R and R is good for the soul

We've just returned from a week away and boy do we feel good! Every year we try to visit our favorite beaches. Being able to unwind from all the world's stressors is good for the body, mind, and soul. By the time we arrive each year, we realize it's the best medicine we could ever get. 

We've been going to these same areas for over 31 years. During that time, others have discovered the "Forgotten Coast" and it's grown immensely. It's sad to us to see so many new houses, hotels, and other developments because they destroy the wilderness areas we've enjoyed for so long, but I guess that's the price of loose lips. If people had kept the areas secret, the long time residents and visitors would have been able to have kept the pristine beaches quiet. 

We used to spend our summers in Destin years ago but when it became so busy, we moved to a quieter beach in Port St. Joe, Florida - Cape San Blas. It became our favorite until after Hurricane Michael. When that area was decimated and the beaches had to be restored, we moved on down the coast and started staying on St. George Island, a gorgeous beach with sugar white sands, clear blue green waters, and areas of unspoiled beauty. This visit, we noticed it's built up even more than ever before, but there are some secret areas we know about and we're not telling a soul about them. We're hoping to keep those quiet for a few more years or at least until we aren't able to drive down there and enjoy it any longer. 

Cape San Blas Lighthouse

We have so many special family memories in that area. We've taken all of the kids and several of our grandkids. I've made photo albums from each of our trips and I'm so glad I did. As we flip back through the pages, we are reminded of all the love we shared there. 

We especially love visiting 3 lighthouses in that general area: The Cape San Blas lighthouse, the St. George Island Lighthouse, and Crooked River Lighthouse. Something about them is so reassuring and peaceful.  

 I'm so thankful God made the oceans and all the beautiful scenery surrounding them. Every time I sit in front of the water, I look out and think about His Majestic power. The Bible says He set a boundary for the water and it can't cross over. Have you ever thought about that? Yes, the waves was up on the shore for high tide and recede for low tide, but they can't go anywhere He doesn't allow. They stay put and obey the boundaries He's set. To me, that's so cool! And don't get me started on all the other things He gives us to enjoy while at the beach. There are too many species of birds and other wildlife in and around the water. And who could ever count the grains of sand at the beach - only God! There are so many people who don't believe in Him, but the Bible says the heavens declare the glory of the Lord. All you have to do is look around at nature and you realize we have a marvelous Creator who thought of and created every minute detail of everything in the twinkling of an eye. Now that's something we have difficulty understanding but must choose to accept. 

Us in front of SGI lighthouse

 If you've never thought of the beach as restorative, you should. Leave your cares behind and travel to the one nearest you. Sit in the sun and listen to the rhythmic rise and fall of the waves. Watch the shore birds dive for fish. Walk along the sand and pick up a variety of shells - all gifts from the sea and see if it doesn't do something for your heart. Can you tell I love the beach??? I do!!!

I hope you enjoy some of my photos from this trip. I'm only including a few to entice you. It's so important to feed our bodies, our souls, and our spirits. I hope you take good care of yours and make time to get away when you can. Whether you realize it or not, you need it. 

Great Blue Heron

The photo above is of a Great Blue Heron who came and sat in front of us watching the surf. He stayed for the longest time and we enjoyed watching him. We assumed he was looking for fish but never saw him catch anything. They're such majestic birds. Each time we visit SGI, one is always close by. I think they know how much I love to photograph them and that's why then come hang out with me :)

 The photo below is of the sun going down over the bay. Each time we visit this area of the city, I think about my brother who's gone on to be with the Lord. He loved to kayak and fish. He would have enjoyed this area. 

Sunset over the bay

We've had the pleasure of taking a sunset cruise while here and there's nothing like it. Sailing across the water as the sun recedes  and the sky changes colors is heavenly. 

We always hate returning from the beach and coming back to reality, but normally we make plans for a return trip as soon as we get back home. We've thought about moving there, but then it wouldn't be as special. I think we'd get so used to seeing it everyday it would become mundane and we definitely don't want to rob ourselves of the blessing we receive when we visit. 

Crooked River lighthouse

 

This is the Crooked River lighthouse located in Carabelle. There's a great museum there, too. You can learn all about the history of the lighthouse and about how they're used to guide ships. 

Our favorite lighthouse is the St. George Island one. You can climb up to the top and get a great view of the island. The steps are steep but if you've got the ummphf you can do it!

SGI lighthouse

 We witnessed something while on our trip we've never seen before - a controlled burn. It was scary to see the large plumes of smoke rising over the island but apparently they do it several times a year to keep the marsh grass under control. All we could think about was the destruction of many water fowl nests. We'd witnessed several baby chicks crossing the bay the night before and it was so sweet to see and hear them. 

I took this photo at the marina in Appalachicola. The smoke was traveling from that city all the way over to St. George Island.

We need a vacation do over!

The week of Easter, we went on vacation. We'd planned it carefully in order to avoid all the Spring breakers who usually flock to the coast. I'm a long range planner and had reserved our beach house almost a year ago, as I do every year. Since that time, I'd been praying for good weather and a safe, relaxing trip. 

