Fun, beach photographs, riches and the grace of this beautiful life!

Having fun is not a diversion from a successful life; it is the pathway to it.
Martha Beck

So, yes, this week in Pensacola has been all about connecting with so many of the beautiful people we have known since we called this place home over 30 years ago.

Pensacola: as (then) mayor Vince Whibbs famously used to say, “The western gate to the sunshine state, where thousands live like millions wish they could…” Or at least that is how I remember it.

But one huge focus of this trip has been that of enjoying a vacation with Rebekah. We loved this summer’s 3,200 mile adventure with the grandchildren, but this week is – by design – significantly more relaxing. And, when we had to postpone our roadtrip to the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming the prospect of this sojourn on the Gulf Coast turned out to be the perfect alternative and we are so grateful it all came together.

This amazing beach house is located on the “sound side” of the island, so taking some time Thursday morning to enjoy one of the miles and miles of ocean side beaches – featuring unspoiled white sands – was absolutely in order.

At only 84-degrees on a breezy day, the conditions could not have been any better. Even the rambunctious seas were a plus because all I wanted to do was to bounce around in the waves and we had them to spare!

The colors – the ocean the sky and the sand – were spectacular. White foamy waves, deep blues, splashes of green and indigo and purple and black, turquoise waters, azure waters, emerald waters, aquamarine waters, teal waters. Translucent, luminescent, iridescent, sparkling gemstone and crystal water droplets.

Being immersed in the salt water was not just invigorating but spa-like. The feel of the breeze and the sun on my skin. The beauty too is restorative.

My photographs may do a fair job of painting the picture, but also make sure to view the short video I have included – because the seas are all about motion and these Gulf of Mexico waters are alive!

Make sure to turn the volume up because the sound the waves make as they crash on the shore is a symphony of tranquility.

Waters always in motion:

Date Night:

Wednesday evening Rebekah and I indulged in a seafood restaurant treat. We made reservations at The Wharf Fish & Oyster Company. I had the Blue Crab and Shrimp-topped Oysters – broiled with a creamy blend of mozzarella & parmesan cheese, toasted breadcrumbs, drizzled with citrus butter sauce. Rebekah went full on grouper with a ridiculously delicious to-die-for heavy cream sauce.

The food was good but date-night is all about being together somewhere special, and celebrating the fact that we can. It is an interesting sensation to be tourists at a place we used to call home. Because when we left the restaurant and finished our saunter along the boardwalk, all my instincts had us turning right and over the bridges into the town and back to Cordova Park. But instead we opened the windows and the roof before making our way to this fabulous house overlooking the sparkling waters of Santa Rosa Bay.

Date nights where you don’t have to go home are still the best!