Thousand Island mangroves in Cocoa Beach
Shuttle launch from Satellite Beach
Perkins Beach at low tideNow, bring out the sundresses! After a respectable 8 weeks of winter (and by winter I mean you can wear a scarf without people assuming you're trying to cover up a hickey), the sunshine is back, it's beach weather and it feels like Florida again. And let's face it, without outdoor activities, what has Florida really got? So outdoor activities have resumed and all is right again in the world.
One thing I do actually really miss while I'm away having the time of my life everywhere but here is the beach. You really can't beat living 2 blocks from a public beach access, and if this wasn't my hometown, I'd probably think it was paradise. Every once in a while between the time of day and the point in the lunar and cycle, we get these really, really low tides with the rocks all sticking out of the water and you can see the seaweed, snails and anemones that call them home. That's when I like to walk on the beach because it's like getting a glimpse into another world that's hidden right in front of us all the time.
I've also been paddling a few times since it's warmed up which is really nice on a lazy weekend. First, we did the mangrove tunnels out at Thousand Island which is both really neat and always good for a laugh because whoever is in front is responsible for clearing out the spiderwebs, sometimes with their face, and chances are as good as not that the turn they've just taken is a dead end and we'll all have to either figure out how to turn around or all paddle out backward. It's nice enjoying an ecosystem that is so uniquely Florida, though, complete with the occasional pelican sunning itself overhead. Dad, Karen and I also went for a full moon paddle last weekend, which are always nice. The rivers were almost completely flat and we got to admire the ruins of Dragon Point. With the bridges all lit up at night, though, it gives the experience an oddly urban feel.
While Dad was off with Joe at the Miami Boat Show this weekend, Mum and I took advantage of a beautiful day and drove up to Christmas where, nestled amongst the Airboat tourist traps and boiled peanut stands, lies Jungle Adventures. It's basically a natural Florida zoo where they have rescued or donated alligators (200+ of them actually), panthers, black bears and all manner of other native creatures. They do educational programs where visitors get to hold some animals, feedings and a recreated Seminole village. It's not fancy, but it's certainly great for a nice day and it's evident that the staff are very invested and work very hard to raise awareness and interest in Florida wildlife. They have a little boat that takes visitors on a cruise around their donut-shaped lagoon and the guide talks a bit about natural flora and gator habitat. I even got a feed a baby alligator with a hot dog on a fishing pole! Definitely the highlight of the day.
Oh yeah, and then there was today's shuttle launch. I can see it from my house. NBD.