The boo boo beach house

The day before we were to leave, I got a call from the rental company. The house we'd reserved was going to be having a pool installed. The rental company told us there would be many workmen coming and going. There would be lots of noise. They wanted to know if we would be okay with that or if we'd prefer to be moved to another beach house. I got off the phone and was a little miffed. We'd planned this trip for a long time and now, at the very last minute, we get word that things are going to be turned upside down. 

I talked with my hubby and we decided to move to another house. Several years ago, when we'd stayed on Mexico Beach, contractors had come to repair brick steps to our rental. We'd received no notification and it was a major inconvenience. We didn't want to go through that kind of scenario again. 

I reached out to the rental company and asked what our options were. I was told there were 2 other beach  front homes available for our week, all others were beach view. Since we always rent beach front, I asked for details on those 2 homes. The agent said she'd have to check with the owners and see if they'd be willing to honor the original price we'd paid to reserve our home. Prices had gone up significantly since we'd locked in our price and she wasn't sure they'd do it. 

After contacting the two owners, the agent said only one would agree to rent to us for the initial price. We didn't want to have to pay an increased rate, so we took the one available. 

It's hard to take a beach rental when you don't really know what you're getting. Of course, they always post photos on the online websites, but renters never know if those photos are recent or not. 

We looked at the online photos as well as the location of the "new" beach house. Everything looked great and we felt okay with the change, until the day we arrived. 

It was a long, rainy drive to the beach. The weather forecast for the week was gloomy and although we know Florida weather can rapidly change from hour to hour, we weren't too optimistic. 

One sunny day at the beach

We unloaded our car and started to take things in. It was evident this was a well used, well loved home in much need of updating. Doing our best not to complain or be too picky, we unpacked and settled in. That evening, as I got ready to make our dinner, I found only one eye on the stove worked, the seal on the refrigerator wouldn't hold, and all the pots, pans, and utensils were in a state of disrepair. To say I was upset would have been a huge understatement. 

Immediately, I contacted the rental company's after hours line. Thankfully, they sent out an electrician the next day but when he left, after we thought he'd repaired the stove, it was worse than before! 

We had to prop a chair in front of the fridge door to keep it closed and keep our food from ruining and we had to run out and buy cooking utensils so we'd have what we needed. It was a huge fiasco and if I'd been in a really b---- mood, I would have raised a huge stink and had them move us out. But we'd waited so long to be at the beach and I was willing to overlook the bad things and focus more on the good things.  

Sunrise

We did get to enjoy three sunny days while on vacation. All the others were rainy and we even had a tornado warning while there!The sunny days were perfect and we made the most of them while we had them. We spent time at the beach, visited our old stomping grounds - Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe. We went to Ochlockonee State Park and St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge where we enjoyed beautiful scenery and wildlife. 

We managed to plan and meet up with my Aunt Jane and cousin Nancy, who drove an hour and half to meet us halfway for lunch, so the entire trip wasn't a bust.

We were able to finally see the memorial bricks we'd ordered to honor my brother, Jimmy, and the one we'd done for our 30th anniversary. We had them installed at St. George Lighthouse and when we saw them in person, they brought tears to our eyes. My brother would have loved his "spot" on the lighthouse pathway. It took almost a year for them to be installed. I ordered the one for my brother shortly after he passed away, July 22, 2021. I wanted him to have a permanent place of memorial since he was cremated and his wife hadn't installed one anywhere. Now, every time we visit the island, we'll stop by and remember all the good things about his life and how much we loved him!

St. George Light house

2nd row -my brother's memorial brick

 

Lighthouses have always had a special place in my heart and on this trip, we were able to see four of my favs - St. George, Cape San Blas, Crooked River (I didn't take a pic on this trip), and St. Mark's. They're all so different. 

Although we feel like we need a vacation do over, we were thankful for the days of sunshine we enjoyed. We made a note to ourselves not to plan next year's visit in April.. We normally go in early May or in October. Those months are usually good and there's not a high chance of hurricanes. Sometimes the bugs can be bad though and that's something we just have to prepare for in advance. I'd rather deal with bugs than drama like messed up beach houses and construction. 

I guess it's like Forest Gump says, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get." That goes for weather, beach houses, and so much more. 

At least we made a lot of good memories and that's what counts. Hopefully our fall vacation will be much more pleasant.

Cape San Blas Light house

The Bald Eagle was so majestic!

On our way down to the beach, we saw a beautiful bald eagle up close. I was so thankful I'd taken my 35mm and was able to get a great shot! While at St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge, we got to see so many beautiful shore birds, marsh birds, alligators, and other creatures. Of course, Cape San Blas light house is one of our very favorites. We've been visiting it for almost 30 years. It used to be located along the shore line but they moved it many years ago to a more inland spot due to erosion of the beach. 

St. Mark's light house

We consider every trip to the beach a gift and we always love finding the peace and solitude God offers us there. Usually we bring home more in the way of memories than tangible souvenirs and that's exactly the way I want it. Of course, I do love when we find lots of sea shells. I have quite a collection from past trips and we were especially blessed a few years back when we hit the beach shortly after a Nor'easter had blown through. We found the most shells we'd ever found on one trip that year. 

One of my favorite books is, "A Gift From the Sea," by Anne Morrow Lindberg. It's a profound book and one I enjoy reading over and over again. 

Shark's eye shell

One of my favorite quotes from the book is - “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.” 

And if you wait long enough, the sea always rewards.

Gifts from the sea