Beach Blog #21

      We're in the final, many hours of our Florida fun. Originally for this post, I'd written something about 'all good things come to an end." But once I got to thinking about it, waxing poetic really isn't my style. So instead, Beach Blog #21 is about the odd ball stuff you run out of when you take a month long vacation.

Inlet Beach, FL

      Number one has to be toilet paper! Geez, we use a lot of T-P. We use enough toilet paper and paper towels that I can tell you both on are aisle 10, with other cleaning supplies, at the Inlet Beach Publix grocery store. The T-P's in front. The P-T's in the back.
      Next, toothpaste. I suppose this is a good thing to be using a lot. We brought with us a brand new tube of regulation sized Crest and had to buy more last week. This picture is from the Publix in Watersound Beach. The toothpaste is on aisle three. There were so many selections and bargains that I had to take a picture.

Watersound Beach, FL

     After that and in no particular order; Coffee, coffee cups, dishwashing liquid, munchies, Advil and I can't forget TIDE.
     Teresa is and always has been a champion when it comes to laundry. In our time together, I've never been without clean clothes from my non-mentionables to T-shirts, shorts etc and here at High Pointe 15E in Seacrest Beach it's no different.
      What strikes me is, here we are on this fantastic getaway and some things in regular life just don't budge. Of course there are the things you gotta do like eat, drink and be merry. But on vacation at the beach, those 'gotta do' things usually involve places like "The Backporch," "The Shrimp Shack," or "The Wild Olive." So while they're regular kind of things, the place where they happen is NOT a regular kind of place.
      But for all the other stuff, the TIDE, Advil, T-P, P-T and toothpaste, there's nothing special about them even when you're at some place special. I'm pretty sure the TIDE we bought here is the same as the TIDE we brought with us from home. Although, the laundry detergent offered on aisle 10 here included a much smaller version of TIDE. I didn't get it knowing that Teresa likes to do laundry. If I bought the smaller bottle of TIDE, I'd just be back their tomorrow buying another bottle of TIDE.
      Teresa and I call the everyday stuff 'the essentials.' Back home, I do most the shopping. I always ask before going into the store... "Any essentials, today?" "Yep, we need T-P and coffee." Turns out here, more than 1,000 miles from our grocery store at home, we have exactly the same conversation. In fact, we just ran out of Advil.

Bill Robertson, the Advil's on a shelf just to the right of the pharmacy window, but near aisle 10... just in case.

Beach Blog #20

     I didn't post a blog yesterday I think because nothing 'hit me' during my usual writing window. In fact, nothing really 'hit me' all day long. It wasn't until a walk on the beach at sunset with so many others of all sizes on the sand that I had that 'moment.' That's when it dawned on me what a treat and experience our month along water's edge has been.

Sunset at Seacrest Beach Fl.

     The beach was busier this evening than nights past, but busier in a different kind of way. Each evening, we've talked, waved or nodded to dozens of older folks. But this evening, the sand was full of families and all the laughting, squeeling and visiting that comes with vacation.
      There were big family groups, mothers and daughters huddled on their beach chairs and children... lots of children.
      There's no question the seniors we'd seen walking in the sand on previous evenings were making memories, but for all these families, this could be their very first vacation memory. For me, that first memory is the best memory... the one that lasts the longest.
      As we walked and talked, Teresa and I wondered about the big family gathering. Where were they from? Did they come together or meet here? How long would they get to stay?

Talking & Enjoying

      For the mother and daughter on their chairs, we wondered what they were talking about all the way staring at the horizon and setting sun. And for all the little ones, we applauded their moms for relaxing enough to bring a baby in diapers to this giant sand box and bear all the grit that's bound to end up their vacation home.

Sandy Fanny

      I hope for all of them their time here is long enough that they can shake off their routines to create those first memories that last and last.
      For myself, that 'aha' moment for me came as I was thinking about all these families had to talk about for years to come. That's when I realized Teresa and I too were making first memories. Of course, we have years of past experiences, but none like this for the two of us together at the same place at the same time.

Seacrest Beach, Fl.

     To say, our time at the beach has been wonderful is a tremendous understatement. We don't take our blessing lightly. But just like the many younger families, we too can rest assured our first memories of life at the beach will last a very long time.

Bill Robertson, just the Seaside Farmers Market with amazing shrimp dip, a fresh baguette and a giant slice of carrot cake.
   
   
     
     

Beach Blog #19

     We finally got close enough to something that's pretty ugly at first blush, but can in an instant transform itself into an absolute wonder.

