If I could just stay right here for a few days I would but alas, since my meander was slowed by rain, and I have to be home for an April 26 engagement, sadly I must leave today so I might enjoy the sights and sounds of the rest of my trip. This is one place I will return to though.
Since this is probably my last day at the beach for a long while, I am so glad it was and is a beautiful beginning.
This was the scene this morning on Skidaway Island, a barrier island outside of Savannah, Georgia.
Ever since I left Cocoa Beach on Thursday, I have been dodging storms. There is a massive storm system that spans northern Florida and reaches up beyond Charleston, South Carolina, and west, past Asheville, North Carolina (exactly the path I had hoped to take.)
I have been getting up to greet the sunrise at the beach only to find that the sun is obscured. Usually, it will make an attempt to peak through the clouds 20, 30 or even 60 minutes late, like this morning (pictured above.)
These storms are too big to go around, so I am just staying put, more or less, moving at a snail’s pace.Since the weather report calls for more rain tonight and tomorrow morning, I hope you will forgive me for sleeping in tomorrow.
Some people think that sunny Florida is just that — sunny, all the time. But that is not the case, the water cycle is in full gear here of late. The pattern seems to be that the temperature and humidity rise, day after day, for about a week until either the sky cannot hold any more or a cool front comes in and the rains fall and fall hard.
You have not experienced rain unless you have been in Florida (or some land of monsoons.) Sometimes there is lightening or thunder warning you to take cover. It is more common for the clouds to just open up and dump on you, sort of like someone unzipped them and all the water inside just poured out.
Sometimes, like today, the sky scuds up and stays that way all day, with clouds dumping their contents and moving out over the Atlantic on what the weather folks call an “occasional” or “intermittent” basis. Translation: It could be raining one minute and not the next, or on this side of the street but not that; it could rain twenty times in one hour!
Don’t get me wrong, I do not mind the rain, especially if I am sitting on the lanai, watching the clouds roll in across the water. I love the sound of the water falling and washing the earth clean. I love the reflections of the lights in the puddles. I love the hazy mist that obscures the view marking where the rain is heavy. Most of all I love the clean, fresh smell.
As in life, some days are sunny and some are stormy, but any day that starts at the beach is a good one.
There is a big storm system that has been cloudy the skies and whipping up the surf. Here is the scene at sunset last night, and sunrise this morning.
Sunset, Seminole Rest, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge/Canaveral National Seashore
Sunrise New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Eventually, a hint of sunlight
A storm rolled through last night ushering in a cool front. It was a bit brisk at the beach this morning, where a giant bank of clouds hid the sun. So I thought I would give you a picture of the moon instead. (Speaking of which did you see the eclipse and the “blood moon” the other night?)
Finally about an hour late, the sun finally managed to do this.
In the end, it was a beautiful, sunny, if cool and windy day.
This morning the natural beauty of the sun and clouds was augmented a little by a couple of man made “clouds.”
What do you think, do they enhance the image or detract?
Some sunrises are bright and vivid, others are of the pastel variety. I like the peaceful feeling that this view invokes.
How about you?
From condo to beach – 4/12/2014
I am inland helping a friend today so cannot be at the beach. But I thought I would share some thoughts on a recent sunrise.
Sunrise
one lone star in the dark sky
a hint of rose on the horizon
the promise of a new day
the sea, like molten pewter
flowing toward the shore
the wet sand stretches out ahead of me
like a sheet of glass
seashells, dotted here and there
sea birds catch an early morning snack
glow on the horizon grows
orange ball rises from the sea
sun up
The Adventures of Blue Bear 