The Bay or the Gulf … Take Your Pick

Monday, 7 January
Fort Pickens Campground — Gulf Islands National Seashore (GINS), Florida
Temps: Lo 44F / Hi 62F (7C / 17C)

What a gorgeous day we had!  After two days of dreary overcast conditions, today’s blue skies and sunshine were such a welcome change.  The day dawned cold, with a breeze that added to the chill.  But by mid-day the air was still and in the sun it sure felt warmer than the recorded high of 62F (17C).

Fort Pickens Campground is located on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island that sits between the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Pensacola Bay on the other side.  The gulf waters are a beautiful aqua, the hues changing from pale to dark depending on the depth.  The bay, on the other hand, is a moodier body of water, its color ranging from blue, to navy, to brown-black in places.  Both are bordered by white beaches, but the sand on the gulf side seems finer, brighter, and whiter.  Each is beautiful in its own way; and we got to experience them both today.

Before our mid-morning date with former-fulltimers Chuck and Anneke, Mui and I donned our layers against the wind-induced chill and took the short, sandy path that connects from loop E to the narrow stretch of beach that fronts Pensacola Bay.  We sprinted down the beach in an effort to stay warm, but enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.

Seeing stingrays washed ashore was a first for us; unfortunately, neither was alive.
No rescue opportunities today.

In September, we walked the beach at NAS Pensacola, across the bay from where we are today.

The sanderlings were busy looking for breakfast and weren’t as skittish this morning.

We met Chuck and Anneke (of Goldenshoe RV Trip) for the first time last September when we came out to Pensacola to establish our residency.  Today, they drove out to check out the campground here at Fort Pickens and then came by the motorhome.

From the laughter and chatter, you would have thought that we’ve known each other for years.  Yup; it was a typical meeting between fellow RVers with a common interest.  Around noon, we headed out to Niki’s, a Greek/Italian eatery in Gulf Breeze.  We all ordered gyro wraps, which were quite tasty, but difficult to eat … next time, I’ll just get the platter.  Of course, the good conversation and laughter continued through our meal.

Sorry no photos of the four of us from today, or of the food!  I’ll have to try to remember to get a few shots the next time we see them.  In the meantime, I’ll re-cycle the photo we had taken at McGuire’s Irish Pub last September.  The attire we had on that day would definitely not have been appropriate for today’s much cooler temps!

Thanks for the company, Chuck and Anneke.

After returning home, we made a couple of phone calls and then headed back out again — this time for a walk along the beach fronting the gulf.  I love deserted beaches.  We saw a father shelling with his two sons, and that was it.  The breeze from the morning had died down, so we didn’t need as many layers this afternoon.  Had it been a little earlier in the day, I think Mui would have gone swimming.  As it is, he’s still hoping to get a chance for a quick dip before we leave here.

I’m perfectly happy standing on the beach, but …

… Mui feels the urge to walk out to a sandbar.

White sand and blue skies … what a great combination.

I’m no good with these small birds, so all you birders out there need to help out with an ID.

We returned to the campground via an inland path that took us by a couple of the Fort Pickens batteries that overlook the beach.  I’m going to leave those photos for after we do a tour of the fort — maybe later this week.

Once back home, we didn’t stay long.  Picking up wool caps and windbreaks, we hopped in the car and headed out to Fort Pickens to catch the sunset.  It was a pretty sunset, but we didn’t get the riot of colors we enjoyed a few days ago.  Still, it was worth the short drive, and as a bonus, we had a very nice chat with a couple from Wisconsin who are in a different loop at the campground; they’re making a meandering trip down to Orlando and Key West.  Hopefully we’ll be doing that too — but next winter.

We’re not the only ones out here waiting for the sunset.
Brown Pelican

The setting sun had set the windows of this Fort Pickens building afire.

Though the colors are more muted, we still enjoy the sunset.

A local who was enjoying the sunset with us thought this boat was probably going out for bait.

It was a great day to be sure … and to wrap it up, here’s a sighting that really excited us.  This nine-banded armadillo did not cooperate for a photo op, scurrying into the underbrush when we came upon it.  But what I did catch makes a great …

The End!