Grayton Beach Florida Day # 2

On The Beach

One Of The Numerous Monarchs On Sand Dunes

6:03  Unusual Sunrise

The Gulf Of Mexcio at 6:07

6:16

I was up just before 6:00, in time to walk down to the beach, hoping to catch the sunrise.  Unfortunately, I had to wait for it to rise above a cloud bank and it's also rising behind the land mass off to the East.  Each morning, a truck and trailer have driven down to the beach, backed the trailer into the water, floated the boat off, parked the truck, then went off fishing.  Easy, no need of a ramp with the beach.

Truck and Trailer Parked

Off Fishing

I was able to capture some great pictures of sandpipers and a couple of different herons this morning.  And I ran into our neighbor the last two mornings, a friendly gal, who smiles, says ' happy, happy,' with her hands as well, 'so nice to have you here,' as I grunt a hello.  After a half hour walk, I drove to the general store, got a coffee and drove two miles down to Seaside again, walked down to the beach, took some photos and drove around the cutsie neighborhoods mansions and cottages, which reminded me some of the Chautauqua Institution although the homes are much newer, more modern.  I was home by 7:30 just as Evie was getting up.

Sand Piper Early Morning

Heron Hanging Out Pure, White Sand (not snow)

Crowd Sourcing

After my morning walk and drive yesterday, I came home to more coffee, some news and we finished off the blog.  We decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood, which means the beach and walked over to the homes just this side of Grayton Beach State Park.  It was a cloudy day, cool and good for walking though the wind could be a bit much.  We went as far as the freshwater lake which emptied into the ocean before heading back to the beach and home.  We decided, then, to drive through Seaside to the closest grocery store, Publix, and picked up some things for our lunches.  We had an easy lunch, sandwiches and decided to take it easy because I had been up so early, at 6:00 walking the beach.  I read some and took a much need nap because I was tired from our 1140 mile drive to Florida.

A Heron And Friends

Catching A Crab

Willet

Condo Pole Art

More Beach Art On Poles

Around 2:00, we decided to go to the Grayton Beach State Park, about a mile from us as the crow flies.  We did not know what to expect, so we paid our five bucks and went in to basically the same beach we had been walking from our condo.  Still, it was a marvelous beach, surrounded by prehistoric looking sand dunes, some seemingly 15 to 20 feet high.  The beauty was stark, desert-like and was a welcome change from the Mc Mansion after Mc Mansion which filled the gaps on either side of the park.

Sand Dunes Flowers

Among The Sand Dunes

We walked some, took a path through the dunes, taking pictures of some of the floral and a persistent Monarch Butterfly.  We noticed many of them flying among the dunes.  We ended up spreading out a blanket and sunbathing until both of us got bored with it.  We then drove through the camping/Rv areas of the park, filled with one mega RV after another, with an occasional modest tent thrown in.

Sand Dunes At Grayton Beach State Park

Late Afternoon At Grayton Beach State Park

We were home by 4:00 in time to relax for a bit before gathering beach chairs, a beer, and some appetizers to go sit on the beach and watch the sunset which never happened because of the clouds.  It was pleasant enough, however, with an occasional wind but we wore fleeces.  To our left were three or four trucks on the beach, obviously there like us hoping for a sunset.

Waiting For That 'Decisive Moment'

We walked back and relaxed for some before showering and getting dressed up because we were going out to eat in Santa Rosa Beach at another restaurant recommended by my nephew Pat called Stinky's.  He was spot on with Red's and Stinky's was just as good.  Because a bridge was out, we had to take a round about way to get to Stinky's but it was worth it even if we did not get a seat at the bar.  It was packed and people kept pouring in.

Santa Rosa Beach Restaurant

We were able to find one seat at the bar while we waited for a table but were lucky and got one within 15 minutes.  Evie wanted oysters so that's what we got along with the wedge salad with green goddess dressing (also a Pat recommendation).  I got some seafood and corn chower and we split a shrimp and grits dinner with corn and chorizo.  Everything was great and we finished off our meal with a key lime pie with berries which we ended up taking home.

Today should be sunny and warm, in the mid 70's, so it looks like a beach day with perhaps a swim.