The Brown Pelican

     The Brown Pelican, Louisiana's state bird since 1966, is a frequent flyer along these white beaches of northwest Florida. On the ground, they are nothing to look at. They're big, wobbly and just a mottled brown.
     We took the picture to the right late one morning. Every step we took to get closer, he took a waddle away from us. We both wanted to see him with his big bill and saggy neck, but he kept that tucked under like he was bashful about his big nose and triple chin. After a couple successful steps closer, he'd had enough of us and took off with two giant hops to open his wings and catch the oncoming wind.

Up, Up & Away!

     Wikipedia shows the Brown Pelican is actually one of the smaller pelican species, but still considered one of the larger seabirds. My photo doesn't do it justice but that wingspan ranges from 6'8" to 7'6". That's a big bird. On the land, it's everything depicted by the clumsy pelicans in "Finding Nemo."
     Watching this guy from so close, we could almost hear the goofy dialogue associated with the pelicans in "Nemo." We could easily visualize those cartoon characters. Everything about him on land screamed spastic and dim witted just by his appearances. But once they take to the air.... Well, it usually stops us in our tracks. Take a look.    

          This camera phone video captured this pods flight but not all of the pelicans' gracefulness. The way they coast and then accelerate with one flap of those big wings quickly makes up for their awkwardness on shore. But it's when they fly over the water that beach combers point and get their children's attention.
       The big birds fly just above and parallel to the crashing waves. They coast on the thermals created by the wave that as it falls pushes air up and under the bird's wings. The pelicans fly so low that it looks like anyone of them could catch a wingtip in the water and cartwheel wingtip over wingtip into the ocean. And when they land on the water, they drop as softly as a napkin falls when dropped from your hand. No splash. No crash landing. No heckling from the smaller birds. They are a sight to see.

Bill Robertson, unexpected birder

Beach Blog #18

     Teresa and I took a road trip over to Destin today. We saw something that neither of us had seen before and maybe you haven't either. I'll show in a short video and some pictures in a moment.

Magnolia Walnut Ln, Inlet Beach, Fl

     But first, here's a follow-up to my question in Beach Blog #17. I asked how much do you think this ugly, little yellow beach house cost? It's on the beach, 1,440 sq ft and built in 1981.
     The answer is $2,999,900.00 and that's down from the $5,000,000.00 starting price in 2016. By the way if you put down 20%, you're monthly note is approximately $16,000.00.
     Now to our Destin road trip and a sight neither T nor I have ever seen. It's kind of mesmerizing.

      Have you ever seen a boat picked up and put into the water? I've seen a boat trailered into the water many times, but never lowered on a forklift. I actually took this video from start to finish, from the time the forklift operator picked it up, backed up, slowly moved forward and then finally lowered it to the waiting water. I must admit, I hoped the operator would 'gun' his forklift backwards and the boat would splash into the water, kind of like  pulling a tablecloth from under expensive crystal and china without a crash.
     Today's experiences began completely at random. We wanted to see Destin. We needed lunch. We picked a YELP recommendation and viola! We really hit the jackpot.
     Lunch was at LuLu's. Turns out LuLu's  is Jimmy Buffet's sister and a fantastic, really cheap place to eat.

LuLu's, Destin FL

        Of all the places we've eaten this wonderful trip, LuLu's topped 'em all in quality, atmosphere and VALUE! Wow, they must do a ton of business to keep their prices so low. 

      We can't say enough good things about LuLu's. We started with the onion rings, the likes of which I haven't had since I waited tables at Tavern on the Park in NOLA. We shared a bowl of great gumbo and ended with their Summer Shrimp Salad. 

      The salad was like egg salad on steroids, lots of shrimp with a creole seasoning that gave it a creamy, crunchy and zesty twang. Oh yeah, it included a couple slices of fried green tomatoes in the same flakey crust as the onion rings. And the sauce..... WOW!

       So to walk it off, we took a walk through the marina with it's piers leading straight out to the boats. "Just stay on the path," said the placards and we did. 

Legendary Marina, Destin FL

     After pier walking, we ambled through the boats in 'dry-dock.' First, we went south. Then, we went north. It was then, we saw a grey haired gentleman walking our way.

     "Uh-oh. I think this is a boat lot."

     "What," T asked.

     "A boat lot. This guy thinks we're looking to buy a boat."

     "Just keep walking," she whispered.

     "If I keep walking, we'll collide."

     "Then, don't make eye contact."

     Too late! "Hi, how are you guys? What are looking for," he asked. "Oh, we're just walking off lunch."

     "They're all for sale," he said. "We're from west Texas, we don't have any water," I countered.

      A lot more was said, but to make a long story short this older fella turned out to be the owner of the place and gave us a tour.

