Pensacola was hit by hurricane Ivan in 2004 but it quickly sprang back. The renovated historic district has been turned into a theme park retelling the story of the city in the XIX century. From here, you quickly get to the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, which were also hit hard by the hurricane but today there's no visible trace of the devastation. This is a section of the National Seashore, which turns very interesting from Destin to Fort Walton. The coastline is an 18-mile stretch of road that hugs what is referred to as the Emerald Coast. And for a reason: here fluorescent colored waves lap brilliant white beaches (quartz crystals washed down from the Appalachian mountains, polished and ground by water) that blind you like snow. Residential areas are quiet, little blocks or gated communities with no high-rises. They are perhaps mostly vacation homes, since there's hardly anybody around on this quiet Sunday morning. We arrive at Grayton Beach State Park and decide to stay at their campground. The place is enchanting, a small paradise. We get a spot right on the fresh water lake shore, with a small trail just for us heading down to the water. This is easily the best park we stayed at so far. We are isolated from even our neighbors by thick vegetation. We have a picnic table and a clothes line.
As soon as we are settled in, we head for a walk on the beach. It ends up being a 3-hour stroll with our feet plunging into soft ground quartz. We even dare to dip them in water, which is bearable at first and pleasant after a few seconds. There are very few people around, the ones we encounter greet us with a broad smile. There's something slightly surreal about this place. We arrive at the town of Seaside, with cute little houses neatly aligned along the dunes. They look like they came straight out of a new urbanization prototype. They have something Victorian, something Colonial and something unique at the same time, they are all perfect, silent and orderly. It's a fascinating place but we are barefoot and cannot venture beyond the gazebos that offer a small glimpse of what lays over the street. We will come and visit this tomorrow. Perhaps we can even stay an extra night.
Back towards our campground, we wait for the sun to go down. This time, Petr takes the pictures, and the results are astounding. Judge for yourself (below). Perked up, we go back to the RV for dinner, and we spend the evening listening to the sound of silence as the birds go to bed as well.
A Toys for Tots Harley benefit. Many were dressed up like Santas and carried Xmas trees on their bikes.
The emerald coast in Fort Warton.
Beach and ocean.
The lake by the Grayton beach campground.
Our access point to the lake.
Our lake front lot.
The lake seen from the trail to the beach.
The lake with the dunes in the background.
The beach from the dunes.
Laura on the beach.
Sand as white as snow, gem-colored water and footsteps.
Is the water cold?
Nope!
My footsteps being washed away by the waves.
A pelican pretending to sleep, he is actually hunting.
Hunting bird.
Our stroll to Seaside.
First glance at the streets in Seaside.
Supper time, the waves brought to shore tiny silver fish that the birds were quick to catch.
The black sheep in this flock.
Dinner is served.
The light at sunset.
The sunset according to Petr.
Another example.