Up North: March 2015

Monday, March 30, 2015

St. Joseph Peninsula

At the end of Cape San Blas is St. Joseph Peninsula. A narrow strip of land heading north for 20 miles. It's the fastest eroding stretch of beach in the U.S. It's a natural event that's been going on for thousands of years, no global warming culprit here. On the Cape, where we are staying, the beach is broad and then there's an extensive set of dunes. On the peninsula the beach is narrow and the dunes brief and eroding rapidly. Here's some pics from our walk on the south end.

The far south end of the peninsula, a rock wall has been built to protect the highway. This area of beach was restored several years ago by dredging sand in...at the owners' expense. It will be necessary to keep doing this every 10 years or so.

Not sure where this place landed from or what era this architecture was popular.

The beach looking north, very much an Outer Banks feel.

Headed back to the south.

The last major hurricane here was about 10 years ago, the same one that flattened Captiva and Sanibel. About 50 homes were lost here, this one survived but they have had to put in new footing under the old one. These units are probably one good tropical storm away from condemnation. Moral of story, don't build on land that isn't sticking around very long.

Yes, even the poop buckets are impacted.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

St. Vincent Island

JWent on a guided tour of St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge. It's a huge island 9 miles long and 4 miles wide, over 12,000 acres. It contains several fresh water lakes. There are no human inhabitants, it's about 4 miles east of where we are staying.

Lots of wildlife including wild boars, red wolves (an endangered species), several species of deer, alligators aplenty, and lots of birds. Didn't take a lot of photos as much of it is just woods, but here's a few shots from the adventure.

The harbor master at Indian Pass. St. Vincent Island is in the background.

There were about 20 in our group, the boat could take 6 at a time over to the island.

The dock on the island, another load of people coming in.

The tram...very much a Jurasic Park feel at the start,

A stop at Tahiti Beach on the far east end of the island.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Beach Fire

Lots of folks leaving at the end of the month so our little beachfront community held a beach fire party.

You can see Baily keeping an eye on me on the right side of the group.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Point Trek

We hiked today from the house to the end of the cape, about 2 1/2 miles each way.

Off we go, destination way off to the left.

Here's where we will be starting the trek from next year.

Along the way we saw Ursa, one of our neighbors and another Labradoodle

We had a dolphin escort

Our neighbor, Jim, had gone out on his bike. Unfortunately no beers were awaiting.

One the point looking back to where we started.

Pelicans weren't happy with our arrival

At the point, waves from two different directions meet to define an area that changes daily.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Making the Rounds

At the Indian Pass Raw Bar about 3 miles down the road from where we are staying. While waiting for a table it's free entertainment and get your own brews out of the coolers or tap.

I think this was Fisherman Joe.

Inide the Raw Bar...what you see is what you get! Baked oysters, stuffed shrimp, and crab legs for dinner this day.

At the Oyster City Brewery in Apalachicola sampling their craft. A very dog friendly town.

The Haughty Heron in Port St. Joe

Drinks and entertainment before dinner at the Sunset Coastal Grill down the street.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Cape San Blas Lighthouse

Baily wants to head up...better read the rules first!

"Damn!" (actually it was "Grrr!")

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Moonshadow

Got a chance to briefly visit the beachfront home we've rented for next year. It's about 1/2 mile west and down the beach from where we are currently staying.