Wednesday, April 04, 2012

St George Island State Park

At the end of the island is a state park with miles of undeveloped beaches and untouched sand dunes. We found a great beach with a sand bar right off shore. We had fun finding sand dollars and surfing the waves.








The water is so clear and the sand is so white.


Hermit crab found on the sand bar.

Fun in the sand









Jason likes vacation

Little green lizard


The kids caught this little guy in our condo complex






Faces of vaca







Monday, April 02, 2012

Living the dream

Today was record high temps of 83 degrees. After a long morning at the beach and the pool, we rode our bikes from our place at the east end of the Island into the little town of St George, located in the middle of the island. It was about 3 1/2 miles one way and believe it or not it was kind of uphill, at least by Florida standards. It was fun to cruise past all of the big beach houses. 



First stop was the ice cream shop.


Across the street was a store that specializes in hot sauce - yes Jason was in heaven. They even had a little tasting station. After many samples and much deliberation, Jason made his selection. We even picked up something for the other hot sauce lover in our family :)



At the back of the store is a little hang out for kids. Soda, TV and a checker board. Perfect.


We picked up an extra passenger on the stand up board. A little 6 year old boy named Brookes and his mom and grandma have the place next to us on the beach. (Quick explanation - people set up their little space on the beach and leave their chairs, kayaks, umbrellas and towels down there all week. At first we were carting things back and forth but now that we know what the locals do, we fit in much better.)


So Brookes just LOVES Griffin and did everything he does. Griffin likes having a little tag along.



Sunday, April 01, 2012

Enjoying vacation...

On Sunday we traveled across the bridge to a small town called Apalachicola. It is the oyster capital of the world (well maybe not the world but its famous for its fresh oysters). We HAD to order oysters even though neither one of us has ever ordered or eaten oysters before.  The waitress was very patient with us and led us through the process. We ended up with steamed oysters with just a little butter and herbs. Yum! They were tender and delicious. We can never eat another oyster but an Apalachicola oyster!


The kids tried the famous sweet potato fries (with sugar and cinnamon on top) and the Buffalo wings (ha!) Griffin said they were the best wings he's ever had but he says that every time he gets wings. He also had his new favorite - fried mozzarella.


So far every morning the kids argue about whether we go to the pool first or the beach. Such difficult decisions. Ruby likes the pool because she is practicing her handstands and breast stroke. Griffin likes to crash into the waves in the ocean.




We rented four beach cruiser bikes. This long island has a bike path running down the middle. Tonight we went out during sunset to check out the state park at the end of the island. It was closed so we will try again tomorrow. 


Instead we took a moon lit walk along the beach. There were tons of people out. Some built small fires and others were using flashlights to look for crabs. We had our light so we joined in. Without a net we didn't think we could catch a crab. Every one else had nets and buckets. Well that did not stop our boy from diving on the crabs, gently wrestling them into his hands and then picking them up. He just didn't care that they pinched him multiple times!


I believe they are ghost crabs. 


After we would catch the crabs, Griffin and Ruby would relocate them to holes along the beach so they would be safe from the other crabbers who would put them in buckets. No one keeps these crabs. They are fun to catch and release. Griffin is thinking up a new strategy for the next few nights. I wonder what's next.

St. George Island beach


We finally made it! This place is a hidden treasure. Totally undeveloped and very friendly. Not like a lot of the other beach cities in Florida. 


The water is incredibly warm. We've seen dolphins swimming out past the sandbar. Supposedly there are sharks out that far too. We will stay put inside the sand bar.



Griffin has been very interested in trying out the paddle board. Its a bit windy for it but he's giving it a try. We also have a small kayak for him to try out. 



Ruby got in on the action too. She really liked it.



One of many sand castles being built. This one is the most elaborate. Griffin has an entire story about this one and the crabs that take it over at night. The tide doesn't change much - I didn't know that - so the castles stay put. The sand is so fine and soft. Ahhh.