Earlier this month the New River Valley got a sneak preview of spring with temperatures in the upper 70s and sunny days. However, it was only a brief escape from the cold and rain that has reappeared in the NRV.

The gloomy weather urged one father-son duo to seek out warmer temperatures farther south.

Gary Cope, 34, and his son Nicholas, 3, traveled to Panama City, Fla., to visit family. During the trip, the Copes visited Mexico Beach where they enjoyed temperatures near 80 degrees and sunny skies.

Unlike Panama City Beach, packed with college students on spring break, Mexico Beach remains a quiet and family friendly beach community.

One of the main reasons the beautiful beach area has remained untouched by the hordes of college spring breakers is the lack of bars and night clubs.

For Gary and Nicholas Cope, that's just fine with them.

"It was nice for me and my son to enjoy our trip to the beach and not have drunk college kids causing problems or behaving inappropriately," said Gary.

"Let them [college students] have Panama City Beach, it's better suited for them, but I'd like to see Mexico Beach stay a quiet family friendly place to bring the kids."

During their vacation in Florida, they were reminded of the dangers spring breakers risk during the infamous alcohol-fueled parties that go on in Panama City Beach.

A 21-year-old Texas A&M student was found dead in a ditch on March 18. Not surprisingly, police suspect alcohol was involved in Justin Richard Delval's death.