The Cape

In years past when my family has visited Florida in the spring time we have stayed out on Cape San Blass - otherwise known as the Cape.  We made a trip out to the beautiful white sand beaches on the Cape and I think it was the windiest day we had - it was cold but I think everyone still had fun.

the beach has beautiful dunes and endless stretches of pure white sand

the surf was a little rough being the day after the storm

the kids immediately went on a treasure hunt

they were excited to have a whole new beach to explore

the kids were most interested in coming up with what would qualify as Dangerous Marine Life.......

papa and grandkids were trying to get their flying parrot to take flight

a great description of how to escape a rip current - always good to know

Ronan giving parrot a little assistance

he finally takes flight - but for how long is the question

carlos was hoping to catch something bigger then what they had caught off the dock

dill trying to keep warm

dill gets a lift from his auntie

rather then flying, crazy parrot preferred to just nose dive and take people out

carlos, oma and steve testing the water

we found some shells with really different colors

carith, sophia and dillon

hopi and carlos

cuddling with dill

our favorites were everywhere - we all had a beautiful day even though it was windy and cold

After the Storm.....

It seems to be coming to our attention that where ever we are we encounter some exciting weather.  One evening while we were in Florida our area was under a tornado watch - it was really fun watching the amazing lightening storm over the ocean in the dark- I wish I had the camera equipment to capture the sky- but do not, so instead, early the next morning I captured the remaining dark thunderclouds over the ocean and looked for any interesting treasures that might have landed up on the beach.

I love watching these guys run along the waters edge

papa and granddaughter

papa

on the walk back to the house the sun began to break through the clouds

we spent a day in the funky, historic town of Apalachocola

Beach Cruisers, Bonfires and Bioluminescence

Beach cruisers -  a simple thing, yet so fun.  Bicycles are such a memory of childhood - the age old question - when did you learn to ride a bike?  A memory we hold on to for a lifetime.  I think even better then a regular bike are beach cruisers - nothing complicated - you hop on and go - no gears, the seats are comfy and if you want to stop you just peddle backwords.  Perfect for endless hours of joy -

Sophia you rock those shades!!!!

do you see the bird?

ok - so maybe tandem beach cruisers are not as easy - haha - go carith

all the kids had fun though

wild child

hands free

I just had to give it a try to

ok ok - putting us to shame - we were proud we could start to turn a corner on that thing

the kids began collecting fire wood for a bonfire on the beach later that night

bonfire logistics - Dillon and Brandon

you can see where the tide came up around the bonfire

the kids had a great time enjoying the bonfire and were lucky enough to experience a really cool treat from the ocean itself - bioluminescence - as the waves lapped up on shore they began to notice sparkles in the water - much to their delight as they ran through the shallow water it glowed around their feet and legs.  Ronan watched the sand closely and discovered that if you press the sand next to one of the "green lights" they glow stronger - it was like having green lightening bugs in the ocean - such an awesome experience they were able to share with their cousins and friends (the second week Steve (one of Ed's sons) and his girfriend Serena and her two children Brandon and Jaime arrived - it was a full house and everyone was having a great time).