Anastasia Island, part 2

The best part about our walk on the beach was how few other people there were around us. Most of the beach was pretty much deserted. It was really, really nice.

There were actually a few nice looking shells on the beach, since so few people were there to scoop them up. This one was broken, but I thought it looked neat anyway.

I had never touched a live starfish before. Actually, I thought this guy was dead until I picked him up and he started wiggling. There were actually a bunch of them around.

Another thing I can't remember seeing before: baby seagulls. They're really cute. The gulls here didn't seem as aggressive as the ones at somewhere like Clearwater Beach, where they'll peck your eyes out to get your Wheat Thins.

Check out Adam's footprints in the wet sand. He was heading up to the sand dune that seperates the beach from the salt marsh.

Anastasia Island, part 1

Pictures from the beach at Anastasia Island state park. It was a beautiful day.

The thing that always strikes me about the east coast is how the afternoon sun is at your back, rather than out over the water. I know it's a very "duh" thing, but since I usually go to beaches on the western coast, it is a small but unusual change. This is the afternoon sunlight reflecting off of the wet sand.


There were a few minutes when the sun went behind a stray cloud, and everything in sight was suddenly a deep, lovely blue.

There were very few people on the beach at all, but this mother and daughter seemed to be enjoying themselves. They both seemed so relaxed, just letting the waves roll up to their feet.

Since Anastasia Island is only a few minutes outside of St. Augustine, we decided to stop by our favorite mexican restaurant while we were there. We sat on the second-floor balcony, which is completely open to the bay. We have been very lucky when we go there, since we almost always get the very best table in the house -- right on the edge of the balcony, with a perfect, unobstructed view.
This picture is blurry on purpose. It sort of reflects how I felt at the end of the day ... so relaxed, a little drowsy, but happy.