When I cannot get to St. Augustine for R&R, I slip over to my brother's condo on Sand Key. It's not quite the same...Gulf vs. Atlantic...gently lapping waves vs. noisy, crashing waves...but it sure is beautiful. It's a wonderful place to relax and regroup...and to breathe!
Sand Key is just south of Clearwater Beach, in Florida. It's primarily residential, with just a couple of hotels...a Sheraton resort right on the gulf (fabulous place to stay) and a Marriott on the bay. From the condo, you can view the beautiful bay to the east and the expanse of the Gulf of Mexico to the west. The sunsets are spectacular, the water is warm, and there are shells and sea life just waiting to be discovered. As I wade through the gentle waves, I do the "Sting Ray Shuffle"...a dance where you drag your feet to avoid stepping on sting rays. These gentle creatures bury themselves in the sand, hiding from their predators. They will not harm you unless you happen to step on the barbed area on their back...hence the shuffle. Today, a school of rays rise as one and flutter all around me. The fins tickle my legs...and they're gone. In the distance I watch several dolphins rise and fall in a graceful dance through the waters. A lone pelican dives into the waves catching his snack...and the gulls are laughing overhead. I am at peace......... and I can BREATHE.
Please visit Barbara Jacksier and all the other Waterside Wednesday bloggers at http://barbarajacksier.blogspot.com . You never know what you will find. Also visit Susan and all the Outdoor Wednesday bloggers at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com.
20 comments:
Believe it or not,we've never,ever been to Sand Key.
Have added it to the 'To-Do List.'
"sting ray shuffle" eh? sounds like fun!! beautiful views! just got back from the beach and i miss it so! :O(
We learned the sting ray shuffle in Cayman... I'd love to practice it at Sand Key, looks fabulous.
We sat & watched pelicans diving a long while a few days ago... the moment of impact is always a joy.
~Julia
Thanks for making me think about the happy girls weekend that we all had at this beautiful condo.
It brought a big smile to my face!
Very wonderful looking! Sounds like a perfect place to unwind!
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Your photos of the Gulf are beautiful, you must enjoy this peaceful retreat...
I lived in Pass-a-grille as a child and have many fond memories of shelling on those wonderful beaches.
Thanks for stopping by, have a delightful day.
Kind regards, Pam :)
Gorgeous views Jane .. very calming
Was going to say .. can I slip over there for a holiday and then read about the shuffle.. not sure I am up for that.. haha... reminds me of a time in Vanuatu... similar but giant starfish!
Well sorry I was late.. only just posted my wednesday post as we had a huge dust storm here.. weird really. x Julie
Hi Jane,
Ahhhh.. the beach. I never, ever get tired of looking at the ocean. There is just something so calming and relaxing about it. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos with us. Amy :)
I never even thought of that..., that I could step on sting rays. I hope there won't be any down in Miami beach!
The sting ray shuffle sounds like an adventure theme park ride. Wish I lived close enough to give it a try.
Any ocean is a good ocean for me! Especially with those views! xo
So relaxing just reading about it. I am sure being there is awesome.
This is gorgeous! I've never heard about this spot, but I'd definitely want to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Jane,
Thank you so much for taking me back to Sand Key! My parents lived on Sand Key in a condo for 9 years and I was able to spend a week with them each year and - sometimes twice a year! I loved it! They were on the 16th floor and the views were spectacular! Thanks for sharing!
~Jean
hi jane, thanks for stopping by my blog this week! what a delight your place is. i share your love of crescent beach. it was the very first place we stayed when we came down from michigan for a preview of where we might live if we moved here...we were gifted an oceanfront condo stay on crescent beach in january. i felt like i'd won the lottery, getting to move here. you must visit atlantic beach too; i have a feeling you'd love it!
now sand key: awesome. the gulf is just a different venue altogether. my parents vacationed near there for many years and it's a jewel of a place.
anytime i can be near the beach, i'm happy!
Hi Jane,
Thank you for sharing these lovely images. You're a wonderfully talented writer, and your posts never fail to evoke special feelings of "being there!" Always a delight ...
Hope your weekend goes well!
Bill
Hi Jane,
I thought I'd answer your question in your comments (and you left a good one for a future post, thank you) I am guessing that the walls are currently some kind of pale colour which will always look gray in a darker room and I would keep a lamp on in a dark living room during the day so that it feels warmer and more inviting everytime you walk by!
Maria
I just love the beach! It is so calming and I can just never get enought of it. ENJOY!
Sharon
I would be at peace too with all this beauty. I am so glad the swallows arrived safe Jane.
Oh wow! I want to pop right on over into that pictures, lol. :)
Jane, I wanted to tell you that I always so enjoy the comments from you. They are always thoughtful and sincere and I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you! :) Thank you for those French Tag ideas! I am very interested in making those.
Also, I'm doing my first giveaway on my blog right now if you're interested:
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/09/pleated-poppy-giveaway.html
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