What better to read and learn about during summer than Florida’s Oceans!
Category Archives: Beach
Great Summer Reading on Florida’s Oceans
Beach snapshots – Two women headed for the water with a surfboard, Key Biscayne
Credit: State Archives of Florida, Ozzie Sweet, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/82983
Beach snapshots – Cocoa Beach, Florida
Credit: James Gaines, State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/131877
Beach snapshots – Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Credit: State Archives of Florida (Holland, Karl E., 1919-1993.), Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/95273
Pinterest Boards We Love, Florida Summer
This week’s theme for “Pinterest Boards We Love” is Florida Summer
http://pinterest.com/amybogue1/florida-summer/ by Amy Bogue
http://pinterest.com/grrcupcake/it-s-always-summer-in-florida/ by Shauna E
http://pinterest.com/kathibess/celebrate-summer/ by Chef Kathi
http://pinterest.com/suzwillis/best-of-sarasota-summer-fun/ by Suzanne Willis
Filed under Beach, Florida, Pinterest Boards We Love
Pinterest Boards We Love, The Beach
This week’s theme for “Pinterest Boards We Love” is The Beach
http://pinterest.com/ldj1287/beach/ by Linda Jimenez
http://pinterest.com/kathie2/the-beach/ by Kathie Tallas
http://pinterest.com/brent12/beaches/ by Jennie B. Jacobs
http://pinterest.com/kayceejoanne/beaches/ by Kaycee Dillon
http://pinterest.com/margastaal/at-the-beach/ by Marga Staal
Filed under Beach, Florida, Pinterest Boards We Love
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Being a west coast girl, I was a little shocked not to see the sunset at Cocoa Beach. But, the sunrise on Cocoa is awesome!
We were right by the pier on Cocoa, another first for me. Walking under the pier was a little like being in a movie, and it was a fun experience. We never made it on the actual pier, but I’d like to go back someday to try it. It seems to offer food, drink, and live music. Another fun sight is the surfers. Their dedication to their sport is really admirable, especially when you see how high some of those waves are. And they all look so strong!
As for the local area, we hit Ron Jon’s of course and sampled the Backwoods Grill and I Dream of Yogurt. It was neat to drive around and see Patrick Air Force Base, if only from the road. That area of Florida is different from the smaller and less developed beach areas that the suncoast of Florida offers. You really will feel like you are in a beach town like you see in those old movies. Or perhaps it will have that Jersey shore feel you’ve been looking for.
On the way to Cocoa Beach, we stopped at Dixie Crossroads and sampled some fried mullet and other seafood. This a great family experience, especially the fritters with powdered sugar. You might want to make sure you also take this route!
Those that frequent only one coast of Florida really miss out. Both coasts are so different that you need both to get a true Florida experience. I’ll remind myself of that next time I think it might be too far to drive over there.
Filed under Beach, Family travel, Florida, Travel
Guest blog: News About Driving on Outer Banks beaches
The National Park Service is initiating an ORV (off-road vehicle) plan for Outer Banks (NC) beaches. This new regulation will go into effect on February 15, 2012. Some things you need to know before you go:
- An ORV permit will be required from now on.
- Every vehicle must have an ORV permit. No piggybacking off someone
- else’s permit.
- You must not exceed the speed limit, which is 15mph, unless otherwise posted.
- There are two types of permits issues: ($50) weekly and ($120) annually. Note: No day rate but there is limited access on Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches.
- The permits may be obtained at NPS offices during normal business hours, seven days a week, (but not prior to 2/15/12) at :
- Bodie Island at the north end of the Coquina Beach parking lot (8101 NC 12 Highway, Nags Head, NC);
- Hatteras Island by the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Center (46368 Lighthouse Road, Buxton, NC);
- Ocracoke Island by the NPS visitor center (40 Irvin Garrish Highway, Ocracoke, NC).
You must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration. You will be required to fill out a form, pay the money, and watch a brief educational video.
The permit must be prominently displayed on your vehicle while engaging in off-road driving. Maps are available that show designated ORV areas at the permit offices and OB visitor centers, as well as on their website, www.nps.gov/caha
For more information, call 252-473-2111 or visit the park website at: www.nps.gov/caha.
Terrance Zepke, author of Coastal North Carolina and Lighthouses of the Carolinas
Guest Blogger