It's All Relative!

Our month at the beach has come to an end.

The weather has been a mixed bag with the frigid northern air masses moving to the South ... it was almost like they hitched a ride with us.

We did have a few beach days in the sunshine ... well actually I think I only had my bathing suit on four days!

We enjoyed many days walking the beach not in bathing suits, but layered in capris or jeans, t- shirts, vests with a light jacket.

On our last day we had hoped for a sunny, warm day to spend lazing on the beach with a good book, but it was a cloudy, cooler day! ( High only 65 degrees F ).

There were plenty of sun beds and cabanas calling our name!

We opted to venture out further east along the beach road in search of a waterfront restaurant and refused to allow the weather to dictate where we would sit whether inside or outside.

These are the signs at "Margaritaville" ... love this!

We chose a table in the outdoor covered patio room.

    Today the windows were closed and the patio heaters were a "flame"!          

The view from our table looking out the windows ...

We enjoyed a tasty seafood lunch of crab cakes and grouper on our last day in Panama City Beach at Schooners the "Last Local Beach Club".

                     

                                     

On our last evening from the balcony of the condo we viewed yet another beauty of a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico...

As in life, it is all relative ... 

temperatures in the mid 50s & 60s Fahrenheit were still 70 degrees F. warmer than back home in Canada.

Stay tuned for our next adventure ... Postcards from New Orleans, Louisiana!

Santa Rosa Beach Surprise!

Serendipity ... is a fortunate happenstance ... a pleasant surprise ...

After an interesting morning at the weekly market and wandering around the village of Rosemary Beach we continued with our "Sunday Drive" along the scenic highway 30A. 

This is our first time in the Panhandle region of Florida; although several years ago we did look at visiting the area.

We had found a lovely two bed/two bathroom apartment located in Santa Rosa beach, but timing was not right ...we didn't know exactly where it was located, just had a photo image in my mind of the property that I had seen on the vacation rental website.

A bit odd especially when you search and scroll as many properties as we do, it is hard to remember one from the other.

We finally found a spot to stop for some lunch ... and my thoughts initially were "Are you serious, you want to eat here?"  

The parking lot was full, the outside appeared "down market" and more like a local watering hole.

                         

                

Once we entered we were pleasantly surprised to see many patrons enjoying delicious food and beverages, in a clean rustic setting.

Lesson learned "Don't judge a book by its cover".

We were seated at a window table with views of the highway ... as I looked out I saw a sign ...

"art30A" ... 

After our lunch we checked out the property across the road and sure enough it was the same place we had looked at many years ago; the apartment was located above the owner's art studio.

Unfortunately it was not open today ...

                              

 

What a pleasant surprise ...

Who would have thought you would see a place you had viewed many years ago on the Internet with limited info as to its location!

Often when we are searching for accommodation for our travels, we comment how it would be nice to know where the property is located and be able to see it ahead of time.

Now we use Google earth to get a visual impression of the area. 

Once upon a Time!

Clock tower of the deconsecrated Church in Gourdon, France framed by beautiful plane tree leaves.

Tick tock, tick tock, the clock just keeps ticking ... how quickly time flies.

It seems we are always wishing our life away ... 

waiting & hoping for tomorrow, next week, next month, next year ...

We have to learn to enjoy the present moments!

Please note I am using "we" in general terms ... there is the young 10 year old who can't wait to be a teenager, the teenager who can't wait to be a young adult of 21 years of age, and the cycle just continues.

We/ I have to learn to live in the moment and make the most of the now!

It is a fogged in day at the beach today, you can hardly see where the sky and the ocean meet or separate ...

                    

                    View from our balcony today in Panama City Beach

So on days like today I will enjoy the peaceful and quiet times, look for the beauty in nature while basking in the warmth of my family and friends' "sunshine" (far and near) and be thankful for the "time"!

Benjamin Franklin said ..." One today is worth two tomorrows ".

     Signage of a toy store in Celebration, Florida

              So how will you make the most of your time?

                        

" This -- this was what made life: a moment of quiet, the water falling in the fountain, the girl's voice ... a moment of captured beauty. He who is truly wise will never permit such moments to escape" 

 ... Quote by Louis L'Amour