There is the view, directly in front of us. I ask, where am I positioned? Is it to my best advantage? My answer is I am where I am. It is what it is. And it seems, what is not in view, is what is most important.
Tag: Amelia Island
Driftwood
the name of our local surf shop
The ocean holds treasures, as well as dangers. We who live on the island, all know that. Hurricane Irma is projected, three days away from us.
I have decided to not leave. It’s not because I am cavalier and don’t believe that the force of the wind and water, can be life threatening, but so is the evacuation.
I had to make a choice.
Florida is over populated.
I think of all of the people who have lived here, from the time of the Timuquans. What did they do?
Shifting Sand
The islanders are preparing, in their individual fashions, for the imminent threat of Hurricane Irma.
I have been avoiding the media.
I have gathered camp type food and equipment. I need to make sure I have a deck of cards.
The authorities will surely call for an evacuation.
Having lived in Florida all of my life, I find each hurricane experience to be different.
I delight in the writings of Carl Haissen, having read almost everything he’s every written. A one time journalist for the Miami Herald, he really has a bead on Florida existence.
Hiaasen’s openings hit you like the first blast of hot, sticky air on a Florida morning. They knock you sideways, and it can take a while to get your bearings. Pretty soon, though, you start to realize that the heat, and the craziness it induces, just aren’t going to let up, so you might as well go with it.
Like the ocean floor is constant shifting sand, so are these hours preceding the storm.
so you might as well go with it
Travel Dangers
We hear about them all of the time. The most recent being, don’t go to Mexico, because they might serve you poisonous alcohol.
I have two large maps on my wall, facing me now. One is a world map. The other is of the United States. I like to be geographically aware. Whether I’m reading a story or listening to the state of world politics on the television, I like to see the placement of countries. Do you have any idea how big Russia is? Continue reading Travel Dangers
Food for Thought
What is real? As I caught my redfish, Paris was headed for trouble.
Beach Portraits ~
Tragedy Strikes!
This is a documentation.
I felt shock and dread last night, as I passed this dead deer on Atlantic Avenue. It had been hit by a car. It’s sad. However, it’s something that happens when nature meets development.
Deers don’t travel far from where they are born. I’ve been told, that they will live their life, within a one mile radius. I’m not sure if that’s correct. I’m not an animal expert. And I couldn’t tell you which side of the street that she lived on. I didn’t witness the collision. I don’t know who her survivors are. All I know is, there is one less beautiful deer walking the woods. Continue reading Tragedy Strikes!
Day 5 ~ Turtle Time
Several hundred residents of, and visitors to Amelia Island braved rain and wind and were on hand to bid farewell to Captain, released back to the sea today by the wonder-workers of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff after being hospitalized for three years with wounds to upper and lower shell and spine. Dr. Norton of the GSTC asked that all who walk the beach keep an eye out for Captain and make sure he/she made it back to the sea safely. Godspeed, Captain! 10/21/2013
Yesterday, I tried to share a story about this turtle, Charlie. I had stumbled upon his release, by having my coffee at the beach and seeing a sign announcing his arrival, at 2 O’CLOCK.It was a red carpet, ocean, sea and sand event. Charlie was paraded through the crowd of onlookers, who were held back by ropes. Cameras were everywhere. Charlie was elevated to the celebrity status that he deserved. He was going home.
Day 2 ~ A Butt Competition
Amelia is a beautiful city by the sea; but San Francisco it’s not. West Coast/East Coast….Big City/Small Town.
However, I can always find something to do.
Southerners take their Cook Offs seriously, as you can see by the portable smoker.
And their sitting around.
This – Cook Team Hilliard – had a great set up.
I am a sucker for old cars.
And nothing in town would be complete without Felix.
After walking around, smelling the food cook and listening to the good ole’ bluegrass; I walked home with my Olympus TG-2
When I envision all the money invested in this hobby. I don’t feel so conscience-stricken about my own endeavors. Everyone needs something to do that they enjoy. Something that maybe no one else understands, but those that invest in a similar enthusiasm.
Big butts/little butts – Good butts/bad butts ~ How do they judge?
Good photos/bad photos?
The only bad photo is the one you don’t take. I had to get out there to get these pictures.
It’s comparable to a good wave that comes to you and you don’t go for it. You have to charge!
I’m not in San Francisco or New York or even Atlanta, but I live on an island that’s culture is as important as any.
I’m right where I belong.
Our World
I’ve wanted this salad w/crab cake, since the day I wrote the post, Man vs. Nature, about the dune restoration going on at Slider’s Restaurant, on Amelia Island.
Cason was playing. It is her birthday. She is a compelling performer, as well as surfer. She has a Southern, jazzy repertoire, that blends with the atmosphere. I can easily visualize her, singing her songs at the Grand Ole Opry, or having the lights shining down from above, capturing her stage persona, on the televised show Austin City Limits.
The sea oats, planted by George, the owner, are coming up nicely. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt, that he did this in the best interest of the dunes. Yes, it was shocking to me to see the machinery in the dunes, after all that I have been taught about the ecology. But new oats have been planted, and in conveying his story to me, he seemed sincere. He has no intention of adding more tables or putting in a pool. Time will tell. 
In the mean time, I want to enjoy this place that has become such a popular source of entertainment. They certainly have good food and a positive vibe.
Tomorrow, I’m leaving the corner, that has become my world: our world. I’m going to Nicaragua to photograph my friends surfing.
We’ll land in Managua, and then drive to the beach.
As I sat in the middle of this decadence, I allowed myself to enjoy it. Even though, in the back of my mind, the poverty that I will soon encounter, loomed.
*I am locking her down now. The next time I write, I will be in a new neighborhood. I’ll be on someone else’s corner, in their world: our world.
Fish Eye Farm 