Sunset Walk

Busy packing today, Baily is one nervous and confused puppy.  Morning beach walk tomorrow and then off to visit Lucas, Renee, and Scott.  Went for a beach walk at the sunset last night, it was perfect.

Beach Bonfire

A number of people, ourselves included, will be leaving our little beachfront community to head north between now and April 1.  So we had a beachfront bonfire goodbye party last night.  A good time was had by all!

The early birds get things started

The late birds

Last Day with Karyl and Doug

Karyl and Doug returned home yesterday after a week long visit.  As usual when we get together we had a great time, and it was hard to see them go.  Baily was quite concerned when he didn't find them in their bedroom this morning for his daily wake up visit.

It was overcast but no rain.

During their visit we maintained our two beach walks a day routine...

...Baily insisted!

By far the most creative sand castle we've seen so far

Karyl and Baily say their good-byes.

They're gone, back to the old routine.

Cape San Blas Lighthouse

Today's hike was to the Cape San Blas lighthouse, it has been retired and is currently being moved and restored as a tourist attraction.  We continued up the Cape to the point, it was a great hike.

The light tender's house and what was apparently the gift shop have been jacked up and are ready to move.

Doug decided to move the lighthouse himself

Everyone relaxed after our walk, some with bridge, some with a nap.

When It Rains It Pours

Had close to 4" of rain Sunday night.  As we've experienced in beach areas before, the rain doesn't really have anywhere to go, it just settles in.  When you are at 3 feet above sea level there's not a lot of downhill for run off.  Here's our Monday pics.

There's one group of homes that are at a low spot between us and the beach.

So we needed to wade through some water.

The surf was still "up"

And there was a swimmer.

Baily loves Butter Pecan!

Full Moon

Full moon last night so we went down to the beach to take a few shots.  It was bright, but I should have taken the tripod down with us, the shots would have turned out better.

For this shot and the next I used the flash, all the others are natural light

Apalachicola

Apalachicola is an old Florida city about the same distance from us as Port St. Joe.  The Florida coast bends where we are, Port St Joe is north from us, Aplachicola is east.  It was once the third busiest harbor on the entire Gulf, now it's a little sleepier, but still a very active commercial fishing port.  Aplachicola Bay yields most of Florida's oysters.  

We haven't really explored the city yet, probably will do that when Karyl and Doug are here this coming week, so more posts on the city to follow.  The one attraction there we have frequented is their dog park, we've been there several times.  Saturday mornings is Yappy Hour so we knew other dogs would be there on the run, Baily needs the socialization.  They were there, Baily had a great time, and was one tired puppy when we left.

No surprise, Baily was the big kid on the block

But the little dogs kept everyone in line.

Everybody wanted to chase the ball, reminded me of when the kids used to play t-ball.

Hey, it's what dogs do.

Friday Evening Beach Walk

Going to start shooting all of Baily's beach pals...

Had a picture the other day of our neighbor's dog Jenny (right).  She has a new brother now, Maxwell.  Our neighbors drove all the way to Texas to adopt him.  He came "home" yesterday.  Wonderful dog.

On the Outer Banks of North Carolina the sea oats barrier between homes and the beach is about fifty feet.  Here it is much larger.

See this all the time.  These are scallop shells.  Someone harvested them in the shallow waters of St. Joseph Bay and shucked them on the spot.  Unfortunately scallops (one of Macy's favorite seafoods) are not in season, that starts in June.

In a Groove

Wednesday Evening Beach Walk

,In the 70's for our evening beach walk today but a brisk wind and the surf was up.

This is Jenny, our next door neighbor from Vermont

A large flock of Skimmers flew by

Baily has now experienced horses...we keep him on a short leach.

The horses carry their own "poop bags", we have to carry Baily's. 

A Willet, probably the most common shorebird here.

A Jellyfish on the beach, they float in with the tide, then most seem to float out.  Not to be poked with your finger or Baily's nose!

Some shell art, this looked better this morning but the tide, wind and horses are taking their toll.

On our way home for libations, snacks, and din-din (as Baily knows it)