. Some of my favorites have just been joints out on the beach, where the fish was fresh and the sea breeze made us all hungry
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We ate more than usual this past August as the weather on the island was hit and miss – and I’m not complaining as Ocracoke Island has wonderful restaurants and chefs. Vacation after all is about family time.
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What a memorable trip, hurricane included! Coconuts is still there after 40 years!
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