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!