Girl Power!

Girl Power on the beach!

Cannonball Run!

Oops, I mean cannonball fun! How does she DO that?

Bon Aqua at Pensacola Beach

What a gorgeous day to play or relax in paradise.


The beautiful water at Pensacola Beach is crystal clear!

Innerlight Surf Camp

It didn't take long to realize something was happenin' on the beach yesterday morning. Loads of kids and family, lifeguards, tents, and lotsa surf boards.



I discovered that Innerlight Surf & Skate hosts ten weeks of surf camp every summer. Yancy Spencer IV is the head instructor. Each class can have 25 participants (must be 8 or older) and runs 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. a day for four days. There are also five lifeguards/instructors per class, a 1-5 lifeguard-to-student ratio.


Yancy Spencer IV


Classroom area for the students (all in the water now as you can see). Classes also cover the basics of water safety such as flags, rip tides, and wave knowledge, plus subjects such as surfing etiquette. Then the fun begins!


Time to practice!

There are probably still spots available for an Innerlight surf camp class. Visitors to the island can check on availability during your vacation.

Portulaca

I love the Portulaca (Purslane) I planted in my yard this spring. Its vivid splashes of color against our snow-white sand are beautiful.


The flowers close at night, but open wide during the day. I'm amazed that they do not wilt during the heat of the day despite the high temperatures we've been experiencing. It also appears to be one of the most salt-tolerant plants in my yard.

A glimpse of paradise

"Gentleman...look around you at the gifts of God, the clear sky, the pure air, the tender grass, the birds; nature is beautiful and sinless, and we, only we, are godless and foolish, and we don't understand that life is a paradise, for we have only to understand that and it will at once be fulfilled in all its beauty, we shall embrace each other and weep."

~~ Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The Brothers Karamazov"

Catchin' a few rays

When I went for my morning walk, I thought I'd catch a few rays...


but this wasn't what I had in mind!


I was surprised to see this graceful beauty glide past because the water was choppy early this morning. It didn't seem to phase him one bit.


So always remember, when you're walking in water, whether the Gulf of Mexico or Santa Rosa Sound, do the "Stingray Shuffle"!

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

If it's a Thursday evening in the summer, you will find many islanders heading "into America" to enjoy Evenings in Olde Seville Square. Last night Tim Jackson's MR. BIG party band performed to an enthusiastic crowd.


Swing your partners, rock n' roll!


Even the little ones jump for joy!


Why not enjoy a wonderful evening and great music in Olde Seville Square under these magnificent old live oak trees.


Beautiful moms bring their beautiful babies and create beautiful memories.


There's plenty of dance room left for all ages.


It's a great place to meet your friends...


...and enjoy the music with a special someone. It will put a smile like this on your face.


Admire the fantastic wood sculptures around the park.


If you get bored, you can play with your Matchbox cars -- or poker chips.


Just pack up dinner, the lawn chairs, the family, and come out for a great time.


Moms can chill out with friends and kids can bounce on beach balls or swing in the playground.


And a few dribbles of apple juice won't matter a bit.

Love worthwhile

"Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

~~ Franklin P. Jones

Bands on the Beach

Every Tuesday night during the summer, the Santa Rosa Island Authority presents Bands on the Beach (formerly known as Blues on the Beach), a free concert series on Pensacola Beach. Last night The Reunion pulled in a large crowd!


Bring your lawn chairs and come on down every Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.!


"It's okay, you can be Robin."


"Grandma, he won't play with me."
"It's okay, Batman. Grandma will dance with you."


Sometimes the kids just have to stop dancing to stare at the goofy grown-ups.


Children are under watchful eyes and having a great time.


So...your mama DOES dance, and your daddy DOES rock 'n roll.


Making great summer memories with dad.

Sand Sculptures on Pensacola Beach

Work on the sand sculptures started at 9:00 a.m. this morning! Looks like a truck is getting 'detailed' here.


Judging was at 2:00 p.m. and prizes awarded at 3:00 p.m. I'm glad I didn't have the responsibility of judging, but I sure had a great time snapping photos today.


Ah, every good Chevy truck on the beach has a surfboard in the back, even in the sand sculptures!


One of my favorites today because it says exactly what I say to myself everyday. "Lucky U" - you live on the island!


Captain Nemo? Is that you?


Yep, it turned out to be Captain Nemo, but it looks like he's in the clutches of a giant squid!


It's the famous Pensacola Beach sign!


Looks like a sunbather is getting out early today. She definitely needs some SPF 50!


Wow, I think she turned out to be a Pillsbury Dough girl --- and she's starting to rise. Everyone loved this sculpture.


Beach Ball Realty sand sculpture in progress.


The finished product.


Beautiful dolphins on the Beach Ball Realty sculpture. What a great job.


Hmmm...this must be a beach sunflower. It was nice that there were different age classes for the sand sculptures. The kids did a great job.


Yikes! It's a green sea snake!


A large sea turtle in the making and just in time for the real turtles to start coming ashore to lay their eggs on Pensacola Beach.


Turtles, turtles, everywhere!


"In memory of #6" stands for Lt. Commander Kevin Davis, our Blue Angel who died on April 21, 2007.


Blue Angel #6. This was a very nice memorial.


SpongeBob SquarePants!


The big octopus.


Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your seaweed - oops, I mean 'golden' - hair! See the tiny seashell prince waiting for her below?


Aw, a baby turtle finally hatched.