As soon as we pulled into Anastasia State Park, we were entranced. It is gorgeous here. The park has 4 miles of uninhabited beach, lots of bike paths and the setting for our site is just lovely.
As soon as we got out of the truck, however, we noticed the mosquitos. Lots and lots of them. This is one of the first places where we have had to put on bug spray just to step outside. And then there was the cockroach in the trailer. It must have come in one of the times Bobby was going in and out while he was grilling. Luckily, Elise saw him and Bobby was able to eliminate him before he made it past the doormat. Since then, we have tried to be very quick with the door!
Some of the critters we have seen so far
Yesterday we bought foldable bikes for me and Bobby. We bought them for the year but we hurried a little to buy them yesterday because last night was a “Bike Ride at Low Tide” that we wanted to take. The sand is hard enough close to the water that you can ride your bikes. Unfortunately, St. Augustine is experiencing a “red tide” right now, so they canceled the bike ride. This is from the state website, explaining what a red tide is:
Red Tide is a common name for an algal bloom caused by a species of dinoflagellate known as Karenia brevis. Red Tides occur after estuarine, marine, or fresh water algae accumulate rapidly causing a “bloom”. The bloom will start offshore and is associated with onshore winds and tides. The plant like organisms form a dense, visible patch near the water’s surface exceeding tens of millions of cells per liter of seawater, and often discoloring the water to a deep reddish-brown hue. Effects of red tide include high mortality rates among marine and coastal species of fish, birds, marine mammals and other organisms. When in contact with salt water spray humans may experience upper respiratory, eye, nose, and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms. A rash may also occur after contact with affected water and usually goes away within 24 hours.
We rode anyway and really enjoyed it. We stopped for a while to watch some surfers near the pier and put our feet in the water.
The beach here is completely different from the beaches we are used to on the Eastern Shore (Delmarva peninsula). The waves break far out from shore and then break again and then just keep coming in. Back home, the waves all break at about the same place and you can gauge pretty well how far the water is going to come up. Not here. Bobby and Elise discovered that it’s pretty hard to build sand castles here. The sand is incredibly fine and too wet near the water to be firm enough to build anything.
Today we are going to head to the beach for a little while, then head into town for a round of putt-putt and some fort exploring.
October 16, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Hey Danine & Fam: I have been meaning to get in touch with you and tell you how impressed I am with your blog. I love seeing and hearing about all that you are doing. I’m also learning new things through you. I love the Biltmore story! I received your card etc. and you are too kind to remember Stefanie! She decided to stay home a while longer and attend NOVA for nursing. So she is doing fabulous and loves it. She works at PF Changs and has grown up over night. She has decided she wants to finish 2 years there and earn her RN and then transfer to complete her 4 year degree. She loves being independent with her own money and all the freedoms of being away…..well almost all
All the girls are really happy in High School and we are surviving all the drama. When I look at your adventures I crave the simplicity you are currently living. I will try to do better keeping up with you. Hannah is a Sr. this year and will graduate from Wm & Mary in May. If you head down to Williamsburg, let me know and I’ll give you the name of the restaurant where she works! You all look healthy and happy. Keep enjoying your “year about” it’s awesome. We miss you!!!
Love Lisa and fam.
October 16, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I remember Anastasia and how different it was from any beach I had seen before. We did not encounter the critters, though. Lucky you!
October 16, 2007 at 11:07 pm
We used to have a red tide every now and again when I worked in Ocean City – usually when it got really hot for extended periods. It was always interesting trying to explain it to beachgoers such that they didn’t freak – unbelievably, they usually asked if there had been a shark attack…
Glad to see/hear that your adventures continue to amuse, amaze, and inspire. The photos are great!