Tag: beach

A Weekend of Collecting Shells

December 18, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

RV Life Daily Blog – Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, 2023

We found our very first ever whole sand dollar while collecting shells this weekend! It is small. Smaller than the palm of my hand. These small ones are super fragile. We found a second one, but it broke soon after I picked it up.

December is a quiet month here on the coastal beaches of southern Alabama and Florida. Many times, we are the only people in sight. I expect January to pick up some after the holidays.

But we are not the only creatures in sight. Many times we are privileged enough to have a great blue heron share the beach with us.

He even followed us around for a bit. I think he was curious about what we were picking up off the beach. He walked down to where we were and then, turned around and followed us.

We have found several beaches here that are great for collecting shells. You just have to check the tide schedule and show up at the right time. Here in the Gulf, there are two high tides and two low tides.

Would you believe that Shell Beach is one of the best? And parking is free at all the paid parking lots after December 1. Shell Beach is part of Gulf State Park.

Don’t let Rich fool you. He enjoys finding cool shells just as much as I do.

I want to pick up all the complete shells that aren’t broken, but Rich stops me after a while cause the bag gets too heavy.

When he asks me what I will do with all the shells, I remind him that all the little ones that have holes in them will be hanging on the tree. Just look at all the shells on the tree in the picture above. I love looking at them.

Last year, I made wind chimes with the shells we collected in Florida.

I wish we could find more of the large ones without imperfections or broken edges.

Why do we love shells so much? Maybe because it gives us a glimpse into the ocean. I have never been in the ocean, no snorkeling or diving, so I have no personal experience with what it is like, and seashells give me a personal glimpse into that. The farthest I have ever been in the ocean is up to my knees.

Yep. That is a full-sized bath towel full of just this weekend’s haul. What would you suggest I do with all of them?

We collected shells until we couldn’t. Last night’s sunset was gorgeous, as usual.

Thanks for sharing our travels with us by reading my stories about the places we visit and enjoying my pictures of the things we see.

 

 

RV Life Daily Blog 12/13/23

December 14, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

It was another day in paradise —

We stayed inside and slept late this morning and then had a delicious brunch of eggs, sausage, and fried potatoes. It was a beautiful, sunny day, high of 65, mild and warm. Too nice to stay inside. So after late morning showers we headed out the door to get out of the RV.

The first stop of the day was a billboard just down the road. I had to get a photo of the Wacked Out Weiner billboard for a writing prompt about restaurants and stores with naughty names on medium.com.

After that, we found a small wetland park to visit.

The entrance to this walking/hiking park is located at the base of the water tower at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. The Sports area has playing fields for soccer, baseball, tennis, and even pickleball.

This loop gravel path travels around a fishing pond, benches, gazebos, and a fishing pier for a quiet way to enjoy these natural wetlands.

It was a nice day for a short walk. Not too windy and no jacket was required. We didn’t see any birds or fish or turtles or anything here, but it was a beautiful and peaceful area to explore.

All of the photos in my posts are taken by me on my iPhone.

I am always intrigued by the Spanish Moss in the huge oak trees in the southern part of the United States. There is something beautiful, yet eerie about it.

We drove around and explored Oyster Bay and found this flock of pelicans in the water as we passed over a bridge.

I also saw a great blue heron along the side of the road but I wasn’t quick enough to zoom in and get a good picture of it at 55 mph. This one is a little blurry.

Next, we headed to the Orange Beach Waterfront Park. Open to the public year-round, this beautiful family park is located on scenic Wolf Bay. I always look for these public areas to visit. Most of the time they are beautiful and well worth the time.

And we were not disappointed with this park. The 400-foot fishing pier in the photo above was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Sally in 2020. It just reopened last December.

There is a huge lawn chair on the deck which is perfect for photo opportunities. It is large and spacious, so you can easily fit multiple people in it for a group photo. The chair is heavy and sturdy, so you don’t have to worry about it tipping over. The best part is that you can get some great background scenery in your photos.

We find these large chairs all around the country. I wonder if that is just a United States thing or do other countries have tourist spots like this too?

We saw some pelicans flying around as we enjoyed the park. They flew by us once, turned around, and passed by us again so I took their picture. Then we headed to the ocean side of Orange Beach which is only two miles from the bay side. We pulled into the Cotton Bayou parking lot.

Even though the flags were red for rip currents today, the wind was mild and warm and it was nice walking along the beach.

The two birds we saw at this beach included a sanderling and a willet.

I am always searching for seashells but have been quite disappointed so far. 

I just haven’t found anything very special yet besides the small common clam shells.

The beach was so calm and relaxing that we stayed for a while. I did some research on why the beach is so calm and relaxing and decided to put that in a whole separate article.

I don’t know what the price of gas is where you are, but here in southern Alabama, it is down to $2.52. We are thankful for falling gas prices.

After dark we decided to search for some Christmas light displays.

The only thing we found close by and free of charge was the lights at The Wharf and a small housing edition on Fort Morgan Road where every single house was fully decorated.

After we got home I found out that maybe there is a laser light show at 7:00 pm timed to music. We may have to go back and find out.

The tree was pretty and elegant. There is an ice skating rink here too with skating until 10:00 pm.

Today was a great day. Thanks for allowing me to share it with you. See you tomorrow.

Why is the Beach so Calm and Relaxing?

December 13, 2023 – Traveling with Rich & Julie

I had to find out what it is about the beach that is so calm and relaxing so I did some research and this is what I discovered.

The beach’s calming and relaxing effect is a combination of several factors, both physical and psychological.

Physical sensory experience:

The rhythmic crashing of the waves is a form of white noise, which masks distracting sounds and promotes relaxation. Studies have shown that listening to these sounds activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response.

The vastness of the ocean, the gentle sway of nearby trees and tall grasses, and the sun’s warm glow create a calming and peaceful scene. Nature has a restorative effect on the mind and body, which reduces stress and anxiety.

Walking barefoot on the warm sand is grounding and stimulating. The pressure on the feet releases tension and improves mood.

The scent of the salty air, with its negative ions, improves mood and well-being. Additionally, the ocean breeze is refreshing and cleansing.

Physiological effects:

Sunlight exposure increases the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes happiness and well-being. Additionally, vitamin D from the sun strengthens the immune system.

The warm sand and air promotes muscle relaxation and reduces stress.

The beach offers an escape from pollution and allergens, providing cleaner air that improves breathing and energy levels.

Psychological factors:

Many people associate the beach with positive memories and experiences, creating a sense of nostalgia and happiness.

The beach environment is often less demanding and stimulating than everyday life, allowing for mental rest and relaxation.

The natural environment encourages mindfulness and appreciation for the present moment, reducing worries and anxieties about the future.

The vastness and power of the ocean instill a sense of awe and wonder, leading to a feeling of peace and insignificance.

Overall, the beach offers a multi-sensory experience that engages our physical and psychological senses, creating a calming and relaxing effect. This escape from the stresses of everyday life allows us to recharge, rejuvenate, and appreciate the beauty of nature.

No wonder I like the beach so much.