The dune trail and more

Saturday May 4, 2013
Site 25, Henderson Beach State Park
Destin, Florida

 

 

This morning at 4am i am jolted awake by what I think is the wind jerking the awning. 

 

I am worried as I lay and listen to the wind howling.  Have we put up the awning deflappers?  We usually do but I am afraid we had not when we arrived her.  We also haven’t had to tie the awning down in a long time. 

Rather than just lay here worrying, I get up to take the awning down.  I go outside and even though the full moon is over a week past, the sky is not at all dark.  The lights of the businesses of Route 98 light up the sky.  I stand outside and find that the bushes and trees which surround our site making it feel very cozy and private also block most of the wind.  The noise I am hearing and thought was howling wind is rather howling traffic from the 4 lane Route 98.  At 4:00 in the morning?

I have a hard time going back to sleep and awake at about 7:30 feeling groggy and tired.  It is 50 degrees outside and the predicted high is 67 with winds of 18 to 22 mph.  Doesn’t sound like a great beach day.

 

I know, I know only Floridians would think that isn’t a great day.

 

My excuse is that now I are one.

I do go out for my run, and David for his walk.  When we return he makes pancakes.  Because this feels like a cool day to us,   I put a crockpot of soup on to cook while we walk down the lovely boardwalk to the beach and mosey down the beach to the day use area and up to the dune hike trail.

 

 

 

 

The water of course is just gorgeous.  Looks like a Caribbean sea.

 

 

Along the gulf I smile at the gentle quiet waves, so gentle babies can crawl in it.  Folks having a good time on this cooler than usual day.  Here is David in his long pants and flannel shirt amid these folks in the water playing. HA!    And talk about relaxed,  this woman is having her shoes removed for her.  Now that’s the life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have seen very few shells here on this white sugar sand beach so I look more closely at the detritus line and find quite a few of what I think are little coquina clam shells.  Their subtle colors are varied and their look is quiet.  There are also many pieces of what were once large heavy sand dollars. 

 

 

 

Just as we arrive at the boardwalk up to the trail head we see what looks like a wedding being set up.  What a lovely backdrop they will have.

 

 

 

Sometimes you see the strangest things where you least expect them.

 

When we reach the trail head we see what sort of looks like a small telescope building but it is fenced off with a WARNING US Government property sign.  It turns out this is a US Air Force ‘tracking installation’ and was first installed in 1951.  Well all righty then.

 

To reach the trail we walk through the playground.  I have always wanted to swim with manatee and ride on a sea turtle’s back.  Neither of those is likely to happen but when I see this big turtle I realize now’s my chance..

 

 

 

Wish I could say it was another great trail.

 

We’ve come over to hike the dune trail hoping for something like what we found at Grayton Beach. 

But it is not to be.  The trail is nice enough though not nearly as spectacular as the one at Grayton.  The problem is we are walking in what sounds like the center strip of a 4 lane super highway.  We are never away from the noise and seldom away from the views.

 

 

We walk back along the water speculating about whether we will see the sun set over the water or the high-rises tonight.  We both know the answer since the beach faces south here at Henderson.

 

The soup is ready and with a salad and some garlic toast we have a fine dinner. 

Even if it were warm enough, we wouldn’t eat outside on the patio here.  We close up the windows and put on Loreena McKennitt.  She’s great for changing the atmosphere.

 

 

Now about that sunset.

No matter the noise, the beach is still beautiful and if you are right down by the water, it is all you can hear.  So we walk down the great boardwalk, this park’s best feature in my mind, and I get my toes in that water warmer than the air.

Only two other people are on the beach and no one else comes down to see the sunset.  Perhaps like me, they all prefer to see it set over the water.  But it doesn’t.

 

 

The color is lovely in the sky over the ocean though as we head back to go over and get some groceries at The Fresh Market right across the street.   Now that’s one convenient thing about being right in the middle of a resort on the main road.  All the services you need are right outside your front door.

Hope the weather is warmer tomorrow.  The best thing to do in this park is to stay right down by the water.  And I’ve got my earplugs ready for tonight.