Palm at sunset

We had an exquisite sunset tonight. I looked back and took a shot of one of the palms as I was coming in from an evening walk.

As you can see, the palm trees are recovering rather well despite Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Hopefully we will get a break from the tropical storms and hurricanes for a few years.

Plumbago

I'm plum crazy about the neighbor's Plumbago! Luckily, I landed next door to master gardeners, so I get the benefit of excellent advice and a great view of their beautiful yard.

Sunset at Seaside

"Lost, yesterday, somewhere between Sunrise and Sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever."

-- Horace Mann (1796 - 1859)

Wildflowers

"You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free."

-- Tom Petty, Wildflowers (1994)

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

I love the look of joy on the faces of people dancing.



And I love this Swing Kid's fedora!



Dancin' with your honey to the big band sound of Tim Jackson's Mr. Big Party Band. Ain't life grand?

In my footsteps

I've thought it might be nice to have someone follow in my footsteps someday, but this wasn't exactly what I envisioned.

Fishing at twilight

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

-- Henry David Thoreau

Reflecting on Portofino

The sunset reflects on the towers of Portofino while I reflect on the place I used to live. I miss some things about the condo, but I love my new home!

Matchless Earth

"Oh Matchless Earth,
We underrate the chance to dwell in thee."

-- Emily Dickinson

Quietwater Beach

Yesterday morning was the first time I've been back to the boardwalk at Quietwater Beach since it reopened. Yes, for those who are sticklers about such things, I know it has been renamed Portofino Plaza. But, as I was saying, it's the first time I've been back to the boardwalk at Quietwater Beach!

Things are looking great and new shops are opening. Time for a concert at the band shell -- or should I say, clam shell?



This little VW managed to withstand Hurricane Ivan and then Hurricane Dennis. He's a little bit rusty around edges, but he's tenacious.



'Do Not Touch.' Now why'd they have to say that? I never would have thought about it otherwise.

Sea Oats

Close shot of a panicle atop the graceful sea oats.



It's wonderful to see sea oats coming back again. These photos were taken on my morning walk, but they are spectacular in the evening when backlit by a sunset.

The camouflage artist

"Now you see me!"



"Now you don't!"

Beautiful vagabonds

"The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes, and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations are realised in their free, holiday-lives-- and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song!"

-- John Burroughs

Range Point wetlands

As you cross around to the east side of Range Point, you will discover a beautiful stretch of wetlands. Sad to say, but some of the trees in the distance appear as though they will not be able to recover from Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, and we see first hand the process whereby driftwood is created.

"There's driftwood on the lightest waves that blow,
And worthless mud in deepest depths below.
Yet purest pearls upon the surface ride,
And priceless gems lie far beneath the tide.

"Rich treasures with the worthless sands do toss.
We everywhere find mingled gold and dross.
So whether we sail high or sink below,
We find some joy, some sorrow, where we go."

-- Colfax Burgoyne Harman , "Joy and Sorrow," Poems of Sentiment

A morning walk

My morning walk takes me past Portofino, down to Range Point. Some mornings I am rewarded with a great shot like this.

Blues on the Beach

Summer on Pensacola Beach is wonderful! Every Tuesday, 7 - 9 p.m., we are treated to a free concert on the beach. Tonight we rocked to the great sounds of the Darren J. Trio. (Loved your Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, guys!)



Rocker in training!




A Bud Light



"Hey, hon'! That dude'ess is takin' our picture!"





Dream lovers




A beautiful night and plenty of room.

Observation post

"One of my favorite things to do when I have time off is to just watch the world go by."

-- Ed Lu, Astronaut

Headin' west

"I'm just goin' to take my house and go home!"

Summer in Pensacola Beach

I can't get enough of beautiful clouds like these over Pensacola Beach. I wish I could show you a panoramic shot so you could see the beauty that completely surrounds us.

Pensacola Beach tranquility

It was the end of a beautiful day on Pensacola Beach. I wonder how much longer we will get these incredible cloud formations.

Cloudspeak

We've been having fabulous cloud formations over the island and Gulf of Mexico lately. They are just perfect for the childhood game of discovering shapes in the clouds.

During the past two and a half months while I've been in Tennessee helping my folks, a huge crop of seaoats have been planted along the beach. You may barely be able to see them in this photo since they are such small sprigs at this time, but they are beautiful and - hopefully - tenacious.

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

The music was great last night in Seville Square and the crowd was hopping!



Is there anything cuter than the dimples of a smiling little boy? His name is Michael and he looks full of mischief!



"And girls they want to have fun,
Ohhhh girls just want to have fun."



I LOVE to watch the Swing Kids Dancers in motion!



How romantic! Me and you and a horse named...Nevada. What a fun way to look around Seville Square while listening to the music. Adults ride for $7; children ride for $4.



Ahhhhh...memories in the making! There is even someone available to marry you -- perform the ceremony, that is, if the music gets you in the mood. Actually, the church in the photo is available for ceremonies, as is the gazebo in the middle of the square.

The Blue Angels practice

What great fun to walk out to the beach yesterday and watch the Blue Angels practice. Here comes Fat Albert. Can the hornets be far behind? And I wonder if those swimmers knew about the practice session. Can you imagine their surprise at the sight of Fat Albert, if not?



Uh oh! Is someone out here on the beach doing a rain dance?



And here they come!!! Yippeee!!!!



"Hey guys, look at me. Am I a finalist?"



Ahhhh...off again, into the wild, blue yonder. Bye-bye, guys!

Just look at the color of the water and the sky. Can you imagine what it looks like from their perspective?

The evening saunter

"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life. "

-- John Burroughs (1837-1921) American Writer and naturalist

The reflecting pool

"If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind! "

-- Chuang Tzu

Blue Angels weekend on Pensacola Beach!

Yippee, home again on Pensacola Beach! I arrived last night and was greeted back this morning by the Blue Angels practicing over the beach -- and occasionally over my house -- for their show on Saturday.

The rafters shivered in delight as the lightning-fast blue hornets roared over. Alas, my poor little pee pup shivered in fear.

Did I mention I'm happy to be home? Yehaw!!!!! And thanks, Blue Angels! [P.S. That was me jumping up and down on the beach each time you flew over.]

Blue for you

I'm so blue in Tennessee......

Pink oleander

"One can almost hear their pink fragrant murmur as they settle down upon the grass: 'Summer, summer, it will always be summer.'"

-- Rachel Peden

A golden sunset

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life."

-- Rachel Carson

A beach bloom

A couple of days ago, before I headed back to check on my parents in Tennessee, I took a few photos to post while here. IF mother's dial-up Internet service cooperates, that is.

Pressed for time I explored the yard of my new home on the beach. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a couple of exquisite, fragrant blooms on a tiny shrub-size Magnolia tree!

I can't wait to get back home, listen to wind rustling through the palms trees, and possibly catch the scent of magnolia blossoms on a warm evening breeze.

Clouds on the horizon

We still have beautiful cloud formations this morning and perhaps a slight chance of rain!

Pensacola Beach on the 4th of July!

What a fabulous way to spend the Fourth of July, right here on Pensacola Beach!

As you can see, a little wave action during the past few days has washed up a bit of seaweed, but the clouds are incredible.