Krewe of Wrecks - Red Beans & Rice

Now that I'm back home and settled in, I have to catch up my blog viewers on some of the Mardi Gras events on the island.


The Krewe of Wrecks offer a free lunch of red beans and rice on the Monday following their big Pensacola Beach Parade. It's a popular tradition for the beach and hundreds show up. Tommy Grice, the new King of Wrecks, stirs the pot...doesn't he always!


Smaller pots of rice simmering away...


as the line grows longer.


Folks on the island really know how to dress for the occasion!


And the serving line opens! Ladies from the Pensacola Beach Women's Club serve red beans and rice until the food runs out...and that's a long time.


Looks like Ms. Bobbi (standing) is supervising the drink line. She's the sweetest lady!


A steaming hot bowl of red beans and rice


Some take a bit of hot sauce...


Others are treated to a little bit of sugar! Ohhhh...Miss Carleen!!!


Oh look! It's Blondy Larsen, one of our annual snowbirds. They love Pensacola Beach and we love them.


And here is Blondy's wife, lovely Rosemary (on the right), with one of her friends.


Whoa! Dogs don't eat red beans and rice, do they? Hide, li'l pup, 'fore they make you a hot dog!


Red Beans and Rice day is special, but even more so for Janet & Allen Penniman. It's their 52nd wedding anniversary.


This little girl just wanted to dance the Mardi Gras Mambo


Why can't I come up with something artsy like this for my Mardi Gras collection! Do you think it's dishwasher safe? ;-)


Recognize this bike from the Mardi Gras parade? Ride in style, baby!


Ahhhh...a baby Mardi Gras dinosaur. Thankfully they are a protected species on the island.


"Hey, neighbor!" This is one of my neighbors, Maria Weisnicht. Now she knows how to throw a Mardi Gras party.


Just wait, another year and I'll find a hat like this!


It's the new King of Junkanoo, Don Stevens! Love your crown, King Don

Roseate Spoonbill

Last night I returned home from a trip to the east coast of Central Florida. During my time there I visited Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore, two very special places. Along Black Point Wildlife Drive, I was able to photograph the unusual-looking bird I was most hoping to catch a glimpse of...the Roseate Spoonbill.


Hunted for their beautiful feathers in the 1800's, the Roseate Spoonbills nearly became extinct by the early 1900's. You can easily see how this bird with a built-in eating utensil got its name.


Interesting fact I discovered: a group of spoonbills are known as a "bowl".

Coming in for a landing.

Critters

Ah ha! Evidence of night visitors along the shoreline.

A quiet place

Isn't this a lovely discovery?

In the wetlands

One of the beautiful areas in the wetlands which goes mostly undisturbed or visited. The island has many special areas such as this.

A first rose

Ahhhh....spring is just around the corner!

Krewe of Wrecks

Shortly after the first of the year I was asked about becoming the official photographer for the Krewe of Wrecks. Their long-time photographer, a delightful man, Mr. Bill Meilner, announced he was ready to settle back and enjoy Mardi Gras season a bit more leisurely -- in first person rather than through a camera lens.

I was concerned about taking on the task and stepping into the shoes of someone who had documented Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras celebrations for years on the island. Conversations with both Mr. Meilner and members of the Krewe gave me courage to go for it.

It's been quite a learning curve this season, but I have enjoyed it immensely. I discovered the Krewe of Wrecks were simply asking me to do the same thing I've done every year since becoming a full-time resident -- photographing events on the island -- but now I have much more access and acceptance. It has been delightful.

In the past, albums have been assembled for the Krewe after Mardi Gras where they could order prints of themselves and friends at various KOW events. I did not want to stop that tradition since there are some who do not have a computer, but I did want to add Internet access for those who would prefer to browse the photos online and perhaps share them with family and friends outside the area.

Consequently, I am adding a Krewe of Wrecks sections under "Links" where members can view and order prints of KOW events as an extended part of my Internet storefront of Pensacola Beach nature photos. This will place my blog viewers in a unique position to experience a bit of Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras behind the scenes.

You will begin to notice familiar characters, faces and smiles in these events. One of my favorites this year was the Queens' Dinner. Queens from various Krewes and generations were in attendance. All were graciously recognized and a small group honored posthumously. Moving about this beautiful group of ladies, photographing them, reminded me how important it was to also honor them with dignity and grace, as well as document them as part of our island history.

For KOW members, this link provides a new place where you can view your photos and place orders. For my blog visitors, this is a unique part of the island which you may enjoy in addition to the quiet seascapes and other island events I share with you on a daily basis.

My thanks to the Krewe of Wrecks!

Are we havin' fun?

I'm back home on my end of the beach after an incredible fun-filled day of Mardi Gras celebration on Pensacola Beach. As the sign in the middle of this photo says, "It's all about the beads!" The beach was probably more crowded than I've ever seen it.

I've got tons of photos to go through and I'll be posting more in the next couple of days. Meanwhile, let me tend to my windburned (gusts up to 30 mph), sore cheeks (from smiling all day) and cramped hands (from taking close to 3,000 photos since Friday).

Life is good!


"You can start dinner now, honey. I'm comin' home with the beads!"

or

"Norm, funny thing about that quiet business meeting we had planned this weekend."

Krewe of Kids Parade

The Krewe of Kids Parade started lining up in front of Tiki Island yesterday morning, exactly one week after the event was postponed due to bad weather. No such problem this week!


Is that Curious George or George of the Jungle?


This little explorer must come from the Canary Islands!

Sing with me: Hey, hey, it's a monkey! People say he monkey's around. But he's too busy singing, to put anybody down!

Ahhh, look at this little monkey.

"Yeah, I love my crown hat, but..."

"...I think it looks better on me this way!"

Look at this adorable little jester. Is that not the sweetest smile?

A beautiful cape.

The support teams are out this morning!

Rarin' to go. Come on, folks!

Look, it's Terri McKamey! This sweet lady is the General Manager of Tiki Island, loves the kids and goes out of her way to provide special events for them every year - from a Krewe of Kids' parade to Gingerbread Make and Take's, Terri is there lining up activities. And she gave me my own set of Monkey Beads! I'm IN, dude!!!

Ladies and gentlemen: The Royal Court has taken their places and beads are properly placed.

And the parade begins!

"Woo hoo! Throw me some beads, mister!"

Look at this little purple float entry.

The parade turns back toward Tiki Island.

And the floats line up for judging.

Pretty Princess Madeline.

Prizes galore, but our Krewe of Kids are winners all!

I love my mommy!

Queen Amelia and her BFF (best friend forever!)

Now don't you wish you went to school at Pensacola Beach Elementary! Long live the Krewe of Kids!