Legendary Marina, Destin FL

     We saw big boat, bigger boats and a whole lot of each. Turns out the owner is Mark from Maine. He owns about a half dozen similar marina/boat yards from Alabama to Panama City.
     That big boat on the right sold this morning. It has four, 375HP Yamaha engines on the back. Mark told us each engine cost $30,000.00. So, I didn't ask how much the boat cost.
     If you closely at the picture on the right, you can see the mural on the building behind it.
    That building is the largest of its kind in the world, filled floor to ceiling with boats.  In fact, the world's largest painted U-S flag is on the rooftop, painted by marine artist Wyland. It covers 3.8 acres, just under the size of three football fields.

     The mural is the partnership of Legendary Marine, Sherwin-Williams and the Wyland Foundation, a non-profit organization the artist organized to promote, protect and preserve oceans, waterways and marine life.
     Apparently if you buy a boat from Mark, it comes with an app. You simply open the app, tell Legendary Marina when you want your boat and poof, your boat is in the water ready and waiting for you. I didn't ask how much that cost, either.
      So what we thought was going to be a whirlwind visit to Destin turned into an unexpected adventure... Just the kind we like.
Bill Robertson, besides, I get sea sick.

Beach Blog #17

     Long gone are the days of the old beach house. Remember those days when the rickety house on stilts stood steadfast against the ocean winds? I do. The old beach house was usually brown and made of wood. It stood alone between the dunes. Everything inside was vinyl or linoleum. That's what I remember a beach house looked like. Not anymore.

$4,500,000.00

     Here's the new beach house along the Florida coast.
     Back in my day, there'd be a distressed old wooden house about every half mile or so. Now, mansion's like this are the norm. The price tags range from seven to eight digits. They all go up instead of out. They're all built to withstand GOD's most severe fury. They're beautiful. They're eye-catchers. They're HUGE.
     They're all a 'pipe dream' for the regular Joe. Where did the old beach house go? Where's the old beach house that came with pull top beer cans, Hawaiian Tropic and TAB? Where's the old beach house that'd likely blow over on a plain old stormy night much less a tropical storm or hurricane? I think it's a goner in more ways than one.
     Teresa and I set out on our bikes with waters bottles in the basket to find the ole Beach Comber, The Sand Dollar or The Dune House as they were called in our day. And, we found it! We found the perfect, old, distressed, falling down, stilt-tilting, ugly beach house.

Magnolia Walnut Lane

      It was like the 1970s all over again. Here was this old school beach house in the midst of all these mansions on the surf. It had to be reasonably priced.
      "I bet it's around $400,000," I said riding forward but turning my head back to tell T on her two wheel taxi behind me.
      "No, they're probably asking $650,000 but would take $500,000."
      "We'll take a picture and check when we get back to our place, okay?" "Okay!"
      We've since looked up this yellow cottage on realtor.com. Now, it's your chance to give us your best guess. What do you think this rickety, distressed and practically falling down old school beach house goes for?
     Here are some stats and more pictures for you to make an informed decision.
     -Ocean Front

     -Built 1981
     -Listed 10/2016
     -1440 sq ft
     -3 BR/2BA
     -Florida Cottage Style
          Keep in mind before you make your guess, the interior's stuck in 1975.

          Take a look at the walls, the kitchen's barely beyond the avocado appliance stage.
Don't forget, the wall A/C unit that screams NO central heating and air conditioning. But, there is the view and the beach access.
      The house to the east is for sale for $3.6m. The house to the right and a few hundred yards down the road is $2.5m. But both are significantly newer, probably built less than 10-years ago.

Magnolia Walnut Ln., Inlet Beach Fl.

     So, what do you think is the asking price for this almost 40-year old, ugly little beach house? How much would you be willing to spend a month?
     Let me know you're thoughts via the 'comment' section at the bottom of this blog or simply reply via Facebook and I'll tell you if you are hot or cold.
     But here's a clue. Teresa and I are probably going to look for some waterfront property in upper Mississippi. We'll get a tent and one of those porta -potties. You know, the kind with the bag under the seat. The fancy stuff. All the kids are welcome. They just need to bring a tent and some extra toilet paper.

Bill Robertson, feeling a tad overwhelmed.

Beach Blog #16

     We went to a wedding and then later, I met a bunch of bikers. We also went to a Farmers Market and even heard the story of a woman relieving herself in the middle of the street. It's been a busy last 24 hours.

     The truth is, Teresa and I along with just about every other person along Rosemary Beach Saturday night got to enjoy the wedding reception. They didn't invite us in the big tents. But still, we were there within earshot, as you can see in the video.

