No Shirt, No Shoes... No Problem

Our really good friends got married.... on the beach, of course. As inspiring as the churches around here are, they can't compare to the natural beauty of our beaches. I can't imagine a better place to make the commitment of a lifetime. Our friends chose a pavilion at Navarre Beach State Park. It's located just across the Causeway and to the east. There you'll find several places to gather with clean restrooms, showers, grills and quick access to the water. Each pavilion is for rent for the day for a small fee or you can take your chances that none are already reserved (which is often the case) and grab one for your party. It's a great way to enjoy a day at beach.

After the Rain

We went to a wedding recently and everyone got drenched. It was a fun afternoon anyway and when the rains finally stopped, we were blessed with yet another stunning Gulf Coast sunset.

Night and Day

These are a couple of pics of Navarre Beach from the back deck of Boondocks. There's always a really great view of the sound from there, but it's especially good at night. Sometimes when I see out-of-towners enjoying the beauty here, I wonder what it'd be like to see it all for the first time. Every time there's an exceptional sunset or even if it's just a regular day at the beach, I'm still awestruck and this is my home. It must be really spectacular for those who've never been here.

SPF 100

I've never used an umbrella at the beach, but they really do add color to the shoreline. Sometimes I wonder what they look like from overhead. I'm thinking maybe like brightly patterned buttons scattered along the sand.

I gotta to fly to Saint Somewhere

This craft was abandoned a long time ago and from what I've been told, the man who left it behind faced criminal charges. I often wonder what will eventually become of it and every time I see it, I hear:

"Boat drinks
Waitress I need two more boat drinks..."
~Jimmy Buffett

Shade

"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree." ~Joyce Kilmer

Don't be Crabby...You're at the Beach

I love how these steps into the sound look like they're headed nowhere or are some kind of strange invitation to mermaids. They make for an easy way to retrieve crab traps or just go for a quick swim.

Rain or Shine

We got record amounts of rain yesterday. We made the best of it by having brunch overlooking the sound. Once it finally stopped pouring, the waves were good and we got a spectacular sunset.

This pic isn't great. I shot it out of the car window while cruising the beach road between Navarre and Pensacola beaches. You get the idea of how pretty the colors were.

Water and Sand

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun." ~Anonymous

White Spring (so glad it's not snow!)

The oleander is really beautiful this year. The blooms grow plentiful on the branches and send them bending toward the ground. The oleander in our yard is the fuchsia variety and it is stunning, but for whatever reason, the white has always been my favorite.


The adam's needle is also quite an eye-catcher. I love the American Flag in the distance in this photo.

Line of Flight

I spotted this gang of pelicans while I was catching some rays. They seemed to be heading to Pensacola Beach. Maybe they'd heard, as I had, that the Cobia fishing over there is really good right now.

Hometown Tourists

I love downtown Pensacola. We were there last Saturday morning and it was beautiful, as always. The trees are full and they frame the old architecture of the buildings there perfectly.
This is the 1832 Old Christ Church, located in Pensacola Village. It is a wonderful tribute to historic preservation and is one of the oldest churches in Florida. It reminds of something out of a fairy tale. I'm not quite sure why this photo is askew, except that we had just finished the Five Flags Fiesta Run and were maybe feeling a little depleted.

Reapply Often

The beach has been pure perfection lately. The water has even gotten to a bearable temperature. As I lounged in my chair and forgot to reapply sunscreen to the point of being completely fried, I noticed this little fellow strolling around. I couldn't help but wonder what the future holds for him. All any of us can do at this point is pray and hope for the best. This area has a long history of strength and courage, even when facing the worst that nature (or man in this case) has to offer. This challenge will be no different. We'll face whatever comes our way with heads held high and hands outstretched, ready to dig right in and do what it takes to put our paradise back together.