6 Octobrer, 2014 - Jacksonville Beach

Today was our day of rest and relaxation with nothing to do but take it easy.  No travel today and no museums to visit or amusement parks to enthuse us.  We spent the day doing relaxing things.  A morning walk along the beach started the day.  We walked south, almost to the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier.  The tide was going out but was nearly full when we left the hotel.  We walked in moist but firm sand, giving a little and cushioning each step.  The day was sunny, bright and warm.  Seashells dotted the beach and the sand was not crowded at all.  We found lovely flowers growing in the dunes and sea stars washing in with the waves.

All of the beaches in this area are delightful.  A waitress told us Jacksonville Beach is perhaps the most used and therefore, generally, the most crowded. Other beaches such as Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Ponte Verde Beach are less crowded, but all are flat, with clean sand and gentle waves, with the water warm and inviting. 

After a light breakfast, I felt it was time to enter the water and do a legitimate beach visit, complete with chairs, towels and umbrella.  Fortunately, beach rentals were located right by our entrance to the hotel.  It was easy to get them and the rental guy brought them out right to us driving an ATV.  He got out a portable power drill with a long 2 inch auger on the end and in seconds had drilled a foot deep hole and planted the umbrella pole securely in the sand.  Mom decided to occupy the comfortable lounge chair and I headed into the waves.  She operated the camera as I ventured out.

Here I am about 20 feet into the ocean.  The bottom sloped so gently that it took about another 30-40 feet to get waist deep.  The bottom was all soft sand, undulating up and down. I would go to thigh deep and then up to knees or upper calves and then back down again.  I finally did get deep enough for the waves to have an increased force, necessitating bracing my legs when they hit.  The water was not cold at all. Not quite bathtub warm like the South China Sea, but very comfortable.  No sudden gasps as the waves washed against me.  I thoroughly enjoyed the water.  It was clear enough that sand did not fill the shorts. I had on my hat and glasses, but if I go back again, I will leave them with the chairs and dive in a bit more.  I must have spent 30-40 minutes just enjoying the waves.  On the way back in, I could see a number of sea stars washing back and forth with the waves. I picked one up to show Ronda and could feel its tentacles tickling my hand and then it curled all 5 legs up, over its top, becoming like a closing flower.  When I put it back in the water, it promptly opened the legs again.  A fascinating creature, beautiful red color and a fun find.

Behold the sea monster emerging from the ocean!









Ronda continued to enjoy the lounge chair, digging her toes into the sand and feeling the warm sun fill her soul and body with healing light.  I think she really enjoyed being on the beach.  She also said that watching people is most interesting.  I must agree with her.  The beaches attract all sorts of people.  Some should not be seen in bathing suits and others could model them.  Some seem engrossed in themselves, others finding such joy being with someone.  Even people who act a bit crazy seem to enjoy the beach.

Can you see how happy the toes are to be at the beach?

Can you see how happy Mom is to be at the beach?  I think she enjoyed it from her head to her toes.  We both enjoyed our time on the sand and in the water.  We felt that, again, a long exposure might be detrimental, so after about an hour we decided to go back in and clean up.  We left the chairs and umbrella for the rental man to pick up, but as we looked out at the beach from our room, they were still there, looking forlorn and empty, missing our company.

Mom was able to finish her book, rest and relax and enjoy the sounds of the ocean and the warm weather and sun.  I, too, enjoyed the day and the waves.  Tonight, we watched a nearly full moon rise in the east, a cruise ship, festooned with lights steam off to the horizon and a man, whom we feel is mentally challenged, dance in the surf with a towel and hat over his head.  We had a delicious Mexican dinner tonight and have really enjoyed our stay in Jacksonville Beach.  This would be a great place to rent a beach house for a week or so and enjoy a wonderful ocean location.