See What You are Missing . . .

Sebastian Inlet, FL

You might ask what there is to do living on the beach . . .

It has been very hot and humid, weirdly interspersed by some lovely days in the 70's with 60% humidity (in the comfort zone). So, yes you will notice a water theme here along with many sports, craft markets (read suck the tourist $$), sand sculpting and a little local sightseeing.

June 17th outside my window

There are regular beach 5k runs on Friday night - timed as the sun is setting for the incredible sunset & dropping temperature/humidity as evening sets in.

And the dive-in movie (I haven't yet convinced hubby to attend and admittedly it is aimed at kids).

2 of 4 strada for infinity square project

And of course you can sew/craft/quilt a sign for your door and sew fabric 'strada' for an upcoming project with your quirky friends.


Here's the local attempt at 'proper history.'

local claim to fame

There are also environmental concerns such as protecting the local sea turtle population.

The east coast of Florida has a much higher density of nesting sea turtles than our Gulf coast, so off we went driving east to see the turtles.

morning scanning for turtle tracks - there are many!

Our selected site was at the Sea View Motel (recommended by fellow turtlers) in Melbourne Beach, FL.  It is surrounded by the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge which makes for perfect turtle viewing, as you can see from all the tracks in the picture right.

The Atlantic was blowing like stink and very angry as you can see by the wind blowing my hair. By strong wind keeps the mosquitoes at bay.

The clouds made a perfect bonnet for rising full moon

Turtles tend to nest after sunset between 10 pm and 3 am. Good stewardship (and Florida law!) is not to disturb the turtles - so no lights, no flash photography and only observing up close with a local licensed, permitted guide.

Hence we chose a full moon to visit - not because the turtles are more active - but because with the moonlight it is easier to see them!

Turtle watching is nocturnal - so you are up at sunset and sunrise with little to do during the day . . . as these pictures attest!

At 9:30 pm off we went on our guided walk - if you look closely you can see the eggs in the egg chamber (bottom center) and the eggs dropping from the turtle (top of picture). Picture courtesy of our 'turtle scout' as we were not allowed any photography.

Red light is not/less visible to turtles

Back at the hotel we watched the mamma loggerheads emerge from the sea; they suddenly appear out of the surf like large rocks and then slowly work their way up the beach towards the dunes. She is searching for the right nesting spot and the right sand conductivity (ability to conduct heat which is in part a measure of moisture content with damp sand compacting & conducting heat better than dry sand).  Here's some sample tracks in very damp sand as the tide was high due to the full moon and heavy winds.

Before you know it, it is daybreak - this is an unusual sight!

Our room - full setting moon overhead
with sunrise reflected in door glass!

During the day we explored the local area and just enjoyed watching the restless Atlantic Ocean.

I tried shrimp and crab waffle for lunch, a local favourite but something I found you only need try once! (And feeling stunned about the Brexit vote, my stomach feels a bit like this waffle looks)




Below a few things to watch out for on Florida beaches:

along I4 btwn Lakeland & Tampa

Ambulances for Nevada

And here's a few weird Florida sights on our way home!










Here's the latest addition to my balcony for a spot of fun --



Just remember, what you discard stays around forever!

I told you it is Crazy in FL: Mermaid in Storm

courtesy of St Pete Patch

Florida is bonkers and here's more proof - click for full story of a mermaid in Tropical Storm Colin floodwaters & to see the tail wiggle. Yup, a woman who makes and wears mermaid tails!!

There is even a TV show called Weird Florida - I kid you not - click here. I guess the sun gets to everyone's head! Here's Weird Florida's descriptive excerpt:

Join Florida’s own Master of the Weird Charlie Carlson and his K9 canine [sic] companion Miss Scarlet as they travel the highways, byways and even down a few back roads in search of the Sunshine State’s offbeat, weird and downright wacky side. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!

And if you are still reading this, you can see a video of a manatee coming into a flooded back yard click here.

This could be you! Love the floats - some like a sofa!!

With temperatures in the 90's, The National Weather Service is predicting heat index values (combination of humidity and temperature - the 'feels like' temperature) above 100 degrees and scattered thunderstorms in the days ahead.

Tropical Storm Colin Blows In!

Here it comes . . . Sunday

Tropical Storm Colin visited us today (Monday 6-6-16).  Sunday we were upgraded from a storm watch to a warning including the note that high and significant astronomical tides were also a feature along with wind that would push the tide in.  Emergency Operations Center in the county 'partially activated.' Flooding a major concern with storm surge and 5-8 inches of rain in 24 hours. The governor declared a 'state of emergency' which apparently gives access to federal relief funds and mobilized the national guard.

After high tide Monday

Well Sunday we had high winds and driving rain with great thunder and then Monday noontime the winds did push the tide - up to our parking garage. Hard to tell in this picture but the sea was fierce. Of course, there are always some nuts who decide to jump in the sea . . . Complacency is apparently a big concern.

Our hurricane shutters are down -- giving us the sensation of living in a dungeon and they are rattling away in the wind.  Every so often I go and crack them open to look out. This is a dis-organized storm (really!) so the weak 'center' is passing to the north, but the more severe weather is to the east of the storm center and is passing directly over us.  I filled the bathtub. Weather radio and text/email alert system go into overdrive.

With wind at 50 mph, water levels continue to be elevated and their is a risk of flying debris.  Still some people on the beach!

Went to work.  This is about two blocks from my office on my way home.  We tried an alternate route.

Local schools and government offices shut early. Here's Madeira Beach docks on the bay side - remember our isle is less that 1 mile wide!

This is forecast to go on through the night to the next high tide at circa 3 am Tuesday.  Streets just south of us are reported flooded to extent lower island is cut off.

And to the north in Indian Rocks Beach.

Evening news report has just had to announce not to panic as so much news coverage has over worried some (and under worried those in the sea I would add!). Tampa officials then talk about future evacuation.  A bit confusing, but this is not a hurricane! Of course the news reporters are all out in rain gear and boots standing in the flood waters.

Not good for the turtle nests all of which I think have been washed over (continue to watch facebook.com/sea turtle trackers).

So my first tropical storm on the beach - a hurricane in Houston isn't quite the same experience. Despite the weatherman reports of winds dying down, our hurricane shutters are rattling more violently and dramatically than ever.  But lights/power and A/C thankfully still on (it has been 95 with 100% humidity) and I can sew!  Apparently these winds will keep up tomorrow -- stay tuned.