Day at Flagler Beach

After getting up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise it was finally time for breakfast!  The White Orchid Inn & Spa offers a scrumptious, made-to-order breakfast every morning.  Both mornings I ate two different, delicious vegetarian quiches while Country Boy enjoyed a yummy omelette one morning and French Toast the other.  All dishes are served with fruit and an English Muffin or croissant, coffee, your choice of juice and some yummy homemade breads.  They served an awesome Lemon Coconut Bread.  I'm not really a fan of either ingredient but I decided to try a slice and it was simply scrumptious!

After stuffing our bellies, it was time to don the swimsuits!  We grabbed our chairs, umbrellas, cameras, books and waters and headed across the street to the beach.  This was the first time I had ever been to Flagler Beach and I really liked it!  It was not crowded like Daytona or New Smyrna and there were no buildings directly on the beach.  You had an unspoiled view of the whole beach!

This is where I stayed the majority of the day (other than taking a dip in the ocean to cool off!)...

And I STILL got sunburned!  You would think after growing up in Florida that I would learn.... nah!  I'm not a fan of sunscreen but I guess I'll have to use it even though I plan to stay underneath the umbrella!  And yes, I'm still peeling and nursing a huge sun-blister on my bottom lip *sigh*!

The view from my chair!

There was a lot of activity going on...

which made it difficult to get any reading done...

because I sure didn't want to miss out on anything...

like this guy scampering sideways across the sand!  He was a good sport and posed for the cameras!

The clouds were rolling in behind us in early-afternoon and we wondered if we would have to pack up...

but overhead, the scenery was beautiful...

pelicans in flight!

We decided to head back to the Inn and hang out by the pool.  We ordered a fruit and cheese platter for lunch and ate it poolside.

Here are a couple of residents at the Inn...

and the kitty that chose to live here according to staff...

Isn't she cute!  She left a 'present' outside our friends door one morning... a little mousy present!  She was quite proud and enjoyed the fuss we were making over her 'present'.  I had a little chat with her that she should only kill something if she was going to eat it.  Well, when we were through with our breakfast... so was she.  All except the head... ewww!  At least she listened to me!  (or so I like to think!)

Overall, it was a lovely day spent reading, taking pictures, relaxing, chatting, boogie boarding and building sandcastles (guess who did that?!) topped off with some delicious seafood at a local restaurant!

Till next time,

You're Back!

Welcome back my Followers!  I'm not sure where Blogger had you hidden but I'm glad to 'see' you again!  Fortunately, that was the only problem I had with Blogger the past couple of days but I know several fellow bloggers who had various difficulties during the past week.  Hopefully, it's all fixed now and we can all get on with our blogger-lives! 

Yesterday I mentioned that Country Boy and I went to the coast in the afternoon so that I could take some pictures and then grab a bite to eat.  We went to one of my favorite beachside locales... John's Pass in Madeira Beach on the Gulf Coast.  It's an historic fishing village and boardwalk with lots of shopping, dining and photo opportunities.  Let me show you around.....

This is where we parked.  One quarter gives you 15 minutes of parking.  (Kind of steep if you ask me, but since nobody asked... I'm telling ya' anyway *smile*).  Country Boy dropped eight quarters in the meter so we had two hours to eat and take some photos.  Not enough time for me but it had to do.  You could spend two hours just in the shops that lined the parking lot.  I think I spent six minutes (after the time ran out on the meter) looking for a charm for my charm bracelet while Country Boy manned the car (making sure it didn't get towed!).  Needless to say, I didn't find a John's Pass charm but I will try to find a pelican charm next time we come here to represent John's Pass!  (I know we'll be back and probably soon because my photog buddy wasn't able to come and she's never been here!)

Since it was supper time when we arrived, Country Boy and I headed over to Bubba Gump's for some chow!

We started with Onion Rings, a tower of Onion Rings served with Chipotle Ranch and BBQ Dippin’ Sauces.  Country Boy had the Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp, Bubba always loved this one! Served with Cajun Marmalade and Fries and I had Lt. Dan's Drunken Shrimp, large chargrilled Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Mashed Potatoes and Bourbon Sauce!  Run, Forest, Run!  I ordered it because of the mashed potatoes.  I'm a HUGE fan of potatoes, especially mashed, and I haven't had any in four weeks.  (And yes, for those of you who are wondering... we cheated on our diet!  Back to it today!)  Both entrees were delicious!  (Are ya' hungry now?)

While we were eating, the horns sounded and the bridge began coming up...

The boat on the left heading under the bridge had extremely tall antennas.  Once it passed, the horns sounded again and the bridge came down.

After supper, we walked under the bridge to the beach.  These rocks lined the inlet.

We headed back to the boardwalk to see the sites.  (Oh yea, I forgot, I did check a couple of stores on the boardwalk for charms, too.  Still no luck.)  Here's part of the boardwalk...

Lots to see and do!

And now for the wildlife, and I don't mean the people hanging out at the bars!

I'm not sure what kind of bird this is.  I'm thinking in the Heron family but if anyone knows I'd love to be enlightened!

White Ibis

Snowy Egret

He is in the process of a good shake!

Here's another bird that I'm not familiar with.  Looks like a dove or pigeon.  He is purple and gold!

Brown Pelicans

Last but not least... a Brown Pelican coming in for a landing!

Our two hours were up so we headed back to the car and I sprinted (which hopefully burned off some of those yummy mashed potatoes I ate *laugh*!) up and down the shopping area by the parking lot looking for the charm, to no avail.  So, we said goodbye to the coast and headed back to the country.

On our way home the storm clouds were brewing...

... but still no rain for our little piece of the country.

We had a lovely time and I hope you enjoyed seeing John's Pass through my camera lens!

I hope you are having a blessed Sunday!

Till next time,