9-28-20 Pool, Beaseley park and around the area

Shortly after I woke up, Angie was looking for my 600mm zoom lens.  She said there was an Eagle on the dunes across from our room, but the 300 zoom lens wasn't zooming in very well.  By the time she got the 600 mm lens, the Eagle had flown away, but she did get this picture earlier with the 300 mm zoom(which I had to crop to get a good view of it).   Pretty neat having an Eagle here!

I didn't get to see the Eagle, but I did see lots of other bird.  There were a ton of Great Blue Herons, Pelicans, and seabirds. 

Just thought this was interesting textures and duotones.

We were up early and it was pretty foggy at a distance. 

But still clear enough for good viewing of the birds nearby

Got a kick out of this guy drafting off the fishing boat.

The bridge over the harbor

a couple Great Blues crooning.

zoom in across the harbor

more mist to the East

Didn't take long for the mist to burn off

Still working on burning off the the East

the harbor was really calm in the morning hours.  It would get pretty wavy by afternoon.

birds on one of the man made beaches on the peninsula across from us.

another beautiful day developing

Layla ready to enjoy the day

Momma fixed her hair up really pretty

For the amount of time it takes to keep her hair looking so healthy and pretty, Layla is quite the trooper.

looking up from my lounge chair as I enjoyed the beautiful morning from the side patio of our unit.

 We had read that the pools were heated, so we were surprised how cold the pool was.  They must not have a heater on it now! 

Layla didn't seem to mind the cold water, though.

Even Grandpa came out to watch us.

Layla loves these zero entry pools

We decided to go check out the indoor pool.  It was quite a bit warmer, so we ended up playing in there for an hour or so.  Fortunately we were the only ones in it.

Then we headed back to the room.  It was about time for Layla to take her nap.  So I enjoyed the patio awhile more.

Then Josh asked if I wanted to go to the grocery store with him.  I was happy to go.  Here's the burger place across from our resort.

As seen from the bridge---a party sandbar area.

I enjoyed being able to take some pictures from the car. 

Ken and I came in the opposite direction, so we didn't we the sand dunes. 

Pretty neat area.

the sand is so white and fine here that it looks like snow

It was a beautiful day with beautiful white clouds and deep blue skies.

and white sand dunes

Couldn't get enough of them

the lake (bay) next to the road.

more of the lake

this area is Gulf Island National Seashore, but it was closed while we were there.

Wonder if it was closed due to the Hurricane.  Several of the Seaside parks were closed, too.

The grocery store was in Fort Walton Beach, but it was a nice ride.

heading back with the big sand dunes and the Gulf on the right now.

The tall building is the Wyndham Emerald Grande where we were staying on the Harbor Walk.

The man made peninsula with the man made beaches that is across from our resort

our resort and the Harbor WAlk stores and marina along the shore.

another view of the shops and marina by our resort.

 

After Layla got up from her nap, we headed to one of the parks we saw along the dunes that was open.  Right by the parking lot were a bunch of wildflowers with lots of butterflies around it

 

It had quite the boardwalk with 3 pavilions.

Beasley Park---This sign explains that this beach was originally a " for colored only" beach back in the 60's.  Segregation was still big back then and they weren't allowed at the other beaches.   By 1964-65, segregation was lifted and all Florida beaches were open to everyone.

They had quite the extensive boardwalks.  It was made to be handicap accessible.  I read there were even suppose to be beach wheel chairs, but I didn't see them.  The pavilions were a bit far from the beach, though.  You really couldn't see the water from them.  But the views of the dunes was neat.

They did have a handicap accessible overlook built closer to the water, but it wasn't covered.  On a sunny hot day like today, Ken didn't spend a lot of time there.

His view from the overlook

zoom in to Layla on the beach---walking on the sand!!!  This was her 6th trip to a beach and the first time she actually wanted to touch the sand.  Before now, she even had to be carried.

She was really fascinated with the sand this time. 

Just an artsie photo

Layla cheezing for Mom

The little ham

Layla waving at us.

looking towards the fishing pier. 

some of the many pelicans we saw in Florida.

Layla ready to head into the water.

Angie waving at us before they head into the water.

dunes from the lookout

the lookout deck looking towards the pavilions.

close up of the wild flowers all over the place here.

another look towards the Gulf from the look out.

Heading back to the pavilions so Ken can get some shade while we hang out on the beach awhile longer.

Layla loving the beach

so much fun watching her play in the sand for the first time

the kids forgot her beach blanket, so it's a good thing she liked the sand now.

she even sat in the sand!

Eventually she saw me with my camera and had to borrow it to take some pictures of her own.  Most of which I deleted, but there were a few I kept.  Like this one.

and this one.

Pretty soon she was wanting to get back in the water.

The water was still somewhat murky.  They said it would take 2-4 weeks to clear up from the hurricane.  We were there about 2 weeks after it.

But we still enjoyed it.

It was shallow for quite a ways out.

looking back towards the beach and the pavilions.

there were some pretty good waves coming in.  Layla loved calling them "Food trucks". 

waiting for another wave.

that's a big "food truck"!

time for a group selfie

love all the birds

and Layla's colorful toys.

time for a drink

 

 

one last look at the beach as we head out.

 

Back at the condo and watching the tour boats and fishing boats come back.  This pirate ship even shot a canon as it approached.

There was even a digital advertising boat

Dinner ended up being salad and spaghetti.  Ken and I still haven't been out to a restaurant since his diagnosis (except for the private reception his brother threw for him in May at his restaurant), but I really don't mind eating at home anymore.