My husband and I had the good fortune to be in Florida last week for a few days' break. We stayed on the Gulf Coast, near St. Petersburg, and I have to say it was WONDERFUL to feel the warm air and sunshine after what felt like such a long winter this year. And there's something about walking barefoot on the beach that makes you feel so... I don't know—human. We did an 8-km walk one day, our bare feet crushing the tiny shells on top of the sand as little sandpipers hopped in the surf and crabs scuttled into their holes. (That wasn't the only wildlife we saw from the shoreline: dolphins put on a little show for us as well.)

That walk felt great. That may be partly because being barefoot is actually thought to be better for us than wearing shoes, at least according to New York Magazine. Another benefit? My feet were superbly, and naturally, exfoliated! No pedicurist's pumice can mimic an 8-km beach walk.

Beyond all of that, I felt exhilarated by the effort of walking on sand, by the salty breeze blowing off the Gulf—and by the warming thought that, even back in Canada, where the leaves are barely even budding on the trees and the daffodils are only just out, winter is finally gone.

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