Beaches

Summer approaches with rising heat and humidity. I look forward to migrating northeastward back to cool, dry Bavaria. The change of seasons is a good time to reflect on what I am leaving behind.

Spring mornings under clear blue skies are my favorite time on Florida’s west coast beaches. The soft white sand along the Gulf of Mexico feels cool underfoot and offers an excellent opportunity to exercise. I trudge through the loose sand rather than the hard pack near the water. It builds more muscles.

Shore birds are still hyper-active, rushing in and out of the surf looking for a meal. Seagulls congregate looking for a handout as I bite into an apple. Snowbirds have started their migrations leaving sparsely populated beaches emptier than usual.

Florida’s beaches are often described as “endless” and it does feel like you can walk along the coast forever. Occasionally, you encounter a small grassy sand dune that has not been fenced off for its protection. Sadly, waterfronts inevitably attract development. Dunes will disappear and, in time, commercial developments will make the beach shorter, narrower, and less endless.