Wedding Reception @ Rosemary Beach FL

      The lawn's between The Pearl Hotel and the beach. We took this picture before 6:00pm. So, T & I figured the wedding was around 5:00ish. It's February in Florida, but was a hot, humid evening. All the bridesmaids were in full length velvet dresses. Ugh, we were hot and we were in shorts and flip flops.
      See the kids on bikes in the picture at left? Their mom had a really hard time convincing the littlest one that he was not invited so they would not be going to the birthday party.

Rosemary Beach Farmers Market

     


The Rosemary Beach Farmers Market is one of a few held along Florida's 30A each weekend. We went early and thank goodness. By 9:30, it was wall to wall people and most of them with strollers.

Rosemary Beach Farmers Market

We snacked on a Spinach Florentine croissant and later a vegetable pastry from a Sri Lankan eatery. I got to admit, it took me awhile to figure out what the vegetable pastry guy was saying through his very thick out of town accent.



     We rode our bikes back to our unit with bags full of fresh, local treats including some local-wildflower honey and great mustard from Matt's Mom's Mustard Store.

     By lunch, I visited with a bunch of bikers, on real bikes not a Schwin like myself, out for a Saturday ride. Duke, Dan, Brie, Gidget and Po-Boy are my new best friends.

    And then there's the lady who relieved herself in the middle of the street. We didn't see it. We heard the tale. A woman driving a fancy BMW tried to parallel park yesterday outside Cowgirl Kitchen, a fun place near the beach. Some passerby actually had to stand outside her window and tell her to pull forward, back up and turn left or right.
     After she finally parked and walked away, the crew at CK said they had to share the story. Apparently the last time the lady in the fancy BMW parked in the same spot and went across the street for drinks at The Pearl, she later came out and relieved herself over a city drain.... in the middle of the street. Goes to show, drunk and stupid looks the same no matter how you dress it up.

Bill Robertson, off to the beach!

Beach Blog #16

     I suppose it doesn't matter whether you're a 1,000 away from it or in the same state, whether you're up to your ears in work or up to your ankles in sand or whether you're affected or not. The cold hard fact is, the most recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida is prompting the expected responses.
     The Panama City News Herald reports the local school board is considering everything from endorsing a ban on certain guns to arming its teachers. A news cartoon on Facebook showed a female teacher standing in front of her students with a pistol, presumably pointed at an intruder. The caption read: An Armed Teacher Protecting her Class.
     Seems like the 'Arm our Teachers' argument is getting a lot of play. And why not? It sounds logical. Or is it?
     My first and honest reaction is, what's to stop the teacher with the gun from going "postal"? Think about it. The teacher, who's getting paid far less than they're worth and who's likely dealing with smart-alecky, disrespectful, entitled and probably many seriously emotionally disjointed kids, now has a gun? I think it's a safe bet that sooner or later, the teacher becomes the shooter.
     Also, is the teacher expected to buy their own gun? Does the teacher pay for their own training? Does every teacher at a school have a gun? Are they required to be armed on campus?
    On top of that, a lot of teachers are little old ladies and gentlemen. I don't see an elderly kindergarten teacher packing heat or wanting to pack heat.
     I suppose there are ways to make guns work on campus, but to simply blurt out 'Arm our Teachers' seems akin to asking the impossible.
     The argument that it's all about parenting seems even more daunting. There's no doubt, there are many, many wonderful young people in our world. There are young people who will cure cancer, give us world peace, help a little old lady cross the street. But for every 100 of them, how many more are jaded, tainted or in turmoil from their home environment? I suspect I can't count that high.
     So to again blurt out, "the problem solving starts at home" is ideally accurate but completely unrealistic. I think it's safe to say, due to the volume of people on this planet, we've passed the point of no return.
    Again, I suppose there are ways to create love and caring in every home, but that's above my pay grade.
     So what is the path of least resistance? To blurt out 'Ban the guns' or 'Buy back the guns' certainly appears unlikely considering the sheer volume of privately owned firearms in the United States.
     Let me confess, I have guns. I have a lot of guns, in fact. But each one has a wooden handle and a wooden stock. Each one shoots limited rounds. I even have an Ithaca shotgun, given to me by my dearly departed Father-in-Law, that I have trouble loading. My point is, I like the 'old school guns.' I don't harbor any resentment for the many I know who have one to several of the plastic guns. I just don't see the beauty in that firearm.  For myself, most seem ugly and intended for a different purpose.
     And at least from what I've seen, read or heard, none of the shooters who obliterated a perfectly good day for mothers, fathers and their children, used a plain, old fashioned hunting type of gun.
     Please note that throughout this blog, I have not used strong language nor profanity or condemnation to make my points. I certainly encourage replies, but respectfully request that your reply is relayed in a well thought out, non-combative, helpful manner.
Thank you,
Bill Robertson